Street Fighters Training Notebook

W
hen throwing a punch, your forearm will end up in one of two positions; elbow up or elbow down. Each position has certain inherent strengths and weaknesses, which we will discuss. The elbow up position occurs when throwing your typical boxing-style punch. The corkscrew or overhand punch is a perfect example. When this punch is delivered, the trajectory and rotation of the fist will cause the alignment of the elbow to rotate out, away from the body. This is a powerful punch because of the momentum generated as the arm travels to its fully extended position. It also has the ability to arc around the opponents guard to connect with the head. The weakness of this punch is that it leaves the center of your body open for attacks, such as a straight counter-punch to the head or a bob and weave hook to the body. If the opponent has a knife in their lead hand, the elbow up position leaves the opponents arm unencumbered and it can maneuver freely for any attacks to the body or limbs. A vertical style punch will maintain the elbow in the downward position as the punch is executed. This elbow down position creates a barrier between your torso and the opponents limbs. As you throw the punch over the top of the opponents lead arm, your forearm functions as a wedge, driving the opposing arm down and even momentarily trapping it against the chest. The forearm-to-forearm contact also provides you with tactile feedback on the opponents position and counter movements. The elbow down, vertical punch is best thrown from a close or medium punching range where a bend is maintained in the elbow and contact is maintained with the opponents limb. This technique has increased effectiveness when thrown against a taller individual because of the more acute angle relative to the persons body. Although this punch may not be as powerful or have the same reach as the overhand punch, you may generate a surprising amount of force by driving upward and forward with the legs. You may also get

Punching: Forearm Positioning

By Major Leland Belding

Counter Punches

Hook Counter Punches

Overhand Punches

the same reach by sacrificing the cover provided by the elbow down position and fully extending the arm. Another common punch utilizing the elbow down format is the uppercut. With

this punch, the attack is delivered from underneath the opponents guard. Although it does not necessarily provide you with any cover, it does provide a means of attack that is hard to detect or block.

34 Close Quarter Combat Magazine

Uppercut Punches

Vertical Fist Punches

This punch is also a close range technique like the previously discussed vertical punch. Both forearm positions have their uses, but for the close quarters battle, the elbow down position provides the best combination of attacking the enemy while simultaneously interfering with their ability to counter attack.
Leland Belding earned Black Belts in several SFC divisions. He teaches in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 319-351-6628. September / October 2000 35