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Martial Arts: The Punch

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Martial Arts: The Punch

The punch is a key aspect to marital arts, so Steve Mortimore, VideoJug's expert black belt, shows you how to perform it properly. The punch is a key aspect to marital arts, so Steve Mortimore, VideoJug's expert black belt, shows you how to perform it properly.

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: The Fist

Regardless of whether you're practicing karate or any other martial art, the principles of a good fist are the same.

Never forget, that if you strike your target with an incorrect fist, you're more than likely going to end up with a wrist injury, or something equally as nasty.

The target is hit with the knuckles of the first two fingers - the index finger and the middle finger.

And what's primarily important here is the alignment of key points. Beginning with the middle of those first two knuckles, through the wrist and elbow to the shoulder. Any mis-alignment of these four points will result in a loss of power and in the worst case, you'll hurt yourself.

Step 3: The Stance

Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and taking a step back with your right foot to a comfortable distance, as if on tram lines. Then turn your feet 30ยบ and bend your knees. Remember to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

REMEMBER! All energy is drawn up from the ground. It must flow through your body and be released through your target via the fist. You can do this with a combination of movements and perhaps more importantly, with your stance.

From this stance, good hip rotation will add power to your "power punch". If you're performing a right punch, your right hip should rotate forward with the punch.

Step 4: Breathing

Don't forget that correct breathing and the exhalation of your energy will improve your punching technique. Exhale throughout the entire execution of the punch. This exhalation should be strong and powerful and come from your abdomen. It's called the "KI-AI".

Step 5: The Target

Although there are many target areas on the human body, they fall into three main areas: the upper, the middle and the lower. These correspond to the chin, the solar plexus and the stomach/groin area.

Step 6: Review

Remember! The perfect punch is a combination of a strong fist, a focusing of your energy, a solid stance, good hip rotation and breath control.

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Tips & Comments
  1. orimori

    Terrible punch, his shoulders are tight and nothing is flowing... I dunno where you found this guy but this is not a martial arts punch!

  2. Garyu

    You never know the whole story...

  3. Wild_Jim

    Oh Man... A 6th dan - who still trains with Jewellery on!! I'd go beserk with any of my students if they trained with jewellery! Still, we don't give black belts away in our association. And... why does he keep opening his fist after punching? And another thing... why aren't his front two knuckles covered in callouses (hard bits from doing pressups on his knuckles).... And whats this with mats??? MATS? We do throws without mats! There's no mats out there in the jungle! My black belt ties itself - its just about threadbare - I've had it since 1989. His belt seems quite new! Still, don't want to be too critical......

  4. rhs123

    Tapped? Gorden Bennett, you must be weak, my dear boy! Extra note for everyone: Saying, 'Hee!' or 'Haa' does NOT increase your chance on hurting the target =P

  5. Anonymous

    Do not actually use this, you WILL hurt yourself, and the person you tapped will probably hurt you more.

  6. Anonymous

    well this was little bit helpful

  7. Anonymous

    The Sensei should have removed his ring before training!

  8. Anonymous

    Listen to him hit the focus mitt. No crack at all. Compare with Geoff Thompson, John Anderson, Peter Consterdine, or any pro boxer/mixed martial artist. Be enlightened, then go join a boxing/MMA gym.

  9. Anonymous

    almost none of the advice in tihs video is correct. if you rotate your fist that far the bones cross over and weakens the arm. Fully extending the arm damages the elbow and wastes chi. The stance leans too far forward risking a counterattack. The easiest way to throw a more powerful punch is to imagine you are punching 6 inches further than you actually are, that way the punch carries more force.

  10. Salamani

    Yeah, as some1 said before me: "this punch is only relevent in karate ,other systems use different types of punch" Although karate doesn't only use this punch this is mostly for martial arts like Karate, Tae kwon do and maybe something like Muay Thai. And then there are martial arts like ninjutsu, where you hit exactly like that, only the thumb faces up. And it's not wrong, believe me. I have punched in my boxing bag like a million times like that, and never hurt myself, except in my knuckles.