From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V7 #729 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Thur, 23 Nov 2000 Vol 07 : Num 729 In this issue: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V7 #727 Re: the_dojang: New Hapkido book by Tedeschi... the_dojang: Book Review: Science of Martial Arts Training the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V7 #728 the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. ~1300 members strong! Copyright 1994-2000: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Powrscrol@aol.com Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 20:32:27 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V7 #727 In a message dated 11/22/00 12:54:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << Subject: the_dojang: Punching I have trained a handful of times with Wing Chun stylists and they like to punch with the fist in a vertical position. I am interested in anyone's opinion on their preference, but I am more interested in the reasoning behind the vertically positioned punch. I am currently taking Tae Kwon Do and tried Wing Chun last winter. We were taught to punch vertically, hitting with the bottom 3 nuckles. This allows you to hit harder (we also stood in a variation on the riding horse form with our knees together, what my instructor described as "pretending to be milking a goat"). When punching horizontally as we do in TKD you hit with you're first 2 nuckles and there is more strain on the wrist, but with training this can be just as effective as a vertical punch. Aaron >> Wing Chun's vertical punch utilizes a completely different kind of alignment & power generation structure. The arm is aligned with the bottom 3 knuckles instead of the 1st, or 1st 2, although contact is generally made with the entire middle to lower surface of the fist (not just the knuckles). The middle knuckle area hits 1st, then the lower area; this facilitates a "double hit". The middle (largest) knuckle absorbs initial impact (bottom ones are smaller and more subject to breakage). The lower area follows in order to generate a shock wave into the target. In order to facilitate this action, the fist goes from a pointed-down to a locked up position. It actually flips up at the very end of the punch as the arm is completely extended. This fist position is very natural, and doesn't depend on muscular tension. Try doing knuckle pushups on the 1st 2 knuckles in a horizontal position; you'll see that there's some wrist flexion. Try it on only the 1st knuckle with the fist in a 45 degree angle; there's less. Now, try it on the last 3 in a vertical position; there's almost none. This shows the alignment strength for transmission of power down the forearm and into the target. If you have wrist flexion, you have a break in power transmission -- externally (muscle, tendon, & bone) and internally (chi/jing). There is a chi tunnel which runs along the bottom of the arm when the fist is vertical. This amplifies the shock wave into the target. The bottom of the arm also acts as the strong "bridge" between your body and the opponent's body & arms. Sometimes, too, instead of blocking, you'll "cut" the opponent's attacking arm slightly downward (deflecting his punch) with your lower arm edge (bone) on the way into your vertical punch. This is done in a single arching motion so that defense & offense are both contained within the same move. The elbow drives the punch; but, "convergence" powers it. From a square-on torso, you bend slightly forward (explosively) from the waist so that everything from the waist up converges into the target direction. Later, you learn the "vertical wave" (generally considered "closed door" until you reach junior instructor level), which is a more complete mode of power generation. Of course, depending on positioning factors (facing, etc.), you could also torque the body into the punch. Wing Chun's main advantage is extreme economy of motion combined with deceptively compact power. An ingenious art -- no doubt about it! Steve W. ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 18:22:21 PST Subject: Re: the_dojang: New Hapkido book by Tedeschi... > I just got my copy of the new Hapkido book out there---Marc Tedeschi's > "Hapkido: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique." This book also received a good review in the lastest issue of JAMA (Journal of Asian Martial Arts). Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: ABurrese@aol.com Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000 00:46:51 EST Subject: the_dojang: Book Review: Science of Martial Arts Training I needed a study break, so I wrote the first of a number of book and video reviews I intend to write in the next few months. - Alain The Science of Martial Arts Training By Charles I. Staley, MSS Reviewed by Alain Burrese This book is written with the premise that proper training methodologies should be adhered to in the interest of safety and to optimize the satisfaction and enjoyment available from athletic training. As a martial artist and personal trainer, I found this book to be a very good addition to my training library. Staley has laid out principles of training that will enable any martial artist to design a better training program. However, I do feel this book will best serve those martial artists that train for competition, especially those who compete at the higher levels. The book covers the basics of sport training, and how it adapts to the martial artist, and I specifically liked the information on periodization, since I am also a firm believer of this important training principle. This book does not have an exhaustive catalog of exercises, but rather a few specific exercises for each body part. Staley points out the martial art applications of each of these muscle groups as well. The exercises that are included are those that every martial artist would be advised to incorporate into their strength program. Staley also covers the basics of nutrition, prevention and management of injuries, technical and tactical preparation and psychological preparation on competition day in subsequent chapters. Staley points out that some of the different philosophies on some of these topics while presenting sound information for the reader. While not a comprehensive treatise on these subjects, Staley has achieved his goal of presenting a primer with the most important issues addressed. I especially liked that Staley pointed out that every athlete is different, and not everyone will respond to the same program. Additionally, an athlete might not respond to the same program the same way as he or she progresses though the years. With this in mind, Staley encourages the reader to become competent in the principles of designing a training program so that the individual can use the information presented in their own individual training. For the recreational martial artist, this book can help integrate training principles to enable the reader to gain more from their martial art activities. For the martial artist that is concerned with self-betterment, this book can help you maximize your training effectiveness, training that also will benefit an individual in a self-defense situation. For the competitive martial artist, or coach of such athletes, this book is a must read. It will help devise a training regimen that integrates the components of: skill training, strength development, flexibility, speed and quickness training, tournament strategy, motivation, nutrition, restoration and others. If you want to compete among today's elite athletes, Charles Staley, and "The Science of Martial Arts Training" will help you get there ------------------------------ From: Powrscrol@aol.com Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000 02:57:25 EST Subject: the_dojang: Re: The_Dojang-Digest V7 #728 In a message dated 11/22/00 5:20:04 PM Pacific Standard Time, the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com writes: << You are engaged with bare knuckles and truly wish to cut the opponent. >> AIDS Steve W. ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000 7:56:58 PST Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V7 #729 ******************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 405, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org To unsubscribe from the_dojang-digest send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY of an email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2000: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.