Not to be confused with the traditional Lunge punch advancing method that you will often see in karate classes, for example, is the alternative stepping forward and punching method known as the Shaolin Thrust punch technique.
I do tend to call it the Shaolin Thrust punch by the way because it is very common to see within the Shaolin Chinese martial arts. Although having said that you can also see this method of attack in other martial art styles around the world. A somewhat strange way of attacking in this way, some will say when they first see this method of attack, but if you were trained in the Chinese martial arts from the very beginning then it does not only seem natural but also far more practical for a number of reasons. The first main difference is the stance that is used. In traditional karate, and other types of martial arts, the back leg is locked straight as you throw the lead hand punch, but the Thrust punch method uses a Horse stance. The other item to make a note of is that unlike the karate version, that steps forward along two parallel lines, this method of advancing forward only uses one imaginary line as you step forward. This is known as Arrow Stepping. Now for the technical part of it all. Start in a regular fighting stance, then take a big step forward with the right foot directly in front of the back foot along an imaginary line. When making contact with the ground with your right foot then turn sideways on and throw a punch at the target while bending the knees and going into a low to medium Horse stance. It is worth noting that this turning action will also add power to the punch by increasing the speed factor. Also at this point remember not to slide the back foot towards the front foot as you do this by the way. A very common mistake in many martial art styles regardless of which method is used. You are now in a Horse stance facing to the left but your punch of course has landed on target on the person who is still standing on the same spot, if you see what I mean? For the benefit of learning this advancing and punching method keep your outstretched punching arm in that position as you now step forward again, this time with your left leg. Turn into a Horse stance as before, and now facing to the right, throw the left hand punch while pulling back the right arm. All a simple case of stepping forward then turning and punching at the same time. There are also additional features to this method of attacking, with a leading hand strike, the first being that while in a Horse stance you will have equal balance and weight on each leg. This gives you a far better chance to move back, if needed, or maybe go into some other direction or maybe an additional course of action. Plus of course you could also do a sidekick with the right leg, if you have just done a right hand punch, while in that stance using a side Arrow Step method. Because you are in such a stance you can also take a step back and throw a Thrust punch, as your opponent moves towards you, while also turning into a Horse stance in just the same way. And last but not least, being sideways on you are also offering less of a target to your opponent if they throw counter-strikes or kicks at you. For a related article on the subject of Arrow Stepping click >HERE< Comments are closed.
|