position of fist, on the hip or on the rib?

[koryu]

this went all kinds of directions didn't it...

in response to the original question. I chamber right around my floating rib area. I was taught that it should be a more natural position and will be different for everyone, that's why you see so many different hand placements when people chamber.

[Jiffy]

I guess that's the key point isn't it. It's whatever is comfortable for the person doing it.

[bushido_man96]

From what I understand, this pulling back of the fist to the hip/rib is supposed to simulate the pulling in a grabbed arm/wrist/hand. Therefore, if in fighting, you don't have ahold of something, then this pulling back motion would be wasted.

[mongo]

In my tkd class we do it at the waist to learn proper hip application. Of course durring sparring our hands are up.

most of the other points about transition positions etc. are true. I would add this. when you are walking down the street are your hands by your head or by your waist? you may want to know how to puch and block from your normal position. That is likely how the fight will start.

[bushido_man96]

In my tkd class we do it at the waist to learn proper hip application. Of course durring sparring our hands are up.

most of the other points about transition positions etc. are true. I would add this. when you are walking down the street are your hands by your head or by your waist? you may want to know how to puch and block from your normal position. That is likely how the fight will start.

I have had students practice target mitt and bag drills with the hands down in a natural position, so they know how the motion is different when confronted in that situation. It is a very good idea to practice this way, and probably should be done more.

[ninjanurse]

Nice point. When teaching self-defense we always start with the hands in a natural position. When sparring....hands up.

[wolfen]

for forms and (sometimes) one-steps we use ribs.

sparring you guard your head.

when sparring, if I get a chance to actually chamber before a standard punch. I chamber to the high ribcage/low shoulder region.

[kikal0t]

Ive started Goju Ryu recently and we have to keep our fists high (pull back to middle of ribs height) This feels kinda awkward but apparantly u gain more momentum when aiming at the opponents solar plexus and body blows cos ur fist is either coming straight out or slightly down. kinda to do with physics i guess but if the punch has to come up then ur working against gravity therfore slowing u down ever so slightly.

[TheRenegade]

!? You'll never catch me with it not protecting my face with my elbows in.

[gzk]

In fighting stance, we have fists up in the armpit/shoulder/jaw area, as in boxing. We also practice striking from the "fence" stance (a passive pre-fight stance for self-defence situations) in which the hands are out in front of you, strong hand back a little, at about rib height.