The Arm / Fist Chamber

[Rick]

I don't chamber, except in kata/exaggerated sparring.

Keep one hand near your heart, and the forward hand at about eye level. Pulling a hand that far back (side or belt) is asking to get hit in the ribs.

[NightOwl]

We also used to chamber the punch at about belt level, but now chamber right above the floating rib, so about 3-4" higher than where we used to chamber.

This is where I currently chamber.  At this level my forearm is parallel with the ground. I guess do to my size.  I'm 5'11, and build, the fist ends up just below the pectoral. If I were to try and bring it higher actually onto the pectoral then the arm would be what I call jammed and at an awkward angle.

Also the higher chamber seems to mostly eliminate elbow flip or "chicken wings".

As far as I know I never really had a problem with this but I've seen it.  My first instructors were at pains to point out that the fist "floats" or "sinks"  (my words as it was long ago) toward the target but does NOT turn over until just before the strike.  This almost always eliminates the elbow flip because it seems to come from the student trying to get his or her fist into the "proper" orientation to soon so they throw the elbow out rather than using the forearm properly.

I think the higher chamber does, as you pointed out, help eliminate this because of the shorter and more strait line distance traveled at least for a punch.  The same for an above the waist block.  For a hammer fist the chamber is in a different place altogother anyway.

The one thing I wonder about though is predictability.  With  a high chamber there is more explosive speed to the target of the punch or block.

But with the low chamber the punch or block rises or sinks not quite as fast because of distance traveled but perhaps a bit more deceptive.  I'm not sure.

Sincerely, NightOwl

[Brandon]

I disagree. The shortest line for the punch is going to depend on where the punch is aimed. If you're punching to the face, then yes holding at the pectorals will be  a shorter distance from the fist than from the hip or ribs.

BUT

If we're assuming a "proper," fully extended punch, then the arm still has to extend essentially the same distance, so distance between your fist and target is less of a factor here than biomechanics. Additionally, I feel that the high chamber puts the fist and arm in a slightly awkward position. Holding it here puts more tension on the arm muscles than does holding it at the floating ribs, which makes it more difficult to punch with speed or power.

[Chihua-ku]

My style of kung fu uses the low chamber just above the waist. The power seems to come from proper stance and footwork. Higher might be speedier, but also too wing chun like..

And NightOwl is right, more speed in a punch is a good trade off. Force does not always equal power. Power can be generated with momentum (and also transfering the energy from the ground to the leg to the arm).

[bogirl]

We also used to chamber the punch at about belt level, but now chamber right above the floating rib, so about 3-4" higher than where we used to chamber.

I do believe it adds speed by being a more direct line, where with the lower chamber there was a bit of a scooping feel.  Also the higher chamber seems to mostly eliminate elbow flip or "chicken wings".

To me it does actually feel more powerful because the chest muscles are engaged more rapidly.

[NightOwl]

I was thinking tonight about how things change and evolve even in MA.  For instance my first teachers taught a low chamber at the waist as many arts still  do.  When I came back to MA the branch where I now practice uses a higher chamber at almost pectoral level with the forearm parallel to the ground. To me this makes sense as it seems to give a faster response to position properly for a block or to punch.  What is given up – I think- is power.  But then again speed translates to power in the strike too so it may be an even trade there.   What do you think?? 

Sincerely, NightOwl