Lesson 1: Terminology
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Point of Focus
The point of focus is an imaginary point in space where an attack or block ends its motion. The power of a technique peaks at this point. Impact at any point before the point of focus will have less power. If point of focus is too far behind the target, the impact power of the technique will be changed into a pushing motion. This point may be:
- Just in front of the surface of target, as with no-contact sparring.
- On the surface of target, as with light-contact sparring.
- At some point beneath the surface of target, as with full-contact sparring or breaking.
Chamber
A chamber is the cocking of an arm or leg so it may achieve a full range of movement in an attack or block, and thus helping it achieve its maximum power.
- Arms are usually chambered to a position about 180 degrees opposite their ending position. In general, arms are chambered as follows:
- Low techniques are chambered in high section, over non-blocking arm. Middle techniques are chambered in middle section, under non-blocking arm. High techniques are chambered in low section and below non-blocking arm.
- Legs are chambered to various positions depending on the technique.
- A full-range chamber is used while learning new techniques (to help students learn the motion) and when performing patterns (for aesthetics) . When sparring, the chamber is minimized or eliminated (to maximize quickness and so as not to telegraph a movement to opponent).