Have you ever wondered how to make your punches more powerful? Are you looking for a way to get more from your strikes, without using more energy in the process? Then, this article just might help.
Because, I'm going to share a lesson with you from the self defense art of ninpo-taijutsu - the Ninja's armed and unarmed self defense system. And, the lesson that I'm going to share with you is the secret that Ninjutsu practitioners use to get maximum effect from the least amount of energy in each and every punch!
Have you ever thought about a punch?
I know it seems simple. And, while many so-called self-defense guru's would have you believe that you can just throw your fist out there and end a fight with one punch, there really is much more to it than that!
And, that's where training comes in.
But, to train effectively - to develop the kind of strikes that have the desired effect that you're looking for, you have to explore a little deeper to understand more than just punching like a 6 year old on the playground! To get the most effect from the least effort, you are going to have to not only "understand" how to do it but, you're going to need to practice until your body can "cash the check that you're mind is writing" - until you can physically execute that punch without thinking about what to do!
For the purposes of this article, let's look at the 2 critical parts of an extremely powerful punch. Okay?
There are other principles and concepts that we can discuss in a later lesson - things like:
The 2 critical elements that I'm talking about are:
1) Impact, and...
2) Follow-through
You can see each of these operating to some degree in every martial system that employs striking. The difference is that, most martial arts and self defense systems lean toward one or the other, almost exclusively - choosing that principle element as the "official" way that their "style" does it.
The truth is that both of these elements can serve you in different situations. Because, there are times when you will want to "strike-first / strike-hard," as they say in the Karate-Kid; there are times when you don't want to cause severe damage to your attacker - as in the case of a friend or family member who may become violent for whatever reason; and you may need to deliver an equal amount of both in your attempt to knock your opponent back and down.
To understand each, let's take a quick look at these two parts of a powerful punch.
First, "impact" is the way your fist makes contact with - and causes immediate damage to - your attacker's body. This is the part of the strike that is capable of producing the broken bones, bruising, and shock-trauma that will literally stop this guy from continuing - at least not in the same way that he planned!
Then, there is "follow-through." This is the way the fist moves his body as a result of the strike landing. This is the part of the punch that determines where, and how far his arm, torso, head, or the body as a whole will travel after impact.
While some martial arts and self defense systems lean toward the "impact" side of the spectrum, preferring the "snapping" punch that will break ribs, or just knock the wind out of him - and others lean toward the opposite end where the strike is more of a soft, repelling, pushing action...
The strikes found within Ninjutsu self defense techniques combine the two so that there is both shock-trauma, AND follow-through extension that sends the attacker's body reeling off balance, or flying towards the floor. And, because the Ninja's dakentaijutsu 'striking method' combines these two elements - and his training includes drills and practice to develop each part as a separate skill...
... he is fully capable of toning his strikes down to be more liability-conscious and passive, or ramping things up to their fullest potential with full-on damaging strikes to muscles, bones, and organs...
...with little to know additional effort in the process!
Because, I'm going to share a lesson with you from the self defense art of ninpo-taijutsu - the Ninja's armed and unarmed self defense system. And, the lesson that I'm going to share with you is the secret that Ninjutsu practitioners use to get maximum effect from the least amount of energy in each and every punch!
Have you ever thought about a punch?
I know it seems simple. And, while many so-called self-defense guru's would have you believe that you can just throw your fist out there and end a fight with one punch, there really is much more to it than that!
And, that's where training comes in.
But, to train effectively - to develop the kind of strikes that have the desired effect that you're looking for, you have to explore a little deeper to understand more than just punching like a 6 year old on the playground! To get the most effect from the least effort, you are going to have to not only "understand" how to do it but, you're going to need to practice until your body can "cash the check that you're mind is writing" - until you can physically execute that punch without thinking about what to do!
For the purposes of this article, let's look at the 2 critical parts of an extremely powerful punch. Okay?
There are other principles and concepts that we can discuss in a later lesson - things like:
- 1) Timing
- 2) Flow
- 3) Tension and relaxation
- 4) Muscle flexion, and...
- 5) Skeletal alignment
The 2 critical elements that I'm talking about are:
1) Impact, and...
2) Follow-through
You can see each of these operating to some degree in every martial system that employs striking. The difference is that, most martial arts and self defense systems lean toward one or the other, almost exclusively - choosing that principle element as the "official" way that their "style" does it.
The truth is that both of these elements can serve you in different situations. Because, there are times when you will want to "strike-first / strike-hard," as they say in the Karate-Kid; there are times when you don't want to cause severe damage to your attacker - as in the case of a friend or family member who may become violent for whatever reason; and you may need to deliver an equal amount of both in your attempt to knock your opponent back and down.
To understand each, let's take a quick look at these two parts of a powerful punch.
First, "impact" is the way your fist makes contact with - and causes immediate damage to - your attacker's body. This is the part of the strike that is capable of producing the broken bones, bruising, and shock-trauma that will literally stop this guy from continuing - at least not in the same way that he planned!
Then, there is "follow-through." This is the way the fist moves his body as a result of the strike landing. This is the part of the punch that determines where, and how far his arm, torso, head, or the body as a whole will travel after impact.
While some martial arts and self defense systems lean toward the "impact" side of the spectrum, preferring the "snapping" punch that will break ribs, or just knock the wind out of him - and others lean toward the opposite end where the strike is more of a soft, repelling, pushing action...
The strikes found within Ninjutsu self defense techniques combine the two so that there is both shock-trauma, AND follow-through extension that sends the attacker's body reeling off balance, or flying towards the floor. And, because the Ninja's dakentaijutsu 'striking method' combines these two elements - and his training includes drills and practice to develop each part as a separate skill...
... he is fully capable of toning his strikes down to be more liability-conscious and passive, or ramping things up to their fullest potential with full-on damaging strikes to muscles, bones, and organs...
...with little to know additional effort in the process!