Deluxe Martial Arts Forums - View Single Post

04-20-2002, 02:14 PM

At the moment I'm experimenting with boxing movements, but using the palm to strike with instead of the fists for head shots. I do love the fluid and effective way the Boxer moves when in the punching range, but hate the idea of breaking my hands when I need them the most.

For the relatively less powerful lead Jab I still use the fist. You get more range and can't really generate enough power to break your hand. The hard striking surface of the knuckles will give him something to think about.....And if I was in real trouble a finger strike may be justifiable. But it would have to be life or death.

For the right Cross and both the lead and rear hand Hook the palm can work well. The striking surface feels "soft" in comparison to the knuckles but it has the following advantages. Firstly it is very unlikely to damage the skin. How are you going to look to the police if atacked but it is you that has blood all over your hands? Secondly the knuckles are totally protected. they are notorious for sustaining damage against the hard bones of the skull. theyre just not designed to take it. Thirdly the wrist is taken out of the equation, so you couldn't really strain it. You do have to think about the angle your strike hit home at though. Your hand only bends back a certain extent so my right cross tends to travel in a very slight upward arc, and when I Hook my fingers are pointed diagonally upwards and away from myself.

If I'm in real close the elbows come into play. With body shots I'd still use the fist, as the skin and knuckles are still in relative safety (though be careful of the wrist).

I am wondering about the Uppercut, as it doesn't seem to feel right, trying to throw them with the palms but, in a real fight, the knees would do the job.

In short many cultures are full of images of punching. The hands are clearly not designed for it, so exploring alternatives is a good idea.

04-20-2002, 02:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bri Thai Guest Posts: n/a	Injuring hands. At the moment I'm experimenting with boxing movements, but using the palm to strike with instead of the fists for head shots. I do love the fluid and effective way the Boxer moves when in the punching range, but hate the idea of breaking my hands when I need them the most. For the relatively less powerful lead Jab I still use the fist. You get more range and can't really generate enough power to break your hand. The hard striking surface of the knuckles will give him something to think about.....And if I was in real trouble a finger strike may be justifiable. But it would have to be life or death. For the right Cross and both the lead and rear hand Hook the palm can work well. The striking surface feels "soft" in comparison to the knuckles but it has the following advantages. Firstly it is very unlikely to damage the skin. How are you going to look to the police if atacked but it is you that has blood all over your hands? Secondly the knuckles are totally protected. they are notorious for sustaining damage against the hard bones of the skull. theyre just not designed to take it. Thirdly the wrist is taken out of the equation, so you couldn't really strain it. You do have to think about the angle your strike hit home at though. Your hand only bends back a certain extent so my right cross tends to travel in a very slight upward arc, and when I Hook my fingers are pointed diagonally upwards and away from myself. If I'm in real close the elbows come into play. With body shots I'd still use the fist, as the skin and knuckles are still in relative safety (though be careful of the wrist). I am wondering about the Uppercut, as it doesn't seem to feel right, trying to throw them with the palms but, in a real fight, the knees would do the job. In short many cultures are full of images of punching. The hands are clearly not designed for it, so exploring alternatives is a good idea.