NaamKyun.com Discussion Forum

Hey y'all,

Here is an unusual comment about the front and straight punch very familiar in oriental martial arts. Back in the days and the fights we had when we were kids (60-70's) we were not allowed to kick and boxing style punches were only allowed. What I notice is that since that time when Karate and Kung Fu became popular all the demos always showed front and straight punches to block or punch. In real life I never saw that kind of punches and not in MMA matches. The only thing I can imagine that the straight punch was certainly popular in Asia but even when I saw street fights in Mainland China the punches were mostly jabs, upper jabs but again no straight punches. Any ideas?

Cheers,

Mig

the step in reverse punch came from ippon kumite, or one step sparring. This was a drill, designed to help the rank beginner understand technique in a highly controlled fashion, which came in handy for teaching to the masses. It teaches very basic snese of distance and timing.
Unfortunately, as is the case in Martial Arts, most people never got past the most rudimentary understanding of technique and training.
People open up their schools before they themselves are qualified to teach. Ippon Kumite style training became the norm. Why? Because nobody got past that level before tying on the Master's Belt.

Thanks for your reply. Although I've seen the traditional demos about one punch forward I am still intrigued about the origin. I understand that if you block then the front punch will make sense in a regular fight but in street fighting I haven't seen a regular joe punching straightforward but mostly a jab, just like in western boxing. Even in today's MMA I don't see the straight forward punch except when you put someone down to punch him/her in the face.

Thanks,

Mig