Wing Chun Punch?

Question

The wing chun punch is very fast, but is it effective? Because it's so fast it seems there isn't much power behind it. Can anyone elaborate on that?

Answer 1

There is actually more power behind a punch like that than you may see - if the punch is thrown properly.

The power comes from linkage - if you just throw the punch (any punch really) with your arm you can generate a certain amount of power.  That power can increase with each of the following techniques applied:

shoulder rotation - moving the shoulder into the punch

hip rotation - bending slightly into and rotating the hip forward on the side that is punching.

leg extension - pushing forward with the leg / foot and straightening the knees slightly for longer reach and more power (again same side as the punch)

fist tension - tightening the fist and forearm just at the instant of impact increases density and strengthens the striking element (fist).  

When all of these small "links" work together the linkage concept increases power significantly without any loss of speed.  Try it for yourself - stand square to a punching target and throw a fist-only punch.  Then move one leg back, raise the heel, dip a tiny bit and put the elements together (shoulder, hip, leg, fist) and see how different the same punch feels.

For me, I think that Wing Chun punches are effective in very few situations, but my skill with this style is fairly limted.  However, I've worked out with guys that could trap and strike (pak sao, tan da, etc.) with amazing effectiveness and power - and because they are able to move forward and stay "in the pocket" they generate enough power to do some damage.

Answer 2

I am a wing chun instructor and I'll tell you something, the wing chun punch isn't as powerful as other methods ( i don't care what anybody else tells you). It is, however, very fast and direct. The idea is to disrupt the opponents attack by reaching him/her first.

In other words, what good is having a more powerful punch if my punch always lands first and disrupts yours?

Answer 3

Well Bruce Lee did prefer his Jeet Kune Do punch and his martial art Jeet Kune Do over the Wing Chun Gung-Fu he studied, because he said the style was not efficitve in a real fight and I ahve not studied martial arts, so I can't tell dude

Answer 4

It is its speed that makes it powerful. Remember, the equation for force is: Mass · Acceleration. Therefore, by hitting faster, you increase the force of the blow. Also, in most martial arts, they teach you to put your entire body behind a blow, thereby increasing the mass that goes into a punch. Therefore, by hitting faster with the entire body, you are actually hitting harder, despite how it may appear.

For reference when you see big burly guys take a swing at someone, keep in mind that although their speed is much less than that of a Wing Chun punch, they have much more mass behind that punch and despite its speed, it is also very powerful.

Answer 5

I take wing chun and from experience i tell you a punch is a punch. Ever seen the chain punch? one punch is coming to you after another and with bone alignment, it's really powerful. Especially when you relax. You can be the strongest guy pushing people around but when there is someone bigger than you, you're gonna lost if you go hard, so you have to learn to be soft and fast. If you just relax your fist and hit a bag, you'll realize it really doesn't take that much strength to make something effective.

Answer 6

if u are just madd strong and u can straight blast repetitively it can work but like it take a lot outta ya and u gatta use a cheap menuver here and there like during straight blast go for a groin shot with legs