How to Do the Kung Fu Center Punch Back Fist

Although the most famous use of the back fist in martial arts is probably the spinning back fist, it is by no means the only effective use of the back fist. The center punch back fist is actually a combination, first using the center punch and then rolling into a snapping back fist technique. It is most frequently used to target the head, particularly the temples. Here's how to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Begin in the horse-riding stance. Throw a rear center punch with either hand. Do not withdraw the arm after the punch.

2. Folding at the elbow, bring the punching fist back toward the chest. Spin the hand so that it moves from a palm down (boulder fist) position to thumb up when it is completely withdrawn.

3. Raising the body slightly (at the knees) to add power and help reach the selected target, snap the fist out from the elbow.

4. Contact with the rear knuckles of the hand. Different styles teach slightly different hand positions at impact, but striking with the two center knuckles (ring and middle finger) is probably the most common method.

5. Withdraw hand back to original position for the horse riding stance. If desired, the entire sequence can be repeated with either hand.

Tips & Warnings

• For maximum impact, it is mandatory that the striking hand be held in a very tight fist. Otherwise, the compression of the hand upon impact can absorb some of the energy of the strike.
• With snapping elbow techniques, it is extremely important to stop the arm slightly before full extension to reduce the chances of hyper-extending the elbow.

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