Kung fu, like all martial arts systems, consists of a set of basic strikes combined to make practice forms and self-defense techniques. Some systems, such as aikido, focus on locks and grappling. Others, like tang soo do, primarily practice kicks. Kung fu consists of dozens of unique sub-styles, but all include punches among their basic arsenal of tools.
Vertical Jab
Step 1
Stand in a natural fighting stance: feet shoulder width apart, one shoulder facing your target. Your hands should be up guarding your head with your elbows down to protect your ribs.
Step 2
Position yourself so that your front hand can reach your target while fully extended but without having to lock out your elbow.
Step 3
Looking directly at your target, twist your front hip toward your target. Ride the motion with your torso and snap your front hand out. Keep the muscles of your arm loose until just before your fist makes contact.
Step 4
Tense your arm muscles just before impact to give your punch more force. Strike with your fist vertical, hitting with the two large knuckles at the top of your hand.
Step 5
Immediately recoil your arm to return your front hand to its original, guard position.
Reverse Punch
Step 1
Stand in a natural fighting stance, close enough to your target that you can hit it with your rear hand.
Step 2
Looking directly at your target, dig the big toe of your rear foot into the ground.
Step 3
Pushing off your toe, feel the motion ride up your foot, calf and leg into your hip.
Step 4
Swing your hip forward, driving your rear hand out and toward your target.
Step 5
As your punch moves toward the target, turn your forearm so that your fist is parallel to the ground, palm down.
Step 6
Strike the target with the two large knuckles on the inside of your hand.
Step 7
Immediately recoil your hand and hips to return to your natural fighting stance.
Tips and Warnings
- To ingrain these punches, practice first in the air, then against a punching bag. Martial arts teacher Phil Porter, former coach of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team, says that 5,000 repetitions is the bare minimum needed to develop proficiency with any martial arts technique.
References
- "The Tao of Jeet Kun Do"; Bruce Lee; 1975
- Dave Coffman, Martial Arts Instructor, Hillsboro, OR
- Phil Porter, US Olympic Judo Coach (ret), Director United States Martial Arts Association, Sacramento, CA
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