Shin Geom

Attention Stance.

Feet shoulder width apart and the sword in the right hand. Right thumb is pressed lightly against the sword guard. The left hand is laid lightly, but firmly on the front of the left thigh.

2. Transfer sword to left side.

The sword is drawn its length and the tip presented to the left hand. The tip is inserted into a circle formed by the left thumb and forefinger and the sword is thrust into the �sheath� smoothly and firmly.

3. Bow.

Executed from the waist to about a thirty degree angle. The eyes remain focused ahead.

4. Attention stance.

Sword is held in the left hand with the left thumb pressed lightly against the sword guard. The right hand is laid slightly to the outside of the right thigh in a relaxed manner.

Drawing the Sword (Ppo-pa-kal)

1. Attention stance.

2. First Push step.

Moving from a center of gravity just below the waist, and pressing firmly with the ball of the rear foot, step out with the right foot at a 45-degree angle (2 o�clock position) maintaining contact with the floor.

Draw the left leg forward to complete the step

3. Second Push step.

Pressing firmly with the ball of the rear foot, step out with the right foot at a 45-degree angle, maintaining contact with the floor.

Draw the left leg forward to complete the step

4. Third Push step.

Pressing firmly with the ball of the rear foot, step out with the right foot at a 45 degree angle, maintaining contact with the floor. The right hand grasps the sword grip and rotates the blade 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

5. Draw the sword

In a single smooth movement, draw the left leg forward to complete the step, while at the same drawing the sword across the front of the hips. Motion should only be sufficient just to clear the sword tip from its sheath.

6. Execute Thrust (SHOUT)

Stepping out and to the left with the left foot at a 45 degree angle (8 o�clock position), thrust sharply to the left. The sword guard will shift from its position in front of the right hip, to a position in front of the left hip.

Second Strike: Descending Diagonal

                                                Cut to the Right Oblique

7. Forward Push step.

Without recovering from the sword thrust, retract the left foot towards the right and execute another oblique step with the right foot at a 45 degree angle (2 o�clock position) maintaining contact with the floor. The left hand grasps the sword grip.

8. Initiate Cut

Directly from its original thrust position, the sword strikes a wide rising arc as the oblique step with the right foot is completed. The cut is begun at the hip, followed by the shoulder and lastly, the sword.

9. Completion of strike.

The sword cut follows a path at approximately 30 degrees targeting the area at the opponent's neck. Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg) to 40% (rear leg)  with the edge of the sword just outside the right knee.

Third Strike: Rearward � -Turn Descending

                                       Diagonal Cut to the Right

10. Prepare to turn.

Retract sword from strike position to an attitude

approximately 45 degrees across the shoulder area. The left foot is drawn forward with the ball of the left foot, even with and one-foot width to the left of the right foot�s arch

11. Turning Step.

Pivoting on the heel of the left foot, turn to face the

10 o�clock position.

12. Initiate Cut.

As the pivot to the right is completed and using the momentum of the turn, step out with the right foot as the sword begins its descending cut.

13. Follow through.

The sword cut follows a path slightly sharper than 60 degrees targeting the area at the base of the opponent's neck.

14. Completion of strike.

Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg)

to 40% (rear leg) with the edge of the sword outside the right knee.

Fourth Strike: Medial Thrust; 180 degrees to the Left

15. Prepare to turn.

Retract sword from guard position to an attitude

approximately 45 degrees across the shoulder area.

16. Turn

On the balls of both feet, pivot 180 degrees to face the 4 o�clock position. The sword blade extends out over the left shoulder and the sword guard is tucked tightly in front of the right hip

17. Initiate Thrust

From a forward stance the sword begins its neck-level thrust from a position in front of the right hip. The right foot advances to a position even with the left foot.

18. Completion of strike. (SHOUT)

Stepping out with the right foot, the thrust is completed. Weight is distributed approximately 80% (front leg) to 20% (rear leg) in an extended front stance. The sword is at throat level, and pointing directly at the 4 o�clock position.

Fifth Strike: Overhead Cut; 180 degrees to the Right

19.Recovery.

The sword position is maintained but the sword retracts slightly as stance shifts to a regular forward stance.

20. Blade reversal.

Pivoting on the balls of both feet rotates the body 180 degrees in the opposite direction to face the 10 o�clock position. This same movement causes the blade to roll 180 degrees about its axis.

21. Initiate Cut

The right foot advances to a position even with the left foot. From a position above and behind the right shoulder the sword begins its diagonal cut.

22. Follow Through

The sword is elevated over the head. Weight shifts to allow a step with the right foot.

23. Completion of strike.

The sword stroke is completed just after completion of the single step by the right foot. Weight is distributed approximately 60% (front leg)  to 40% (rear leg) with the edge of the sword just inside the right knee.

Sixth Strike: Horizontal Cut; �-turn to the Right

24. Prepare to turn.

Retract sword from strike position to an angle approximately 45 degrees across the shoulder area. The left foot  is brought forward a half step to position on the ball of the foot just behind and to the inside of the right heel.

25. Initiate Cut.

The sword begins its horizontal movement as the right foot steps out, around and behind the left foot a shoulder�s width.

26. Follow through.

The sword cut follows a flat path across the entire field of vision beginning at the 10 o�clock position, and continuing around to stop at the 7 o�clock position. The right knee bends allowing the left knee to descend to the floor. The target is the opponent's waist area

27.  Completion of strike.

Weight is distributed approximately 80% (front leg)

to 20% (rear leg) with the left knee only barely touching the floor. The sword is pointing directly to the 8 o�clock position.

Seventh Strike: Grounded Overhead Cut; to the Left

28. Recovery

In grounded position, face the 6 o�clock position. The sword points to the 8 o�clock position, and it is parallel to the floor. The blade is snapped downward to a position outside of the right knee; the blade rotated 90 degrees to an edge down position.

29. Initiate Cut.

Pressing with the ball of the right foot, and pivoting on the left knee, the sword is elevated to a position outside and above the right shoulder.

30. Follow through

Facing the 3 o�clock position in a kneeling position, the sword is positioned for a straight overhead cut.

31. Completion of strike

Weight is distributed approximately 60% (right leg) to 40% (left leg) with the sword tip directed at the 3 o�clock position, approximately 3 inches from the floor.

Conclusion: Closing techniques

32. Recovery and clearing

In a single, sharp motion, the left hand releases its grip on the sword and the swordsman rises directly to his feet as the sword and left hand are snapped sharply down and to the side to eliminate debris.

33. Left Turn

Pivoting on the ball of the right foot, the body turns to face the 12 o�clock position. The sword remains down and directed in the direction of the 3 o�clock position as the open left-hand passes in front of the hips to locate the sword handle.

34. Follow Through

The toes of the right and left foot are pointed directly ahead and the left foot takes a half-step forward  as the sword rises behind and to the outside of the right shoulder. This motion and each that follows to the end of the form are executed with measured grace and heightened awareness.

35.Forward Step

The sword is raised in a full circle  over the right shoulder while executing a single walking step with the right foot.

36. Middle Guard Position

Re-sheathing the Sword (Kko Ja Kal)

37. Recovery

Retract the sword to a shallow angle extending across and just in front of the left hip. The left wrist rests lightly on the belt at the hip. The left thumb and forefinger are joined at the fingertips to form an "O".  The back of the sword blade, just forward of the guard rests lightly in the juncture between the two fingertips.

38. Draw

In a single steady motion draw the length of the sword over the juncture of the fingertips, allowing the blade to ride smoothly on it's side over the first knuckle of the index finger.

39. Sheathing

Insert the tip of the sword into the opening of the sheath ("O") and press the sword into its sheath with a single steady pressure, once again allowing it to glide smoothly on the side of the blade.

40.Rotation

At the completion of the sheathing, rotate the sword and sheath 90 degrees clockwise.

41. Attention Stance 

In a balanced stance, with feet about a shoulder width apart, complete the form by executing a bow from the waist.