Comparison of Hapkido to other martial arts

The following comparison will help you understand what is different about Hapkido when compared to other martial arts.

This comparison is not saying that Hapkido is better than other martial arts. We just want to make sure you understand what our Hapkido is about.

Hapkido compared to Aikido

As in Aikido, we practice receiving an attack with minimal resistance, guiding it past the target and then adding our own force to unbalance and throw the opponent.

Breathing, balance, calmness of mind, circular motion and posture are key skills that are learnt in this practice.

However, opponents do not always attack with large over-committed movements.

Often short jabs and kicks are delivered with such rapidity that it is very difficult to lead the opponent's force. In these situations, the close quarter blocking and striking techniques of Hapkido will give you the knowledge and skills you need to defend yourself against realistic punch and kick attacks.

Hapkido compared to Jujitsu

Many of the joint-locks and throws of Hapkido are similar to those of traditional Jujitsu.

Painful twisting of the joints and tendons along with the application of painful pressure to vital points, combined with a thorough knowledge of the human anatomy can help to control an opponent regardless of size or strength.

Some traditional Jujitsu players do not practice their techniques against proficient kickers and punchers, and may be vulnerable to such longer range attacks.

A skilled striker may not allow you to get in close.

With Hapkido you will practice kicks and punches to a high degree of proficiency and will become familiar with defending against a skilled attacker that wants to punch or kick you.

Hapkido compared to Mixed Martial Arts

MMA has enjoyed a huge boom in recent years with the popularity of UFC (cage fighting) events on television. It is mostly popular with younger students who want to experience full contact and enjoy the competitive aspects of this sport.

Hapkido does include sparring in most classes, however Hapkido sparring does not normally involve full contact without protective equipment and even though we do have tournaments, these do not normally involve full contact.

Hapkido sparring focuses on correct timing and distance and encourages a co-operative approach where you and your sparring partner can both improve your skills in a live situation without fear of being seriously injured.

Care and respect for your training partner is of utmost importance in Hapkido and safety is an important part of all classes to ensure you can continue to study and train in Hapkido for a long time with a minimum of injuries and pain.

Hapkido compared to Brazilian Ju Jitsu (BJJ)

Brazilian Ju Jitsu is a form of grappling started by the Gracie and Machado families in Brazil and focuses on grappling on the ground against a single opponent. Their techniques are learnt and refined through countless hours of “rolling” on the mat.

Hapkido does include groundwork learnt through the practice of groundwork drills to strengthen your body and practice specific groundwork skills. Free sparring is allowed to continue if it goes to the ground. However, groundwork is not a major part of our classes.

Due to the practical disadvantages of being on the ground when facing multiple attackers, Hapkido students focus on learning how to escape from a grappling situation as quickly as possible using any technique (including eye attacks, hair pulling, finger locks, etc) to try and return to a standup situation where other strategies like running away are possible.

Hapkido compared to Taekwondo

Many of the kicking techniques from Taekwondo are similar to those of Hapkido. Spinning kicks, thrusts, circular kicks and sweeps are all used in sparring.

Due to the fact that Hapkido is not a tournament-focused style, other techniques like low spinning kicks, low-section kicks, leg kicks and knee strikes are also used.

The basic hand techniques of Hapkido are similar to those of Taekwondo, that is, mainly linear attacks with the fist or knifehand.

In a confined space such as a crowded public bar or a narrow hallway, kicks are limited in their practicality.

Self-defense tools such as elbows, knees, palms, head butts and attacks to vital points are essential for survival in such situations.

All of these techniques are learnt and practiced in Hapkido to produce a thorough knowledge of all ranges of attack and defense.

Hapkido also allows legs to be grabbed and allows punches to the head – so the range of options in sparring is greater than in the sport version of Taekwondo.

Hapkido compared to Kendo (Komdo)

Kendo is a Japanese sword sport where practitioners wear armour and use bamboo swords to strike each other. It is a competitive sport practiced around the world. In Korea, it is called Komdo.

Hapkido students are taught basic Komdo. Basic strikes and blocks are similar to Kendo, however circular and low-section attacks typical of traditional Korean swordsmanship are also taught once the basics have been learnt.

Basic sword patterns are taught at an advanced level to teach respect for bladed weapons and to understand the concentration and focus required when facing an opponent with a 1 metre razor blade.