Short Power or The One Inch punch
One of the goals in many
martial arts forms is to develop the ability to strike with great force
in a small movement. Some of the benefits of such an ability is that you
can strike directly from a block to a target without first chambering or
telegraphing your strike. Another benefit of such a pursuit is once developed
this ability can be incorporate into many of your strikes, throws and other
techniques. Now let me take a moment to explain something of a breakdown
of a good strike. In this case I will use a vertical strike ( Tate-tsuki
) with the hand.
The first part I will
expound on is structural integrity. If you do not hit with the proper
part of the hand there is a good chance you will hurt yourself. Another
reason to be sure to strike with the proper part of the hand is that it
will focus the power of the strike over a smaller area thus increasing
the force of the blow. In the case of a vertical punch this would be your
two large knuckles. You must have all your body parts in there proper place
and moving in the proscribed manor at the appropriate time. You legs, midsection
and upper body and in the case of the vertical punch, the Gakun or wrist
movement at the moment of impact. It is most important for beginners to
develop proper form as it is the foundation upon which to build and on
which we all must stand. So build a good foundation first.
Next I will talk about
penetration. You do not want to hit the service of a target unless
that is your goal, as in point competition. If you want to do damage you
must punch through a target. Pick a spot a couple of inches behind the
target and hit it going through the target as a way of testing this idea.
That would bring me to
focus. If you wish to get your whole body behind a strike you must
concentrate your efforts. At first you must consciously correct your posture.
Also, at the same time learn to focus your eyes on the target. Then learn
to focus your attention on the target and to acknowledge but ignore the
distractions around you if they are not of a more immediate threat. Next
learn to focus your will. You know they say behind every successful army
there is one leader who is the driving force of that army. You must learn
to drive or assert yourself physically and willfully. You must learn to
be the leader and driving force behind your efforts. To punch and put your
"self" behind the punch.
In the case of a vertical
punch ( Tate-tsuki ) directness is also important as it allows
for structural integrity. It also has the benefit of moving without any
wasted energy going off in another direction. It aids in focus and concentration
too. So move in the shortest line between you and the target, directly
at it from your hip or off your block.
While there are many
more details and aspects I might include in this article for the sake of
brevity I will just add a few words about Speed and acceleration.
For the most part. We
all want to strike quickly. Moving directly helps to move speedily. But
in the case of developing power in your strike it is not that simple. Here
we use a simple understanding of the mathematical equation force equals
mass times acceleration. Or Energy is equal to the size of the mass times
the speed of it's acceleration when it hits an object. Simple put this
means you want to execrate into your strike for maximum power. Some systems
say go forty percent in the first half and then sixty percent in the second
half of your strike. Others say thirty-seventy. But most agree acceleration
is a key to a good punch.
And, Breathing,
always a good thing to do! By definition it is to focus ones whole life
force to a single point or purpose. Ki Ai is not just a sound. Yet the
simple act of performing a Ki Ai can add great power to a strike.
The ability to generate
strong energy in such a compact movement is most useful in Kenjutsu also.
A swords man can learn to do great harm with the flick of the wrist.
So let your hand drift
out and speed up as it goes directly and willfully through the target and
you should do okay for yourself.
Good Luck
Yours in Budo
Craig Renshi
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