Straight Blast

[gungfuhero]

What is your favorite way of applying the blast?

[Chad W. Getz]

Against someone trying to take your head off.

[gungfuhero]

The way I was taught was usually from faking to bridging to trapping to blasting, or from a stop hit/destruction. Lately I've been scoring with it by just executing it cold (no entry). Most of the people I spar with haven't had much jun fan experience and don't know what to do against it.

[Maxximus]

technically speaking, I like doing it jik chung choi style along with sprinting through the guy. I'll usually keep it up for around five good shots to stun the guy and open him up for a power shot. I don't really worry too much about entry techniques for it. I just kind of put lots of pressure on the guy until intuition just kinda tells me its time to send a straight blast his way. You can just see when he's getting too defensive or is on the retreat and starts to flinch. That's when its time to unleash it on him. That's my method, anyways.

[Chad W. Getz]

gungfuhero, the way we train the blast is with both guys having macho headgear on and grappling or bag gloves. One guy can only jab, but he really has to try and hit the other guy with the jab. The other guy gets to work his outside range, evasion,and tapping, then when he senses the opening he blast in, whether running down line paddling a bicycle with your hands, or shuffling forward, or run with continuing crosses a la Vitor Belfort. Whichever one the guy can get to work. Next the drill progressives adding the cross as well as the jab. Next the drill progresses where both guys are jabbing at each other and both can do the straight blast. Than you add the cross. So forth and so forth, they can keep adding, but by now they should have a basic understanding of the "technique", the timing, the distance, and the sensitivity of the blast, and can choose whether it works for them or not and how to use it in a real sparring situation or street situation should the need arise. You know whether or not you can do it for real, so now you don't have to wonder and guess if you should do it on the street or if you even can. I view alot of technique questions similar to this, the importance not being the technique, although it does play a certain factor, but the importance being the training of the technique. Train smarter, fight easier.

[gungfuhero]

We do something pretty similar but we use a motorcycle helmet. The visor allows us to include eye strikes safely the helmets can take a lot of punishment.

My prefered method of blasting is the jik chung chuie. I haven't had enough experience with the boxing blast yet and the distancing feels a little awkward, but I'm hoping that will change with more flight time. My prefered foot work is an all out sprint provided that space is available. I also like doing jik chung chuie while I have somebody in knee on the belly. People often expose an arm when they feel the punches raining down on them.

[phillyman]

What exactly is a straight blast. Is it a certain technique or is it just a clean shoot to the chin?

[HungryWolf21]

The Straight Blast is a series of straight punches directed to the face (with either a vertical fist or just constant crosses) while running straight at the opponent. It is not intended to be a knockout technique. Rather it is used to pressure the opponent to get him off balance and then setting up for a big strike or take down. A perfect example of the Straight Blast can be seen in the Victor Belfort vs. Vanderlei Silva fight in the Ulitimate Brazil. Belfort was taking punches and then launched into the straight blast. The result was Silva being forced to the other side of the ring and eventually going to the ground.

[Twisted up]

I like to keep everything really simple. I do the typical straight blast (vertical fist, centerline) after a jab or eye jab from my forward hand.

It can come any time I feel I'd have an opening for a combination. It isn't limited to this though. You can use it to close to clinching range.

The main point is to RUN in on the guy providing you've got proper distancing.

Gotta put the gear on and go do it. That's the only way to really develop the proper timing.


John

[Bahala Na]

I learned the blast, as most of us did I'm sure, from Paul Vunak, and I've seen a lot of different ways to apply it. Some folks will keep long range and potshot until they get the hands trapped up and then blast, and if it works, great. In my experience, though, that approach is a little backward. Anytime I've kicked into a straight blast in the street/bar, it's been at one of three times:
1.) after an interception
2.) after a destruction on the attacking limb
3.) after an unexpectedly effective counter attack
The key ingredients, in my opinion, are that the opponent is either in pain, off bablance, or both before you launch into the blast. My straight blast has never been what I'd call a knockout tool, so I tend to have to set it up with other more damaging tools in order to get the first few (and most critical) shots through. Once you start landing, even with "lighter punches" the opponent's balance usually goes and he either backpedals, flairs the arms outward or forward, runs away, turtles up, or tries to shoot for the takedown. Each response will call for a different follow-up, but basically, what I look for (unless I'm dealing with someone who's a good wrestler) are the really ballistic tools at the neck, like headbutts, knees, elbows, eye gouges, and arm wrenches. I've probably had about a half dozen fights outside a gym environment when I used the blast, and in every case, it was just a bridge between my long range potshotting and my trapping range finishing tools. I've never put anyone away with the blast, except in the gym, but it has certainly saved me from getting nailed on my way in. I think that the general consensus is correct, though. Train it with helmets and light gloves until you figure out how it works best for you, and then keep it in perspective. Hope that helped.
Mike

[Twisted up]

I believe that using the straight blast as an entry into the clinch is it's strong point.

I don't think the straight blast will put anyone away, but it will ENABLE you to put someone away (providing you have skill in the clinch and on the ground).

I've seen the straight blast used quite effectively to put the "target" flat on his back after falling down. You cannot run as quickly backward as someone can running forward. Many times the person will either fall down or bend forward. From there it's pretty easy to finish.This is how it WE use it.

Be prepared to sprawl! A good double-leg is about the only adequate defense and a wrestler will likely try it.

My two cents.


John

[Dion]

hmmm ok ""technique"" note for ya...

Why consider the blast as a way to open someone up to something bigger ????

Instead!

Why not at the same time as using this "blast", where there is obviously a LOT of energy expended, to open them up, also use it to provide the "power strike" ??

And why not also look at the "power strike" as the "blast" ?
Is it not also a great amount of energy expended like the "blast" ?

Same outcomes, different perceptions, less energy waste and quicker results!

Strike, defend, accept, deny forget about them... JUST DO IT!

[gungfuhero]

A straight blast is a series of Chung Chuies (I'm aware of the boxing blast but I'm refering to the jun fan method) and they don't have that much power by themselves. What they do have is an overwhelming quality that sets up heavier shots, or an acumulative effect. One drop of water does virtually nothing to a rock, but if you have enough drops, all that will be left is sand. If you want something with more force, I would suggest the boxing blast. It has its own advantages and disadavatages. Each has its own place.

[Dion]

I know exactly what is meant by "a blast" or is that a quick repition of strikes? .... oh hang on isnt that part of the Wing Chun way ??? ... something along the lines of the "centre line punching" one punch replaces its precedesessor in hope to confuse the opponent and so provide avenue for more ???

but Bruce also once said... "make *EVERY* strike count"

Define the word "blast" ... is it not something along the lines of some instantaneous reaction extending out in every direction with all the "power" of the universe ?

Be the "blast"... thats how he did it.. how do you think he was so good at his own 'art' ?

[gungfuhero]

all the power of the universe?