It is important to be able to coordinate and control the sequence of body movements in order to produce and direct the maximum amount of force into the ground and your target. The body can be described as a series of rigid segments linked together by moveable joints. Power for the limbs must originate from the center of the body, moving down the hips, legs, and feet into the ground. At the same time this same force moves up the spine to the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand and finally into its intended target. It is the muscles of the abdomen that prevents the loss of power between the pelvis and shoulders. The abdominal muscles enhance the stability of the torso, which allows the efficient storage, and use of elastic energy when they are properly conditioned. It is the midsection of the body that welds the upper and lower body together and generate motion especially rotation about the three axes of the torso. Speed is the ability to do a movement in the shortest time.
Power for the limbs must originate from the center of the body, moving down the hips, legs, and feet into the ground.
Whenever a sequence of movement is employed to impart momentum to an object or person, each lever must make its contribution at the instant of impact or the instant of release. Levers with the greatest mass possess the greatest inertia and must be moved first, followed by the smaller levers moved last in the sequence. In the case of a right reverse punch as you rotate forward and to the left youmust coordinate and control the sequence of movements so that the legs can provide a driving force and stability. This provides a platform from which the torso can transmit this force from the core to the arms. The shoulder has the largest mass and must be moved and then stabilized first, followed by the elbow, and then the wrist, which is the smallest and the fastest segment. Martial artists should understand the basic function of the forearm and wrist during a punch, which provides an axial compression. The wrist is pronated just prior or upon impact creating stability in the forearm so that the power that was developed previously is not lost, but transmitted into the target. When the fist hits its intended target the force of the blow will travel from the knuckles of the index and middle finger into the target and back up through the hand and wrist into the forearm. The force is then distributed by the muscles of the forearm and the interosseous membrane, which lies between the ulna and radial bone. The force is then transmitted up the forearm to the elbow joint via the ulna into the upper arm, then the shoulder girdle, down the spinal column, pelvis, down the right leg into the ground.
The shoulder has the largest mass and must be moved and then stabilized first, followed by the elbow, and then the wrist, which is the smallest and the fastest segment.
The power in the shoulder, the elbow, and wrist must be equal in magnitude and in timing or the joint will be unstable and collapse, instead of efficiently transmitting the force to the next segment. All joints must be sequenced and timed in a way that allows each to make their contribution at the appropriate time. The maximum amount of power is generated in a punching technique that results from the sequence and timing of movements throughout the body.
For this complete article please view Winter 2007 edition of Art of the Warrior, Martial Arts Magazine. Subscribe today so you do not miss any future edition.
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