The first six Taeguek poomsae are fairly simple compared to the ITF color belt forms, but one set from Taeguek Oh Jang (5) caught my eye.
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| Performance by HorizonSuccess Coach |
The technique on the right is a high elbow strike with a supporting palm placed on the right fist. This is unusual since the left hand appears to be doing nothing: it does not add power to the strike and cannot be used to pull the opponent. The strike is performed after a three-quarter back turn into a single knifehand block.
Instead of a strike, you may apply the technique as a wrist lock, demonstrated by Orjan Nilsen below
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| Source: Traditional Taekwondo Ramblings |
While this a fine technique, there a few issues I have with it: there is no step to grab the opponent's wrist (as opposed to the set in Koryo where the "downward palm block" may be used to grab the wrist), the elbow "strike" should be lower so as to place pressure on the opponent's arm, and this doesn't explain the previous movement, the turn into the single knifehand block.
So if it's something other than a strike or a lock, what is it?
I believe the secret comes from the three-quarter back turn. We may use this to get behind the opponent. First, let's interpret the preceding backfist strike as us being outside the opponent's left arm, striking their neck or temple. After you strike, slide your left hand under the opponent's arm while your right fist comes back and grabs the opponent's arm (knifehand block chamber). As you turn, keep ahold of their left arm with your right fist and use the knifehand "block" to push out their rear shoulder. Performed quickly, this will place you behind the opponent.
From here we could strike the back of their head (as in many patterns). But we could also use a restraining hold. As you step forward, underhook the opponent's right arm with your right arm (the high elbow "strike"). Reach and grasp your hands together behind the opponent. This completes the hold.
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| Source: George Vranos |
So the "elbow strike" may be applied as an underhook from behind.
For a similar example, see Iain Abernethy's application of the elbow strike from Seienchin below. In this case he does not have an overhook with the other arm. Instead, he turns this into a stranglehold, using the hikite to pull the opponent's collar.
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9-25-2023 I just wanted to add a link to Master ByungSeok Lee's video on this technique. He presents a few more application ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J12Je4a8EJg
In the interest of completion, it was pointed out to me that the movement could also be a strangle from behind. I recently found some images which show this application, posted below.
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| Bottom images source: SenseiIylli |
