You've heard of the one inch punch right? This move was made popular by the Kung Fu master and Jeet Kune Do founder Bruce Lee. It can be described as being a punch powerful enough to incapacitate which only requires a distance of one inch to perform. The one inch punch is present in many Southern Martial Arts styles but it is commonly believed it that it is derived from the relatively modern style of Wing Chun.
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The one inch punch is a unique technique of Chinese Kung Fu of generating power. The technique is famous thanks to Bruce Lee. Most Martial Artists can recall watching video footage of the master himself at the Long Beach International Karate Chapionships on August 2nd, 1964. Demonstrating this technique on a Karate expert, Bruce was able to prove the amount of power and effectiveness behind this simple move. Bruce learned the technique during Wing Chun Kung Fu training in Hong Kong, where he was trained by the legend Ip Man (葉繼問, Yeji Q).
At the Championships, Bruce wearing a simple black Kung Fu suit took to the floor. Drawing the audience into his
presentation which finished with the one inch punch, they gasped as he executed this amazing move with such amazing technique.
The one inch punch technique uses 'fa jin' (Chinese for explosive power). In doing so huge amounts of energy is generated and applied to a single point for intense an impact for very close distances. The whole technique when performed properly allows potential energy from almost the entire body to be trasnferred into a single point on impact.
How to perform the one inch punch.
The wrist joint is the best place to start practicing the one inch punch. It is advised not to carry out this technique on another person unless they are wearing protective gear. When optimately performed, serious injury including death may occur. This is why the technique should only be used at time of self defence during an unlawful attack. Some Martial Artists have known to ask their sparring partner to place a phone book on their chest while they practice the move. Clench your fist and place the knuckle of your index finger on your target, allowing a gradually increasing spacebetween the target and the 3 nuckles of your other fingers. Then in one explosive burst, root your legs and twist your waist. As the waist turns, the ribs expand and the arm extends through the target. For maximum power it is crucial that the entire body moves in fluently as one.
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How many inches is the maximum?
How many inches is the maximum, before it becomes an alternative move? I heard this can be performed at more than one inch?
The one inch punch can actually be performed up to 6 inches.
The one inch punch can actually be performed up to 6 inches (contrary to its name). A further distance than this would result in a different technique as the reactions of the attacker/opponent would foresee the punch coming.
It's a great move for up and close conflicts in self defence.
It's a great move for up and close conflicts in self defence, such as crowded areas. such as in a night club where many people are around and if someone attack you and there is not enough room to maneuver an alternative defence technique.
Hope this helps.
Thanks to Bruce Lee for making...
Thank you Mr Bruce Lee, for making this technique famous enough for us all to learn and appreciate the short distance power of some Chine Martial Arts.
Cool
You have to give it to Bruce Lee for this techniques, it was even shown in the movies (kill bill - although they kind of ruined what it really meant)!
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Bruce is the number 1 martial arts legend - nobody will beat his status!
Very effective
This is one punch that a lot of people ask about, the video clip was a good
mix of comments. This is an internal punch that shocks your body in a
different way. Truly you have to receive it to appreciate it even more. Of
course,your students don't usually like to be holding the target for more
then 2 hits at a time :)
Inch Punch Power
The inch punch comes from the unification of 6 points ,Ankle , Knee , Hip ,Shoulder , Elbow , Wrist and the power generates through the last 3 Knuckles into a very powerful Technique.
Completely right there, and
Completely right there, and when it's perfected, its devastating.
Question
First, I want to be clear I am not picking anything apart. I really enjoyed your article and look forward to reading more from you. I am curious about the inch force punching technique. I had always heard that Bruce had learned the technique from Gin Foon Mark. There are even training photos of them together with Bruce learning the technique. Did Bruce refine his study of the inch force power with Master Mark? I honestly don't know. I ask because all three branches of Southern Mantis are based on inch force power. That is not to say, of course, that we are the only ones, there are many styles that do. Wing Chun brings an amazing and powerful arsenal to the table without a doubt. I also know that Wing Chun has also always had this technique. We do definately "throw it" differently and it is equally effective on both sides of the fence. I would appreciate any insite into this you can provide.