Punching 101: what I've learned so far

from Hank Prohm
Date:  Fri Apr 13, 2001 
Subject:  Re:  Punching 101: what I've learned so far

 

I am in "task avoidance" this morning. My turbotax program keeps
insisting on reporting my business expenses in three places: great for
me but not something the IRS will find amusing.


Instead of digging through all my tax stuff, I thought I'd put down a
few thoughts about punching, especially since someone asked me about it.

I've been fortunate in that I've had access to world class people to
learn from. At this time, this is what I think should be happening when
when you throw a punch.

 

1. Feet grip the floor
2. Forward foot pulls back.
3. Rear foot pushes forward
4. Forward knee bends forward moving body weight toward target. At
contact with the target, all body weight should be moving forward into the target.
5. Rear knee straightens, pushing body forward
6. Punching side hip (doesn't matter which hand is punching) moves toward target.
7. Opposite side hip pulls away from target.
8. Punching side koshi and lats tense then release.
9. Opposite side koshi and lats contract.
10 Stomach muscles pull hips up, ribs down until contact is made, then,
for an instant reverses.

(notice that I've gotten to ten steps without mentioning anything about hands and arms?)


11. Punching arm shoots towards target, elbow down, thumb up, totally relaxed until contact is made.

12. Retracting (hikite) arm goes where it needs to: in a fight it pulls in an upright position guarding the body. During formal exercises it pulls back to the side at the bottom of the rib cage or wherever one's style requires it to go.

13. Upon contact with the target, the arm tenses and extends to full length, including the extension of the shoulder blade, making a connection between the arm and the weight of the body.


14. The fist twists as required by the situation, staying as uppercut, moving to Sun (Kyan-Isshin) Fist, 3/4 turn or full rotation at need.


15. At each rotation of the fist from one position to the next, the body "pulses" through most of the above steps, sending shockwaves through the target.


16. Arm snaps back to whatever position is required by the exercise and repeats as necessary.

 

Certain things I should add:

A. Steps one through 15 are all happening pretty much simultaneously.

B. I don't think I've ever seen ANYONE who can accomplish all of these steps. I've got videos of 10th dans who only get about 5 or six of them.


C. Have any of you ever seen someone demonstrate "old style" John L. Sullivan boxing? There was a lot of the same hand action there, especially with their forward hand which would be twisting when they made contact.


Okay folks, this is the best I can do on a GOOD FRIDAY the 13th when my tax program is trying to send me to jail.  What do you all think?


regards,

Hank Prohm

 
 

From:  "Bill Lucas"
Date:  Tue May 8, 2001 
Subject:  Re: Punching 101: what I've learned so far  Hank,


Question:  How can one make power even if they omit steps 1-5?
Answer: Compression and Koshi


One of the things I really like about koshi is that you can still  make power in a punch even if you are standing on one foot, lying on  the ground, jumping in the air, falling over, etc.  You don't have to  have your feet planted to make power.  This is where I see the  principles diverging from those of Tai Chi and some other arts where
the power begins in the root.