Dedicated training can make the fore-fist, comprising the first two knuckles, a potent striking weapon. Ready-made weapons can be purchased from shops, but only disciplined and prolonged effort will convert the fore-fists into weapons with effective striking points. Although fists are frequently used in combat, many are unaware of safe methods of fist-formation, or of making a fore-fist safe for striking, fighting and training purposes.
Making the Fist
Firstly, the fingers must be firmly compacted so that, when folded, they comprise a solid mass. Hold out your hand, fingers perfectly straight and i. fold your first set of knuckles tight, ii. do the same with your second set, and iii. lock these in place with your thumb (wrap this round your first two fingers tightly). Your clenched fist should now form a compact block.
When punching or striking with the fore-fist do not bend the wrist, keep it rigid and straight otherwise it may suffer damage when you strike hard objects.
Punching In Horse and Forward Stances
In a Kung Fu Horse Stance (Ma Bu) or Bow Stance (Deng Shan Bu) extend your Left-hand forwards, knuckles upwards, whilst your Right-hand (knuckles downwards) rests, fist-clenched at your hip (1). The latter is the fist you will punch with first. Retract your Left-fist forcefully and punch forwards with your Right simultaneously. Your Right arm brushes your ribs as it extends, just before it reaches maximum extension, turn your forearm and wrist inwards sharply, dropping your fist slightly (increasing penetrating power on impact). Turn your Left forearm and wrist inwards similarly, just before they reach the hip. Now repeat the drill using the other arm.
Points to Remember
Keep your back straight, shoulders dropped and chin at 45 degrees throughout. Tense your hips as you punch and remember, harder Left-arm pull-backs mean more powerful Right-hand punches and vice-versa. Practise 20 Repetition Sets in both stances (2)
Punching and Breath-Control
Link your punching and breathing rhythms together. Inhale before punching and exhale forcefully and audibly when punching. This latter action tenses your abdominal muscles, increasing their resistance to counter-strikes and the coordination of mind, breathing and body considerably increases your endurance and the 'focus' of your punching.
Notes
(1) These are both Shaolin 'Longfist' (Changchuan) Kung Fu basic stances.
(2) From a Right-leg forward 'Bow' stance your first punch is a Lunge-punch and your second a Reverse-punch. Practise punching in both Left-leg and Right-leg forward versions of this and also in a horse-stance.
Sifu Peter Allsop M.Ed. teaches Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong in Yorkshire and Derbyshire U.K. With almost 40 years experience he is Shaolin Fists International Area Instructor for this region and Senior Student of Grandmaster Yap Leong.
Trained in the U.K. and China, Peter teaches Changquan ('Longfist') Wu Xing (5 Animals), Wu Tzu (5 Ancestors) Kung Fu and 5 Elements Qigong. Sheffield Chinese Lion Dance Team Member, he also publishes 'Red Dragon Martial Arts Ezine'. Explore the free resources at: http://www.sheffieldkungfu.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment