Bruce Lee's one inch punch is it legitimate?

Question

I know there was alof of acting involved in the demonstration clip that you see on video. But is there any truth to a one inch punch being effective? I was watching some old Rocky Marciano fights and there were times when his fist traveled a very short distance but had devastating impact. So maybe Lee's one inch punch has some validity to it? What do you all think is there a way to punch effectively with only one inch of working space?

Answer 1

the one inch punch is a trick, it is basically a demonstration of what is called "short power".

It is really one inch away (or whatever short distance) and it really strikes with legit force, but unlike the 150 lb CMA guy on that horrid national geographic video- the force doesn't come from a "short" distance.

Body mechanics are disguised so that it only looks like it is a short distance and you are only moving your fist.

Depending on the teacher and position of the short strike, there is legs, shoulders, hips and other involved just as if you were striking a cross.

In fact if you took any boxer and put his fist flush against someone (or one inch away) and had him "punch" then you would have much of the same effect as most of the power is not generated in the arm (or should not be if you are learning to strike with proper force) it is generated by the legs to the waist to the shoulder to the hand (again depending on the specific strike).
Of course you lose the build up of power from the short distance, in this case, but in others you may not, as it may be more disguised and you can move differently, but the main power still comes from another body part.

This is one of those martial arts things that is legitimate, but is a trick or an illusion - there is nothing "short" or "one-inch" about the punch.

Answer 2

The punch may only travel an inch but the force coming from his hips during rotation, and the speed at which it is delivered provide a most effective and powerful strike.

Mr. Lee was one in a billion when it came ability and understanding the workings of the body.

So, Yes; the one inch punch is quite legit.

Answer 3

length of punch is meaningless.....its about the amount of force a punch has.....would u rather a 10 yr old kid hit u with a haymaker or take a jab from Tyson? What really matters is how fast you can get ur fist up 2 max speed.....if thats an inch then fine....im not martial arts expert or anything but it seems that an inch punch from a pro could hurt i dont think it would hurt as a longer punch, bcuz idk if u can get ur fist at full speed in just 1 inch. However this lack of movement will save the puncher a lot of energy

Answer 4

Yea it is legit. Look at what else he could do. He could kick a 300 pound punching bag so hard it hit the celling, he could break a 150 pound bag with one kick, he has the record for fastest punch .04 (he had his hand at his side with an open palm and would extend forward 18-24 inches), he could curl 80 pounds 8 times and for his weight he would be placed in the 100th percentile. It might be hard for people to understand but he was amazing.

Answer 5

Yes it is real. I study the art of Jeet Kune Do. The power in the punch is a combination of the hip and leg movement right up to the shoulder turn. The point of the punch comes from when you are in close range (trapping range). If the opponent blocks your right lead punch, you can then slap their blocking hand down with your left hand and continue with the right lead without having to pull your right hand back to gain power. This makes the punch much quicker and extremely hard to block or dodge. I hope this explanation helps.

Answer 6

The "one inch punch" is legitimate. it isn't how hard you train your muscles(though it helps) to be, but how energy is generated. Bruce's version of one inch punch done in demonstrations is about how he placed the positions of parts of his body (position of hips and feet) in order to deliver that punch infront of camera. But that isn't the "one inch punch" you're talking about. There are similar concepts to the "one inch punch" in certain styles of southern chinese martial arts that teaches a different system of energy generations so that it gives an explosive bursts of force within a short distance (similar idea to one inch punch) without the need for huge space. not neccessarily driving the other person a great distance but delivering a huge explosive force within a limited allowed distance. hope that explained your question.

Answer 7

yes the one inch punch is a legitimate technique but it's a little known fact that the one inch technique isnt just for punching but for any kind of strike and can be used at any distance

Answer 8

Bruce lee was the first and only human being to harness the power of the SHARUKEN! You know... that fire ball from Street fighter....

Its all about linning up your chamber muscles at the right time when you hit.... there is no magic... the man just understood body kinetics.

Answer 9

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LOOK AT THE FRIGGEN PUNCH. THE GUY IS STANDING THERE FLAT FOOTED AND FEET TOGETHER, YOU COULD SNEEZE AND KNOCK SOMEONE OVER LIKE THAT.

You can't impart as much speed in the punch due to the limited room for acceleration. You can't impart as much mass into the punch because you don't have the room to bring your balance beyond your base.

YES you can get speed, and you can incorporate your body, but not AS MUCH as a punch fired from a tradition position.

It's all about SCIENCE not CHI. Force = Mass * Velocity

Boxer's have know about how energy travels through your body for thousands of years, traditional martial artists see the one inch punch as amazing because they are all about flurrying arms, not whole body mechanics, that and they attribute the power gained from mechanics to a mystical force that also lets you shoot fireballs and do the vulcan death grip.

Answer 10

Yep. Bruce Lee's one inch punch is the real deal.