Page 21 - Beyond Basics_Neat

BEYOND BASICS

● Fist: Squeezing the Fist.
● Forearm: Squeezing the Forearm muscles.
● Biceps/Triceps: Squeezing the Biceps/Triceps muscles.
● Locking the Shoulder: Squeezing the Pectoralis (chest)
and the Deltoid (back) muscles.
Fully extend the arm into the punching position, first squeeze to
tighten the fist. Next, squeeze the forearm muscles, then the
Biceps/Triceps muscles. At this point the arm should be bent
slightly from the contraction of the arm muscles.

Bruce Lee gave permission for martial
artists to be more open to other styles
and concepts.

Lastly, lock down the shoulder into the body by squeezing the
Pectoralis (chest) and Deltoid (back) muscles to pull the shoulder
down into the body. To understand this action, have someone push
up on the outstretched arm and resist allowing the arm to be
pushed up. The muscles used are the Pectoralis (chest) and Deltoid
(back) muscles.
These four segments of a punch bring all the muscles of the
punching arm into action to create a strong, solid punch. These
four segments can be applied to any hand strike and is also
applicable to kicking as well. Striking or kicking in this manner will
also help to prevent hyperextension of the elbows and knees by
not straightening and locking out the arm or leg.

Practicing muscle memory will help to ensure that this arm and leg
position becomes the normal state when striking or kicking.

Over the years many martial arts fads have come and gone, the
philosophy of Bruce Lee gave permission for martial artists to be

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