Who is the Leader ?

Have you ever thought that in every mechanical movement your body makes, there is always a leader?

Let me break it down what I mean by “Leader”.

I’m talking about the leader of mechanical movement — the part that leads your motion when you turn your head left or right.

Let’s think of a car’s movement as a mechanical movement.

There is the driver, the steering system and the engine.

Which one is the leader?

If there is no driver, you could use an electric motor or automation to move and guide the car but without steering system it might be unsafe and damaging to lead the car.

So what role does the engine play?

In everyday movement, we also have a steering system, an engine, and a driver.

When a professional boxer throws a punch, which part is the leader? 

driver?

What is the engine of the punch?

The engine of the punch produces the power needed to perform the action.

The leader of the punch keeps the fist on its path toward the target and uses all available power to stay stable and committed to that path.

The driver is another matter.

In this system, you can also think about the cylinders and pistons, the hydraulic system, the suspension, the stabilizer bar, the chassis, the lights, and many other parts — and while throwing a punch, you can think about each of these and use them optimally to reach peak performance like a professional boxer.

In my view, the force needed for a strong punch, from the start of the movement to the final destination, comes from the major muscles like the chest, shoulders, and arms.

These are the engine of the movement.

And just as we don’t use a car’s engine to steer the car, these muscles are not the leader of the strike.

The leader of this movement, in my opinion, could be the elbow — meaning the power generated in the chest, shoulder, and arm is guided by the elbow until it reaches the target.

In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good leader in an effective punch?

How does the elbow become a strong and reliable leader?

When Bruce Lee uses his leg to kick, which part leads the strike?

You can also think about how can the body ”Drift” — and ask yourself: which part is the engine, and which part is the leader?

”The views expressed here reflect a personal perspective and theoretical interpretation of human body function and are intended for explanatory purposes only, not as medical advice.”