How to Do a Superman Punch in Martial Arts

The Superman punch gets its name from the dramatic leap taken while delivering the punch. It is a technique of deception and involves a significant amount of risk to the person throwing it. However, as a finish off move, it can be both effective and impressive.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Start in a fighting stance. Stand with one leg a step ahead of the other with both arms raised protecting yourself. Bounce lightly on the balls of your feet. You need to be light on your feet to throw a Superman punch.

2. Leap at your opponent thrusting the knee of your back leg forward. It should appear as if you are about to throw a kick. If you do this correctly, your opponent will prepare to defend himself from a lower body attack.

3. Pull your knee back while flying in mid air. This will act as a counterweight to your Superman punch. Actually straighten your leg and kick it backward. At the same time punch forward with the arm on the same side of the body. You will appear like you are flying through the air like Superman.

4. Aim the Superman punch toward your opponent's head. If you performed it correctly, your opponent dropped his guard expecting a lower body attack. This exposes his head as you come flying in. The jump and extension of the Superman punch allows you to make up a lot of distance quickly. It also exposes you to counter attack since you are committing your entire body without any hope of pulling out. Aim accurately.

5. Follow through with the Superman punch as you make contact. Do not withdraw your fist until your opponent has absorbed the force of the entire punch and your forward momentum. If you succeed, you will be on top of your opponent finishing the bout.

Tips & Warnings

• The Superman punch is an advanced technique. It requires perfect timing. Do not attempt the Superman punch in real life combat situations when your opponent can harm you. It is best used as a finishing technique on an opponent who cannot take advantage of the opening you provide when throwing the Superman punch.

Resources

• Punch and Kick .com