World Ultimate Sin Moo Hapkido Federation primary emblem: eagle, dragon, globe, pyramids and martial artists in black, red and goldWUSMHF

Technical Syllabus

Curriculum

Sin Moo Hapkido is one of the most comprehensive Korean martial arts, combining practical self-defence, traditional martial technique and mind-body training.

Won

Circle

Circular motion — redirect force around you instead of blocking it.

Yu

Flowing Water

Flow with and around resistance, adapting to the incoming energy.

Hwa

Harmony

Harmony and adaptability — blend with an attack rather than meeting force with force.

The art is based on the three core principles of Won (Circle), Yu (Flowing Water) and Hwa (Harmony), teaching practitioners to blend with an attack rather than meeting force with force. This makes Sin Moo Hapkido a complete martial art, developing effective self-defence skills while promoting physical fitness, mental resilience, confidence and lifelong personal growth.

Scope of Study

What the Curriculum Covers

Striking techniques

Punches, knife-hand strikes, palm strikes, elbow strikes, knee strikes and finger strikes.

Kicking techniques

Front, side, roundhouse, spinning, jumping, flying, defensive and combination kicks, including the traditional 25 basic kicks.

Joint locks and pressure points

Wrist locks, arm locks, shoulder locks, finger locks and vital-point (Hyol Do) techniques for control and restraint.

Throws and takedowns

Hip throws, shoulder throws, leg sweeps, sacrifice throws and redirection techniques using an opponent's momentum.

Escapes and self-defence

Defences against wrist grabs, clothing grabs, bear hugs, chokes, punches, kicks, multiple attackers and ground situations.

Weapon defences

Defence against knives, sticks, swords, firearms and other common weapons, along with disarming techniques.

Traditional weapons training

Short stick (Dan Bong), long staff (Jang Bong), cane, sword (Kum), rope, belt and other traditional weapons, generally at advanced levels.

Ground control and restraint

Immobilisation, pins, control holds and arrest techniques.

Falling and rolling (Nak Beop)

Safe breakfalls, rolls and recovery skills.

Ki development

Breathing exercises (Danjeon Breathing), meditation, concentration, relaxation and internal energy development.

Healing techniques (Hwal Bop)

Traditional revival methods, massage and pressure-point applications.

Philosophy and personal development

Discipline, respect, leadership, ethics, emotional control and harmony of mind, body and spirit.

White Belt Curriculum Sample

The published White Belt syllabus of Ultimate Sin Moo Hapkido. Every group below expands to show the full list of techniques as taught in the dojang.

Stances3+
  • Ready Stance
  • Forward Stance
  • Traditional Fight Stance
Punches and Strikes6+
  • Straight Punch Upper
  • Straight Punch Middle
  • Straight Punch Lower
  • Double Punch Upper
  • Double Punch Middle
  • Double Punch Lower
Blocks2+
  • Upper Block
  • Lower Block
Self-Defence Kicks (Basic Kicks)1+
  • Basic kicks 1 – 5
Combinations1+
  • Striking combinations 1 – 5
Grappling4+
  • Tapping
  • Stand up from the ground
  • Rock & Roll
  • Bicycle Kick
Self-Defence Kicks5+
  1. Shin kick
  2. Mid-level forward blade kick
  3. Heel hook kick
  4. Low side kick
  5. Outside crescent kick
Backwards Breakfalls3+
  1. From sit-down position
  2. From squat position
  3. From standing position
Basic Wrist Techniques3+
  1. Side grip break, chop to neck
  2. Elbow over grip break, chop to temple
  3. Upward grip break, downward strike to nose
Basic Armbar Techniques3+
  1. Standard armbar
  2. Step back, then forward (opponent pushing)
  3. Step forward, then across (opponent pulling)
Meditation2+
  • Zen Meditation
  • Concentration Meditation
Philosophy2+
  • Martial Arts History and Origin
  • The Old Sword Master & the Young Student Story
Life Skills & Character Building2+
  1. Positive Outlook
  2. Self Control

4th Dan Sin Moo Hapkido

The advanced 4th Dan syllabus, including the 30 advanced attacking techniques, Ki power training, power breaking, advanced meditation and leadership study.

Wrist Grab Defences4+
  • Improvement on all the original 40 wrist techniques from white belt to 1st Dan Black Belt
  • 8 wrist techniques for 2nd Dan
  • 8 wrist techniques for 3rd Dan
  • 16 wrist techniques for 4th Dan
Strikes3+
  • Finger to eye
  • Thumb to eye
  • Bent index finger (to throat and to solar plexus)
Middle-Man Techniques3+
  1. Push your friend back
  2. Block opponent's punch
  3. Elbow over elbow
Kick Defence4+
  • Catch his front kick + push leg up
  • Catch his front kick + calf armbar
  • Catch his front kick + knee armbar
  • Catch his side kick + knee under thigh
Short Sticks5+
  • Improvement of attacking
  • Improvement of throwing
  • Improvement of punch defence
  • Improvement of kick defence
  • Improvement of knife defence
30 Advanced Attacking Techniques18+
  • 1 – 6 Basic
  • 7 – 8 – 9 Fingers grab
  • 10 – 11 – 12 Hand grab
  • 13 – 14 – 15 – 16 Double throat grab to nerve points on backhands
  • 17 – Reverse knife hand under opponent's arm and hip throw
  • 18 – Back hand twist and push to shoulders
  • 19 – Back hand twist and push, and grab shoulders with the other hand
  • 20 – Hook his hand and bring wrist back to his chest and push
  • 21 – Same as No. 20, push, bring arm back to his face and foot sweep
  • 22 – Inside to outside wrist lock with opposite hand
  • 23 – Grab opposite hand wrist and Judo arm lock, grab your uniform
  • 24 – Grab opposite forearm, throw, step between his legs
  • 25 – Grab opposite wrist and elbow, long arm throw
  • 26 – 2-finger throw – grab same hand (sleeve)
  • 27 – Indian burn
  • 28 – Wrist lock inside – outside knee arm burn
  • 29 – Wrist lock inside – outside and outside crescent kick
  • 30 – Push under opponent's chest and foot sweep behind opponent's ankle
Ki Power Training2+
  1. Ready stance, hands down, palms forward, bend knees, breathe in, curl both arms and drop the left arm slowly, tense all muscles, turn to the right, twist wrist to forearm block and breathe out at the last moment.
  2. Same as above to the left side, left arm.
Power Breaking2+
  • Left leg front – both hands front, palms facing each other – left arm slowly opens to the left side – curl arm + tense muscles – send energy to the right palm-up arm and knife hand – then relax the left arm slowly down – right hand slowly up straight, bend body backwards and strike straight down.
  • Same as above – chop to body, sword motion sideways.
Meditation1+
  • Advanced Meditation
Philosophy1+
  • 48 characters for success and victory
Life Skills4+
  • Street awareness
  • People skills
  • Coaching skills
  • Leadership
Grading & CertificationThe Art of Sin Moo Hapkido