No, but just how many there are depends on your criteria for defining what a punch is. It could be the part of the fist with which you strike. It could The the direction in which your fist travels and what kind of wind-up you use. Is a spinning backfist counted separately from a regular backfist? Is a spinning backfist counted separately from a spinning hammerfist? I think could be both of these. And are you only counting the closed fist or do you also count various open-hand strikes?
In my system, if you are only defining it by which part of the fist is the striking surface, then we’ve got six at least. If you define it by the direction in which the fist travels, then it’s pretty easy to hit ten or more. If you combine those two definitions and count every variation then it becomes quite high.
I see two main kinds of hitting with the hand:
1. My definition of a punch is a strike with the knuckles with the elbow behind and
in line with the hand and going in the same direction. This covers jabs, reverse punches, crosses, uppercuts and hooks.
(a spear hand thrust follows the same path, but contact is with the fingertips. a palm heel strike may also be on this line as well, or as described below. so these strikes may go into a misc. category) (just wanted to cover all the bases)
2. Back fists, hammer fists, rakes, chops, etc, have the elbow
not in line with the hand. And in these strikes the elbow often leads the fist in direction, unlike a punch.
Back to punches - Some styles, like Shotokan, typically use a thrusting punch that locks out at the end. Other styles, like my own, use a snapping punch. (IMO, there is a time and place for each, so I'll not comment here on their merits.) The important point is that regardless of the punch (or other strike,) hips and other body muscle groups play an important part, as does the stance and timing with the rest of the body, including stepping if in motion. The effective use of the rest of the body is key, and this is what I stress when teaching - basic biomechanics. Kata is a good way to practice proper basic execution as good form is required to maximize body mechanics.
Once this is taught, the student will have a terrific punch. But useless if not landed. So, some sort of entering strategy must be employed. This is the other main thing that students must learn. I consider this an intermediate level skill. At the next level are a host of other useful things: Flow, checks, mental attitude...ect.
