Knowledge of Taekwondo for 4th KUP

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Sine Wave

Unique within Taekwon-do is the sine wave (sine wave) motion to generate maximum power according to the theory of force.

In almost every movement it is used. Natural wave motion is simple.

During lessons and seminars Taekwon-Do practitioners learned to apply "sine wave" in their techniques.

What we do in fact, in the execution of the wave motion in Taekwondo techniques, it is moving the center of mass of the body by means of a movement, that if we were to this outlining would look like a sine wave (click on figures to enlarge).

There are some advantages to use a wave movement that are related to the training of secrets of taekwon-do. To move the center of our mass in the movement of a wave legs must be bent while the body is in motion. To keep the legs and arms bent over a movement we need to be relaxed. By relaxing the body extra speed is given to a technique because the various parts of the body do not work against each other, as is the case with voltage. Force equals mass times velocity squared, so a small gain in speed and a big gain in strength.

When we perform a wave motion, we need to also make use of a "knee suspension" (knee spring) on the correct manner. By bending our knees as we move, the body is moved up and down forward by the knee bend. While the body moves is our center of mass moves on a curve, which by definition is a form of acceleration.

Finally, when wave motion is applied "falls" downwards the body at the end of the technique, which turn, contributes to the use of gravity to our advantage, and can assure that the acceleration increases to the moment of impact.

To apply the wave right in Taekwon-Do we need to adjust the shape of the wave to achieve maximum power. In other words, the sine wave is not a uniform curve as shown in Figure 1. The wave motion is adapted so that the body "falls" at the time that it has reached the half of the trajectory of a technique, and comes up to maximum height of about three quarters of the route. Then the body comes quickly down at the end of the movement. The rapid "fall" at the end of the technique helps us our mass to accelerate into the target, using the force of gravity.

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Five different tempos

The basis of the wave motion is down-up-down, i.e., there is always a downward movement, followed by a upward movement, and ending with a downward movement. However, there are variations to the wave motion conceivable, which are dependent on the rate of movement and the combination of techniques. There are in traditional taekwondo, the basic exercises and tuls total of five different tempos:

• Normal motion
  

In SAJU JIRUGI, SAJU MAKGI AND CHON-JI TUL taekwon-do student learns the normal pace of connected movements. So that is the first "motion": normal motion (normal speed). Movements performed in a normal pace, with a wave motion in one breath.

• Continuous motion
  

DAN-GUN teaches taekwon-do student second motion: continuous motion (sequential pace). Two movements are performed sequentially, twice with wave motion in a single breath.

• Fast motion
  

Do-San brings back a new motion with: fast motion (fast pace). Two motions are in quick succession carried out, twice with wave motion in two breaths.

• Connecting motion
  

In YUL-GOK is there a new motion: connecting motion (attached pace). Two movements connected performed, with one wave motion in one breath.

• Slow motion
  

JOONG-GUN completes the fifth and final motion: slow motion (slow pace). In slow motion, the move is slowly but, in relation to the theory of power there is acceleration at the end of the movement. There is one (slow) movement, one wave at a (delayed) breathing. Slow motion performances of techniques allow more body control and balance exercise to the student.

Determine the five different tempos of the wave motion, of which three variants are:

• Full wave
• 2/3 wave
• 1/3 wave

Only in normal motion, continuous motion and slow motion, there is a full wave motion (down-up-down).
In fast motion, there is 2/3 wave motion, since there is then only an up and downward in the movement. An example can be found in DO-SAN TUL: the two punches that follow the AHPCHA-BUSUGI (movements 15 & 16 and 19 & 20)
In the connecting motion, there is 1/3 wave motion, since there is only a downward movement takes place. An example can be found in YUL-GOK TUL: the impact which the second hooking block following (movements 16 & 17 and 19 & 20).

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