by Kristie Ponce

Created on: February 25, 2009

As a first degree American Sport Karate black belt, I have had the opportunity to help conduct a number of self defense seminars at businesses and schools. When working with the general public in this manner, our time is limited. Realizing that the best self defense techniques are the ones that can be performed quickly and well, we focus on teaching people to block and punch effectively.

While blocking is relatively instinctive, most people do not know how to punch correctly. However, with proper technique, even the smallest person can learn to deliver a blow that will make an attacker think about looking for an easier target.

This tutorial is intended to allow you to develop proper punching technique with a minimal amount of equipment.

Start with an open space. This can be either indoor or outdoor, as long as you have solid footing and room to move your arms without hitting anything. Imagine an opponent directly in front of you. Turn sideways, so that your dominant side is farthest away from your 'opponent'. Your weight should be equally distributed between both legs, with more weight on the balls of your feet than on your heels. You want to be able to move in any direction quickly, yet be stable and balanced enough to use the strength in your legs to add power to your punch. Your hands should be in loose fists close to your face, not obscuring your vision, but ready to either block or strike. This is called a 'defensive stance', 'fighting stance', or 'ready stance' in most martial arts.

The hand that is farthest from your target will be your striking hand. Curl your fingers into a fist, with your thumb lying over the top of them, as if you were using American Sign Language to demonstrate the letter 'S'. Slowly extend your arm toward your imaginary target. Stop when your elbow is almost fully extended, with your fist in line with your own chin, and check your position. Your palm should be facing the ground, your wrist should be flat from the top of your forearm to the back of your hand, putting the first two, largest knuckles (pointer and middle finger) farthest forward. Practice this motion slowly a few times until you are certain that you can punch without bending your wrist either up, down, or to either side.

Now bring your fist back so it is touching your cheek. In a proper punch, power originates in the legs, drives up through the body, and goes out through the arm. Start by standing sideways. Imagine that your waist cannot twist or bend. Your pelvis and shoulders

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