SSGB #9 - The dreaded Cartwheel

[MBuzzy]

Does anyone have any tips for learning to do the cartwheel?

[Ninjamom]

1. Ask on 'that-other-forum-that-deals-specifically-with-this-art-but-shall-remain-nameless-here-out-of-a-sense-of-decorum-and-proper-respect-for-this-current-forum'.

2. Take the cartwheel out altogether. In preparation for my BB test, I started taking private lessons with Master Lee in Abingdon, MD (about 2 1/2 hrs drive from my home dojang), with the approval, blessing, and encourgament of my Instructor. The first time Master Lee saw me do SSGB #9, he told me, "I do not want you to do a cartwheel there." I think it might be optional for the 'over 40' crowd (and probably not recommended for the 'well-over-40' crowd).

3. For whatever meager success I was able to muster in the cartwheel, I actually started practicing it 6 months before I got to SSGB #9. I found it easier to practice with something in my right hand - I recommend starting with a short stick.

[shesulsa]

I recommend starting with a short stick.
Amen.

[cdunn]

There aren't very many people who can do the cartwheel well, but unless you are instructed otherwise, be ready to do it. I know I can't do it terribly well, but I can muster it.

Remember, you aren't so much throwing yourself as you are falling with some angular momentum. This means that you're going to end up fighting yourself during the cartwheels, so the first step is... relax! The more you think about what you're doing, the more you seize up.

Second - Remember to keep your legs vertical. Chances are, you're bending them too early during the flip, and you fall off balance, either forwards or back.

Also, I wouldn't practice it too much in one sitting. Do it a couple times, every day, then move on. Frustrating yourself with it is not very conducive to learning it.

[Namii]

I find this funny that I saw this topic because I just learned this form recently. That cartwheel is Oh So Fun......... I can do it but its not pretty. That 360 jumping turning cross cut is also entertaining too.

[Balrog]

Does anyone have any tips for learning to do the cartwheel?

Yes. Don't.

That's a gymnastics move, not a martial arts move.

[Daniel Sullivan]

So, what is SSGB? Sang Soo Geom Beop?

Daniel

[terrylamar]

So, what is SSGB? Sang Soo Geom Beop?

Daniel

Yes.

[terrylamar]

Yes.

And I had to look that up! :)

[Daniel Sullivan]

Two hand sword method. Pyun su geom beop would be one handed sword method if I am not mistaken.

Daniel

[Ken Morgan]

An old thread revised, but I have to ask....
Cartwheel? with a sword?
...seriously?
any links?

[Namii]

Yep. Seriously. We also have rolls with the sword too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SBf7fcvr6g
There's an example of the form with the cartwheel. I do mine one handed though as I'm not a fan of putting the blade on the tile floors we practice on.

[Ken Morgan]

Yep. Seriously. We also have rolls with the sword too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SBf7fcvr6g
There's an example of the form with the cartwheel. I do mine one handed though as I'm not a fan of putting the blade on the tile floors we practice on.

:eek:

[cdunn]

Yeah, the cartwheel is one of the more ill advised parts of the sangsoo gumbup. Alternatives exist.

Little of the SSGB's ... athleticism ... is retained into the yedo gumbup or bonguk gumbup.

[Daniel Sullivan]

Yeah, the cartwheel is one of the more ill advised parts of the sangsoo gumbup. Alternatives exist.

Little of the SSGB's ... athleticism ... is retained into the yedo gumbup or bonguk gumbup.
My Ssang su geombeop is very different from that of (I assume) HDGD.

Daniel

[cdunn]

My Ssang su geombeop is very different from that of (I assume) HDGD.

Daniel

I would assume so. The HDGD ssang soo gumbup consist of 12 full hyung, intended to develop both athleticism and the fundamental principles of motion in the practitioner. I am uncertain of their derivation, and expect that kwanjangnim Kim Jeong Ho and Na Han Il created them, or at least drove their creation. How much was derived from the principles of gicheon and how much was their own invention I do not know.

[Daniel Sullivan]

Just to be clear, that was not a criticism on my end. :)

I tend towards a more conservative style, and certainly is not as dynamic or athletic as what I have seen in HDGD.

As an aside, I believe that I had read somewhere than Hayden Christiansen had trained in HDGD in order to prepare for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. I can see where a dynamic and athletic style would translate well to film.

Daniel

[cdunn]

No criticism was taken, however, turning a cold eye on my own art, it is pretty clearly walking a line between a budo art and Korean wushu, and it hasn't decided which way to go.

[Daniel Sullivan]

Yes. Don't.

That's a gymnastics move, not a martial arts move.
Apparently, its in the form. Students may not have a choice.

Daniel

[Daniel Sullivan]

No criticism was taken, however, turning a cold eye on my own art, it is pretty clearly walking a line between a budo art and Korean wushu, and it hasn't decided which way to go.
I figure HDGD is what it is. Perhaps it doesn't need to make up its mind?

My classes are solidly mudo (budo). Not better or worse; just the direction that I prefer.

Daniel

[mw.rosa]

I'm only a green belt in HDGD but we started cartwheel practice at white belt. As I could already to a cartwheel it was easy for me. Especialy since my glasses keep sliding off during the cartwheel and I now hold my glasses in my sword hand while doing the cartwheels. Making a fist on which you "lean". Most of the time I actually do (almost) a one handed cartwheel with 95% on my non sword hand and 5% on my sword hand.
As for doing the cartwheel with a kagum or jingum, the idea is that the blade never hits the floor. When you hold the sword in your hand and cartwheel on your fist the blade should be of the floor. At least when you do it correctly it should.
As for everything, practice makes perfect, some (private) gymnastics lessons on the subject could help.

[Namii]

I'm so glad I don't have to worry about glasses... i used to wear them all the time until I got the eye surgery. So you take off your glasses when you do the cartwheel, or do you put your hand by your face to hold them? Trying to picture what you mean.
I was already able to do cartwheels just doing them with a sword in hand took a little bit to get used to. I see alot of people do it the "fist" way. I do mine one handed and the sword hand doesnt contact the floor-its kinda stationary a few inches above the floor as the rest of my body comes around and then of course comes up for the center cut. Then I dont have to worry about my blade smacking the floor. I cringe every time I see someone's hit the floor and just think "what if that was a jingum?" The alternative is a parry and then a 360 spin into the center cut.

[mw.rosa]

So you take off your glasses when you do the cartwheel, or do you put your hand by your face to hold them? Trying to picture what you mean.
I take them off and hold them loosely in my swordhand while I do the cartwheel without sword. When I do cartwheels with mokgum I usually give my glasses to my girlfriend to hold while I do the exercise. We train together.

[Josh Oakley]

So, uh.... That cartwheel thing. Don't get me wrong. I like cartwheels. While people disagree with me, I maintain that cartwheels can be useful in a fight.... But with a sword? I don't get it. Why? I don't see the point.

[Daniel Sullivan]

So, uh.... That cartwheel thing. Don't get me wrong. I like cartwheels. While people disagree with me, I maintain that cartwheels can be useful in a fight.... But with a sword? I don't get it. Why? I don't see the point.
I totally agree. Meaning no disrespect to HDGD, the acrobatics and flashiness is part of what has put me off of looking further into it. I don't think that acrobatics or flashiness are bad in and of themselves, even in a sword art. But it is not what I am personally looking for in a sword art.

Daniel