Bruce Lee’s Straight Lead Punch
If there was one punch to perfect for maximum speed and power it would be Bruce Lee’s straight lead punch also called the straight blast. In Bruce Lee’s own words he describes the important aspects in perfecting this punch.
The lead straight punch is the core of Jeet Kune Do, but should be reinforced and supported by other angle punches and kicks of like precision.
The blow should be thrown from the center instead of from the shoulder, which makes you a swinging fighter, and it should aim toward the front of the nose.
It’s Western sword fencing—without the sword.
You should be able to deliver it at a moment’s notice.
Because 90 percent of all hitting is done with the leading right hand, it is important to be proficient to whip the right to head or body, singly or in combination.
It is a potent offensive and defensive weapon because of its advanced position—it is halfway to the target before starting.
It is effective in keeping the opponent off balance and creating openings for other blows (thus it is both an offensive as well as defensive blow!).
A blow is never hit at a mark. It is driven through a mark. Follow-through is just as important in fighting as it is in any other sport and follow-through can only be obtained by punching through and beyond the point of attack.
Punch toward the front of your own nose and hit fiercely with each delivery, aiming in the center of the face.
The punch should start from “center” instead of from the waist or from the shoulder.
No preparatory or get-set posture before delivery. Every blow just shoots from wherever the hands happen to be at the moment. This will add speed (no wasted motion) and deception (no give away preceding movement) to your punch.
The fist should not be clenched until impact. Relaxation will give both speed and power. To be a complete jeet kune do man, you have to be able to strike and kick from all angles, and with either hand (and leg) to take advantage of the moment. Some of the better jeet kune do men are most unorthodox.
All punches should end with a snap several inches behind the target. Thus you punch through the opponent yet end the punch with a snap.
No hesitation before delivery, aim to snap through.
Not just arm power—strike with correct timing of foot, waist, and hip, shoulder, and wrist motion.
After delivery do not drop your striking hand when withdrawing back to the ready stance. Though you might see this being done by a good Jeet Kune Do man, always cultivate the habit of returning back along the same path and keep it high for any possible counters.
Do not drop or withdraw the protecting hand when punching (thus hand resting on hip in classical gung fu has no place here). For example, the right hand hits high, the left should be slightly below the right elbow for protection (this is just an example, the main thing is where your opponent’s hand happens to be). The same is true when hitting low with the right, the left should be held high to offset any countering on the part of your opponent.
Try to vary your head position while using the right lead.
The advantages of the lead punch
1. Faster—the shortest distance between two points is a straight line
2. More accurate—“chooses the straightest course,” thus, less chance of missing and is surer than other punches
3. Balance is less disturbed—safer
4. Less injurious to one’s hand
5. Greater frequency of hits—more damage can be done
Can foil the opponent’s complicated attack when used as a stop hit.
Reduces the chances of missing because opponent has less time for blocking.
The effectiveness of the right lead depends on the speed and surprise with which it is delivered.
On initiating the lead punch
The punch should, and this applies to all punches and kicks, start from the ready stance without any unnecessary motions. The beginners should watch out especially for the drawing back of the hand before shooting it out; it starts from where it is, and returns to where it begins. In other words, practice your punching from the ready stance and finish in the ready stance.
The essential qualities of the lead punch
1. Economy of correct form
2. Accuracy
3. Speed
4. Explosive power
The right lead is the opening gambit in any hand combat.
The extended side automatically becomes the speediest
and most natural way of reaching the opponent.
It can be termed very effective and valuable to keep an opponent at a respectable distance.
The lead keeps the line. The whole aim of attack in swordplay is to get past this line, for until it is passed, no point can be made.
A reinforcing weapon is the rear hand, poised for immediate action.
It should be so well-timed as to reach its mark at the utmost of its owner’s power. That is, with the maximum reach at his command, including shoulder extension (to obtain maximum reach), a movement that comes up from his left leg, continues across his shoulders and along his right arm.
Whenever striking with the right lead either to the head or the body, it is important to sway (snap) slightly to the left. The head should slip in the same direction.
It is usually best, whenever possible, to “draw” your opponent into leading before hitting out on your own account.