Snap Decisions

When punching or kicking, a decision must be made about whether or not to use a snap. There is some controversy about using snap techniques. Some martial art styles use a snapping motion when executing hand and foot techniques; they think the motion adds power to their techniques. While other styles say, it is only an illusion, that snapping does not increase power, that it actually reduces power.

There are only a few ways to punch or kick a person, so, to found a new martial art that is different from all the others, one must find some way to justify the reason for a new art. One popular way to do this is to pick one specific thing, such as the way a fist is formed, or to stress one particular thing and then criticize others who do not agree with the selection, such as always pushing punches and kicks and then criticizing those who use snapping techniques.

All techniques may be executed in one of three ways, snapping, thrusting, or pushing. Each of the three motions has its good and bad points, and situations where it may or may not be the best way to use at the time.