One-inch Punch

[Yama Tombo]

The power Bruce Lee demostrated with the one inch punch, people who have studied Jeet Kune Do for the longest have said no one has ever been able to match Lee's power, or strength. Do you think you would be able to pull off the same power as Bruce Lee demostrated with the inch punch?

[Greg-VT]

I can, with my borther. But with less less one inch. No distance between fist and chest. 100% contact with no pull back.

I have sent my bro back by about 6feet. He weighs around 45Kg. At that time, I weighed about the same as him.

[Matt_Bernius]

Unfortunately since Bruce Lee's punch is a legend it's going to be difficult for anyone to match it. I can say that my Sifu (and a number of other practioners I've met) have a very good 1 inch punch. I've felt it (through pads) and I've gone backwards.

The fact is the one inch punch has been around for a long time (though Sifu Lee brought it into the spotlight). Knowing that, a different question is did Sifu Lee have the stongest One Inch Punch of all time? Who knows.

- Matt

[YODA]

Originally posted by rockOn_Matt
.... a different question is did Sifu Lee have the stongest One Inch Punch of all time? Who knows.

- Matt

...a different question is - Who cares?

[Andrew Green]

Did you see the movie "Tuxedo"?

Same deal, except yellow jump suit, not Tuxedo :D

Wasn't him, it was the suit ;)

[pgm316]

Whats that in metric? :D

[David]

haha!

[Matt_Bernius]

Originally posted by YODA
...a different question is - Who cares?

Darn, you beat me to that Yoda. I knew there was something I forgot in my post.

- Matt

[SatchSRV]

Welll, let me try to answer this using basic physics. You said:

"The power Bruce Lee demostrated with the one inch punch, people who have studied Jeet Kune Do for the longest have said no one has ever been able to match Lee's power, or strength. Do you think you would be able to pull off the same power as Bruce Lee demostrated with the inch punch?"

Now, BL was exceptionally strong for his size, and he was amazingly fast. What you need to take into consideration is a basic principle which is F=ma....Force=mass*acceleration.

I'm not going to go crazy into the other variables that go along with this to fully answer the question, but in basic terms this is what I am getting at. BL's weight was around 140lbs at the most, and was as low as 126 near the time of his death.

If you were to take someone who has about 3/4 of the acceleration that BL did, but weighed around 220, he would have the stronger punch. Acceleration/Speed can only out perform size upto a certain extent. This is why in the NFL you usually see smaller defensive lineman. They might be 50-80lbs ligther and can drive a larger person back, but they can also get killed by bigger lineman who are also quick, which takes away any advantage the smaller person might have.

I know that example doesn't have to do with MA, but it's just to give you a comparison. Hope that helps some

[OLDLilBunnyRabbit]

Aha! Some poor person applying physics to martial arts within my reach!

Now then. Putting it simply, physics does not work that well when describing martial arts in people, we're infinitely more complex. There's so much more to the power of a punch than weight and speed when a human is throwing it that it is nigh-on impossible to work out the effect.

[SatchSRV]

I honestly cannot see how a human is infinitely more complex that you cannot describe and calculate motions? That is the whole principle of biomechanics. Biomechanists have even been able to figure out the stride length, heart rate, height, and ground reaction forces (along w/ other variables) for a female to be able to break the world record in the 100 meters.....I cant see how the same cannot be applied towards MA

[AndyD]

Originally posted by LilBunnyRabbit
Now then. Putting it simply, physics does not work that well when describing martial arts in people, we're infinitely more complex. There's so much more to the power of a punch than weight and speed when a human is throwing it that it is nigh-on impossible to work out the effect.

Its not that physics does not work its that most do not use it adequately. For example, its not just how much force you can generate but how much you can put into the target - the more physical tension you have the more you, rather than the target, will move backwards upon impact. This effect is known as rebound and reducing it is is a pretty quick way to increase your ability to hurt your opponent.

As for generating the power you are right on the button when you say there is more to it than weight and speed. Body mechanics play a vital role that few seem to understand - but they are still explainable by physics.

[Kwajman]

ANY body motion can be explained with physics. While you may need to visually analyze the movement via film or in person, and with a gajillion variables not available since Lee's death. It would be difficult to explain it. I have seen the "one inch punch" used in board breaking by colored belts at tournaments. So it is just a matter of physics and repetition and understanding the mechanics behind it.

[OLDLilBunnyRabbit]

I honestly cannot see how a human is infinitely more complex that you cannot describe and calculate motions? That is the whole principle of biomechanics. Biomechanists have even been able to figure out the stride length, heart rate, height, and ground reaction forces (along w/ other variables) for a female to be able to break the world record in the 100 meters.....I cant see how the same cannot be applied towards MA

Biomechanics is done by actually measuring the motions of the body, rather than simply by theoretical modelling.


Its not that physics does not work its that most do not use it adequately. For example, its not just how much force you can generate but how much you can put into the target - the more physical tension you have the more you, rather than the target, will move backwards upon impact. This effect is known as rebound and reducing it is is a pretty quick way to increase your ability to hurt your opponent.

Don't forget muscle elasticity, glancing blows, angle of impact, follow-through force, impact force, flesh density, density of the striking implement...all of these effect it.


As for generating the power you are right on the button when you say there is more to it than weight and speed. Body mechanics play a vital role that few seem to understand - but they are still explainable by physics.

Explainable, yes, but that doesn't mean that physics can actually predict what'll happen when someone throws a punch, it can only approximate. Its similar to trying to predict the weather.


ANY body motion can be explained with physics. While you may need to visually analyze the movement via film or in person, and with a gajillion variables not available since Lee's death. It would be difficult to explain it. I have seen the "one inch punch" used in board breaking by colored belts at tournaments. So it is just a matter of physics and repetition and understanding the mechanics behind it.

Aha, there we go. Yes, you can use biomechanics, which does rely on actually measuring various different results and motions, and performing a statistical analysis, then finding a solution which fits. Working it through from first principles of, say, Newton's laws though is nigh-on impossible.

[Kwajman]

Aaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh, your making my head hurt............

[KickChick]

... LOL
.. this guy explains it all a little less "painfully"
The One Inch Punch (http://home.quicknet.nl/qn/prive/wengshunkuen/oneinchpunch.html)

OK everyone.... start practising!

[Andy Murray]

Indeed, and possibly dates further back if you research 'Fa Jing'! ;)

[Shyguy]

Right the 1 inch punch ... wasn't that the one that could extinguish a candle from five inches?
I don't think I can possibly match Bruce Lee's power and speed levels. however there have beenseveral rare occasions where I have managed to take out a candle doing a punch.

i have a friend who says he can do it from further that Bruce, but that i cannot believe.

[aml01_ph]

Just to clarify, all striking arts have the objective of having its practitioner gain what is called "short power, which is to strike powerfully without the need for excessive retraction.

The one-inch punch did not originate from Bruce Lee or from a specific style. The idea has been there for a long time in those arts that specialize in striking (yes even karate).

[sercuerdasfight]

the one inch punch is parlor trick. it's cool , it conveys a principle,but it is a trick. so who cares who has the strongest one inch punch? a better questin is who can apply the most power in a fight where your opponent is'nt squared off and standing still.

[Greg-VT]

The One inch Punch has it's uses in a fight. If not fully, then it's principles can be used.

[sercuerdasfight]

i agree it conveys concepts, but the reason it seems so impressive is the fact that the dummy is standing squared off and you hit him in the sternum.

[nzric]

Remember that they 'proved' that the human body could never run a 4-minute mile until Roger Bannister did it.

But I don't see the uses of it in a fight... in every demonstration, the ma'ist has to concentrate and focus for five minutes before doing the punch. Not too practical if you've got 100kg's of psycho coming at you.

[Yukimushu]

Lee's 1 inch puch was awsome, but I to have seen better.

[CKava]

Lots of well informed people (the one I remember in particular being Emin Boztepe: the Wing Chun guy) have said that the one inch punch that Bruce Lee (and others) have done that sends someone flying back across the room is just for demonstrations and a real inch punch should drop the person on the spot...

[Yukimushu]

The one inch punch is normally a demonstration of the ability to use your body as one when you punch.

[shuyun3]

let's not cop out whether there are too many variables or not. sifu lee is only human. and as the first must be given credit. but it will not be sacrilege to say that he can be surpassed. what he began can be perfected by someone else

and oh i have used the one inch punch in a no holds spar. the slam version was able to make my opponent disengage a grapple.
it's no hoax and yes on the deadly side the gy is supposed to drop dead. I haen't mastered that one yet:cool:

[noone]

Oh, you mean Bruce Lee's one inch push?

Regards,

[simonlarcombe]

"Oh, you mean Bruce Lee's one inch push?"

I take it you've never been hit by someone who can really do the 1 inch punch then! It certainly isn't a push, I've taken "soft" one and zero inch punches and they hurt...a lot!

The punch excellerates through the target there is more than one wave of acceleration. There are many different power sources which can be used and combined into this (and any) punch. If a skilled practioner hit you using all the power sources from 0,1,3 anywhere you'd be in big trouble.

[shuyun3]

when you experience a "push" the person is being kind.

I do the "push" and refer to it as the demo version for added safety I pad my target with a book or something because even with a push it can break ribs and sternum. the combat version potentially kills.

[Kenshin Himura]

One inch punch showsyour level of punch technique.

[ThaiMantis]

...I've seen this demonstrated several times, as will have anyone who's studied and trained internal systems. In Southern Mantis it's known as "shock Power" and is an integral part of the system, i.e the ability to strike in the most direct straight line, from wherever your hands are during the engagement the instant the opening occurs, without having to "pull" the punch to generate the power required, or telegraph (i.e. warn the opponent) of what's about to happen to him.

And from an inch, or two, or five etc, you would have to be very, very fast to react quickly enough to do anything about it except get hit.

It is (with long ardous and painful training, comprising of special exercises) possible to generate high levels of short range power using purely physical means. Where the true Masters show their "Mastery" (sorry :) ) is by applying high levels of Chi into the strike also, thereby taking it to new levels, which are simply unobtainable by purely physical means.

...and as for it being a trick, that's no use in combat, if someone slams a phoenix eye fist into your eye from an inch away, it would hurt anyway.

...if someone who is capable applies that kind of power into it, not only would it stop the fight immediately, it would probably stop you fighting ever again.

100kg psycho or not.

[Pat OMalley]

If you have a basic understanding of how your body works and how to distribute your weight then you can learn the basic 1 inch punch in about 30 seconds, it is a party trick that hurts:D

[ThaiMantis]

i have to draw a distinction between levels of power generated here, because i know i could hurt somebody quite badly from a short range, but ive been practising this on and off for a long time now, but I am not in the same league as the Sifu who introduced me to this concept, nor ever will be.

in this respect we may as well be different species.

mastery of the internal arts can generate immense power most of us mortals will never achieve.

if u want an idea of the kind of levels of understanding of just what the human body and mind is capable of in ancient cultures, and of concepts most of us westerners have very little clue of, take look at this.

http://www.runpunxsyrun.org/marathonmonks.html

the chinese have a 6000 year old culture, and are generally a pretty wise lot, and if they all say that they use an energy called Chi to generate this amazing force, I have to believe them.

especially when ive felt first hand the difference between physical training, using the whole body etc, etc, and this almost superhuman energy some people can produce.

cant really agree with the party trick thing, sorry.

[gungfu4u3taichi]

may the force be with you....

[tel]

i have not read through the whole thing, so sorry if some one has already written this, but the idea of the one inch punch is to concave the body and bring there arms down, you want them to stay on the spot, there is not point in sending them 5ft away simple because you got to go and chase them then

[simonlarcombe]

Rubbish!

[Checkhands]

I agree with ThaiMantis.
The one-inch punch isn't complete without the usage of chi. In its purely physical form, it's a quick snappy in-fighting tool that can stun most opponents. But when you can combine it with the ability to harness and focus chi, it becomes an definite fight finisher. It hits, but it's meant to do it's damage on the internal organs rather than the external muscles.
There's a pretty famous story about Yip Man and a whore. If ask around, you should be able to find someone who can tell the story well.

[gungfu4u3taichi]

may the force be with you...

[gungfu4u3taichi]

may the force be with you...
:bang: :cool:

[Dr.Quinn]

LOL, I want to hear this story!! Can you private message it to me??

I agree that the 1 inch punch by itself is not entirely practical, but if you apply the concepts to all other techniques, whether or not you can do it as effectively, it is bound to make your moves more powerful.

Does nebody remember that idiot that said hip twist was cheating??

[gungfu4u3taichi]

bruce lee one inch punch....well be like water my friend...may the force be with you..

[gungfu4u3taichi]

bruce lee one inch punch....well be like water my friend...may the force be with you..empty your cup and their always be room for it to be filled... :cool:

[gungfu4u3taichi]

may the force be with you...

[gungfu4u3taichi]

:Angel: the one inch punch is fa_jing explosive power...you will find it in many style of gungfu...its like water pounding down or crashing force..

[SouL]

The one inch punch comes from kung fu and has been around long before bruce as many people have stated. To say bruce had the best or most amazing one is pretty stupid in my mind as he didnt even learn it fully as he learnt it spying on his senior students apparently. Which meant he didnt learn the correct footwork or the advanced version.

The advnaced version of the techquie drops the guy right their and that the punch if performed like it should be at the high level wud not be classed as a one inch punch it is actaully suppose to no inch punch. I have a document with rien bull explaining all of what ive said so im merely just stating what ive read from that.

I doubt it has much value in fight though since most chi strikes take time to cultivate the energy and stuff although some people cliam to be able add chi to their strikes instantly. The fa jing advnaced version can cause heart failure :eek: according to rien bull.

[tel]

Rubbish!
whats rubbish?

[medi]

I'm still working on my 0.00000000000000000268 Light Year Punch

[fermento]

Aaaarrrrrggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh, your making my head hurt............
everyone has imitated him not trying to be themselves which achieves you nothing, you've got to reach your goals and reach your innerself.

[gurojay]

forget the one inch punch, you should see my four inch lead hook ,
BAMM

[samurai69]

The power Bruce Lee demostrated with the one inch punch, people who have studied Jeet Kune Do for the longest have said no one has ever been able to match Lee's power, or strength. Do you think you would be able to pull off the same power as Bruce Lee demostrated with the inch punch?


Its possible with properly executed technique and correct hip movement

[jaymdubbs]

tim tackett (one of dans original JKD students) can do an amazing no inch punch. theres a video clip of it on his website in the forums.