The Importance of Stretching

[Gyakuto104]

Once you sight in a rifle and pull the trigger the bullet flies to the target. You control everything up to the firing.

Nice analogy!

 

[Same Trick49]

Can the snappy kick be likened to a shooting bullet ? Maybe more like a bullwhip crack

 

[Gyakuto104]

Can the snappy kick be likened to a shooting bullet ? Maybe more like a bullwhip crack

But the premise is the same; at some point during initiation, the process cannot be terminated.

 

[windwalker099104]

“Kobujuitsu”

Interesting video, many of the same concepts used in CMA with what seems
to be some modern interpretations of different exercises…

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

But the premise is the same; at some point during initiation, the process cannot be terminated.

It can so, it’s called pulling your punch.

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

But the premise is the same; at some point during initiation, the process cannot be terminated.

What you describe here I call “throwing” a punch. I don’t throw punches, I shoot them. You Karatekas should try some western boxing.

 

[Gyakuto104]

It can so, it’s called pulling your punch.

Isn’t pulling one’s punch ‘landing’ it in front of the target rather than ten centimeters through it.?

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Isn’t pulling one’s punch ‘landing’ it in front of the target rather than ten centimeters through it.?

That would be terminating the process…

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Isn’t pulling one’s punch ‘landing’ it in front of the target rather than ten centimeters through it.?

if I don’t hit you as hard as I can, on purpose, that would also be pulling a punch. If I just restrain myself from pedantry for the sake of being polite, that is also pulling a punch. Define it for me, we can use that later.

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Isn’t pulling one’s punch ‘landing’ it in front of the target rather than ten centimeters through it.?

In any case you are missing the point. There is a difference between throwing your leg out there and being in control enough to change what is happening at any point during the motion. As you say, there is a point at which you can’t change it, like a bullet being fired. I merely disagree with that assertion.

 

[isshinryuronin]

if I don’t hit you as hard as I can, on purpose, that would also be pulling a punch.

I define pulling a punch as stopping or partially lessening its power while in flight. While the latter is possible, it's difficult and the only reason for doing that would be if the situation changes in that fraction of a second while it's in flight.

Most of the power in a punch is generated before it's actually launched so this is where one would keep from punching as hard as you can. That's not pulling the punch - it's just not punching with full power.

 

[Flying Crane]

Most of the power in a punch is generated before it's actually launched…

Would you care to explain this, because I disagree but I want to make sure I understand what you are saying.

 

[Darren1]

Isn’t pulling one’s punch ‘landing’ it in front of the target rather than ten centimeters through it.?

control the punch, it might hit then again it may not, even though if it hits there is nothing there, very strange!

 

[isshinryuronin]

Would you care to explain this, because I disagree but I want to make sure I understand what you are saying.

The power of a punch, of course, begins with a firm stance and locked hips. With explosive muscle action the whole assembly, with intent, is put into action bringing the body's entire weight into play (this can be done stepping or stationary). I'd say about 80% of a punch's power is now generated - before the relaxed arm/fist is on its way toward its target. On contact the fist, arm, shoulders and lats are tensed (chinkuchi) and the entire body's force as a single unit is delivered to the target. This is the best I can explain it, but no doubt some nuances have been left out being too hard to put in words.

There are other methods some systems use such as twisting, pivoting, extending/thrusting, leaning, throwing the body's mass to provide power, but the above is, I think, the main way most Okinawan styles use. There are also other kinds of punches where power is not the main goal like a speedy jab (or backfist) that use less body.

 

[Same Trick49]

Isn’t pulling one’s punch ‘landing’ it in front of the target rather than ten centimeters through it.?

I thought we were on about snap kicks, such a kick can’t do the 10cm through a target, it’s a very much surface(if even so) targeting kick

 

[isshinryuronin]

about snap kicks, such a kick can’t do the 10cm through a target, it’s a very much surface(if even so) targeting kick

A bit beyond "surface" but definitely not a penetrating 10cm kick. However, before thinking this lessens its value, consider these points:

Surface area - The old timers used the first two toes as the weapon. This means the power of the kick was concentrated on a very small surface area, increasing the kick's effectiveness. Nowadays we use the ball of the foot, still a fairly small surface area.

Target selection - Vital points were the target of choice such as on the inner thigh, groin, bladder and solar plexus. A lot of penetration is not needed for a good snap kick to be effective to these areas.

The front snap kick is a medium-short range weapon, meaning it has a short travel time, and it's inherently a very fast kick if done well. Additionally, it has a low trajectory making it hard to see. All this makes it hard to block/evade.

 

[Gyakuto104]

if I don’t hit you as hard as I can, on purpose, that would also be pulling a punch. If I just restrain myself from pedantry for the sake of being polite, that is also pulling a punch. Define it for me, we can use that later.

I adhere to the Japanese definition of ‘sundome’ (sun = 3cm, dome = to stop). How you achieve that is your system’s decision ie. focusing the blow 3cm in front of the target or ‘pulling’ it by striking the target with an insignificant slapping force possibly with the arm/leg slightly unextended. I’m sure there are a few different ways of not hurting the target.

 

[Gyakuto104]

Back to stretching…in a few months I’m re-commencing my general fitness regime. Since they’re so important, will incorporate espeacially as one ages, it will include two days where I only perform stretching/mobility exercises. I’ll have to think about what and where I’m going to do that (home stretching doesn’t last in my case) !

 

[Flying Crane]

The power of a punch, of course, begins with a firm stance and locked hips. With explosive muscle action the whole assembly, with intent, is put into action bringing the body's entire weight into play (this can be done stepping or stationary). I'd say about 80% of a punch's power is now generated - before the relaxed arm/fist is on its way toward its target. On contact the fist, arm, shoulders and lats are tensed (chinkuchi) and the entire body's force as a single unit is delivered to the target. This is the best I can explain it, but no doubt some nuances have been left out being too hard to put in words.

There are other methods some systems use such as twisting, pivoting, extending/thrusting, leaning, throwing the body's mass to provide power, but the above is, I think, the main way most Okinawan styles use. There are also other kinds of punches where power is not the main goal like a speedy jab (or backfist) that use less body.

Ok, if that is primarily how the Okinawan methods do it. That distinction is important. In the Tibetan crane method we use body rotation, and deliver even power through the entire punch. It’s a different approach that works well for us. I won’t comment on the Okinawan method because I haven’t trained it and am not in a position to speak intelligently, one way or the other about it.

 

[Wing Woo Gar38]

Ok, if that is primarily how the Okinawan methods do it. That distinction is important. In the Tibetan crane method we use body rotation, and deliver even power through the entire punch. It’s a different approach that works well for us. I won’t comment on the Okinawan method because I haven’t trained it and am not in a position to speak intelligently, one way or the other about it.

Same here. I don’t use a Tibetan method but we have more in common here. I have not trained any Okinawan method so I can’t comment on that.