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punching closed fist or strike with other parts of the hand
My master discourages us to punch a lot as a punch caught by the head or elbow etc will easily break bones in the hand. therefore he say to strike with the heel of the palm, however this then can be argued that it puts your fingers at risk.
What do you think is the better method of a hand strike?
What do you think is the better method of a hand strike?
I would think that the palm heel strike would be the safest hand technique in terms of avoiding breaking your hand. At least that's what I've been taught over the years. I still actually prefer punching with my fist though. Force of habit.
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I would think that the palm heel strike would be the safest hand technique in terms of avoiding breaking your hand. At least that's what I've been taught over the years. I still actually prefer punching with my fist though. Force of habit.
a palm heel strike is more devestating i think but a punch springs out a lot easier
Striking with the palm cuts down on the reach of the strike. There's nothing wrong with striking with the palm but IMO it is best done at a close range. Like anything else depending on the skill of your opponent you may not be able to rely on one way of doing things. This is why I hate step sparring!!!! It encourages if A happens then do B which is not what sport or real life is ever really like.
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A strike with the palm heel can badly injure tendons in the hand, wrist, wrist and forearm very easily. A punch, particularly if done wrong which a lot are, is asking to get knuckles, the wrist, and the hand broken, or tendons in the hand and wrist damaged. this also is done far too easily. Like any technique, this does not mean there isn't a place for each of these. Striking hard targets, such as the head, would be better served with a palm. Striking softer areas could be better served using a fist.
As a kung fu guy I have learned so many strikes that I have probably forgotten more of them than some of our less experienced members have learned yet. Many are very, very, situational. However, there is one I like more than most others. Its called a Wu Sau. Basically its a halfhand strike with the side of the palm closest to the wrist. With proper fa jing (penetrating power) it can shatter bone very effectively. I've used this to break bricks (no not the concrete ones any wuss can break) and it has really good penetrating power and structure.
punching closed fist or strike with other parts of the hand
My master discourages us to punch a lot as a punch caught by the head or elbow etc will easily break bones in the hand. therefore he say to strike with the heel of the palm, however this then can be argued that it puts your fingers at risk.
What do you think is the better method of a hand strike?
Both have their pros and cons; I say do both as the situation rquires. Most specialized hand strikes are intended to hit specific targets. So its a tatget specific method of doing things.
Address the issue by examining pro and cons of each and find a balance between them...
1) Palm Heels have more soft tissue over bone then knuckles making them less effective as an impact weapon and also channel more power to larger area of the hand; but can take a great deal of pressure from impact and repeated impacts. Palm strikes can become finger gouges and tiger claws upon impact and/or extention of deliever.
2) Knuckles are bonier but support by smaller bones in the hand making them easier to break limiting repeated use as a weapon. Fists have limited use on impact and deliever without colasping into other strikes such as elbow and forearms strikes.
So add or take what you feel you doesn't fit you and let me what you think is best...
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Striking with the palm cuts down on the reach of the strike. There's nothing wrong with striking with the palm but IMO it is best done at a close range. Like anything else depending on the skill of your opponent you may not be able to rely on one way of doing things. This is why I hate step sparring!!!! It encourages if A happens then do B which is not what sport or real life is ever really like.
At closer than punching distance, why go for the palm strike instead of an elbow? It just seems to me like the time it takes to judge, "Do I use a palm strike?" isn't really worth it.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chapel
At closer than punching distance, why go for the palm strike instead of an elbow? It just seems to me like the time it takes to judge, "Do I use a palm strike?" isn't really worth it.
I'd like to answer this if you don't mind An elbow is an excellent short range strike. However, it has very little follow up control. If you strike with a palm (or Wu Sau) you can immediatley grab and control the person or at the very least a part of thier body. This is handy in postioning them for more follow up techniques, such as a throw.
I'm happy to punch fist or open palm depending on the situation. Though when I teach my daughter to hit, I tell her to use a hammer-fist to minimize potential injury to her hand.
I'd like to answer this if you don't mind An elbow is an excellent short range strike. However, it has very little follow up control. If you strike with a palm (or Wu Sau) you can immediatley grab and control the person or at the very least a part of thier body. This is handy in postioning them for more follow up techniques, such as a throw.
You might have to explain that more. I don't see elbows as being particularly restrictive in terms of grabbing and controlling.
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open palm or closed fist? palm strikes are good but they can have a high risk factor. punches done in the proper way deal some damage.
like if i do koto-ryu koppojutsu punching strikes to someone's head, the bones in my hand are not gonna get broken cause of the conditioning and application.
personally i prefer closed fist. but both types have thier uses and various results in how you use them in combat
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chapel
You might have to explain that more. I don't see elbows as being particularly restrictive in terms of grabbing and controlling.
With a palm strike or wu sau your hand is already in a position to grab immediatley after the strike is thrown. Where the elbow your hand is closer to your body than your opponents, so it more time and controlling of space than a palm strike. Even a fist takes more time to move from the fist to an open grasping hand than a palm. Does that make sense?
With a palm strike or wu sau your hand is already in a position to grab immediatley after the strike is thrown. Where the elbow your hand is closer to your body than your opponents, so it more time and controlling of space than a palm strike. Even a fist takes more time to move from the fist to an open grasping hand than a palm. Does that make sense?
I grapple with hands and forearms so it's no biggy for me to go elbow to grapple. Generally I find grappling with hands is easier but I actually prefer to bridge and maintain contact with the outside of my forearm or even outside wrist area if I'm knife fighting.
Just wondering, how many guys here use knife or ridge hand for striking?
punching and striking
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