| For centuries martial arts instructors have been | | | | relatively easy. |
| training students to deliver the most efficient and | | | | A punch or strike can be quick and fast but not |
| devastating punching techniques. In Okinawa the | | | | powerful if not executed correctly. The effect |
| same is true. Karate instructors perfected Karate | | | | could be a stinging strike to an opponent instead |
| punching techniques to penetrate armor worn by | | | | of a knock out blow. Delivering a punch off |
| the Samurai. | | | | balance will lose a large portion of stunning |
| Only after years of training and experimentation | | | | strength at contact. The physics state Force |
| could the Karate student achieve this proficiency. | | | | equals Mass times Acceleration. In this equation |
| To execute an efficient and devastating punch, a | | | | speed can make up for inefficiencies in technique. |
| student had to perform the technique about | | | | Looking into the equation a little deeper if mass |
| 10,000 times correctly to master it. This applies | | | | and acceleration are at maximum the force |
| to any technique a modern day Karate student | | | | delivered can be devastating to an assailant. |
| learns. Once the techniques were mastered only | | | | There are several aspects to the karate punch, |
| then could a student deliver a devastating strike | | | | they are focus, muscle control, eye location, |
| without even thinking about it. In some cases | | | | breathing technique, mental attitude, unification of |
| they wouldn't even remember doing it. | | | | mind and body, formation of the fist, ready |
| Very few Karate students totally understand the | | | | stance, hip action, shoulder action, arm |
| concept of Karate punching. They have never | | | | movement, elbow placement, knowledge of |
| really been told all the aspects of the punch | | | | maximum power range, recoil, and an |
| because these were part of the secret | | | | understanding of the Physics of the strike. It |
| techniques. There were only a few extremely | | | | sounds like there's a lot to remember. Actually it's |
| faithful martial artists who had access to the | | | | not, with proper training and an in depth |
| secrets and would only use the information for | | | | knowledge of the basic aspects. The practitioner |
| personal and family self-defense. They did not | | | | can deliver a powerful explosive Karate punch |
| what this information to get in to the wrong | | | | without consideration to all the aspects of the |
| hands. Some of this information, for years, never | | | | punch. Subconsciously the mind reacts so fast no |
| left a small group of practitioners protecting the | | | | thinking is required. The subconscious mind |
| secrets of Karate. | | | | controls the body allowing the body to react to |
| To actually understand the proper way to | | | | any threatening conflict or danger. |
| execute a Karate punch, the karate student must | | | | Secrets on Karate punching: The punch must be |
| first understand the three basic human responses | | | | executed with no inhibitions what so ever. |
| to danger and how to deal with them. These are | | | | Execution must be precise, on the mark, without |
| primitive in nature and still exist in humans today. | | | | thinking, and delivered with speed, balance, and |
| The three basic responses to danger are Freeze, | | | | proper technique. Abrupt body movements waste |
| Flight, or Fight mechanisms. These responses | | | | energy and redirect the striking strength of the |
| effect the body's reaction. In other words your | | | | technique. Your body should be upright with eyes |
| response to danger is to first stand perfectly still, | | | | up looking to the front to increase your peripheral |
| second is to run, and lastly if cornered fight. As a | | | | vision and vision of the striking area. |
| martial artist, to respond to danger you must first | | | | Smoothly executed techniques deliver the most |
| overcome the freeze response to take action | | | | power without wasting energy. Most Karate |
| against the threat. If you freeze when someone | | | | students spend years learning this. Some never |
| is throwing a punch at you, you are going to get | | | | learn it and quit because they haven't mastered |
| hit. The flight mechanism is a good defense and | | | | these basic concepts. Understanding these |
| first defense that should be considered. The fight | | | | concepts will help tremendously with developing |
| mechanism should only be utilized when you have | | | | Karate punching techniques. Basic knowledge of |
| no other choice. With some training and | | | | how to execute the Karate punch will lead to a |
| knowledge overcoming the basic responses is | | | | greater understanding of all Karate techniques. |