Introduction

1. Purpose
2. Background
3. Why Study the Science?
4. 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?