Difference between revisions of "Reverse punch"

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Gyaku-tsuki, the reverse punch, is analogous to a boxer’s cross punch. Reverse punch is the most commonly used karate technique, so practice it well -- you’ll be seeing a lot of it.
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'''Gyaku-tsuki''', the '''reverse punch''', is the most common karate technique. By definition, reverse punches are thrown with the trailing hand, like a boxer’s cross punch which does not cross your centerline.
  
To throw a reverse punch, run your arm along the side of your body, until your elbow is one fist-width away from your chest (like the starting point for a [[Front-foot_punch|front-foot punch]].) Then turn the fist over with a snapping motion, just like in front-foot punch. Remember to incorporate [[Reciprocal_action|reciprocal action]] when punching; chamber the opposite (non-punching hand) to your hip, or pull your opposite-side hand across the centerline to the side of the face to deflect an opponent’s counterattack.
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To throw a reverse punch, run your arm along the trailing side of your body, until your elbow is one fist-width away from your chest (like the starting point for a [[Front-foot_punch|front-foot punch]].) Then turn the fist over with a snapping motion, just like a front-foot punch. Remember to incorporate [[Reciprocal_action|reciprocal action]] by pulling the non-punching opposite-side hand to your hip, or perform a [[Kūsankū]] movement by pulling your leading-side hand across your centerline to the side of your face to swat an opponent’s counterattack aside.
  
[video of reverse punch from the front and from the side, blocking face with other hand]
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[video of reverse punch from the front and from the side, blocking face with other hand]
 
 
Contrary to popular belief, punching power is generated by the wrist’s snapping turn-over, by tensing all of the arm muscles at once. Power is generated by switching from a state of relaxation, to complete tension, and back to complete relaxation as quickly as possible. This is similar to cracking a whip, or snapping a wet towel. ''All [[Goshin-Jutsu]] [[Karate]] techniques incorporate this “[[Snap|snap]].”'' Again, all techniques should be a total-body spasm-like reaction, similar to a sneeze. Other martial arts use snap techniques as well -- Bruce Lee’s famous [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keS3OTNger8 One-Inch Punch] was also driven by this same concept of snap. Any technique without snap is just a push.
 
 
 
[video of a side view of a series of reverse punches, hitting a kicking shield. The first three are arm-only, with no turn over. The next three are 6” punches. The next three are full-power reverse punches. Make it dramatic.]
 
  
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Remember, punching power is generated by the wrist’s snapping turn-over, and by tensing all of the arm muscles at the moment of impact. Any technique without [[Snap|snap]] is just a push.
  
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[video of a side view of a series of reverse punches, hitting a kicking shield. The first three are arm-only, with no turn over. The next three are 6” punches. The next three are full-power reverse punches. Make it dramatic.]
 
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Latest revision as of 12:15, 22 January 2021

Gyaku-tsuki, the reverse punch, is the most common karate technique. By definition, reverse punches are thrown with the trailing hand, like a boxer’s cross punch which does not cross your centerline.

To throw a reverse punch, run your arm along the trailing side of your body, until your elbow is one fist-width away from your chest (like the starting point for a front-foot punch.) Then turn the fist over with a snapping motion, just like a front-foot punch. Remember to incorporate reciprocal action by pulling the non-punching opposite-side hand to your hip, or perform a Kūsankū movement by pulling your leading-side hand across your centerline to the side of your face to swat an opponent’s counterattack aside.

[video of reverse punch from the front and from the side, blocking face with other hand]

Remember, punching power is generated by the wrist’s snapping turn-over, and by tensing all of the arm muscles at the moment of impact. Any technique without snap is just a push.

[video of a side view of a series of reverse punches, hitting a kicking shield. The first three are arm-only, with no turn over. The next three are 6” punches. The next three are full-power reverse punches. Make it dramatic.]