Just so the other thread where this popped up doesn't get derailed, I thought that I'd bring this up here.

Why do certain style of kung fu, karate, whatever, chamber the fist at the hip/waist level when performing certain forms? What is the purpose for chambering the fist like this?
In my kung fu experience, I have seen this in the Shaolin Lohan techniques. The only thing that I can figure is that it some how helps to train body coordination.
MAybe some of you out there with experience in both chinese and japanese arts can give a bit more insight to this.

Perhaps its just tradition that just stuck and no one ever had the authority to remove it even after it was discovered as unrealistic is a real fight.

I'm sure tradition has quite a bit to do with it. What started it though? Who implemented this idea of chambering fist at a specific spot on the body, and more imporatantly why?

Who initiated chambering none can say.

Many of the questions you are asking I have already discussed on this FA.com article http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=317
Perhaps it will make things easier.

In general chambering is practicing a backward elbow strike, and different chambering positions create a different strike in turn.

From some Chinese points of view the chambered hand may be there to protect a vital area of the body if necessary too.

Good questions,

I'd suggest bringing the hand back to the hip, specifically, helps with reaction, twist etc, but also helps prevent you over twisting the body as you bring the hand back and over reaching yourself.

The hand at the hip allows the arm to protect the ribs and hip etc (and could act as an elbow strike too).

now that i think about it i do that but not on purpse weird

Id say it would be rather impossible to pinpoint its exact origin. The list of its purpose here has been pretty good. All that I could add is that some soft styles use this as a way to build power and chi in your center. Also many forms start with this same posturing.

"power starts at the feet, travels through the legs, is controlled by the waist..."
The waist is an important muscle/joint, as it is how power is delivered throughout the body. Many styles preach the importance of the waist. Perhaps the chambered fist is partly a way to remember this, emphasize it. Also, since power comes from the waist, maybe starting the fist there allows one to send power there more quickly.

Excellent posts!

Victor, thanks for posting that link. That has some wondefully insightful info!

After posting I have been playing with the chambering of the fist and other slight variations thereof. There is all kinds of good application to this. There are grabs, elbows and all kinds of other things. I also can see it being used as a mothod to guide power through the body.

Yo Fisherman,

Yes its truly interesting in how much exists in such small details like chambering. But if one has't been trained in their use it's very easy to overlook their value.

But then there is training that also works with no chambering involved, as simple answer is how Yang Tai Chi flows a punch.

There are many interesting answers, and the fewer lines we draw as to something worth the easier it is to work towards finding them.