Detailed Contents
Introduction
- Purpose
- Background
- Why Study the Science?
- Summary
Chapter 1 How Hard Can We Hit?
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
- 1.3 ‘Fight Science’: One of the Best Experiments So Far?
- 1.4 How Hard Can We Punch?
- 1.5 The Most Force From a Kick?
- 1.6 The Most Force From Any Single Technique?
- 1.7 Hand Speed – How Fast Can We Punch?
- 1.8 Foot Speed – How Fast can we Kick?
- 1.9 Speed Summary from another Reference
- 1.10 ‘Do It Yourself’ Experiments, Tests & Trials
- 1.11 A Few Personal Comments
- 1.12 Summary
Chapter 2 The Laws of Physics
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 Mathematical Formulae—Have No Fear!
- 2.3 Definitions.
- 2.4 Physical Laws & Relationships.
- 2.5 Summary
Chapter 3 Newton’s Laws
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Newton’s First Law
- 3.3 Newton’s Second Law
- 3.4 Newton’s Third Law
- 3.5 Reactive and Impulse Forces
- 3.6 Summary
Chapter 4 The Collision of Bodies
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 Small & Fast or Big & Slow: Which is More Dangerous?
- 4.3 Penetration
- 4.4 The Time & Energy to Punch
- 4.5 Elastic Collisions
- 4.6 Inelastic Collisions
- 4.7 Partially Elastic or Partially Inelastic Collisions
- 4.8 Summary
Chapter 5 Examination of a Striking Force
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 The Theory – Impact Force and Impact Time
- 5.3 The Theory – How Do We Calculate the Impulse Force?
- 5.4 The Theory – Changing the Contact Time of a Punch
- 5.5 Bounce or Penetration: Are the Bullets Rubber or Steel?
- 5.6 Delivery of a Punch – the Practice
- 5.7 Striking Hard
- 5.8 Striking Efficiently
- 5.9 Vulnerable/Vital Points
- 5.10 Summary
Chapter 6 The Mechanics of Kicks
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Snap Action Techniques and Pivoted Arc Movements
- 6.3 Back-Fist Strike With Follow Through
- 6.4 Other Strikes with a Snap Back Action
- 6.5 The Front Snap Kick
- 6.6 The Front Thrust Kick
- 6.7 A Front Kick With Both a Snapping and Thrusting Action
- 6.8 Side Kick: Snap or Thrust Differentiator
- 6.9 Side Snap Kick Bio-mechanics
- 6.10 Side Thrust Kick Bio-mechanics
- 6.11 Kicks – High or Low: The Forces Involved
- 6.12 Kicks – Training With and Without a Heavy Target
- 6.13 Classical Solution to a Dilemma
- 6.14 Summary
Chapter 7 The Striking of Objects
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Striking a Makiwara
- 7.3 Striking a Bag
- 7.4 Breaking a Wooden Board
- 7.5 Board Breaking – by the Numbers
- 7.6 Breaking by the Numbers — Supporting Evidence
- 7.7 Board Breaking – Degrees of Difficulty
- 7.8 Hitting an Unsupported Object
- 7.9 Hitting a Person
- 7.10 Hitting with Maximum Energy; Maximum Force. 131
- 7.11 Summary
Chapter 8 The Point of Impact
- 8.1 Introduction
- 8.2 The Point at Which to Make Contact
- 8.3 Analysis of a Karate Style Reverse Punch
- 8.4 The Focal Point 141
- 8.5 Focus and the Principle of Maximal Contraction. 142
- 8.6 Close Quarter Combat
- 8.7 Short Range Technique Effectiveness
- 8.8 Impulse or Surge Energy
- 8.9 The Velocity Profile of a Kick
- 8.10 Differences in Force Between a Punch and a Kick
- 8.11 Summary
Chapter 9 Rotational Effects
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 Rotational Forces, Inertia and Angular Velocity
- 9.3 The Effects of the Rotation of the Body
- 9.4 A Mathematical Makeup of a Punch?
- 9.5 The Rotation of the Fist When Punching
- 9.6 Rotation of the Fist and Arm When Blocking
- 9.7 The Effect of Distance: Round & Spinning Kicks
- 9.8 Summary
Chapter 10 A Warrior’s Stance
- 10.1 Introduction
- 10.2 The Basics
- 10.3 The Proportionality of a Typical Body
- 10.4 Forward Stance and its Structural Lines
- 10.5 Taking it to Extremes—Leaning Forward
- 10.6 The Back Heel Debate
- 10.7 And the Other Extreme?
- 10.8 The Center of Gravity of the Human Body
- 10.9 Stance: Form and Function
- 10.10 Back Stance & Lines of Support
- 10.11 Balance and Stability
- 10.12 Stance, Sweeps and Throws
- 10.13 Leverage
- 10.14 Summary
Chapter 11 Bare Fist Fighting Versus Boxing
- 11.1 Introduction
- 11.2 Differentiators and Differences
- 11.3 The Effect of Wearing Heavy Gloves When Fighting
- 11.4 The Effect of Striking When Wearing Padded Gloves
- 11.5 The Boxer’s Knockout
- 11.6 Punching Penetration and Contact Time
- 11.7 Training Considerations
- 11.8 A Final Thought on the Subject?
- 11.9 Summary
Chapter 12 The Application of the Science
- 12.1 Introduction
- 12.2 Stance, Posture and Balance
- 12.3 The Force from the Earth
- 12.4 Momentum and Movement
- 12.5 Speed and Relaxation
- 12.6 Mass, Synchronization and a Problem with ‘Focus’
- 12.7 Counter Attacks with Body Tension and a Firm Stance
- 12.8 The Importance of the Breath
- 12.9 The Body and the Hips
- 12.10 The Third Force Component: Penetration Distance
- 12.11 The Fourth Force Component: Impact Contact Time
- 12.12 Relative Time: Application to Real Circumstances
- 12.13 Summary
Chapter 13 Conclusions
- 13.1 At the Core
- 13.2 In General
- 13.3 In Theory
- 13.4 Peak Forces
- 13.5 And yet . . .
- 13.6 And in the future?
- 13.7 And in the end?