Originally Posted by
ginosifu
Power is generated from the ground by driving from the heel and also from the arch (Long Quan or sole of the foot). (Sorry JamesC but I have pushed cars also and I always have dug my heels in pushing forward). As the power comes up from the ground it is directed by the waist to desired strike (fist head foot etc etc).
That is almost physically impossible, sorry. Unless of course you aren't pushing very hard and are pushing very slowly. Or you are wearing shoes that have a large padded heel on them.
When you lift your heel up and pivot on the ball you are now using only torquing of waist (Ben Gash stated in CLF they lift the heel and pivot on the ball). This type of power uses more speed and whipping than a connection to the ground.
That simply isn't true. As Mr. Gash stated previously, when you do use the ball of your foot you engage your entire posterior chain. The only time you can engage your posterior chain with your weight on your heels is after your thighs have passed parallel in a deep squat.
Your analogy of the runner is comparing apples to oranges. It does not make sense, runners are not hitting anyone.
Of course it makes sense. We aren't talking about doing squats or lifting something from the ground. We're talking about transferring all that energy forward, in much the same way as a runner. Again, Mr. Gash provided a similar analogy because it makes sense biomechanically. If it didn't work it wouldn't be used by San Shou, Muay Thai, and Boxing. Arguably the best striking arts in the world.
Try this example: Lift up on both of balls of your feet and try and hit something... you will find your self knocked or pushed back. This is because there is no connection to the earth.
I've done it plenty of times. The only reason you would be knocked back is if you are on the tips of your toes, and not on the balls of your feet. Do you think we're talking about prancing around like we're doing ballet? We're talking about engaging our body's built in springing mechanism. Yes, the same one that we use to run. The same one that evolution has allowed us to use for running after food and away from those that want to make us their food.
Now connect one of your feet firmly by placing the whole foot on the ground. Now go up on just one ball and swing at something. You find that your balance is a bit better but this type of hit needs speed for it to be effective (This is where waist whipping power comes in).
Again, you must think that we are prancing around or something. You can have both feet flat on the ground while still pivoting on the ball of your foot.
Now flatten out both you feet and hit something, now you will find you are fully balanced and if you keep your elbow in front of your body, you can actually drive from your leg (Heel) and hit with your leg muscles (leg muscles are bigger and stronger than arm muscles).
I'm not sure if you're intending to be condescending here or not, but i'll just assume you aren't for now.
I'm well aware of the way in which the body works. Unfortunately, you CAN'T drive from your heel in a forward direction as effectively as you can if you transfer that force through the ball of the foot. If we could we wouldn't have had to evolve with ankles and calves.
I am not saying that raising up on the ball and using waist pivoting power does not work. It is different way to create power, I just do not agree with it.
ginosifu
Well good. Because it does indeed work.
It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand. - Apache Proverb
Reply With Quote
