Hip rotation in right lead

[Maidenfan]

This may sound VERY n00bish but I'd like a simple answer anyhow. In the right lead straight punch, which way do you turn your hips(looking straight down from overhead, clockwise or counter-clockwise)? Also, could someone go through the whole arms before moving the body and what your feet should be doing(pushing off)? Thanks a ton, I think I get it but would like a quick run down if possible.

[gungfuhero]

That is a better question than that which is usually asked on the internet.

To answer your first question, the hip would rotate to the left near the end of your right lead punch. For the lead punch with a push shuffle you want to move your hand, start your push shuffle but before your lead foot contacts the ground your had should contact the target while your hips and shoulders rotate into the punch and your rear leg is still pushing. After your punch connects you retract your arm, your lead foot contacts the ground and your rear foot will slide up returning you to bai jong. Further sophistication concerning how the lead arm moves first concerns the hammer principle (using gravity as the impetus of the punch and beginning from the elbow outward).

Kip Brockett's "101" books is a good start and available through the internet.

[Maidenfan]

Could you explain the hammer principle? Using gravity as the impetus? Also, in "Tao of JKD", it explains shortening the radius to increase speed, I understand the example of the hammer throw and the principle itself is very sound. However, how could I do that with my own arm? Please help me understand guys!
EDIT: Link to the books? I'll try to find 'em with google. Also, any recommendations on videos(through books alone it is a little hard to learn...)? Also, I could use a recommendation on an instructor for JFJKD(not concepts crap) in the bay area, california!
THANKS A TON GUYS!!!!

[gungfuhero]

Actually, I'm a "concepts guy." I'm an instructor under Dan Inosanto, so I don't think that concepts necessarily means crap (although there are a lot uneducated and dishonest pseudo instructors who operate under that banner).

The hammer principle is really difficult to explain, but I'll try. Pretty much it means that your punch gets started as you drop your hand, from its position in Bai Jong, a few milimeters to begin the motion towards your target. You might also check out the Wednesday Night Group's website to get more info.

There is a video that Black Belt sells featuring Ted Wong and Richard Bustillo and another with Kevin Seaman that are really good for teaching the core art of JKD. I alos really enjoyed Rick Tucci's tapes as well and there is some good material on Ron Balicki's DVD's as well. As far as getting the basics I would suggest the first two series as the latter two emphasize the big picture more IMHO.

[Maidenfan]

Any tapes(DVDs would be better...) that emphasize the basics? I mean like stance, footwork, the basic strikes(leads, hooks, sidekick, etc.). I didn't mean to insult you or your art, I just don't think that concepts are quite what I want to learn. I wouldn't mind paying more to get a few different videos to teach the core instead 1 or 2 for the core. I figure that it would be a very wise investment and I don't want videos that just run through the basics in an hour and leave me guessing as to what the details of techniques are. Also, Rick Tucci is concepts so out of the picture for now(perhaps later I will try concepts). As for the Ted Wong& Richard Bustillo video, you aren't talking about this one are you http://www.budovideos.com/shop/custo...roductid=19701 ?

[gungfuhero]

The video I was referring to is "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method." It's pretty good and you can pick up a lot from watching, but less from the naration. Kevin Seaman's videos are in my opinion top notch for learning basics as far as demonstration and description. I've seen some of Jerry Poteet's first video series and it has some good material as well, but overall it isn't my favorite. I wouldn't write off Rick Tucci for being a "concepts" teacher because his JKD video series has one of the largest collections of original material ever captured in a video series. He makes a few (probably within the single digits) references to other arts but the tapes are clearly JKD.

[Maidenfan]

The video I was referring to is "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method." It's pretty good and you can pick up a lot from watching, but less from the naration. Kevin Seaman's videos are in my opinion top notch for learning basics as far as demonstration and description. I've seen some of Jerry Poteet's first video series and it has some good material as well, but overall it isn't my favorite. I wouldn't write off Rick Tucci for being a "concepts" teacher because his JKD video series has one of the largest collections of original material ever captured in a video series. He makes a few (probably within the single digits) references to other arts but the tapes are clearly JKD.

lol, sorry I've been posting so much, just so excited about finding such a wonderful resource and being able to finally gain some more info... Links to any good candidates sites would be nice if possible. Also, I think that I could gain a lot from watching in the video but good narration is equally important. If you know of any good(key word good/reputable-not a McDojo) schools in the bay area, california it would be the best so that I could learn first hand and be corrected on all the small details. Thanks a ton, your the best man!

[robertlee]

Think of the hammer as relaxing the arm. If you are in a guard position. and relax your arm it will fall. So as you start your punch you relax the arm making only a slight forward drop of the hand as you go to the intend target. The drop is just a relaxed movement. of forward motion.Some people drop 1 to 2 inches somew just say a half inche. Do not worry to much on the drop. But try to develop relaxed forward much. This gives more speed. Then put power at impact by the dynamics of the strike Thats when the tightening of the muscle groups comes together along with the forward mass. For full power . Think of reaching out say for a can of coke or something such as. This is about the same as you would do on a lead strike.

[Maidenfan]

I'm going to ask that we change this thread up a bit.... What if we just had people post in tips/tricks and training methods for the right lead? Like mainly the hip/shoulder rotation, spring and push off with rear heel, and snapping of the lead fist. I think that this would help newbies(I myself....) learn more about the right lead. Then, to make it less frustrating, a mod could delete incorrect or confusing posts(and of course, flames). What do you all think?

[shirase]

is a right lead straight punch the same as a right cross?in our school we are taught to put our rear foot up on the ball of the foot and rotate it forward as so to get a larger range of motion and therefore increased power

[MAMA_Boy]

Sifu Dan Inosanto runs a school in Marina Del Ray. I'm not sure if it is located near you, but I can vouch for the style.

My instructor is Sifu Marc McFann, and is certified under Dan Inosanto. I don't get into these ridiculous "concepts and original" discussions because they just don't matter. The style that was taught to my Sifu is the same that Sifu Dan was taught in the Seattle JKD school. Therefore, it is has a lot of wing chun focus. We even learn some wooden dummy forms.

Seeing how Sifu Dan is the only one to be given 3rd rank in JKD by Lee, i'd say that makes him an authority. That's just my opinion though. Take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck in your training.

[gungfuhero]

The right lead straight punch is performed from a right lead stance, and is therefore more similar to a jab than a cross. The mechanics are different in that a jab is a balistic punch (body mechanics are at the beginning of the punch) while a straight lead's power comes at the very end of the strike.

Sifu Inosanto trained with Lee in California. While I think it is important to grow and evolve, I can also respect those who wish to know what Bruce Lee taught-something that is not always addressed by those who teach/train under the banner of JKDC.

[Maidenfan]

Sifu Dan Inosanto runs a school in Marina Del Ray. I'm not sure if it is located near you, but I can vouch for the style.

My instructor is Sifu Marc McFann, and is certified under Dan Inosanto. I don't get into these ridiculous "concepts and original" discussions because they just don't matter. The style that was taught to my Sifu is the same that Sifu Dan was taught in the Seattle JKD school. Therefore, it is has a lot of wing chun focus. We even learn some wooden dummy forms.

Seeing how Sifu Dan is the only one to be given 3rd rank in JKD by Lee, i'd say that makes him an authority. That's just my opinion though. Take it with a grain of salt.

Good luck in your training.

I believe you are incorrect on judging Dan on how he was before Bruce's death... He was teaching OJKD before. Now he has created his own branch known as "JKD Concepts". While some may feel it is "improved" or "better", I would prefer to learn original JKD, what Bruce taught. I feel the concepts of JKD concepts are not quite what Bruce was saying. Dan feels he can just add a bunch of concepts(pun intended, tehehe) and say it is improved. Bruce said that it is daily decrease, not increase and to hack away the unessentials, to move toward simplicity... The exact opposite of what Dan Inosanto is doing.
That is beside the fact that I am about 7 hours away and it is near LA where I could learn OJKD. I would really LOVE to find a good teacher around here, willing to drive up to an hour away. I don't mean to insult you or anything and I know you weren't saying anything about either original nor concepts. Just thought that I'd express my opinion on what Dan is doing to JKD. Perhaps he just feels that it needs to evolve into more of an MMA system.

Now onto my actual post(I know it is looking very long winded). gungfuhero, I believe you're onto something there. While the lead straight is somewhat like a jab besides when the mechanics of the punch occur, the jab is also not meant to do more than just distrupt the target. The lead straight is supposed to be a very powerful damaging punch, somewhat akin to a hook but sent straight instead of looping around. Personally, the lead straight is my favorite punch. I used to think of the lead straight as a somewhat weaker punch until just a few months ago I found out that its actually supposed to be one of the strongest in your arsenal.

[Kenpodog]

Hammer Principle, very interesting!!

To answer your first question, the hip would rotate to the left near the end of your right lead punch. For the lead punch with a push shuffle you want to move your hand, start your push shuffle but before your lead foot contacts the ground your had should contact the target while your hips and shoulders rotate into the punch and your rear leg is still pushing. After your punch connects you retract your arm, your lead foot contacts the ground and your rear foot will slide up returning you to bai jong. Further sophistication concerning how the lead arm moves first concerns the hammer principle (using gravity as the impetus of the punch and beginning from the elbow outward).

WOW!!!
Reading this thread has sparked my interest.
This "Hammer Principle" looks like the application of many fighting/motion principles combined into a real world application or freestyle/sparring technique. I would like to know more about the concepts behind this technique and start practicing.
We Anchor the elbow,
gravity drops the forearm and slightly open hand (for speed),
push shuffle to gain distance & Generate Body Momentum on Horizontal Plane/ Back-up Mass,
make contact (close fist) and rotate hips CCW into the strike Rotational Force/Torque and Directional Harmony,
Do you drop your center of gravity during the strike while coming down from the shuffle, Marriage of Gravity??,
rear leg drags back up to Right Neutral Bow/Fighting stance/Bai Jong.
I'm sure I missed a dozen more principles but I'm trying to understand from a Kenpo point of view.
JKD looks very interesting!!

[Maidenfan]

I believe that would be a pretty good summary of a few of the principles. However, in kempo you use your weak hand forward(for a right handed man, left hand would lead). Correct me if I'm incorrect.