Martial Arts – Fight Like a Physicist (Repeat)

About This Episode

If you think we’re kidding with the title of this episode, think again. This week, Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly get schooled on the martial arts by two fighting physicists: Jason Thalken, who has a Black Belt in Hopkido, and Prof. John Eric Goff, who has a Black Belt in Karate. You’ll hear each of them emphasize the importance of using the center of gravity, supports and pivots to take down an opponent. Explore the mechanics of a punch: how to do the maximum damage with a fist, and why the most powerful time to hit an opponent is not the moment of full extension, but when your elbow is bent and your fist is moving at top speed. Examine the biomechanics of shoulders, elbows and fists, and why rotation is critical for converting the maximum amount stored energy into kinetic energy. Investigate the science behind Krav Maga, an ever-evolving amalgam of different combat systems that is used by the Israeli Defense Forces and which incorporates anything that works well. Plus, find out why the real force behind Bruce Lee’s legendary “One-inch punch” starts in his feet, and get Jason and John’s different takes on whether physicists really do make better martial artists.

NOTE: All-Access subscribers can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: Martial Arts – Fight Like a Physicist.

CORRECTION: In this episode, we mistakenly refer to Bruce Lee’s son as Jason Lee. In fact, Bruce Lee’s son was Brandon Lee.