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Why do most people punch in the wrong way?

Because:

On one side, the punches are very complex to learn and master
On the other side, at the same time, they are confused as something easy

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

The consequence is that they are underestimated, they are not taken enough seriously: not in relation to the theory not (and especially) not in relation to the practice.

The problem is that even those who practice martial arts confuse the idea of “basic technique” with the one of “beginners’ technique”.

They are deluded by the fact that punches are always studied first:

Both in bad courses
Both in good courses

Why does this happen? The reality is that:

Yes, in the wrong schools they are studied first, because they are underrated
But in the most serious ones, they are discussed first for a totally different reason, because they are the longest to master and the most important

A note by Master Kongling – As we always repeat, in martial arts terms, “basic” means “fundamental”, never “for beginners”. The word “basic” is not referring to something that is done only in the initial phase of learning (eg. because it is simple or less incisive) but to something that always recurs.

Why mastering punches is so important

Let’s be clear, every combat sector (trapping, joint levers, throws, etc.) has a serious reason to exist but without a minimal preparation in upper arms striking: it is very hard to face a real fight.

A note by Master Kongling – To fill such a gap, it would be necessary to develop high-level skills even against an intermediate-level opponent (if he / she has a balanced development of martial skills).

The point is that outside a predefined or sportive context, even grappling (that in many cases can prevail over striking), cannot exclude a certain level of knowledge in this field.

In every real self-defense scenario or combat sport that includes arms, the exchange of punches is in 90% of the cases a mandatory step.

What makes good quality punches so complex to learn

A note by Master Kongling – If someone asks me what is the most complex category of techniques that I teach, I surely reply punches (not trapping, not Chin Na, not throws, etc.).

Most people are deluded by movies that it is only a matter of closing the fist (read How to tighten the fist) and launching the arm toward the opponent: nothing further from reality.

To throw effective punches is an art and it requires years of training (at least 5).

Why are punches so hard to master?

Because behind them, there is:

An incredibly big number of combat variables to manage
A big work on conditioning
A big work on timing
A big work on spatial intelligence
A big work on quick reasoning
A big work on instinct development
A big work on unpredictability
A big work on muscle memory
A big work on muscle chains
A big work on power and speed development
A big work on the study of the targets
A big work on the study of the technique
A big work on the study of methods to overcome the opponent’s defense and counter
A big work on the study of the sequences
…

In the science of fighting, almost nothing can reach such a level of complexity.

A note by Master Kongling – To be able to punch perfectly means being martial art experts.

What about kicks?

Even kicks are equally complex but despite their incredibly big importance, they can be considered “relatively less relevant”. It is not a secret that in many cases they are riskier:

They are stronger but more unstable
They are less frequent due to mobility
They are not for beginners
They consume more energies
They are executed with limbs not able to grab
They are executed with limbs over which we have, in most cases, less control
They are only for those who train constantly
They require slightly more stretching / warm-up
Outside a serious preparation, they are more for younger people
They have a good reach but at the same time they are harder to recover (exposing us to the opponent’s reactions)
…

A note by Master Kongling – For the Core Course’s practitioners: about the last point, we refer for example to the techniques described in Lesson 116 and Lesson 117 (against a roundhouse kick).

How to master punches: a starting point

Where to start? From these steps:

Deeply study the theory (start reading How to punch (simple explanation))
Throw at least 100-200 punches per day (but avoid too linear repetitions, do the exercises described in /// Subscribe (it's free!) or Login to see this content ///)
Check the quality (at the mirror, with an expert and in sparring)
Train the arms (to become relaxed, reactive, explosive and flexible)
Work on combinations and directions (to educate the muscle memory, read The muscle memory)
Follow 6 Dragons Kung Fu’s P.S.P. path (work on precision, then speed and only at the end on power)
Build impact conditioning (start reading Conditioning check for the impact)
Build quick reasoning and instinct (focus on good targets, unpredictability and tactics)

A note by Master Kongling – We will deepen all these steps.

Final notes

A few conclusive thoughts:

Why this article? The question of one of the Core Course students about “what are the most important combat techniques” has given the opportunity to stress that everything that comes after upper limbs striking is important but is “secondary”
In conclusion, it is useful to stress that upper limbs’ striking (defense and attack) should be seen as the perfect weapon for those self-defense scenarios where we are forced to fight
…

In-depth video courses

The Basic punches: how to – A simple step by step visual explanation of the most important punches of our school
How to punch faster – A video course about the secrets behind upper limbs’ speed
Basic free hand fighting techniques – All the core combat techniques of 6 Dragons Kung Fu

In-depth articles

How to kick (simple explanation) – A tutorial about how to throw a perfect kick
How to learn to fight: all the steps – The correct path to build real martial skills for combat

Questions

Reply in the comments and share your experience:

How many punches can you throw in a row (at the same quality level)?

Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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