Sounds like some Zen koan advice given to Grasshopper in an episode of Kung Fu. What does half a punch even mean?

Well, (and get ready for an obvious statement) throwing punches is an energy exacting chore. Throwing lots of hard strong punches can begin to feel an awful lot like work. But this work of throwing lots and lots of hard punches is what increases your odds of earning the KO or at least some solid damage points.

Back to that maxim, what exactly is half a punch?

If you will recall about every third fight you've seen in your life there is often a display of one or both fighters throwing a combination or two in the air while both athletes are obviously out of each other's range. I'm not talking about throwing the jab as a probe, a range-finder, or a reminder not to enter right now. I'm also not talking about feints and fakes. I'm talking about actual combinations thrown in the air, punches that have no chance of touching let alone solidly connecting with their presumably intended target. These are half punches.

          Now, if throwing hard punches is energy exacting, throwing half punches also eats a bit of energy, sure, not as much, but precious energy all the same. Energy that should be used on that live opponent right in front of you and not the atmosphere between the two of you. MMA is not basketball where you get a practice free-throw, you're supposed to mean it from the get-go.

          Aside from wasting the precious resource of gas in the tank, I think throwing these half punches is more damaging in the following way, these air combos act as a sort of "Coming Attractions" preview, a little movie trailer of what you intend when you both finally meet. If you'll observe most half punch airshows, pay attention to what happens when the fighters finally clash, you'll more often than not see the very same visual demonstration executed in the heat of battle. With that information in mind a wise fighter, a wise corner might want to make note of these half-punch displays and adjust their defense accordingly.

Let's run to another case study to have a look at a bout with a fighter who throws zero half punches. Zero.

Dial up UFC 167 and find the bout between Brian Ebersole and Rick Story. Now, Ebersole is an excellent competitor with an entertainingly unorthodox approach, always a pleasure to watch his work, but this time I want you to watch Rick Story.

          Rick, without ever winging his punches or failing to come back to good defensive position throws every single punch with absolute total commitment. He is throwing every single punch with what Mike Tyson would call "bad intentions." Even when he misses the commitment is astonishing. When he makes contact it hurts me just to watch them land. Props to Ebersole for absorbing them as well as he did, but the lion's share of the props goes to Mr. Story for providing a lesson in what not "half-assing" it with half-punches looks like. Even on the ground and pound; listen to the shots to the ribs and tell me you don't die a little inside when your hear that.

Thank you, Mr. Story for demonstrating the wisdom of the maxim.