The Physics Behind Martial Arts: Done by Aloysius Zai 4A104

The Physics behind Martial Arts
Done by Aloysius Zai

4A104
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Punches
3. Kicks
4. Takedowns
5. Throws
6. Break Falls
7. Body Parts
8. Conclusion
Introduction
Just like any other sport, physics can be applied
to martial arts and we can use this knowledge to
our advantage by gaining the upper hand in
combats and competitions by understanding the
various concepts and principles behind martial
arts.
Punches
In this presentation, we will be studying three
punches:
• A straight Punch
• A Jab
• A Hook
Straight Punch and Jab
By applying physics, we know that the most
effective punch is the straight punch because
speed is defined as distance over time and with
a shorter distance to travel, the time taken for
the fist to reach the opponent will be the
shortest, compared to other types of punches.
Hook
A hook is a punch that comes from the side of the opponent,
unlike the straight punch and the jab which comes from the
centerline.
In this punch, the fist of the person executing the punch would
have to travel a longer distance before reaching the opponent
so it would also take a longer time to reach the opponent.
However, by using the equation Moment= f * d, we know that
with a larger distance, there will be a larger turning effect of
the force exerted by the punch. Therefore, it is more effective
in bringing an opponent to the ground because a hook will
turn the opponent’s body more and is more likely to take him
off balance and fall to the ground.
Kicks
• In this presentation, the following kicks would
be studied:
– Front push kick
– Back Thrust
– Side Kick
Front push kick
By executing a front push kick, you are exerting
all your body weight onto your opponent,
concentrated on the area where your sole
strikes the opponent and we know that F=Ma
and P=F/A so a front push kick will exert a
maximum pressure and Force onto the
opponent, which may result in the breaking of
bones or internal injury.
Back Thrust
• A back thrust is similar to the front push kick,
but it is different in the sense that turning
your body distracts your opponent and with
the 180° rotation of the hip, there will be
more kinetic energy present in the kick, and
the kick will be more powerful, given that
P=E/t
Side Kick
Side Kick
• A side kick in martial arts is usually executed after
taking a step back with the non-kicking leg.
• This kind of kick would shorten the distance
between you and your opponent and because
the kick is coming from your side, your leg would
reach the opponent before complete extension,
giving the leg more contact time with the target
area of the opponent and inflicting the most
amount of pain on him, after complete extension.
Roundhouse Kick
• The very reason why the roundhouse kick is more
effective than a backhand is because of a physics
concept as mentioned earlier on- “moment”.
• Other than distance, momentum is also dependent on
the length of an object.
• This idea can be summarized into the equation below:
• Moment = Position of the object relative to the
fulcrum (Length) x Force
• Therefore, because the leg is always longer than the
hand, a kick will always result in more impulse than a
punch.
Break Falls
• Break Falls are absolutely necessary when
being taken down or thrown in street fights and
sparring sessions. Furthermore, it is also useful
to learn break falls if you are the careless kind
that will lose your balance by simply walking.
• Basically, the idea of breaking falls are to
prevent injury to the whole body when falling
down which will include sprains, fractures and
even dislocations.
• When breaking falls, martial artists usually slap the front of
their palm fully onto the ground with the arm being slightly
bent (not locked out completely).
• As most judo masters would put it, this is to “absorb” the pain
inflicted by the opponent but technically, slapping the palm
onto the ground would spread the downward force exerted
by the opponent’s throw to an area as large as possible, so as
to minimize the pressure (and pain) felt by the martial artists.
• Break falls are also important, because it is always wiser to
risk injuring a hand than to risk losing consciousness in the
middle of a fight, which will prove to be extremely
disadvantageous for the martial artist.
Throws
• Hip Throw
• O-Soto-Gari
Throws
• Many throws in martial arts are revolving around the issue of
center of gravity
• According to NASA, the center of gravity can be defined as
the distribution of weight around a balance point
• A person's COG is located inside his body somewhere
between his naval and the sacroiliac joint (where the spine
meets the hip bones).
• Your opponent is stable as long as his center of gravity
remains over the area supported by his feet.
• Therefore he is stable until you force him into moving his
center of gravity, or into losing part of his support area.
Hip Throw
• The key to an effective hip throw is to make
use of your hip to lift him off the ground and
use your knees and arms to pull him forwards
(and downwards), to make him lose his original
center of gravity.
• Once his body is off the ground is his center of
gravity is shifted forward, over your back,
gravity will pull him down onto the ground in
front of you.
• This is a vector diagram of the hip throw
Acting force
Resultant
Force
O-soto-gari
• A.k.a The Major Outer Reaping Throw
• By placing your whole arm around your
opponent when doing this throw, you are
increasing the “target area” so when exerting
force on your opponent, more pressure will be
exerted to take him off balance (off COG).
• Sweeping your leg backwards will also take
your opponent’s legs off the ground.
• With a combination of a forward and
downward force, the opponent will be
naturally brought to the ground
Note that the leg also acts

as a pivot point to bring
the opponent down
Body Parts
Other than fists and legs, these are some body
parts also involved when sparring in martial arts
The Elbow
The Elbow is a CQC (close quarter combat) strike
that will hit the opponent with a lot more force
than a normal punch because Pressure = Force /
Area and with a larger surface area (by striking
with the elbow), more pressure will be exerted
on the opponent, and if done properly, enough
pressure can be exerted to send the opponents
nose bone back into his brain, resulting in death.
The Hip
The hip is the most important body part for martial artists
because it is the “power source” all attacks and defenses.
正所谓：“练拳不活腰，究终艺不高”
Using F=ma, we know that increasing the mass involved

will increasing the force exerted. This is done by utilising
our hip in the strike because involving more of your body
will increase the mass and thus increase the force as well.
Conclusion
By applying physics, we know that to achieve maximum
power for a strike, we need to strike fast and increase the
displacement of the opponent’s body through deep
penetration by using techniques such as side kicks and karate
straight punches.
Also, we should always utilize our hips be it executing throws,
punches, kicks or blocks and that is why, it is always
important for martial artists to train their hips and obilques
to be strong and yet flexible.
Lastly, martial artists should always relax and minimize
muscle tension to increase acceleration and power.
Acknowledgements
• http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.p
hp?id=281
• bushido-usa.com
• http://wcats.com/WCLessons/Lectures/Lectur
eIII.php#1
• Discovery Channel: The Human Weapon
• Ron Young – 1st Gup Hapkido, Apex KiDoKwan
– International Korean Martial Arts Federation

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How does physics help explain the effectiveness of different punches?

How does physics help explain the effectiveness of different kicks?

The Physics behind Martial Arts

Done by Aloysius Zai

Note that the leg also acts

Using F=ma, we know that increasing the mass involved

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