power
Hi Alex,
In my experience, Kwai Choi (aka WCK backfist) has different power from Chung Choi (thrusting punch). The power can be called Bien Ging (Whip Power) but tends to focus a smaller area and instead of through, puts power in (I’ve experienced this from some good WCK people and also some good Wu Taiji people and in neither case was it pleasent and in some I thought I might rather take a Chung Choi 
Rgds, RR
damage to yourself
if you use the backfist, more than likely you’ll do damage to your hand..
Why damage hands with a backfist
Hi edward,
Why would using a backfist be more likely to cause damge to your hands than any other type of punch? Also, the concept of the backfist can be used to strike with a Fak if you don’t like using the knuckles. I would tend to think the backfist would not be as powerful but don’t see how it would be any more dangerous to the hands then a traditional straight punch.
Peace,
Dave
power
what’s the best way to build power in the Wing Chun punch (ie the standard one that ends Siu Lim Tao)? air punches? use a bag?
damage by doing back fist
certain sytsems do inside whip motion differently, there are those that use the fist motion to strike with, and there are those that use the backfist.
just from a structure stand point, using the backfist doesn’t compare to that of the punch. When a punch connects its, not the knuckles that only make contact but the entire first, if emphasis is placed on the knuckles to make initial contact, then what you do is expose the punch to a possible collapse. thus, imagine a triangle hitting an object at an angle, instead of flat.
thus, taking inside whip for example, the motion of it functions just like a sword, when you do inside whip if you use it as the fist to strike, then your using 2 bones or you could say the edge of the sword to strike against your opponent. if however you went the route of a back fist, that’s like attacking someone with a sword, but instead of using the blade, you’d be hitting it flat.
Backfist or punch
Hello edward,
Comparativily speaking, the straight punch does provdie a more solid and powerful strike then a backfist. However, I still don’t see any reason why a backfist puts your hand in any greater danger than the traditional straight punch.
A lot of times the striking area in a backfist is with the two knuckles closest to the thumb. But, it is also quite possible to use the backfist motion and strike with the entire back of the hand as well. Then again, you could use the backfist motion and strike with a Fak Sau or even a Wu Sau as well. So many possibilities so little time
I guess the point I am getting at is that if you perform a backfist, or any other technique, with poor form or connect with the wrong surface point, you can cause damage to your hand. I just view this a s more a failing of the person doing the movement rather than a problem with the movement itself.
Take the ridgehand for example. Structuraly I can think of many “safer” and more “powerful” techniques. Yet, there are many people who use this very technique to break things. Not my first choice but I certainly would not say it was ineffective. Of course, just like the backfist, if your striking surface is off or you are not properly forming the technique then you could get hurt.
The advantage of the backfist is that it can sometimes be applied quicker than the straight punch, depending on your starting position. One of my favorite techniques is to throw a punch, my opponent blocks the punch. If he makes contact with my wrist I rotate the punch into a backfist type of strike, I opt more for Fak though, while Loping with the other hand. Very fast and very effective, at least for me. I could do the same type of thing using the straight punch but have found the backfist type of attack to be slightly quicker.
Still, I am enjoying this dialogue as it is a good topic for discussion.
Peace,
Dave
There is a backfist at the end of Siu Lim Tao a back fist in chum kiu at end of third section as done by Ip Man and also in Biu Jee.
Roy D Anthony…
I cannot see where a backfist is present in the SLT. Can you be more specific?
S.Teebas
S.Teebas
Sure, at the end of the siu lim tao form after the three punches. and a couple of other places but not all Ip Man families do it.
backfist doesn’t mean headshot
I think a lot of people immediately visualize the Bruce Lee backfist to the face move.
But the backfist can be used virtually anywhere, right?
“Once I have harnessed the power of the Sun, I will be UNSTOPPABLE!” – Mini-Me
I only know one punch
It’s the one where you drive your knuckes into a target.
“She ain’t got no muscles in her teeth.”