Marko Vesse Kung Fu - Internal Martial Arts Academy
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FLYING HAMMER FIST
Imagine yourself in a real life self defence situation and being able to deliver a devastating blow that is almost impossible to block. It can hit any target from any angle and in any direction and it has knock-out and crippling power. It is a blow so deceptive and flexible you can strike the back of an opponent's neck while still facing him.
Some hammer fist applications
Such a strike does exist. It is taught as part of Wu Xing Dao Kung Fu. It is the Flying Hammer Fist. It is devastating enough to be used effectively against multiple opponents, yet simple enough to be learned quickly by beginners. Any part of an opponent's body becomes an accessible target.
Imagine a steel ball attached to the end of a piece of rubber tubing. A quick swing of the rubber hurls the ball in any direction at high speed. An attempt to block it causes the rubber to yield and wrap around the blocking object, projecting the steel ball into the target and striking it with enormous centrifugal force.
When a closed fist is hurled at an opponent on the end of a relaxed, loose arm the same effect can occur. A block causes the arm to wrap around the blocking object and still deliver the Flying Hammer Fist to its target. The principles of relaxed speed combined with centrifugal force enables extremely forceful impact regardless of the direction or distance of travel.
The same concept of elastic power applies to strikes delivered in a straight line. Stretched rubber with a weight attached can spring in a linear direction as easily as it turns a corner.
Using relaxed muscles to speed up high power delivery of strikes is rarely used outside of internal martial arts such as Wu Xing Dao. Even enthusiasts usually expect years of training are needed before it can be done effectively in real life self defence.
However, once students understand how to release their own natural creative ability through free and formless arm and body movements, the delivery of high speed, relaxed attack and defence strikes is achieved within weeks rather than years of training and practice.
Flying Hammer Fist is also highly effective when delivered with an open hand. Just as bricks can be readily broken with a slap so can hard bones. The power of a correctly delivered slap is underestimated by many martial artists.
Most power of the hands, either open or as a fist, can be delivered without specific hand conditioning. The preparatory arm loosening practice during Flying Hammer Fist training dramatically increases the flow of blood through the arms to the hands. The pumped up blood vessels increase the weight of the hand and forearm making contact. It also gradually conditions the hand and forearm to withstand shock of impact.
Blocking movements are naturally incorporated into the technique. There are no forms or kata in this style. Wu Xing Dao Kung Fu emphasises the creative use of free and flexible arm and body movements which combine both block and attack as a continuous flow. Consequently there are no recognizable patterns of movement which can be identified by an opponent allowing him to anticipate what might happen next.
When both arms work together flowing in fast, creative combinations, changing directions and length of reach while targeting different parts of the body, you have a very powerful attacking weapon which can confuse your opponents. It also reduces the need to manoeuvre one or more of them between yourself and the others to block their movements.
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