In honor of Bruce Lee's 75th birthday, Newsweek shares some of the legend's revolutionary moves that illustrate the boundless imagination and tireless discipline he applied to his martial arts. This article, along with others dedicated to Bruce Lee, is included in a Newsweek Special Edition, Bruce Lee—75 Years of the Dragon.
ONE-INCH PUNCH
This hard-hitting blow still mystifies fans and martial arts experts today. Arguably Bruce's most famous attack, the kung-fu master broke wooden boards and knocked men on their backs by extending his fist only one inch. Pulling this off required more coordination than raw strength. Bruce had to move his wrist, elbow, shoulder, knees and hip in the correct order within seconds. This combination of movements created a force strong enough to shatter a piece of wood in two.
LOW-SIDE KICK
Viewers won't see this kick in many of Bruce's movies because it's not as flashy, but in a street fight or sparring, Bruce preferred to aim his kicks at the ankles, feet, thighs and midsection of his foes. Kicking low takes less time in a bout and catches the combatant off-guard. In Bruce's case, it was difficult to anticipate when he was going to extend his leg out to knock his sparring partners off their feet and onto the ground.
STICKING HANDS
Using this technique, Bruce always kept constant contact with his opponents' hands and arms. It's a method he learned as a teenager while studying Wing Chun in Hong Kong. It deflects blows as well as allowing Bruce to attack hard and fast in a short distance.
FLEET FOOTWORK
The way Bruce set up his hits and kicks was just as important as the blows themselves. He stood with his most dominant foot one step forward, angled inward. His knees were bent, and he kept most of his weight centered. Bruce put his left arm up under his chin and his right outstretched in a fist. The left primarily protected while the right would attack. He then angled his chin forward and lowered his shoulder—ready for anything.
STRAIGHT BLAST
This maneuver functioned as a sustained offense, knocking an opponent off balance by attacking the abdomen. Bruce would move his fists in a circular motion while running at his opponents, forcing them into defensive positions immediately.
This article is excerpted from a Newsweek Special Edition, Bruce Lee—75 Years of the Dragon, by Issue Editor James Ellis.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
