Proper Chambering
by Marian Schwartz
A discipline often neglected by students of Tae Kwon Do is the consistent attention to proper chambering. Chambering is the correct positioning of the body, particularly the hands and feet, in preparation for a block, kick or strike. In the awkward stages of making our bodies learn a pattern, we are preoccupied with the problem of memorizing the sequence. We hope we remember what comes next, and aim to complete the movement. Perhaps at the end point of a movement, we are approximately correct. But if we have not prepared and executed a strike, block or kick properly, we have cheated our pattern of its distinct appearance, and have cheated ourselves of technique and potential power in our performance of the movement, and ultimately the pattern. A key principle of power in Tae Kwon Do is that of the twist (hip rotation). It is seen in the action of hip rotation on punches and blocks. It is experienced when the fist snaps over at the end point of a punch. In almost every strike or block you perform, the application of angular and centrifugal mechanics is in effect. When properly chambered for these strikes, the fist or hand is prepared in a way that will cause the most impact at the end of the strike. The principle of potential energy, as a spring wound up or a hammer cocked, will tell us that the force of a strike that is prepared will be greater. Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary gives appropriate definitions for this word chamber. Nouns- #10 A receptacle for one or more cartridges in a firearm, or for a shell in a gun or other cannon. #11 (in a gun) the part of the barrel that receives the charge. And the verb: to put or enclose in, or as in a chamber. The etymology traces the word to the Greek word meaning a vault, which is a place to store things. The Kwon in Tae Kwon Do, our hands, are part of our arsenal. To think of chambering as to properly loading our weapon or to ready it for use in its sheath, may help to realize the importance of this exercise. When we chamber correctly, we are more likely to execute our strikes at the proper angle, from the proper position, with the required force. Thus we gain the power resident in the full extension of the strike. We might count out the movements in our patterns by halves, as in one/half, one; one and a half, two; etc. By giving the positions of chambering their own numbers, we give attention to this vital requirement of performing a great pattern.
