Macro Patterns Part 4

In this, the final Macro Patterns entry of the lower forms, we'll take a look at Hwa-rang and Choong-Moo. 

By the construct of the past posts, Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo are the hardest forms of the non black belt forms.  Neither form is very repetitive, Although coming in at only 29 and 30 movements respectively, the complexity and variety of technique make the combination of Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo very deserving as the gateway forms to the black belt forms. 

Hwa-Rang is interesting right on the first movement.  The tense palm block / strike illustrates a fundamental tenant of TKD that is often lost during the switch from forms to fighting; namely the concept that all blocks should be strikes.  I'm not prepared to get into it more than that in this post, but suffice it to say the first move of Hwa-Rang illustrates a technique that can clearly be used as either a block or strike.  I make special note of this because I've seen different instructors over 20 years swear it was one over the other more times than I can remember.  I think the important lesson of the first move of Hwa-Rang is that all blocks should be strikes.  The art is built on the notion that you make your enemy regret ever throwing an attack at you.  It's hard to execute blocks as a strike in real time and so I think it is an aspect of the art that gets lost sometimes. 

Another interesting feature of Hwa-Rang is that it is the first form to include a round house kick.  A very respected teacher once told me that he believed round kick to be the hardest of the basic kicks to correctly execute and thus it features so late in the form set.  I think I could write a whole post on round kick vs side kick as the hardest basic kick to master and execute.  In the end, I agree that round kick is harder, but a strong case can certainly be made for both.  Either way, Hwa-Rang is also the first form to feature back to back kicks - another theme that will come to feature prominently in many of the forms to come. 

Choong-Moo is in my opinion not only the hardest of the non black belt level forms, but also is one of the best forms in the Chang-hon set.  The form is a final exam, taking many of the lessons introduced in the earlier forms, and rolling them into one.  Choong-Moo is an excellent primer for the black belt forms to come.  Aside from having a few moves that are physically challenging to perform at all, let alone correctly and with proper timing, Choong-Moo features sequences that help a student prepare for the next level of forms training.  Notable examples are the combination round kick back side kick, the round kick off on a 45 degree angle, and the rising X block off of the double side kick combination at the end of the form. 

Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo are masterpiece forms.  They are simple in layout - both using a mostly I shaped pattern, but both feature a range of dynamic technique that really put to test the skills that a student should have learned in getting to this point.