[quote]idaho wrote:
[quote]Seachel_25 wrote:
[quote]Sentoguy wrote:
Interesting that you use the first two knuckles with a vertical fist punch. Do you know what the rationale is for doing so rather than the lower three knuckles?
I’d have to play around with it a little to see, but it would seem like it would be tough to get proper bone alignment anywhere along the punch trajectory other than right at the end. Are you throwing it from a chambered position, or more of a “boxer” guard position?
Also, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but your reaction to the person who came up to offer you advice was that of someone who’s “tea cup is full” (hopefully you know the reference). Just because you’ve been going something for “x” amount of years doesn’t mean that you can’t still learn anything beneficial or new about the subject. Maybe that individual could have showed you something that could have substantially benefited your punching technique or power, or maybe they really didn’t know anything special, you’ll never know because you refused to even “taste their cup of tea”.
I’ve got two females who are currently training under me who have 20+ years in the martial arts each (one of whom is a prominent figure in the women’s martial arts/self defense community) and who have black belts or multiple degree black belts in a couple systems. In our first training session together I literally doubled both of their punching power by making adjustments/fine tuning their technique/mechanics. They continue to improve as martial artists every class because they were not afraid to humble themselves and listen to what I was telling them to do. In turn they have taught me much about the female martial artist experience and female psychology in terms of self defense, because I am humble enough to realize that I still have plenty to learn as well.
I know that being a female there is a stigma among the untrained general public (and sadly even among some of the trained population) that you don’t know how to fight well simply due to your sex; which is incorrect (a well trained female martial artist deserves just as much respect as a well trained male martial artist). But not everyone who offers advice is doing so simply because you are a girl “and therefore don’t know how to fight”. Maybe this person was, or maybe they could have given you some real gems, again, you may never know.
Just something to think about.[/quote]
That’s an interesting point and a very good one. First, we punch with the first two knuckles because of the theory that they are stronger than the bottom three, thus ur punch is more of a straight forward instead of a hook. We also use a vertical fist because in a street situation, it does not put our wrist at its biomechanical limit (you would have to turn my wrist even more to put it into lock).
Second, I have nothing against learning, it was his condescending voice that put me off. I wasn’t so much offended because of what he asked, but more of how he asked and stated his purpose. I have willingly learned methods in multiple different styles because I like to learn, but how he addressed me and my main style seemed rather more insulting than helpful.
As for the man, I do often regret not allowing him to have the opportunity to teach me what he knows for the sake of my pride. And other times, I’m glad I stood up for the style I spent so long practicing. Mixed emotions, ya know. [/quote]
Good Conversation and good points expressed.
I have a comment and I would like to ask a question: First, I have trained female rookie cops, agents, and currently have 4 female Marine Embassy guards working out with our class, no one with any experience will ever doubt the aggression and skill a female can produce. In fact, I have found that they are easier to train because they are not encumbered with false abilites and a delusional sense of self worth.
Second, like Pigeonkak, I am ignorant about your style. Being a MT guy, I am having difficulty in imagining where you generate your power. Is the punch thrown from the high guard position? or the center of the waist? or lower? Are you able to obtain power from your hips? Thank you. [/quote]
Okay, now I see it. Or basically it’s my old Whin Chun Sunfist. Personally, I would be uncomfortable using sunfist (vertical fist) punches for anything other than a straight, centre line strike right to the face or solar plexus. I’m very curious too as to how Seachel uses hers. Maybe she can post a video she considers reliable of some striking by practitioners of her style?
It’s interesting what you say about a woman’s… “teachability” if you like. Consider the title of this thread - I doubt there are an overwhelming number of women out there claiming to be martial artist phenoms when they’re not. And if you can persuade a woman to begin serious and dedicated MA or self defence training, they are very quick learners and very quick to suit the style to their own physical proportions. I also think woman have very sharp safety instincts that can be honed with MA training to a degree a man might battle to achieve.
Guys? Man, we strut about with exaggerated lat syndrome, proving points and ignoring more experienced trainers.
EDIT: thinking more about it, the punch would be a telescoping, piston movement. As I used to throw them, the shoulders should be square allowing two punches to snap out quickly and in series with equal distance for each fist to travel. The “fisticuffs” like stance also allows a chain of strikes to target the face and solar plexus bloody chop chop, mate. A risk however is injury to your thumb. I personally, don’t use that punch anymore but I wont knock Seachel if she throws down well with it.
