What are the advantages of using a vertial punch instead the more normal reverse punch (oi zuki or gyako-zuki)? and as some one mentioned what about the lock of the thumb (in the ishin fist) that is not placed in the regular way?
Manny
That is a subject of some debate. I am not an expert, so I won't claim to know what is right, only what I've been told and believe to be true. In my case, I believe that the vertical fist is actually the way people fight naturally; this is something that Shimabuku Soke noticed when he watched people fight. Even those trained to use a torquing fist with a horizontal delivery used a vertical punch when actually fighting for real. He apparently found this to be more natural and adopted it. There is evidence that when he founded Isshin-Ryu, he used the vertical fist at first; then later experimented with the torquing punch, and finally went back to the vertical fist.
With regard to the thumb placement, it is my experience that it makes the wrist more stable and less likely to fold up at the moment of impact if not delivered with absolute precision.
Having said that, I take no issue with those who disagree; it is simply not something I am willing to argue with others about. If they claim their system works, I am content to believe that. I only know what I am taught, and as stated, I am not an expert on it.
I would also like to say that there are no absolutes. In Isshin-Ryu we are noted for using the vertical punch, but in truth it is not entirely vertical but somewhat slanted over to one side. Also, we apply the fist where it fits; indeed we show the use of a horizontal punch in several kata, and punches of varying degree of angle in others. The body we are striking will always offer the correct position of the fist for striking it, so the smart thing to do is to adapt the strike to put it where it fits. Horizontal, vertical, etc, is not important. What is important is that the fist strikes home with maximum efficiency.
It has also been pointed out to me that if one depends upon the torquing punch, then the turn must have been completed prior to the blow landing for it to be maximally effective. Imagine aiming at a target two feet away, but the target moves closer as you throw it; this would seem to make that particular punch less effective, since it would not have completed the 'torque' turn where the power is supposed to be generated. The vertical fist does not turn (actually it does, once you get past the surface level of Isshin-Ryu, but this isn't clear to beginners), and so it remains as effective at a closer distance than originally planned; if the opponent moves in, the fist simply strikes sooner, but not with less power.
With regard to my comment above that our punches DO turn sometimes, consider the most basic of Isshin-Ryu exercises. Properly done, the upper cut is a prime example. One begins from a vertical fist formation, but the punch is going out and rising and turning, so that it is delivered with a nearly palm up configuration. Why? Because a) this is where the fist fits into the area between the nose and the chin, b) because the fist naturally rebounds into a 'guard' position following the strike, ready to be delivered again or turned into a block without the need to rechamber it, and c) because the punch is also a block. The natural turning movement of the rising uppercut in Isshin-Ryu is the defense for a lunge or reverse punch from an opponent; done correctly it intercepts the incoming punch and rides over the top of it. As the punch turns to go palm-up, the arm naturally rudders or steers the incoming arm away from the body, turning the attacker slightly at the same time. One can be reacting to a thrown punch, render the incoming punch ineffective, and deliver a counter-blow in the same movement. It's not that often that the last person to throw wins, but this is a very good example of it. If the fist was not turning, this would not occur. But it turns the opposite direction as the 'torquing' punch of some other disciplines. Instead of turning counter clockwise to end up palm down, it turns clockwise to end up palm up, and it does a half-rotation rather than a complete rotation.
And there are many fist formations regarding thumb and finger placement. Not all are obvious, not all karateka use the same ones, even inside a given ryu. I myself am rather fond of the 'old man fist' practiced by some; it seems unnatural at first, but you can strike with amazing power without injury to the fist or wrist using it - at least I can.
The 'vertical fist' is a surface level difference. Dive a little deeper and it's not such a major difference at all, really.
