Straight Lead Question

[Teck Loh]

Hi guys. I have been doing my straight lead punch and there's this minor problem I discovered.

My question is: Is the hand before leg rule a constant or does it varies according to the situation? I mean to say, I found it easy to throw out my hand before the rest of my body when the target is closer to me. But if the target is so far that I need to use a burst step in order for my fist to hit it, I found that it feels more natural for me to move forward first before throwing my punch out. It is like the rest of my body can't catch up with my hand if the target I am supposed to hit is beyond a certain distance.

erm... Am I making sense? Anyone has got any advice for me?

Teck

[Tim Tackett]

If moving forward it's hand first. When stationary your rear foot throws your weight on to your front leg so then it's not hand first. The hand first is to help disguise the large movement of your bodywhen moving forward, and so your hand lands before your foot touches the ground.

[beatdaline]

dear Sifu Tackett,
That makes sense! it is when the body is in motion that the fist/hand can benefit with added inertia from the rear foot torque for its impact upon the target. the snap and recovery of the hand is what makes it a hit .....and not a push. This way both ones forward inertia as well as gravity helps with the impact of the punch.