| To most martial arts and self defense | | | | time, and given yourself the chance to allow an |
| practitioners, a punch is just a punch. But, is it? | | | | intellectual piece of information about how the |
| This article takes a look at 12 dynamics that, | | | | tricks and techniques that you're learning actually |
| when understood and applied to a simple punch, | | | | work to become integrated into your body on a |
| can literally explode your abilities! After reading | | | | purely physical level - so that you don't have to |
| every word in this lesson, you will see the | | | | think about it in the moment that you're putting it |
| difference between how a master of the martial | | | | to use. |
| arts - and a real self defense expert - looks at | | | | I know that sounds complicated, but I think once |
| the workings of a so-called "basic punch," and the | | | | you see these "pieces" - these dynamics that a |
| way the amateur does. | | | | real master focuses on - you'll be able to "get it," |
| The question is, after all, which one do you want | | | | and put this lesson to use in your own training and |
| to be? | | | | progress. |
| I'm going to assume that, if you're still reading | | | | That being said, let's take a look at these 12 |
| this, your answer is that you want to be an | | | | details that, when practiced, will eventually allow |
| expert, and not an amateur. If I'm wrong, then | | | | you to develop the level of mastery with the kind |
| you are still reading either because you think you | | | | of striking you really want. These details can be |
| already know it all and you want to see if I know | | | | divided into 4 groups of 3 skill variations each. |
| what I'm talking about - or you have nothing | | | | If we can get past the mere extending of an |
| better to do with your time! | | | | arm, or rapidly flinging a fist in the direction of any |
| So, is it true? That a punch is just a punch? | | | | target that we can get, we can see that there |
| Well, on an a grand level, I guess that's true. | | | | are really... |
| But to get to that point - to get to the level | | | | 1) Three height levelsa) High (above shoulder |
| where you instinctively apply a punch in just the | | | | level)b) Mid (at shoulder level)c) Low (below |
| right way as to meet the attacker, so that no | | | | shoulder level |
| one can really see that there was any effort put | | | | 2) 3 Rangesa) Long (where you have to extend |
| into the choice of targets or anything else takes | | | | to reach the target)b) Mid (where you are within |
| quite a bit of work. What I mean by that is... | | | | a comfortable, natural reach from the target), |
| There is a huge difference between "knowing" | | | | and...c) Close (where your fist is so close to the |
| how to punch, and your body being able to | | | | target that you will have to shorten your reach) |
| automatically do all of the things necessary to get | | | | 3) 3 Methods of deliverya) Lead (sending out the |
| the perfect strike to its intended target, takes | | | | fist closest to the target, perhaps including a slight |
| more than reading a book, watching a video, or | | | | shuffle of the matching, leading leg, knee, or |
| doing it a few times in practice. | | | | foot)b) Cross (sending out the opposite fist from |
| To get to the point in your ability - in your skill | | | | the leading, forward moving leg, knee, or foot)c) |
| level and proficiency - where your body | | | | Lunging (the rear fist is delivered along with a |
| demonstrates that simplicity in a natural, | | | | simultaneous stepping forward with the trailing leg) |
| unconscious way, involves more than what most | | | | And finally... |
| people practice in their training. And, as a scientific | | | | 4) Three angles of impacting the targeta) Piercing |
| way of going about the task of learning how to | | | | (the arm and fist moves out straight into the |
| punch a real-life, aggressive attacker in a way | | | | target)b) Hooking (the fist swings in from outside |
| that will stop him in his tracks and do the damage | | | | the fight zone), and...c) Clubbing (the fist arcs |
| you want, you first need to... | | | | outward from inside the fight zone) |
| - Understand a few structural principles, and then | | | | What is surprising to most students when they |
| you need to... | | | | are first introduced to this new view on punching, |
| - Work at training and developing the physical skills | | | | is the math involved. Because, what was once |
| that correctly and effectively embody those | | | | "just a punch," takes on a whole new perspective |
| principles in action | | | | as they see that the combining of these 12 basic |
| Said another way... | | | | elements actually produces... |
| First, you have to understand "how" to do it, then | | | | 81 different applications of the so-called, "simple |
| you have to work at and be able to actually put | | | | punch!" |
| that knowledge into action. | | | | And you thought you were training every way |
| Mastery can only come once you've taken the | | | | you could! |