Ptah Khi School of Wudang Tai Chi Chuan Martial Arts & Holistic Health

The art of punching

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A pushing or pulling motion uses the segments of the body simultaneously to produce force, but a motion that uses sequential motion transfers momentum from one segment of the body to another; from the larger proximal segments to the smaller distal segments, until the momentum is delivered to the last segment in the link. Then the trunk moves ahead of the shoulder, which moves ahead of the arm. Finally the arm extends to deliver the punch. In force-production capability. If a muscle is stretched (lengthened) beyond a certain point, it will contract (shorten) forcefully, much as when we create tension in a rubber band by stretching it and letting it go quickly (plyometrics principle)
If a muscle is stretched (lengthened) beyond a certain point, it will contract (shorten) forcefully, much as when we create tension in a rubber band by stretching it and letting it go quickly (plyometrics principle). Before we deliver a punch, the stretched shoulder muscle will contract like a rubber band. All punching techniques take full advantage of  stretch reflex to produce maximum force.

Muscular/skeletal component

The punch is a successful kinetic chain that releases energy at rest to energy in motion or force. The punch starts from the lower limbs and ends at the fist.  The punch starts with the right foot back. The right foot creates a plantar flexion (which primarily uses the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles). After the plantar flexion occurs, it is follow by the rotation of the right hip in the longitudinal plane. The rotation is then followed by a rotation of the torso, as the result of the flexion of the right internal oblique and left external oblique. As the rotation of the lower and mid body occurs, the right scapula is raised, and the flexion of the glenohumeral joint occurs (mainly caused by the pectoralis muscles, anterior deltoids, and latissimus dorsi). Finally, the elbow joint is extended, as a result from the flexion of the triceps. The end result; a punch.