I would like to add to the recent post on using the Tate Tsuki (vertical fist) and how the energy is delivered and expanding the idea to our standard one or two knuckle punching.
At face value
you see most schools of Karate today demonstrating a straight line trajectory
punch which is usually traveling parallel to the ground.
A more advanced
way of punching is to approach the target from one direction and immediately as
you impact to change the direction inwards of your wrist so that the impact
path looks like an oval/parabolic trajectory. But it can also be delivered as a
straight line trajectory and then upon impact the patch is changed ending in a
semi circular exit path.
This method
means that you are in extreme close range and you never fully extend your
punches fully. They look like the Naihanchi punches.
Try this out:
Stand in front of a partner and have them punch your abdomen with a fairly
strong straight and linear punch. Unless you have no abs, you will will tighten
your abdomen wall (Shields up Scotty) and you will be able to take those
straight shots with relative safety and no harsh discomfort. Also don’t forget
to exhale and time it with the impact. Do not hold your breath when receiving.
Now receive one
of these punches I am describing here: Regardless of how well you are able to
take it, you will find it much more difficult to deflect/repulse. 99% of the
time the recipient will clearly feel it and be knocked back with a sickly
feeling.
This is because
our anatomy does not do well defending/repulsing a strike when 2
"vectors" are employed. This is the type of punching you should be
doing when hitting one of these large muscle bound gorillas. They have a lot of
muscle and can easily repulse your impact if it is a straight shot.
Also consider
that you should be using gravity to aid in your deliver much more so than a
straight punch so when you do these always add a downward arc. This punch is
most effective from the solar plexus to anywhere in the lower abdomen. Also it
is a rib crusher when you attack the floating ribs and surrounding areas. As
part of the total delivery package you should employ some universal principles
such as:
1) Exhaling in proportion to the
effort you are making.
2) Drop body weight sharply upon penetration so your feet impact the floor
(Muchimi principle). This is not "jump up and then fall down.
3) Align skeletal structure instantly where you want it to be at
"instant" of impact (basically this is the Shinkuchi principle).
4) Be relaxed on the way in, tighten on impact, then immediately relax. Never
remain flexing your muscles before or after.
This is not
limited to the abdomen, this methodology delivers devastating and destructive
punching to the jaw, nose, arms, legs especially the thighs (one of my favorite
target areas).
Naihanchi
BTW- This is a basic punching methodology of those short little hooking punches
you see in Naihanchi Kata, apply a slight upward travel from the Hikite
position and then drop down to a "below horizon" position at the end
of the stroke. When you do the Naihanchi punches in a “parallel to the ground
trajectory” you are giving up a ton of power and potential energy. Look at how
Shotokan does the Tekki punches, they travel completely parallel to the floor
and the elbow is at the same level as the fist and at the shoulder level. In
Naihanchi the fist is slightly lower than the elbow for structure to describe
the downward trajectory of delivery.
This does not
change your kata, it just improves and refines your delivery for maximum
efficiency with minimal effort. Also minimal body movement. Anytime you can do
the same thing and deliver great power as you did with a large movement using a
small movement you are reducing the time and energy. An Opponent with large
movements will be overcome by the opponent with small movements.
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