Ssang Bong literally means double (ssang) stick (bong). There is a time and a situation for use of two weapons, particularly when encountering multiple opponents. You can also practice the double sticks against a solo opponent striking multiple targets simultaneously. You should not favor either of the sticks since, if you do, you will be distracted by your own thoughts of two weapons. Treat them like one set of weapons working together as the two wheels of a cart carry a wagon. Offense and defense should seamlessly flow into another offense and defense.

BASICS:

The primary stick should be held firmly in your dominant hand; the secondary stick in the other hand. In a non-combat situation, hold both sticks in your non-dominant hand in a natural stance. There are less than dozen different postures for situations arising: ready posture, middle offense posture, middle guard posture, low defense posture, high defense posture, high low posture, high side posture, side open posture (high-side), frontal open posture (high-low), combat posture (normal fighting position).

DEFENSE:

For defense, the primary hand moves for high, low, inside, and outside blocks; the secondary hand supports the primary hand by executing inside, outside (reverse), and chop blocks. When the primary weapon creates an opening the secondary penetrates further, and then the primary completes the destruction.

OFFENSE:

Offensive techniques include strike, thrust (straight and reverse), inside cut and outside cut. Targets are the head, eyes, temple, ear, nose, neck, wrist, arm, torso, and legs.

COMBINATION TECHNIQUES:

There are many effective combination techniques with the double sticks such as:

1. Tail cut: left inside block-right outside cut
2. Lift the fence: R-high block-inside strike
3. Cut through: R-inside block-outside cut down
4. Window break: R-counterclockwise outside cut, L-thrust
5. Back home: L-reverse outside cut, R-Inside block: middle guard position. (For further study, watch the Ssang Bong instructional video.)

MULTIPLE COMBINATIONS:

Some examples of multiple Combination techniques are:

1. Dragon whip: R-high block, L-inside strike, R-counterclockwise outside cut, middle guard position
2. Whipping Fire: R-high block, L-inside strike, R-counterclockwise outside cut, middle guard position, R-outside cut, L-thrust
3. Fighting Monk: Make Frontal open posture, R-high block, counterclockwise outside cut, inside cut, Kneel, L-thrust; kneeling position, left step forward kneel, R-inside cut-outside cut; L-thrust

FORMS:

There are three basic forms:

• Form 1: Nakhwa Hyung-Falling Petal Pattern (21 movements)
• Form 2: Haedong Hyung-Form of Rising Sun (20 movements)
• Form 3: Bisul Hyung: Rooster Form (35 movements)

LEARN MORE WITH THE SSANG BONG Video:

Unlike other styles, the ssang bong uses two different grips, one standard and the other reverse, to deliver maximum impact. The fundamentals of this unique style include: grip, stance and posture, striking with both the lead and rear stick, primary and secondary defense techniques, blocking and parrying, one flow defense drills, combination defense skills, targets of attack, thrusting and cutting, primary and secondary offense, offensive combinations, combat applications and patterns.

The Ssangbong is a natural progression once you’ve master the short stick (Joongbong). An excellent introduction to the Ssangbong is the Ssang Bong Fundamentals & Patterns video.