Is the Bruce Lee one inch punch legit or just simple technique?

Question

Give facts when answering this question! I don't want a silly answer such as "Bruce Lee could jump over a skyscraper with no legs!"

I already seen the video of him doing it, BUT then again I saw Criss Angel walk on water! And I think we can all agree Criss Angel can't REALLY walk on water!

Actually it looked like he pushed the guy who was standing COMPLETELY straight and the guy lost balance. Plus the guy was a willing partner!

"Aurora" you said:
EDIT* Oh yeah by the way, Bruce Lee could climb Mt Kilimanjaro in 3 hours with out oxygen or legs! LOL

Actually you didn't have to add that part because your post was just as unrealistic!!!!! Especially when you said Bruce Lee could knock someone 6 feet back with a one inch punch! LOL! Your a idiot!

*EDIT* It's time to grow up and live in the REAL world "Aurora"!

Answer 1

I've thought the same thing about the pushing when I've viewed the video in the past. And another thing to consider is the triangulation/balance of the Uke...if you are standing flat footed with feet next to each other (not any kind of fighting stance), you are easily knocked off balance and more susceptible to a technique like this.

That said, I do think you can generate alot of power in a small amount of space if you generate your power from the earth (legs) and transfer it all into one point. This is also a projection of your energy as well, so a focused person can do this better than a novice.

I am not saying Bruce Lee is a joke at all, but I do agree with you that some of it is for the cameras and there may have been willing participants helping him out who received the technique.

So legit or not? Yes in that it is a technique to demonstrate how to generate power in a short distance, but NO in that it is as effective as the hype leads you to believe.

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

The "one inch punch" is very real. I've trained with several people who have become quite proficient at it. You wouldn't expect that you could feel a punch through a 4" thick phone book and to the back of your spine, but again like I said VERY real.

It involves a series of coordinated body movement from your feet up to your shoulders. Everything has to be damned near perfect in sync to pull off a real good punch. Ok we all know that, but with the one inch punch Bruce Lee had it down to such a science he could knock some one back 6 feet by only moving just that little bit.

If you watch history channel there is a great show called Human Weapon that shows strengths and weaknesses of certain Martial arts. Discovery channel also has a show called Fight Science and I think they did a special on the scientific backing to the one inch punch. You might be able to find it on DVD.

*EDIT* Oh yeah by the way, Bruce Lee could climb Mt Kilimanjaro in 3 hours with out oxygen or legs! LOL

Answer 4

Yeah, you've got to remember what a punch is, and to me, it's a driving force, that is sudden and powerful. After alot of hard work and training, that sort of thing is certainly possible. To execute the 'one inch punch' all you have to do is push off with you feet, or wherever your contact is, use your whole body, not just feet or hips, all of your body, with the will for all that power to drive forth suddenly like an explosion, up and forwards into and through the goal. The last movement I use is a sort of jerking movement by the wrist.

So yeah, definitiey possible. By the way, It is a very simple technique, which behind all that hype and mysticism(spell?) is no way special, just an useful idea that one could use.

Answer 5

bruce lee punch legit simple technique

Answer 6

Others had short punches before Bruce did. I plan to ask a question hhere about one master who did. Watch for it! I have a good one. My pal Bill Jones is an Isshun Ryu expert. He is 6'4', 240 pounds. He had some concrete blocks and suggested we break some. He stacked 6 and used shuto uke full force. He split 3 in half. Then, I placed my fingertips against my 6 and just by closing my fist shattered them all into small pieces. Thus, my 3 inch seiken uke (punch with fist) was much more devastating than his 3 foot or so shuto uke (chop with side of hand). Bruce was an expert, and I have seen men who have deadly short punches. I am much bigger than Bruce was. He averaged 135 lbs. or so in top shape and 125-150 in his career. He was 5'6" I usually hear. I am 6'1', 310-360 lbs.

Answer 7

Bruce Lee is a legit martail artist. However when he is pertrayed in movies most moves are just for entertainment, such as the one inch punh. On the other hand some of the moves in his movies are still real. Walking on water is possible. However it is a mixture of some liquid-solid. Although it is moving like water it still has some properties of a solid. There should be a clip on YouTube about it.

Answer 8

It is a legit technique that anyone can learn and do.

Even the people on here who answer questions that indicate they really don't know what they are talking about can do it.

No special training in the mountains for 50 years or even 1 year for that matter.

Answer 9

I witnessed this demo at the "Internationals Karate Tournament" at Long Beach CA. when I was a kid.
(I am 2 days from 51 years old)
It was real.
I am certain He did this demo at the "Martial Arts Expo" . An annual event back in the day.
I'll see if I can find more info.

Believe it or not I think this disk has that demo!!!
Look at the lower right photo in the listing
http://cgi.ebay.com/BRUCE-LEE-ED-PARKERS-KENPO-LONG-BEACH-INTERNATIONALS_W0QQitemZ260159077864QQihZ016QQcategoryZ32991QQcmdZViewItem
Pretty good footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK-PDrjMBck
second down,right side
http://www.bruceleecollection.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/bruce%20and%20brandon%20lee%20videos
One Inch Punch Documentary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9iPFMriz0
http://www.oneinchpunch.net/2007/06/01/bruce-lee-and-one-inch-punch-documentary/

Others who witnessed this demo were:
Ed Parker - (now deceased)
Chuck Norris
Benny Urquidez
Douglas Wong
Bill Ryusaki
Byong Yu
And a great many others of solid reputation.

I fought in this tournament 10 or more times over many years.Back in the day......no pads,solid concrete surface,and "super rare" any calls for "excessive contact" not the "Tip-Tap" you guys talk about today!!
My last time there was at age 40,I took home a 4th place division overall medal.The best I ever did.
The guys who flew in from overseas did not come to just watch.I was almost two months healing up.

I am sorry you younger guys missed those days,And I am sorry that in those days not many people had movie cameras.
I guess today you guys just point your phone and record a video.
My how times have changed!

Answer 10

LEE never said it was a viable combat technique but a demonstration of how much speed and power you could generate over a short distance
Immediately "masters" begin doing it saying they were using their KI power.I did it first try just by using proper body mechanics in a board breaking demo.