Vertical punch
1643341
210400435
2008-05-05T19:55:10Z
131.118.127.52
Fixed information on punch type. snap punch, not thrust punch.
{{Mergeto|Isshin-ryū|Talk:Isshin-ryū#Merger proposal|date=March 2008}}
{{Cleanup|date=March 2008}}
{{Unreferenced|date=March 2008}}
{{Wikify|date=March 2008}}
{{Orphan|date=March 2008}}
The [[Isshin-ryū]] [[Punch (strike)|punch]] is launched from the side, keeping the [[fist]] vertical the entire time.(A still picture of Master Shimabuku striking the makiwara shows the fist rotating a quarter turn.) The [[Elbow-joint|elbow]] is kept close to the side and the shoulder is relaxed and dropped. The [[Punch (strike)|punch]] is usually practiced targeted at the [[solar plexus]], not higher at the face or head. The [[Punch (strike)|punch]] strikes with the first two [[knuckles]] of the [[hand]] and then snapped back - much like cracking a whip. At the completion of the punch the hand and arm are left in a position ready to punch or block again immediately with no wind up. Care should be taken in practice and application to prevent the [[Elbow-joint|elbow]] from becoming injured by keeping the joint somewhat bent upon delivery. This is especially important when practicing without actually striking an object. [[Punch (strike)|Punches]] in this style are not usually long ranged. If the [[Elbow-joint|elbow]] was not bent upon contact the target was too far out. When timed it is possible to land three of these punches in the time it takes to land two corkscrew punches. This punch is not only faster, but more powerful than a twisting punch; We are moving the same mass as a twisting punch does, but with much more speed.
Beginning at the [[fist]] and moving up the arm: The [[fist]] is made by holding the [[hand]] open and then slowly curling the fingers from the most distal [[knuckle]] until a [[fist]] tight enough to completely hide the fingernails is made. Then the [[thumb]] is pressed down on the second [[knuckle]] of the index finger. Styles which practice a twisting [[Punch (strike)|punch]] frequently wrap their thumb down over the fingers, which begins the arm [[torque]] they use for their [[Punch (strike)|punch]] and this is precisely how Shimabuku taught it when he taught a twisting [[Punch (strike)|punch]]. Since [[Isshin-ryū]] [[Punch (strike)|punches]] straight ahead, the vertical [[thumb]] position allows for cleaner alignment of the wrist and arm bones.(A still picture of Master Shimabuku posed with his students shows the thumb not standing straight up, but rather laid over, touching the "web" of the hand. This position supports and protects the [[thumb]], while maintaining the advantage mentioned above.) This position of the [[thumb]] also allows for it to be used as a specialty weapon for precision striking, or Atemi, at delicate and vulnerable targets such as the temple or other nerve shots.
The [[fist]] is held straight, lining up the bones behind the first two [[knuckles]] to distribute the impact to both the [[Radius (bone)| radius]] and [[ulna]]. The arm is relaxed, with the [[Elbow-joint|elbow]] and shoulder both tending down toward the ground.
The [[Isshin-ryū]] vertical [[Punch (strike)|punch]] appears to owe as much to the vertical [[Punch (strike)|punch]] practiced by the older Chinese form of Hsing-I as it does to its direct lineage in Okinawa-te. It is also believed that Shimabuku used the vertical [[Punch (strike)|punch]] in an attempt to distinguish his style from other styles prevalent at the time. While this view is not widely held, it is nevertheless one theory that has been proposed that has merit. The body structures used in the strike are especially strong at close range and toward the center of the body, providing a different set of optimal striking distances and postures from the more common twist [[Punch (strike)|punch]] practiced by other styles.
While [[Isshin-ryū]] did indeed utilize a vertical [[Punch (strike)|punch]] during Shimabuku's last years, he switched several times between teaching the vertical and twist [[Punch (strike)|punch]], however, he kept certain elements constant between them. For example, the snapping, [[whip]]-like movement was common and was done in order to create a maximum transfer of [[energy]] from the hand to the opponent. It was explained that by leaving the hand in contact with the opponent the [[energy]] would send a [[shock wave]] through the opponent, which would reflect backward and travel back into your hand and arm should contact be maintained. He also explained that twist [[Punch (strike)|punches]] were often more devastating.
[[Category:Karate]]
[[Category:Punches]]