Non-traditional hand strikes

[Tom Yum]

I love the jab, cross, hook and uppercut. I love the pop they make on the bag and the suprise of setting up an opening that you can land in sparring.

While these punches will get the job done, there are some others to consider that were once techniques of bareknuckle boxing, karate or kungfu. These strikes include:

Hammer fists - The hammer fist is a suprising blow because its so primitive, but effective. Aimed downward at the kneck or collarbone, it will stagger your opponent long enough to run or do something else. The old bareknuckle boxers called em chopper fists.

Back fists - The backfist is a good substitute for the jab - it just starts from a different angle. Not sure if it was used frequently in old bareknuckle styles, but it can be delivered with considerable power from kung-fu guys. It can also be delivered from deceptive angles, especially from Chinese influenced styles.

Forearm strikes - A strike that is an endangered species. A good knockdown strike only taught in long fist styles of kung-fu. The forearm strike is a sweeping attack that can knock your opponent off balance if poiwered from the waist and legs.

Spear Fingers - Delivered by the tips of the fingers, this is a technique that you cannot practice at full contact. While this strike doesn't make or break a style, its a good technique to have in your arsenal when you want your jab to be more deadly from a setup and get a little more distance.

Anyone else have techniques or experiences they'd like to share with these strikes.

[HtTKar]

A long overhand hook that goes straight over a persons guard and lands to the face. Basically a two-knuckle strike that ends with the thumb pointed downward/Pinky-on-top. try it on a bag, you can produce a lot of power effortlessley because your arm will twist and extend on its own. Really powerful and deceptive. Problem is if it's telegraphed, your opponent can push your arm in front of you (Across your body) and jam you up. Works best when mixed with regular jabs. It will add another 1/2-1 inch to your reach, so if they're mixed together can really keep them guessing. I rarely see this in boxing anymore. Forget the name, but cossack punch comes to mind.

Also, using your backhand, you can whip your fingers across your opponents eyes. Act like your jabbing, whip their eyes with the back of your fingers, grab them by the back of the head and go to town with knees. Though I guess thats kind of a traditional strike.

Tom Yum, I think this is going to be a good thread

[Garland]

Sounds like phillipino boxing. (Panatucan?)



Also...try setting up one of those long left (or right) hooks after a one-two combo and dropping your hands.

Jedi mind trick, sucka.
one two, step back and drop your hands, they'll rush in, and get clocked with an overhand.

Sometimes being unconventional has it's advantages.

[Hardball]

I love the jab, cross, hook and uppercut. I love the pop they make on the bag and the suprise of setting up an opening that you can land in sparring.

While these punches will get the job done, there are some others to consider that were once techniques of bareknuckle boxing, karate or kungfu. These strikes include:

Hammer fists - The hammer fist is a suprising blow because its so primitive, but effective. Aimed downward at the kneck or collarbone, it will stagger your opponent long enough to run or do something else. The old bareknuckle boxers called em chopper fists.

Back fists - The backfist is a good substitute for the jab - it just starts from a different angle. Not sure if it was used frequently in old bareknuckle styles, but it can be delivered with considerable power from kung-fu guys. It can also be delivered from deceptive angles, especially from Chinese influenced styles.

Forearm strikes - A strike that is an endangered species. A good knockdown strike only taught in long fist styles of kung-fu. The forearm strike is a sweeping attack that can knock your opponent off balance if poiwered from the waist and legs.

Spear Fingers - Delivered by the tips of the fingers, this is a technique that you cannot practice at full contact. While this strike doesn't make or break a style, its a good technique to have in your arsenal when you want your jab to be more deadly from a setup and get a little more distance.

Anyone else have techniques or experiences they'd like to share with these strikes.

I know dozens of hand strikes but in combat I have never used anthing except for knuckle based strikes. I have never used knife hand or palm strike. The back fist and spinning backfist are great sparring tools but for a real fight {which i call combat} I like to stick with hooks, uppercuts and crosses.

You made me think; and that's a good thing.

[Garland]

STRIKES...
favorite upper body tools tools;

with the fist:
jab, cross, overhand right, left hook, left body hook, low cross. (both low strikes directed toward the liver.) short punches for up close, wing chun style punches to the solar plexus and chin.

with the fingers or whole hand:
slaps, long lead finger jab, gouges with the thumb or index and middle fingers, lop sao's (essentially a backfist), rakes with the fingers, palm strikes with the thumb protruding just a tidge to catch the eye, hammer fists with both hands to a downed opponent, hitting the threat with a knife hand, or with the ridge hand (which can easily turn into a trachea grab).

other arm tools:
pushes, grabs, strikes with the wrist and forearm, elbows (muay thai and FMA style), shoulder butts.

misc:
headbutts, poking and grinding with the chin in clinche range, biting (only if completely necessary)

lower body tools:
knees, muay thai style round kicks and teaps, side kick to the knee with a shin rake, front kick to the knee, ax kick (esp. from the ground), stomps, sepa kicks (fma style kicks) kicks for feinting...trips, sweeps (silat style/fma style).

and the 720 flying gainer double legged 10 foot flying kick. - I kid I kid...but it would look a lot cooler then the effective stuff.

[Garland]

I forgot to mention the spear hand to the solar plexus, which turns into a heart grab...and the finger thrust to the arteries to pull them out, a'la grappler baki.

[Blue Wave Gym]

other than closed fist strikes I'd do

maybe hammer fist, palm strike and for sure elbow elbows and more elbows, what about hitting with the front of the closed fist i.e. the biker dude in blood sport who clocks some little kung fu dude in the nose SMASH,kinda like a volley ball serve if you know what I mean, also he does a double axe handle on a guy like they do in pro wrestling, but when I do it it hurts my wrists LOL.