BREATHE

Breathe out through your mouth with every strike.

PROTECT YOUR FACE

When striking, your non-striking hand (yin hand) is by your face to protect your face.

PROTECT THUMB & FINGERS

Keep your thumb tucked in when striking.

Also, when striking with an open hand,

keep your fingers together so they are one strong unit.

This will help prevent breaking your fingers.

ONE FOOT FORWARD

Keep one foot forward.  You're more balanced this way.

WEIGHT CHANGE

When striking with your front hand,

transfer your weight from your back foot to your front foot.

PIVOT

When striking with your back hand,

lift your back heel, pivot,

and turn your back hip into the strike.

DON'T OVER-EXTEND

Keep your head over your hip for balance.  Keep your back somewhat straight when you strike, and don't reach forward as you punch.  Keep your body aligned.

DON'T LOCK A JOINT

Never fully extend your elbow to the point where your elbow is locked when you strike.  Same goes with knees.

RELAXATION

Start with relaxation and end with power for all strikes.

BODY MOVES TOWARDS THE STRIKE

Whenever you strike, move your whole body into the strike.

For example — when you punch, you don't simply move your arm;

you turn your hip into the punch.

The whole body works together as one unit.