Punching

This question came up on a martial arts list.

You want to perform the standard right hand punch (with left foot
forward), as powerfully as possible. We consider two different
stances: right foot flat (pushing off the heel), or rising onto the
ball of the right foot.

Now imagine two scenarios:
a) You are attacking the opponent. The consensus is that rising is
superior, because it brings the calf muscles into play. Also, the
posture offers greater leverage (and reach).

b) Opponent is running toward you, probably to attempt a football
type tackle. Now some argue that heel down is preferable, because you
get a sturdier base (in the asian styles, they call this 'drawing
power from the earth'), and you really want to impale him, rather
than strike in the usual sense.

Now I argue that (b) should have the same solution as (a), using a
relativity argument. I.e. Force is force, momentum is momentum,
and the only that matters is relative motion; if (a) is stronger, it
should be stronger whether the opponent is standing still or in motion.

Thoughts? Is this debate amenable to physics analysis, or only
empirically?

--
Rich

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Punching
    ... right foot flat, ... > a) You are attacking the opponent. ... > and the only that matters is relative motion; ... > should be stronger whether the opponent is standing still or in motion. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Punching
    ... >> You want to perform the standard right hand punch (with left foot ... > velocity between you and your opponent. ... > deal with the attacker's momentum; ... > imply not lifting your rear foot at all. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Punching
    ... >> You want to perform the standard right hand punch (with left foot ... > velocity between you and your opponent. ... > deal with the attacker's momentum; ... > imply not lifting your rear foot at all. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: "That Jew"
    ... has to try and get his big foot unstuck. ... or to hold your nose and vote for his opponent. ... Perhaps the Democrat has utterances like this in his background, ...
    (soc.culture.jewish.moderated)
  • Re: LHCs Atlas collider can create a black hole
    ... forward, pushes off from the front foot and leaps toward the opponent, ... bringing the rear foot forward for the landing. ... Dilation is conclusively proved to stem from an algebraic error. ...
    (sci.physics.relativity)
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