Palm Heel Strike Overrated?

[Sam]

also to point out - isnt a palm heel strike done with an extended hand [fingers arent bent]?

[UseoForce]

Ted said:

If you can't get a good angle, slap.

I do this often!

G95champ said:

I break with a palm a lot in fact its about all I use.

Sure, I would to, because targetting isn't as hard when you're hitting something that dosen't move.

[y2_sub]

also to point out - isnt a palm heel strike done with an extended hand [fingers arent bent]?

True .

I don't think it's overrated , however I think it's missused .

[UseoForce]

yes, I often extend fingers when I strike. This makes it darn near impossible to hurt your knuckles, but, for me, makes it even harder to create a flat striking surface.

[SubGrappler]

Kaminari said:

Subgrappler, thanks for your comments. I thought I heard Royce Gracie used it once (in UFC 1, I think) ?

Royce used them all the time, because he didnt want to chance breaking his hand. Back in the first UFCs, it was all bareknuckle matches, and many fighters were forced to withdrawl due to a broken hand. Royce strategy generally consisted of taking and opponent down, mounting him, hitting him with palm strikes until he turned over, and then finishing with the RNC.

As far as Bas's matches in Pancrase, I never did see a whole lot of their matches, but I do know that he knew how to throw a palm strike. What I was trying to say was that a closed fist strike is a much more powerfull strike delivered at a greater risk.

[y2_sub]

But a palm heal strike would effectivly knock down an opponent , just as closed fist strike would do !!

[parkerlineage]

I think I would almost rather use a palm strike than a chop - less chance of breaking your fingers if you messed up. They can actually hurt a lot more than a closed-fist strike as well, if you do them right.

Parkerlineage

[Menjo]

same here, I find I havnt practiced enough to use a strong chop on someone yet

[taffswell]

This is my first message on the forum, so hello to you all!

In my experience in using the heel palm strike, it is very effective. when fighting someone in the street, if and when it ends up on the floor and you can manage to get on top, using it to strike to the head instead of punching means that if your opponent moves and you miss, you won't smash the bones in your hand on the asphalt.

[TSDforChrist]

Personally, I prefer the palm strike to a punch. Really, the only closed-fist technique I like is the backfist. It's all about knowing where to hit, too. A palm strike done improperly is less powerful than a punch, yes - but a properly executed one means you are hitting with about the same surface area, and about the same force. On the subject of targeting, a palm strike to the ribcage or jaw joint works a lot better than a punch, and is more likely to incapacitate an opponent. Plus, it's easier to not hurt your hand, haha!

In Christ,

Master Phil Stewart

4th Dan Tang Soo Do