Can Hapkido be used on the streets?

Question

I'm considering taking some Hapkido lessons. I very much so appreciate the art of it but I also want to know whether or not it's applicable in real-life situations. Does anybody know whether or not Hapkido would be an effective art to learn when it comes to real raw fights on the streets?

Any experiences that might prove your point or help me make my decision would be greatly appreciated, too.

Answer 1

yes, it can

Answer 2

IF the person you are planning on studying with puts emphasis on the practical application of the techniques then yes. I have now people that were practitioners of the wtyle htat used it quite successsfully in the streets. The problem with the martial arts today is that too many instructors ignore the practical application of techniques. The reasons for this are varied, but the result is the same....people that don't have the ability to use the techniques they have been taught. Hopkido, when properly taught is a highly efective figthing style...so I would say that IF the instructor doesn't put sufficient emphasis on practical aplication of the techniques find one that does. And if there aren't any other Hopkido instructors in the area...you might want to look for a school where the instructor does work with the practical application. This does NOT mean one that puts emphasis on competition sparring becasue that is not a real test of skill or effectiveness of technique. What it does mean is one that works on the individual techniques until they are reflexive. Such instructors are hard to findbut well worth the search...

It isn't about the style....but it iIS about the training....you fight the way you train because you train the way you fight...

Answer 3

Yes, and you don't have to go to a 'combat' style Hapkido do get this practical application.

One thing you must keep in mind is that any junior belt from any martial art is foolish if they think that they can win a fight through their training.

So while Hapkido skills are practical and can be used well in sefl-defence situations I'd not go around thining that just because you've been training for 6 months you can perform a hammer lock and take down on some thug.

Ultimately Hapkido is about learning to conquer yourself, overcome fear, create peace and hapiness within yourself and avoiding combat situation - like most martial arts.

Also as a piece of advice, from what I've seen in various Dojang's I'd suggest sticking to traditional hapkido over 'combat' hapkido. I say this in personal experience only, but I find the quality and mindset of the instructors to be much better (less agro, less ego and less wanting to hurt people).

YMMV

Ans since you asked - one of the guys from my old Dojang is a bouncer. the belt grab techniques work a trick against crotch grabs, and the lessons of body mechanics come in very handy when trying to turf someone outside.

Oh and a guy from one of the clubs in my home town recently came out against 5 guys much better off than they did. Admittedly he needed stiches and the such, but when its 5 on 1 & they have broken bottles, if you live to tell the tale, then somethings working for you.

Answer 4

Every art can be used effectively IF the instruction is aimed at that particular aspect.

Unfortunately, some instructors (and there are many out there in the business of teaching MA) are not necessarily knowledgeable about this part of their art. There are many people out there teaching who are only regurgitating what they were told and what they see in movies. I have studied Aikido for many years and it has a problem with that. Many also do not address the problem with the adrenaline rush/fear response and how it affects your ability to perform the more complex techniques.

Having said that, Hapkido (as far as my own research tells me) is a cousin to Aikido. So, I can tell you this. The techniques you will learn can do damage to an aggressor. However, beware of confusing the flashy acrobatic demo/movie choreography style of technique execution for practical street applicable method of self-defense. Performing a joint manipulation or throw on a cooperative practice partner and doing them on a resisting, aggressive attacker are two very different experiences.

No matter how much you learn in class, when you get to the street the KISS principle works best.

IF you are looking a practical means of self-defense, you might check out Krav Maga or the Filipino arts (Kali / Escrima / Arnis). If you'd like more discussion or opinion, email me.

Answer 5

Ther're two main disciplines of Hapkido that're usually taught, Traditional and Combat.

learning either type of Hapkido can be and often is very useful discipline in a real fight situation, plus it's also good in situations against friends or family members that unusually not themselves (ie drunk, or overly medicated) and you don't want to injure them outright, but rather restrain them, giving them time to calm down.

Hapkido can make use of many pressure points in the body, especially in the arm, but this doesn't always work because some people either are more flexible and certain techniques do not work as easily against them, or they are much stronger (which is why Hapkido; and Aikido both favor redirection other than matching strength to strength).

So you have to quickly change or adapt to apply pain compliance techniques as a deterrent. (we have several people in my clas that can attest to that, one being 280lbs and is pretty resistant to many locking techniques)

and it can also incorporate many groundfighting techniques culled from Judo and JuJitsu, along with their joint locks and manipulations.

in the Hard and Soft descriptions, Hapkido lands somewhere in the middle because of it's usage of both types of techniques.

as Kveldorgondlier said, how you train is how you fight, and the school you choose should allow you to learn the traditional side of the discipline but also allow you to be creative enough to change things up or use other techniques to adapt to any situation.

Answer 6

Hapkido is a good art & is practical self defense. Don't listen to those who disparage it. It's not what I practice, but I respect that art & those who do practice it.

Answer 7

Yes i'm pretty sure being a style of self defence you could use it on the streets i dont think it was devoloped to use on each other to in the dojo.

Answer 8

yes you can use it.
whether or not you win or not is another question that depends entirely on how much you spar with people who really know how to fight like boxers and jiujitsu guys.... winning also depends on luck.
avoid fighting my firend
www.bandconsulting.com

Answer 9

that all depends on u and ur teacher..