Concepts of Hapkido | Circles
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Hapkido Circular Throw·Matt Hinkamp
In this video I illustrate the basic utility of circles in Hapkido and how they enhance our abilities in self defense no…
Hapkido Circular Throw
SubFamilyHapkido・Circular・スロー(Hapkido Circular Throw)
Translation: hapkido circular throw
Overview
The Hapkido Circular Throw uses the principle of circular motion to redirect the opponent's force and project them in an arc. [1]
Won Hyung DunjigiCircular Projection
History & Origin
Documented across multiple grappling traditions. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in competition and cross-style challenge matches. [1]
Lineage
Multi-style grappling tradition. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Hapkido Circular Throw-specific grappling mechanics
Position & Entry
From grappling position — Execute hapkido circular throw
Variants
Standard Hapkido Circular Throw
Videos
Shinsei Hapkido Judo Throws
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Hapkido Circular Throw·Richard Milliken
Shinsei Hapkido Judo Throws
How To Circle Roll/Flip With Slap | Hapkido
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Hapkido Circular Throw·Matt Hinkamp
Detailed instruction on how to apply the sideways breakfall when rolling or flipping sideways. Extremely important for b…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Hapkido circular throw leverages rotational physics and centrifugal force to generate power independent of the practitioner's strength, making the technique effective regardless of size differential. Matt Hinkamp emphasizes that circular motion introduces the opponent's mass into the equation, transforming a strength-dependent push into a physics-based throw that scales with opponent size. The fundamental principle involves stepping inside or outside the opponent, wrapping the leg around them, and creating tension while pulling them along a circular path—essentially making the opponent the end of a rope. Hinkamp stresses keeping the opponent close to one's center of gravity for maximum control, contrasting this with extended-arm swinging. The technique can be applied after deflecting incoming strikes, converting the attacker's momentum into throwing force rather than resisting head-on. Richard Milliken's Shinsei Hapkido approach addresses related judo-based throws that share common principles: stealing balance by positioning oneself inside the opponent's stance (at the angle of weakness, 90 degrees from their foot line) and lifting by placing the hips underneath them. Both instructors agree that footwork and body positioning are critical; stepping to match the opponent's stance weakness and maintaining close control with tucked elbows enables smooth execution. Hinkamp's supplementary instruction on circle flip break falls demonstrates how practitioners absorb the landing force from being thrown, completing the throw-and-recovery cycle essential to safe Hapkido training.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Matt Hinkamp — Concepts of Hapkido | Circles: Explained the physics of circular motion using centrifugal force, demonstrated the basic arm-grab exercise to teach circular footwork, and detailed how to apply circular throws when an opponent strikes, emphasizing close-in control and using opponent mass rather than practitioner strength.
- Richard Milliken — Shinsei Hapkido Judo Throws: Covered footwork mechanics, balance theft by positioning inside the opponent's stance angle of weakness, hip-under positioning for lift, and several variations including hip throws, shoulder throws, and reaping throws with consistent control principles.
- Matt Hinkamp — How To Circle Roll/Flip With Slap | Hapkido: Addressed the defensive/recovery aspect of circular throws by teaching the circle flip with slap break fall, demonstrating how to safely absorb impact when being thrown using body positioning and controlled slapping techniques.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Positional technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal throwing technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal throwing technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise with controlled resistance (Sattler, 2007)
Common Mistakes
!Poor control
!Rushing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Position → Hapkido Circular Throw
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Ultimate Guide to Grappling (Sattler, 2007)
1Book[1] Sattler, J. (ed.) (2007). The Ultimate Guide to Grappling. Black Belt Books. ISBN 978-0-89750-291-7.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Sattler, J
2Citation[1] Sattler, J. (ed.) (2007). The Ultimate Guide to Grappling. Black Belt Books. ISBN 978-0-89750-291-7.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Sattler, J
Community
Athletics
Good body control and flexibility
Notes
Hapkido circular throws use round, flowing motions — redirecting the attacker's energy in a circle. Hapkido appears in 474 passages across 61 books. The Ultimate Guide to Grappling: 'Hapkido throws almost always end with a finishing strike.' (61 books; Ultimate Guide to Grappling)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does circular motion make the hapkido throw work better against larger opponents?
Matt Hinkamp explains that centrifugal force means the mass of your opponent matters in the equation—the bigger they are, the more the circular principle helps. By rotating your opponent in a circle rather than pushing straight, you leverage physics to make the technique work regardless of size difference.
What's the key positioning when entering for a circular throw?
Richard Milliken emphasizes that you must match your opponent's feet and position yourself inside of their feet, as the angle of weakness is 90 degrees from the line between their feet. You then steal their balance point by pushing your hips into it and moving them out of the way.
Should I keep my opponent's arm extended or tight when performing a circular throw?
Matt Hinkamp advises against swinging your opponent with arms outstretched. Instead, use a tight pull, which allows you to apply pressure points and perform different takedowns or immobilizations more effectively.
What's the main principle behind using circles in hapkido techniques?
Matt Hinkamp teaches that the circle allows you to work with incoming force rather than against it—instead of deflecting attacks head-on or resisting them, you let the attack run its course and use it to help you, embodying the principle of habkyo.
How does the Hapkido Circular Throw work?
The Hapkido Circular Throw uses the principle of circular motion to redirect the opponent's force and project them in an arc.
Where does the Hapkido Circular Throw come from?
Documented across multiple grappling traditions.
Is the Hapkido Circular Throw legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal throwing technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal throwing technique; ADCC: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Hapkido Circular Throw?
Danger rating 3/10. Positional technique
How do I set up the Hapkido Circular Throw?
The standard setup chain: Position → Hapkido Circular Throw.
How do I defend against the Hapkido Circular Throw?
Standard counters include: Technique-specific counters.
What are the variants of the Hapkido Circular Throw?
Common variants: Standard Hapkido Circular Throw.
How effective is the Hapkido Circular Throw in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Hapkido Circular Throw?
Top errors to watch for: Poor control / Rushing.
What are other names for the Hapkido Circular Throw?
The Hapkido Circular Throw is also known as Hapkido Circular Throw, Won Hyung Dunjigi, Circular Projection.