Hapkido is a Korean martial art used in self-defense. Created during the early 20th century, it is a discipline that involves focusing the mind and body for fluid movement. Hapkido includes techniques for throwing, hitting, joint locking and kicking. It also uses weapons and nerve-pressure techniques. According to martial arts expert Scott Shaw, hapkido has drawn techniques from other martial arts, including tae kwon do, jiujitsu and judo. There are four types of throws in hapkido.
Deflective
The deflective throw can be used against an attacker charging straight toward you. Your first move is to sidestep out of his line of attack. Once you have moved out of the way, your attacker's momentum will keep him moving forward. Once the attacker has passed you, you can charge him in the back and force him down with his face pressed to the floor.
Body
The body throw can be performed when your attacker is in close proximity and has grabbed hold of part of your body or your clothes. For the body throw, you grab your attacker, extend a leg and throw him to the ground using a combination of strength and dynamics with a tipping technique.
Joint Lock
The joint lock throw is appropriate when your attacker is close to your body. It differs from the body throw because you must apply a joint lock on the attacker before you throw him to the ground. Joint locks can be applied to the wrists, fingers, shoulder, neck, elbow or knees. After the joint lock is applied, you then tip your opponent to the ground.
Airborne
The airborne throw flips the attacker through the air, using a fluid, circular motion. This is an advanced level throwing technique. It works because a hapkido student is trained to flip and land correctly to prevent injury. In this throw, the attacker and defender work together to make the joint lock followed by the circular flipping movement.
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