Pulling Punches

[SyracuseJundokan]

I think the prevailing wisdom is not to pull punches (meaning less than 100% power) but rather to refocus the target in front of the person so as not to do damage. Punching at less than 100% is bad training...

[carl]

I/we don't pull our punches. When doing Ippon, Sanbon, Nihon, ect., kumite, we adjust speed to suit the experience. In other words, I would strike at a whitebelt a lot slower than I would a blackbelt. We don't get into the what I think is the bad habit of pulling punches. Have I ever punched anybody in class you ask? Yes. But that is because that person didn't get out of the way in time. Result? A broken nose. That is the first thing we learn. Get out of the way, then do as you wish.

Carl

[Sam]

lol - cant hit u if you're not there....

[kenpo_fighter]

you fight how you practice. they only way i'd ever pull a punch is if i were training with a kohai (junior) and i'm talking about the first 3 ranks from starting. if you're training with someone who is at least of equal body size, you should not pull your punches. if a student doesn't know how a commited strike is supposed to feel, how are they supposed to handle it out on the street?

[Sam]

train hard - fight hard

[Sabumnim]

I agree that pulling punches is a testament to control, but if it becomes a habit that can be dangerous.

[Sam]

yeah, pulling punches as an ability to PLACE a punch somewehre is fine.... but pulling punches to miss a target as a trainign habbit probably isnt the best.

[unknownstyle]

you usually will do this when sparring a lowere rank as not to hurt them too bad since theya are not as well conditioned