Hi guys!

Just wondering if you knew what the inverted fist strike was called, the one in the movie Fearless with Jet Li. Is this a real punch or just for movies? Is it effective (with power)?

Thanks

In TKD, we have what we call upset punches, where the fist is palm-up upon completing the strike. It is likened to an uppercut. However, the arm isn't straight upon completion of the strike. Its usually held at an angle, and the punch travels up and in.

Hi guys!

Just wondering if you knew what the inverted fist strike was called, the one in the movie Fearless with Jet Li. Is this a real punch or just for movies? Is it effective (with power)?

Thanks

can you be a bit more accurate and explain

Thanks for the help, but the punch that I am referring to is when Jet Li punches with the fist inverted to a sun fist. So the index finger knuckle is pointing downwards to the ground and the pinky finger knuckle is pointing to the sun. So it's kinda like an inverted sun fist punch. When the punch executes it twists the hand so it's inverted when it hits.

I hope this helps with the explanation. Any thoughts are more than welcome. Thanks guys!

I've found a video on youtube of the punch that I am referring to. See "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRjMFsw_qHM" at 4:31min for the inverted sun fist punch.

Thanks again.

The way you describe it, I don't know that I would ever try to rotate my fist over that much. I don't know how practical it would end up being.

I watched the Jet Li tribute at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRjMFsw_qHM

and saw the fist position at the end. Compare it with the jab demonstrated by a boxer at this URL:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/787_boxing-jab.htm

It looks the same to me. Jet Li didn't use a jab, though, but the same boxer demonstrates a right cross that seems to be with that same fist position on impact:

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/788_boxing-right-cross.htm

To me, what Jet Li does that causes the death of the man he strikes would seem to be more by Hollywood; however, I don't recall seeing a boxer twist his fist this much as in the two demos I've found. I think the only way it can even be done is with a great twist of the hips.

There many systems out there that use a whole number of striking methods.

But as Jet li is an actor and so been choreographed in that way sometimes the shape looks good for the camera. Ie Th so called gangsters in La etc are showing to hold a gun side ways to shoot for which I have been told can through the shell in your face as well as jamming the gun but it looks more stylish holding the gun that way on film.

[The] so called gangsters in La etc are showing to hold a gun side ways to shoot . . . but it looks more stylish holding the gun that way on film.

I've read that it's notoriously innaccurate, too. Some things from Hollywood really are taken from life; others are just Hollywood.

A vertical fist, like a jab, could be a start up tactic. However, I would not count upon it as a finisher.