Gyaki Zuki - 1" punch

So I had heard second hand that those high ranking black belts training with Shihan Funikoshi could generate tremendous force when punching only an inch or two from the target. It was not until last week that I understood how "in theory" this can be done. I will use gyaki zuki as the example.

If you step back and think about gyaki zuki you really should be generating all of the force and kimae of our body in the last 2" inches of the punch. Before that point it is all interia of your arm or arm+body moving towards the target. It is not until the last 2" inches that you apply kimae. Now what do I mean by applying kimae? I will use gyaki zuki as an illustrative example.

• back leg exerts tremendous push forward. Heel is buried driving power straight to the hip
• hip starts rotation from open to closed position
• your core tightens transferring the kinetic energy from the above through the arm
• front leg tightens cementing stance to be rock solid
• last as energy transfers up the arm rotate the wrist 

What I believe students due normally is confuse inertia of moving into a gyaki zuki with kimae. Secondly hips are rotated far to early. By the time your supposed to be tensing the body at the time of the punch the hip rotation is lost. Last I am still working on the idea on moving forward into zenkutsu dachi and how the movement can impact your hip rotation.

Last I believe this theory of kimae is applicable to so many techniques. Try practicing this technique back and forth in the mirror. Only doing the the last 2" and you will find this is much harder than expected :)