Thread: the fists at the waist thing...

Power comes from the hip in Karate, so they figure that the fist should come from the hip too. I actually think that it can be quite useful to strike from the hip, if striking in a pre-emptive manner i.e. hitting him first as he is threatening you. Your hand can come under his line of vision and smack him on the button.

But to stick with it through the non-sensical "basics" and katas? Nah. Thats just rigid and silly.

Power comes from the hip in Karate..

Power comes from the hip in boxing and MT also but they don't put their hands near their hips...

I know. Boxers and MT Fighters didn't try to be clever and scientific like Karate tried to (and failed).

Nit - the concept of pulling the other hand back actually decreases your power. Think about it. Force = mass x acceleration. The more bodyweight behind the punch (i.e. mass) the more power potential you have.

But by pulling your other arm (and shoulder) back, you are taking alot of your mass out of the equation.

Shukokai developed the "Double Hip" movement. One of its qualities is that you pretend your lead shoulder, hip and foot are the hinge of a door. Your whole body moves around this axis, instead of an imaginary axis running through the centre of your head (like when you pull the lead arm back).

This is quite powerful in comparison.

Nah. Your stance stops you "over rotating", i.e. falling over.

Tell me where else you see this withdrawing type of action. Tennis? Baseball? Boxing?

Good answer.

I kind of hinted at a striking action though......... Somehow I thought that was more relevant. I don't know why.

I guess people can make their own minds up.

They can punch the way Thai Boxers and Western Boxers have proven effective in the ring, time and time again. Or they can emulate the "Masters" that get their black belts punching at thin air and making half assed, inaccurate and unintelligible references to "scienctific theories".

A difficult one, that..........

You plainly don't understand the fact that many Karate-Ka move as if they have a fulcrum going down through the top of their heads. As one shoulder goes forwards, the other goes back. That is not the same as mere hand movement.

Doesn't the fact you are disagreeing with me not even give you a hint that you are wrong?