Ridge Hand

[Rateh]

We used to use it for continuous sparring, and you can actually generate a lot of power with it. If you're going to put your body into it though it has to be after a set-up technique, otherwise it's just too easy to see coming. My ridgehand is stronger than my knifehand, but that's probably because I've used it more.

[joesteph]

I've seen ridge hands swell a good mouse on the corner of someone's eye a couple of different times. I cut the same attack to the side of the neck, which can produce a heavy stun, as your talking about. The good thing about it is that the ridge hand, if you miss, either catches the frontal area of the throat or your get the inner edge of the forarm into the side of the neck. The built in safety of distance is a good thing.

While I had no doubt it would be useful against the area of the eye, it was the neck strike I'd been learning that I'd questioned, because it's to the side of the neck and not the throat. ShoriKid, you seem to refer to a stun and, I'd imagine, it can always be followed up on if need be. The "miss" can still be effective. I realize you mentioned grappling, but my instructor is still introducing us to this on a slower basis; it seems to depend on your belt ranking.

We used to use it for continuous sparring, and you can actually generate a lot of power with it. If you're going to put your body into it though it has to be after a set-up technique, otherwise it's just too easy to see coming.

This seems to follow ShoriKid's thinking, Rateh, and since I don't notice it being used in sparring, it might be an interesting surprise. Your thought seems to be to have a set-up, then perform the ridge hand, which is what the self-defense technique I'm learning does, the ridge hand to the neck coming after two strikes. In sparring, though, especially since it's non-contact, I could continue the attack after the surprise shot.

I have seen guys do board breaks with a ridge hand strike, but I feel that it is too easy to hyperextend the elbow when doing a strike like that.

I discovered this, Bushido Man, from striking BOB a number of times, to get that arc and power into it. I've learned that with this strike I have to keep that slight bend in the elbow, or the combination of the swing and the very blow itself hyperextends--and jolts--the elbow. When I did weight-training, I learned fast not to completely straighten the arms, such as in the bench press, and I'm careful with punches.

Thanks!

[bushido_man96]

Looking at the way that the above posts address the ridgehand, it appear that if you are close enough to hit with the forearm as well as the hand, stepping in behind and utilizing the power from the arc, along with a reap, will provide very nice results....

Downward ridge hands are usually meant to show a motion used for throwing. Think of a left straight/jab coming at you. A parry and 45deg. step to put the punch past your left shoulder and bring that downard ridge hand up and then down in a tight ark. That ridge hand passes over the back a bit, the forarm catches the side of the neck as you tourque the hips toward the right and you get your throw. If you miss it, pivot on the left foot and bring the right hand up to clasp the left as you step belly to back with the attacker and you have a nice choke.

I think this is what I meant...thanks! Should have looked through previous posts first I guess...

[TraditionalDan]

You can generate a lot of power with the ridge hand, although I personally can generate more with a knife hand. I have found that the ridge hand is ideally used against the neck, in a non-telegraphed manner. Straight from the guard etc.

[Truestar]

I saw a ridge hand to the throat while watching "Depth Charge" on Spike TV last night.

Now yes, it was a movie however it was the guys finishing move. He got his opponent to his knees and before the opponent could do anything he lambasted him with the strike.

So I wouldn't see using this strike in the midst of a fight, maybe towards the end (if its obvious the fight is coming to an end). It seems effective for keeping an opponent down allowing time to get help or get away.

[Zanshin]

In my experience, fist strikes such as ridge hand (or "haito") are predominantly used as softeners, rather than killing blows. Therefore there is no need for vast amounts of power to be generated.

I think its speed and targeting that is the key. Good aiming at points of the body with bone directly under the minimum of flesh cover.... under the nose, outer eye sockets, small ribs etc.

It’s basically a way of hitting something that is quite hard, with and edge that is quite hard, but also strong.

Very importantly though, you should make sure your thumb is well out of the way. If you are doing it with the three outside fingers in a fist, you should make sure the thumb is well across the ring finger. If you are doing it with an open hand you should make sure the thumb is pointed in toward the small finger, otherwise you risk damaging your thumb against an elbow/teeth etc.

Haito is a classic tool for "Atemi" and very much overlooked today. IMO

Z

[ps1]

We teach the ridge hand in three ways, inside, outside, and downwards. A serious Martial Artist would probably assume that downwards wouldn't really work. As long as you get generate the power inside and outside could work if placed in the right spot.

Well, there was that scene in The Best of the Best where the Korean did the ridge hand break on those slabs of concrete, downwards. Pretty nasty, but, it was a movie....

I was actually struck with one to the back of my neck in that manner. I had ducked a little to much to avoid a punch and he followed with that downward ridgehand. It nearly knocked me unconscious. It certainly made me see stars. I was impressed.

That said, I feel it's a much better strike when used as an upward strike. That is, hit the groin with it. It's great against a front or rear headlock. Gives the attacker something to worry about long enough for me to defend the grab. Besides, the upward movement of the arm makes better biomechanical use of the strike than when it's swung horizontally.

[bushido_man96]

That upward strike can work well on a locked elbow, as well.

[cross]

few variations of the ridge hand being thrown around here:

[joesteph]

few variations of the ridge hand being thrown around here:

He's got a stocky build, giving the appearance of a man you'd think would be using only cross punches and hammerfists, but there's a precision and economy of movement here, the ridge hand being one of his main weapons. Considering his build, though, his ridge hand must be a wicked one.