The one inch punch concept has been around for some time, however it was Bruce Lee’s presentation that seems to have made it so popular.

This is one of those techniques that has achieved “secret weapon” status via multiple sources including, but not limited to:

- Bruce Lee’s super stardom and deification

- Showbiz

- The Chinese (and most Asian cultures) cultural tendency to harbor “secret this-and-that”

- The human desire for something greater

All the hype aside, Bruce Lee’s one inch punch is an excellent example of Jeet Kune Do biomechanics at their best. It is the synergistic culmination of optimal body angles, leverage, timing, coordination, speed, strength, and control at a very short distance.

It’s important to keep in mind however, that the punching speed in Bruce Lee’s demonstrations is significantly lower than would be used in actual application, for the safety of the volunteer. Furthermore, his technique is quite different from the “traditional” version in his use of the power line and the lead hand.

Here is an excellent video presentation on the one inch punch produced by a San Francisco film student as a school project.

Enjoy!

–
Nhan-Esteban Khuong, L.Ac.
www.SGVJeetKuneDo.com