open palm Thai kickboxing

[jdog55]

I'm looking to start training in a martial art of some kind like thai kickboxing. Problem is i can't make a fist and hit someone without breaking my fingers and possibly the knuckle. It's because i've broken my fingers so many times that they wont let me make an even fist. If not thai boxing could you recommend a style that would i wouldn't have to strike with a closed fist? I'm looking into a MA for SD.

Jdog55

[adacas]

I don't remember any sumo wrestlers striking with closed fists...jk. That's tough dude. I used to know of a couple of kung fu type martial arts that had a lot of open palm strikes but they still had closed fist but they may make an exception with you. Also I remember a few partially opened hand strikes. It looked odd to me but then again it looked like it would hurt if they hit a soft spot on my body. If I remember them i will post.

[JKD-Escrima]

you could always look into a weapons based system like Escrima/Kali.
If you can hold a stick, you can do that, not much punching.
In non-competetive (bare knuckle) fights, it is VERY easy to break your hand/fingers when punching someone in the head. That is why accuracy, and proper landing is so important. However, a palm smash to the nose or chin is as effective as a punch, and an eye gouge or chop to the neck can also be used with success, all without making a fist.
Look into Aikido, which can be good, and does not use many fist strikes at all.

[S.Anucha]

dude just use your bloody elbows! My knuckle pops if I hit anything remotely harder than a soft tissue without any kind of support. Dont worry and stop whinging go learn some thaiboxing.

[Thai Bri]

jdog - Combatives could be the way to go for you. It is a term that encompasses systems that, typically, have a very small syllabus of nasty and brutal strikes. They just perfect those, and also work on other Self Defence factors (such as psychology, awareness etc.) Many of these systems have been influenced by stuff taught to Commandos/US Marines in WW2.

Shove the word "Combatives" in your search engine, and see what you come up with.

[Thai Bri]

ps - forgot to mention. They rarely punch, relying on other hand positions, as well as knees, elbows and steel toe capped boots!

[haumana2000]

Ahhh. the open hand..

look into Pekiti Tersia, they specialize in hitting with the open palm, the grappling is nasty, the hand techniques are powerful, the stick is a must, and most important is the blade! very complete, and realistic if your looking into combat street- "counter-offense" techniques. Look up pekiti tersia europe there is a great article about the open palm as a weapon.

[Kedric Umaa]

If I could make a suggestion. I would say practice slapping a heavy bag with boxing mechanics.

You can throw a jab with your palm just like with your fist. All you have to do is let your partners and mitt holders know that your going to hit with your palms.

The only punch you can't throw would be the uppercut. However, you can throw a jab, cross, and hook wonderfully with the palm of your hand.

Give this a chance. Go to your Muay Thai class, and for a month throw all punches with your palm. It will take a while to get used to, but once you do, I think, you'll be amazed at how well it works.

I have experimented with this before, and it worked qiute well for me.