The One Inch Punch

Before stumbling into this video clip, I was already familiar with the term one inch punch made popular by the legendary Bruce Lee, but I didn't care much to know deeper about it. Not until I found this interesting video and discovered some similarity to a striking method that was taught to me by Guru Jak.

The similarity lies not in the traditional Chinese method of centering of the Chi, nothing as complex as that, as I being a new student will have no idea whatsoever in what is that going to be about. It lies simply at the flicking of the wrist joint when delivering the one inch punch. That, with the help of this video, I can easily understand.

However, instead of using the lower knuckles, the method shown by my Guru uses the base of the palm to make contact. I asked my Guru if this method is similar to Bruce Lee's One Inch Punch and he said yes, almost, kind of. He said this striking method is called Kepak Ayam. I hope he was not kidding me because, translated, it means Chicken Wings, which I find it very amusing. However, after making a little demonstration, probably after sensing my sceptism, (not that I don't trust my teacher, but sometimes being a jovial character, he does sometimes pull my leg once in a while) I understand that Kepak Ayam means more like Flapping of the Chicken Wings instead of just Chicken Wings.

Silat training is on as usual tonight, and probably I will try to practice my Kepak Ayam on a pad tonight. Practicing Kepak Ayam on myself hurts.

Salam.