Wing Chun is famous for its hand speed and the straight punches in Wing Chun are no exception.
Thrown with maximum speed, good alignment and maximum efficiency there are great tool for all martial artists and - when used as a chain punch or straight blast - an awesome piece of artillery for self-defense.
The Mechanics of the Straight Punch Keep Your Elbows Low Wing Chun is a close quarter system - you're on your opponent, attacking aggressively - and hitting as hard and as quickly as possible.
And when I say close - on impact your fist isn't much further than 12 inches from your nose and ready to hit through your opponent - going through the target like an arrow.
To hit with maximum power at such close quarters it's vital that you keep your elbow long - pointing more towards the floor than the side - you can feel a connection between your hip and your elbows and drive them forward.
Use a Vertical Fist When you're so close - to hit with a vertical fist (typical in karate or boxing) your elbows have to flair out to the side - the alignment is gone and your power diminishes.
Using a horizontal fist in Wing Chun means there is a risk among beginners that you hit with the knuckle of your little finger - which can result in what is commonly called a "boxers fracture".
Make sure you don't do this by dissipating the force across all three lower knuckles - aiming to hit with your ring finger will do this.
It's important to remember that Wing Chun doesn't rely purely on the knuckle, other tools like palms, neck strikes and elbows can all be used - and a palm carries the risk of less injury to the hand.
Maximum Efficiency Hit from where your hand is - drawing back to 'power up' only telegraphs your punch - you don't want to tell your opponent that a punch is coming their way.
We've all seen it - time and time again - it's not always the biggest punches that do the most damage, it's the ones that land accurately, are well timed and not seen.
Wing Chun works in an economical fashion - you hit from where your hand is without warning and with maximum force.
The Chain Punch Also known as the straight blast - this is probably one of the most 'borrowed' tools from the Wing Chun arsenal.
A barrage of straight punches, thrown in quick succession to finish a fight.
A fight finisher more than a fight started - the chain punch is a phenomenal tool near impossible to stop if used correctly.
For maximum effect, Wing Chun punches should be used with footwork and movement.
We're one of the few systems who actually hit harder while moving - many styles prefer to move and then plant their feet before hitting.
The Wing Chun Maxim - "Feet like wheels and hands like arrows" sums it up better than I ever could.