Bruce Lee's One Inch Punch?

Question

I like Bruce Lee alot and I respect what he has done, but I just wanted to go over the one inch punch. The trick is that Bruce only demonstrated the one inch punch just one time in his video at that martial arts event, which means that he only demonstrated the technique on ONE person. According to science, Bruce would have had to demonstrate his technique on more than one subject, which he did not do. The demonstration could have been a hoax, and it was probably FRAUD. Bruce Lee's one inch punch is similar to a David Copperfield trick, except it is less entertaining, he only did it just one time. Any comments?

Poster#2:

"Could have" doesnt count as a scientific experiment, and it doesnt count as scientific fact. The FACT that Bruce only demonstrated his special punch at one time on one subject seriously questions the REALITY of his technique. It was a hoax.

Poster#6:

Bruce's incredible speed was a result of both how small he was, and based on his anabolic steroid intake.

Answer 1

Actually, I saw a documentory where Bruce demonstrated the punch at three different events, including one time to actor James Coburn. To use the words fraud and Bruce Lee in the same sentence is absolutely rediculous.

Answer 2

Not REALLY sure about the one inch punch but the 3 inch punch is VERY effective. The technique lies in the ability to "uncoil" many different body parts all at once. Stand with your elbow bent, your shoulder back, your hip "******" your wrist bent slightly and your fingers pointed at the target with the figertips touching the target. When you strike, your hips throw forward, your shoulder throws forward, your elbow straightens, as does your wrist and the hand curls into a fist, the knuckle of your pinkie finger makes contact...
All this means that even if your hand was only 3 inches away at the time you begin this, you are going to be gaining maybe a foot distance when you are done. With enough practice, you can punch this way with enough sudden power to drive the target backward because you are punching "through" the target and not simply spreading the impact out through a large area of impact.
If you have ever broken a board you know that simply hitting a target is not enough to do any serious damage. You must hit THROUGH it. Now, I know that bending your wrist, or even uncoiling your shoulder will not blast a 200 pound man backward, but using your hips is a different matter altogether. With the power of your hips in this technique combined with everything else, you can certainly put a LOT of power behind a short strike.
Basically, the entire question is not how far the fist is away from the target when you begin the punch...it is how far PAST and through the target you can strike by involving your hips, elbow, shoulders, etc etc etc...
Hope this helps...
Sensei Cox

Answer 3

Technically, one inch was the distance between the Lee's hand and the chest of the opponent. Truth is though, he didn't just hit with his hand. The technique, if you take a look at the movement of his entire body, is to apply as much body weight to the pressure that will be applied to the arm that will make contact. So it is possible to knock someone out with a so-called one inch punch given the right technique.

Answer 4

Bruce Lee's striking speed from 60cm (24 inches) away was five hundredths of a second. Bruce did one-hand push ups using only 2 fingers. Bruce was able to break a 70 kg (154 lbs) bag with a sidekick. -> Bruce's famous "One Inch Punch" was able to knock back and off balance a 200lb man into a chair, using only 1 inch of striking distance. The target stands with their feet squared and is unable to turn to a sideways stance because of the chair being in the way, thus being knocked off balance. < >Bruce could thrust his fingers through unopened cans of Coca-Cola. (This was when soft drinks cans were made of steel much thicker than today's aluminium cans)

Answer 5

The one inch punch if a factor of 3 things.

1. Location of impact

2. Knowing opponents centerline

3. Most important breathing and tensing the muscles at the most efficient time

Mr. Lee had such a huge knowledge of his own body, he knew every aspect of how to get the most efficientency out of every movement, I am a true believer in the 1" punch. By flexing legs, expanding chest muscles, tightening arm muscles, and breathing correctly, I can easily knock someone off balance. With the experience, knowledge and focus that he possessed, I could only imagine the power he could generate.

Answer 6

Bruce was the ULTIMATE warrior, completely dedicated to the martial arts and would never use trickery or fraudulent means to demonstrate his art, he completely mastered every movement and technique...where as Jackie Chan is a great artist in his own right he trys to bring fun and entertainment to the martial arts,, that is why Bruce's films weren't that accepted by westerners,, he was too pure to the form and was not as entertaining...his primary goal in making movies was to open the arts to the world at large,,not for entertainment

Answer 7

Bruce Lee could kick David Copperfield's ***

Answer 8

Many styles will teach you variations of the 1 inch punch. It is simply using the entire body to hit and not just the hand.

Answer 9

the guy that got hit by the one inch punch couldn't go to work the for a couple of days from how sore he was

Answer 10

Actually the "1-inch punch" is a Korean Martial Arts technique. It is very effective. The technique teaches the individual to punch THROUGH their target, rather than AT it. It directs their energy forward and encourages continuity. When you look at it from the standpoint of physics, it makes sense. Rather than stopping when you hit the surface, your continue forward, which brings the physical force THROUGH the object, rather than pulling it back. The 1-inch punch is a real technique and it does indeed work.