Reaction paddle drills

Setup

1. Pairs: a kicker in fighting stance and a holder with a paddle in each hand, kept down by the sides until shown.
2. Paddles are shown out to the side at arm's length, never in front of the face or body, with a firm wrist.
3. Agree the code: paddle on the kicker's rear-leg side means back-leg dollyeo chagi; on the lead-leg side, front-leg dollyeo chagi; held flat, face up at chest height, naeryeo chagi (axe kick); both shown, a double kick; none shown, hold the guard.

How it runs

1. The holder shows one paddle for a short moment; the kicker hits it before it goes, then returns to guard.
2. The holder mixes the timing: quick flashes, long pauses and fakes (a shoulder twitch with no paddle).
3. Then the holder moves: a step back or to the side, then shows a paddle. The kicker must close the distance before kicking.
4. Sets of ten shows, then swap roles. Kickers count clean hits out of ten.

Coaching points

• Stay light on the balls of the feet so you can go the moment the paddle appears.
• Watch the holder's chest, not one hand, so you see both paddles.
• Pick the kick and commit to it; a half kick is slower than a full one.
• Holders: once the kick has started, keep the paddle still. Whipping it away mid-kick makes the kicker overreach.
• Kickers check the holder is ready before each set.

Common mistakes

• Guessing and kicking before a paddle is shown.
• The holder bringing a paddle close to the face.
• The kicker's guard dropping while they wait.