Chamber

When we first learn to punch, we learn to chamber. When we learn to kick, the instructor is always telling us to chamber. When perform patterns, we are told to imagine the chamber as an extra movement added between the traditional movements, and that we should exaggerate the chambering movement. However, when we spar we do not chamber. Or do we? The chambering is still there, it is just subtle and hidden within the movements. A fist that is pulled back to its guard position is chambering.

Reasons for chambering the hand to the hip

• Chambering may also be an elbow attack into a person grabbing you from the rear.
• When a punching wrist is grabbed, chambering releases the grab by the twisting of the wrist toward the person's thumb, and it pulls the opponent into a counter punch using the opposite hand.
• Chambering allows the punch to be delivered with full-power as a finishing blow.
• Chambering helps reinforce hip movement that is used to generate power.
• As you chamber, you tighten the fist, which helps build strength.
• Full motion chambering strengthens and stretches the arm muscles so that, while sparring, more power may be generated in the limited motion sparring chamber.
• When blocking, such as with inner or outer middle outside forearm blocks, chambering allow more power to be applied to the block.
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