I was wondering which punch is more powerful, or are they both just as powerful?
Tom

The punches are very similar but are not the same. In wing chun the person tries to stay in a more neutral stance and thus limiting the rotation of the hips like and as we do in the JKD stance. From the JKD stance we can put more hip and body into the hit. Both however seek the center line and elbows are seeking the center as well. This is evident in the straight blast.


Kent

Hello Kent,
I would agree with you with respect to the majority of wing chun that you see demonstrated. However there are lineages that do not follow this neutral position rule. Rotation of the hips and a more side body facing finish to the punch can be found in principle in chum kiu as well as the Wing Chun knife form. Some practitioners choose not to interpret the sets in this manner. However, the sets tell me that if I cannot reach my opponent with a short step while remaining square on, a turn of the hips from very slight, to full rotation is permitted as long as the energy is forward towards the opponents central axis. Once the gap has been closed, the hips are squared, usually accompanied by the second punch. If this distance can be maintained I choose to keep my hips square to the opponent for quicker use of both hands, elbows, shoulders or whatever the weapon required. Power in these strikes is now accomplished mainly through the forward momentum of my steps rather than rotational force, unless of course there is room to safely rotate the hips.
So in this case it is difficult to say which punch is stronger. Structurally they are very similar. It now depends on the speed, weight and timeing of the individual.

Just my take on the subject.
Kimsut