Vertical VS Horizonal

[Mike Flanagan]

Vertical or 45 degrees. Generally I find that horizontal leads to more likelihood of getting wrist alignment wrong and pranging your wrist as a result. Sometimes however when punching downwards then horizontal may seem appropriate then, depending on the target.

As ever, actually hitting something is always the acid test.

Mike

[parkerlineage]

In American Kenpo, we (generally) use a vertical fist to strike the face, sternum, or temple, and a horizontal fist to strike most other places. Of course, it depends on the target - sometimes one will conform more properly to a part of the body, which is what we want.

[isshinryuaaron]

We use the vertical punch in isshin ryu. I think it works just fine, but I'm having a hard time training myself out of the horizontal punch (since tae kwon do was the first style I did, and they use horizontal)

[Jeet Kune Do]

Whichever one works best in a situation

[Sohan]

It is better to ask when you would use each punch as opposed to which is better. It is like asking which MA is better---it all depends on what you are using it for.

I like elbow strikes myself.

Respectfully,

Sohan