AN INCH OF TRUTH

     The last time you attended class, how many punches did you execute? How many front snap kicks or side thrust kicks? How many of each kind of block? I don’t know, either. I don’t keep count. So, with all of those repetitions…did you really pay close attention to your technique or did you just kind of lob it out there?  Yeah, I know. Everybody was paying very close attention to their techniques, right?  Let’s have a look.
     Pick a technique…pretty much any technique. A forefist thrust, sword-hand strike, high block, side thrust kick…almost any technique will do. Perform it slowly. Very slowly…like at “taijiquan” speed. 
     “So what?” you ask. “Big deal. I can do it in slow motion…so what’s this about?” Well, have a training partner do it. Pick just one or two techniques. Have him or her do it very slowly and watch carefully…especially the last inch or so of the technique
     Within the last inch of the technique is the truth of it…a snap, a twist…something. Is it there? Is it in the right spot…in the last inch or so? Or did it happen too early? Did it not happen at all? Sometimes it’s to be found in the wrist or ankle. Sometimes it’s in the hips..or shoulder(s), or chest and upper back. Sometimes it includes several parts of your body…all moving in perfect synch in the last inch of movement. But it’s there. Without it, the technique loses much or most of its power and effectiveness.
     Did you find it? If you did, that’s good! Now select a form and do it very slowly. Look at the last inch of each and every movement (not just the individual techniques). You may be surprised at what you find.
     And once you discover the many truths in the last inch, practice them when you go full-tilt boogie. It may well change the way you look at your techniques and forms…ny punches did you execute? How many front snap kicks or side thrust kicks? How many of each kind of block? I don’t know, either. I don’t keep count. So, with all of those repetitions…did you really pay close attention to your technique or did you just kind of lob it out there?

Yeah, I know. Everybody was paying very close attention to their techniques, right? J Let’s have a look.

Pick a technique…pretty much any technique. A forefist thrust, sword-hand strike, high block, side thrust kick…almost any technique will do. Perform it slowly. Very slowly…like at “taijiquan” speed.

“So what?” you ask. “Big deal. I can do it in slow motion…so what’s this about?” Well, have a training partner do it. Pick just one or two techniques. Have him or her do it very slowly and watch carefully…especially the last inch or so of the technique.

Within the last inch of the technique is the truth of it…a snap, a twist…something. Is it there? Is it in the right spot…in the last inch or so? Or did it happen too early? Did it not happen at all? Sometimes it’s to be found in the wrist or ankle. Sometimes it’s in the hips..or shoulder(s), or chest and upper back. Sometimes it includes several parts of your body…all moving in perfect synch in the last inch of movement. But it’s there. Without it, the technique loses much or most of it’s power and effectiveness.

Did you find it? If you did, that’s good! Now select a form and do it very slowly. Look at the last inch of each and every movement (not just the individual techniques). You may be surprised at what you find.

And once you discover the many truths in the last inch, practice them when you go full-tilt boogie. It may well change the way you look at your techniques and forms…