who uses a palm strike in a streetfight??? expalin why.

[mArTiAl_GiRl]

I do.

 

Because I can perform open hand strikes powerfully.

[Severe Matburn]

I would more than likely use punches from mid-range, but I would try to throw them to the jaw so that my hand doesn't get too damaged. But if I waz in-close I would prolly use elbows and knees rather than palm strikes. But I think that your knuckles will produce more impact damage as well as cutting than striking with your palm but I suppose if you throw them hard enough it will be effective enough.

[DokterVet]

A proper fist from any bareknuckle art will keep your knuckles and hand safe when punching to most parts of the body.

 

However, in punching directly to the skull, there is a risk of damage, especially after many punches, so open hand strikes are a good option.

 

Also, in cold weather, your skin is more sensitive and succeptable to cracking. So punching with the knuckles to the face could result in extreme pain and breaking of your skin. So in cold weather, open hand strikes would be especially useful.

[Shorin Ryuu]

Open hand...knuckle...whether you use either of these, remember that these are only two of the numerous weapons on your hand itself. You can't forget fingers, thumb, the bone of your thumb, the knuckle of your thumb, back hand, etc.

 

Personally, I have no problem using palm strikes while fighting. They are especially useful when parrying or striking pressure points...or just hitting in general...

 

All this talk about hurting your knuckles when hitting people...why don't you practice on makiwara to help this?

 

Also, a lot of injuries happen when striking with knuckles simply because their opponent has hit one of the pressure points on their arm (either blocking or obstructing or otherwise) that causes the wrist or hand to relax a little bit. This is by no means the only cause, but a big one outside of improper technique. Another cause of damage while punching is the full twist punch, which was really introduced to karate when they had to "water down" all the techniques to teach them to school children in Japan and Okinawa. The full twist punch is far less effective than the 3/4 turn and due to the body's anatomy (Is designed to withstand head-on attacks) can be a cause of injury.

[kle1n]

i would recommend a boxer to use his fists

[Shogun]

ok here is a little something that might be relavent...

 

my father(a kenpo practitioner) once had this conversation with a korean martial arts master.

 

He asked him why he didnt condition his hands for punching hard things. Half jokingly the old master replied, "What does Karate mean? Emtpy hand? ", he stuck out his hand in a palm position.

 

"But what about the makiwara? that came from korea."

 

Laughing, the other man replied, "once there was a student, who got into a fight with another man. The student won easily, and bragged loudly to his teacher the next day. The teacher showed him a plank of wood leaning agianst the wall. "Punch it." he told his student. after the student had punched the wood, the teacher told him to punch it harder, and then agian, but to hit it harder each time.

 

"Dont you see? the old korean master said, "the makiwara was punishment.

 

He then went on to explain that his thoery was, to always use soft on hard, and hard on soft. Which means that instead of breaking your fist on someones skull, use a palm strike, which will have a great jarring affect, with no pain to you. (that being said, i also know a great figher who says that a punch right between the eyes is a great knockout hit.)

 

i dont know if that helped any or not, but the story tends to be better when someone is telling you it, not writing it out.

[shano]

i like using the open palm strike because when i strike near or in the throat area its a quick easy way to grab the throat after for a tiger choke.

[JerryLove]

In a fight would I hit a lot with an open hand? Yes. Why? Because that's what I've trained and I doubt I would be trying to resist instinct.

 

Now, if you want to know why I train that way....

[ninjanurse]

Shogun, I liked your story

 

[ZR440]

Old Korean master very wise.