Twisting your palm

[rayjag]

I have seem in different styles when performing an elbow strike some people turn their palm as they strike and some do not. I understand the significance of twisting your punches. Is there any significance to twisting your palm? For example when doing an elbow strike downwards some people have their palm facing out and as they drop their elbow they turn their hand towards themselves. Same with an elbow strike that goes horizontally.

Thoughts?

[CTTKDKing]

You would have to try both methods and see what works for you. Having read your post, I stood up to try it, and neither one feels any stronger to me. I've always not rotated my palm, but for some the rotation might feel more natural. Doesn't for me but everyone is different.

[jsteczko]

I think this is a karate thing to twist your palm when you strike. When you attack with your basic strike yako-tsuki (seiken) you rotate your wrist. So this might be a common "thing" in karate that you rotate your wrist when you attack.

Of course some people prefer to not do that. I tested a little bit and it feels more comfortable for me to rotate my palm when I strike with my elbow. I feel more power then, that I engage my body much more. But it might be just my psychology. So I agree with "CTTKDKing", it depends on how you feel when you strike.

I tried to hit in both ways with just my hand (seiken) on a training bag. I could see that I was a little bit faster when I did not rotate my palm. But maybe I lost some power if I did not turn it? Don't know. It might be also different from person to person.

Call National Geographic and tell them to make some tests they have a professional equipment to test such things.

[rayjag]

Same thing with the palm heel. I tend to start with my palm pulled in next to my ribs, my fingers pointing towards the ground, and twist my hand as I strike whether it is a cynder block break or just a strike.

[joesteph]

For example when doing an elbow strike downwards some people have their palm facing out and as they drop their elbow they turn their hand towards themselves. Same with an elbow strike that goes horizontally.

When striking down, it just might be the turning of their bodies into it, like tossing bodyweight into the strike, which is what I felt when trying it just now.

As for horizontal, the only way I could execute the move comfortably was to keep the palm down all the way through.

When you say "palm," Rayjag, do you actually mean an open palm (which is what I was using) or the palm of the fist? I always use a fist with the elbow strike, and it's the same for me as I tested.

[Toptomcat]

What kind of elbow strike are you talking about, exactly?

[bushido_man96]

I tend to rotate mine, but I'm not sure it makes a difference as far as power or technique is concerned. It probably has more to do with comfort than anything else.

[rayjag]

I guess truly it depends on what your initial instructor taught you.

[sensei8]

Is there any significance to twisting your palm?

None that I'm aware of, except to properly align the hand with said elbow strike, and in that, it provides a stable foundation/support to the said elbow strike.

[Toptomcat]

I'm seriously puzzled over exactly what kind of 'elbow strike' everyone but me seems to know without having to have it explained. There are so many kinds- descending elbows, horizontal elbows, rising elbows, reverse elbow thrusts, spinning elbows...

Can someone help me out, please?