Aiming the Reverse Punch

I've noticed that almost every single karate-ka throws chest height reverse punches in sparring. 
This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is very interesting that we generally train to punch at the solar plexus in kata and basic technique practice and then punch higher as soon as we put on sparring pads.  And it becomes a problem when it becomes an ingrained habit that prevents us from being able to target other parts of the opponent's body.

Often a chest height reverse punch is an indication of an uncontrolled technique.  Or at least it indicates that the technique is not being consciously aimed.  Let's try an experiment.  Find a wall.

Perferably one with some kind of pattern on it.

Pick a spot on the wall near your solar plexus (here's where that pattern comes in handy) and touch it. 

Step back until your your arm is at full extension and your finger is on the spot. 

Now, Move your finger to a spot straight out from your shoulder (your left shoulder if you are using a finger on your left hand). 

If you actually did this little exercise, then you already know that you can reach a spot across from your shoulder that is farther away than a spot across from your solar plexus because you had to bend your arm, step back from the wall, lean back, or otherwise make same space.  For me the difference is not quite an inch.

The reason that many of us punch to the chest in sparring is that we fling reverse punches out into space and hope they land.  Since they aren't going anywhere in particular, if they don't impact our opponent before they reach extension they end up at shoulder height. 

And having our techniques go just any old place is bad, or at least limiting.

If we try aiming our reverse punches to places where our opponent's hands aren't in the way, instead of the places where our reverse punches tend to go on their own we'll probably win a few more points.

So next time you score with a reverse punch to the body that ends up in an armpit or square on your opponent's pec, challenge yourself to hit a floating rib in the next exchange.  You'll be a better martial artist for it.