When you actually hit someone

[cross]

A fairly common saying that hasnt been mentioned yet:

Hit hard parts with soft parts, and hit soft parts with hard parts.

[fangshi]

Try elbow .

[MASIsshinryu]

One well respected instructor suggested, for those that have never tried punching a person's skull: wrap a bowling ball in a beach towl, and punch that. The skull is well suited for protecting it's contents, and the layer of skill provides little if any padding.

As previously stated (thank you cross): Hit hard parts with soft parts, and hit soft parts with hard parts.

Remember also that if you train with your hands padded or wrapped, they will get used to being in that condition. See Mike Tysons history, for an example of the consequences. Yes, the guy was knocked out, but with pretty significant damage to the striking hand.

[SevenStar]

that's really not true. that can happen regardless of whether or not you punch with gloves. I've seen someone who trains iron palm break his hand while punching. conversely, I wear gloves (most of the time) and have never broken my hands without them.

Another thing to consider is the power that mike tyson has. He's taking all of that power and jamming it into a person's skull. chances are, even with iron palm training, he would've broken his hand.

boxers wear padding because of the nature of the sport - palms are not allowed, only fists. Their stirkes may be aimed at the jaw, nose, cheek, etc - softer spots, however, there is head movement, resistance, etc. so it's highly likely that the skull will be hit. If they dind't wear padding, you would see ALOT of broken hands in boxing.

[MASIsshinryu]

I absolutely agree that it can happen with or without gloves, but I think a person who trains for contact with hands wrapped, then find themselves having to fight without that added support, is more likely to suffer from this type of injury. In the Tyson example, if I recall correctly, he struck the lower jaw, not even the actual skull (I could be wrong, but I recall a lot of tooth/lower jaw damage being inflicted).

Much like people in industrial settings who wear back support belts constantly tightened, then suffer from muscle failures/strains when they lift at home without one, the body can become dependant on external support if it is provided over an extended period of time.

SevenStar: I am glad to hear that you have never suffered a hand injury, and I would never wish otherwise on anyone (unless, of course, they are attempting to hurt me / mine).

(Mistype on my last one, too: Should be "skin provides little if any padding," not skill.)

[Mr Pockets]

It doesn't hurt that bad to punch someone unless you hit them in the forhead, back of the head, or top of the head. Sure breaking your hands is always a risk, but if you know how to punch and have been doing it for a while, it's not a great one.

[SevenStar]

(Mistype on my last one, too: Should be "skin provides little if any padding," not skill.)

yeah, I had to read that line twice, then I thought about it.

[MASIsshinryu]

It doesn't hurt that bad to punch someone unless you hit them in the forhead.

I used to work out with a guy who practiced trying to headbutt an incoming fist. He thought it was a good "no-other-option" defense, and might throw off the attackers timing enough to catch the fist prior to it being fully clenched for impact, and guide it into the forehead, rather than the face.

yeah, I had to read that line twice, then I thought about it.

On any given day, it seems I can either speak or write English, but never both.

[cross]

I used to work out with a guy who practiced trying to headbutt an incoming fist.

How did that work out for him?

[MASIsshinryu]

In practice, very well. He was about 90% accurate against padded incomming fists, and seemes to close enough to mess up the normal timing. I do not know if he ever had to do it on the street. I moved out of that area about 4 years ago.