Point of Impact (POI)

Generally it is the point where you make contact not to be mixed with targeting. It may be why some tend to target the point of impact. One reason may be the sport aspect as achieving points in a tournament mean tagging a point on the exterior of the body or the point of contact.

Notice I said contact and not impact. I say this because the point of impact is where the power transference begins and the actual target is where it reaches at the apex of power generation and transference. Does this make sense?

Targeting for me is the vertical axis. Some say it should be about two to three inches below or past the point of impact. I believe targeting the vertical axis of the body and allowing the body to naturally achieve proper depth according to the various principles of power for martial applications. This means go for the target, know that the power generation process begins at or just past the point of impact and final power gen/trans occurs at the end of the impact or punch or strike, depending on your definitions (impact technique). The principles of power, of course, are critical for maximum results. If your distance is off it may be to little or end up being a push in lieu of full impact technique (vertical punch, elbow strike, bitch slap, etc.).

Review the martial principles and see how they would/can blend into a perfect application of martial impact technique and then practice to achieve that same in fighting - a very difficult way well worth the effort don't you think?

Note: In the process of reaching your target after the POI any attempt to force the impact technique beyond its natural end of power stroke into the body converts it from impact to pushing.