How Do You Use A Fan To Defend Against A Knife Thrust In Hapkido?
Hapkido is a term used to describe a large group of various Korean arts. It includes an eclectic combination of kicks, joint locks and pressure points, as well as various weapon techniques. One common item which was adapted for self defense in Hapkido was the fan. It could be used when closed to block or strike, and when open it could be used to deflect projectiles as well as distract. In this manner it was a very effective short-range defensive tool that most people carried about with them in Korea when the defense system evolved. In this article you will learn how to use a simple fan to defend yourself from a knife thrust by an attacker. Begin with your opponent, preferably a sparring partner, approaching with a practice knife in hand. Keep your knees flexed slightly and rise to the balls of your feet to allow for faster reaction. Draw your fan and hold it closed, by the base, with the length of the fan sticking out from the top of the fist. Push off hard with your right foot and sid
