By Les Connard 
 

Let's get one thing clear at the onset. The hapkido scissor-kick takedown is not a technique for beginners. Plain and simple. If you just got your yellow belt and are learning how to do slightly more complicated techniques like basic jumping and spinning kicks, don't even think about trying the scissor-kick takedown for another couple of belts. Author Les Connard recommends waiting until you reach the rank of brown or red belt, or until you have trained for approximately 18 to 24 months. -Editor 

From 1990 to 1995 I taught hapkido to two Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers: Jim Gott and Kevin Gross. During that period I learned that baseball pitchers train themselves to release every kind of pitch with their arm at the same angle so the batter cannot "read" the pitch by paying attention to the position of the arm. Those pitchers who fail to "disguise" their pitches in this way tend to release a curve ball at one angle and a fast ball at another -actually give the batter an advantage. Need-less to say, they do not last long in the major leagues. 

In a way, the need to disguise a pitch in baseball resembles the need to disguise an attack in the martial arts. Sparring champions know very well that the first rule for successfully executing a technique is to make sure the opponent cannot read it prior to its implementation. In other words, when you kick, punch or initiate a takedown from a certain position, you are more likely to succeed if your opponent cannot discern exactly what sort of attack is coming until it's too late. I, along with several of my students, have competed in many martial arts events that allow takedowns -Southern California's popular World Karate Organization Showdown is one -and in most matches we have successfully used one such disguised technique, the scissor-kick takedown, to floor our opponents. In this article, I will share the knowledge we have gained in the dojang (training hall) and in the ring. Once you have mastered the takedown, it is guaranteed to enhance your fighting ability. 

Like many other martial arts techniques, the scissor-kick takedown can be used as an attack or counterattack. This article will focus on both uses and -on the three target areas: high body (head), middle body (torso) and low body (legs). This comprehensive learning method comes from jang mu hapkido, the martial art headed by Alhambra, California -based hapkido expert Chong S. Kim. 

In competition, the most common target for the scissor-kick takedown is the torso. If you are sparring on a padded surface, the technique can be performed with little risk to you or your opponent. You can control the speed of the takedown more effectively and reduce the chance of injurg by gripping the sleeve of your opponent's uniform and pulling him slowly off-balance and backward to the mat. If you opt not to do this, the fall becomes much more dramatic for you and him, and either of you could get hurt. 

The scissor-kick takedown is most often done with your top leg pulling against your opponent's stomach and your bottom leg pushing against the back of his thighs. It can also be applied with your top leg on his back and your bottom leg across the front of his thighs. Be forewarned, however, that the second variation is not as effective as the first; it's use can also heighten the chance of injury because your opponent will fall face-forward. 

The majority of scissor-kick takedowns used in competition are of the "flying scissor kick" variety. They are usually executed from the same distance as a rear-leg flying side kick. There is a slight problem associated with attacking from so far out, however: You may give your opponent time to read your intentions and prepare a defense, or he may move out of range before you can accomplish your objective simply because your flying attack scares him. You will have to decide which method to use. 

Once your body is parallel to the floor and your top leg is in position, grab his closest sleeve with your top hand and place your bottom leg against the back of his thighs. Then pull his arm toward you and backward as you simultaneously twist your horizontal body so your back is facing the mat. The torque of your twisting body will make him feel as though he falling over backward, and the placement of your bottom  leg will prevent him from stepping back to regain his balance. He will end up flat on his back. 

A variation of the scissor-kick takedown is similar to the technique described above except that you begin with a spinning back kick instead of a side kick. To start, initiate the spin and execute the back kick. At the same time jump in until your butt makes contact with his side and your kicking foot has passed his torso. Then grab his closest sleeve, bring your supporting leg behind his thighs and twist him to the mat. 

The basic takedown can also be used with a spinning heel kick. Just make sure the thigh of your kicking leg strikes your opponent's stomach area. From there, proceed as explained above. One of the most useful applications of the basic scissor-kick takedown is as a counterattack. Say your opponent throws a punch and you block it with your forward arm. From there, it's a simple matter to grab his sleeve and yank him toward you. When you have him next to your front leg, jump up, lock both legs into position and twist your body to send him backwards to the mat. 

In fact, any time you are standing close to your opponent, you may be able to surprise him with a scissor-kick takedown. If you happen to get into a standing clinch with him, think about grabbing an arm and doing the technique. Even if he retreats once you grab him and jump, as long as your grip is tight you will be pulled with him and able to apply the technique. 

This technique will prove most successful when you have control of both your opponent's legs. If he is farther away and you can trap only one leg, it may not always work. 

If your position is reversed and you find that the calf of your top leg is in position to be placed against the front of your opponent's legs will be locked, and he'll fall backward. 

Be careful when you practice this technique and never try it on a hard surface. Because the backward fall is awkward, your opponent could injure his coccyx (tail bone) if he lands improperly. 

The on-the-ground versions of the scissor-kick takedown can be applied in various self-defense situations. If you are lying flat on your back, you can use one of them by simply choosing which side of your opponent's legs you want to attack with your top leg. If you are thrown to the ground, you can hold your opponent's sleeve or shoulder and surprise him with an unexpectedly quick counterattack. 

Consequently, the competition rules of jang mu hapkido prohibit such techniques during sparring. This high version of the scissor-kick takedown is performed off the front leg. Start with your best leg forward and position yourself far enough away from your opponent to be able to hit him with a heel hook kick without moving forward. Then jump up until your butt is as high as his head and at the same time float toward him six to eight inches. The Achilles tendon of your kicking leg will strike the back of his head, and your other leg should be raised until your instep hooks under his chin or near his jawbone. Your toes should be positioned along the far side of his neck. 

Twist your body as you fall to the ground, but be careful while pulling your opponent down. To avoid twisting his head too hard or slamming the top of it into the ground, loosen your grip on his head while he is falling and flipping over your legs. Try to assist him in any way possible to decrease the pain caused by the technique. 

For self-defense, this version of the scissor-kick takedown can also be executed with a strike. Begin by kicking your opponent in the stomach or groin. This will make him bend forward, thus lowering his head. Instead of executing a jumping hook kick, use an easier to do standing hook kick, which has better balance and leaves you closer to the ground when you start to take him down. Perform the hook kick as described above, then jump up and plant your legs against the aforementioned parts of the body. Once again, twist your body and send him to the ground but take care to loosen your hold on his head while he's falling and flipping over your legs. 

About the author: Les Connard owns and operates Kim's Hapkido in Monrovia, California.