Punching is an art.
A physical expression of control and movement. An inward exploration of channeled aggression.
Here’s the three biggest things I’ve learned from strapping my hands in the past couple of years:
- reduce the form, increase the function : once you have the basic biomechanics of a punch down the aim is to concentrate the movement to its barest elements whilst intensifying the impact;
- learn, unlearn, relearn : it’s essential to adopt the constant ‘amateur state of mind’, relearning everything you know again and again as you deconstruct your actions and hone new patterns of motion;
- cultivate balance : a left jab starts with a solid right heel, a right cross begins with the pivoting left foot, sounds counter-intuitive, but all part of the karmic order of punching.
If you’re a puncher what have you learned?