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

[MuayThai Fighter]

If some one tries to use open hand strike on me they better hope to God I don't get hold of their hands because first thing I would do is crack their fingers.

 

You get more power from a punch then an open hand strike.

 

Realistically speaking most people would use their punches over a open hand strike only time I would fight with my hands open is for grabbing or grappling but to strike to head or to punch some one in jaw or nose,I'd rather punch someone knowing it is going to hurt them more.

 

monkeygirl EDIT: keep name-calling (even hypothetically) out of it

[yellowsnow]

all depends on the situation..i feel comfortable using both

[jushin]

Use the palm strike to the nose. Also you won't break your hand with the palm strike.

[Martial_Artist]

I've "won" a fight with an open hand strike. But it wasn't a contest of sport.

 

If someone hits you and your immediate response it simply to start punching and kicking like a mad machine then you need better training. Otherwise, you're just wasting energy.

 

Your understanding of range is a bit funny. How could someone get close enough to punch you, but not have the same distance to finger strike you?

 

If someone comes at me full speed what's the difference between opening my hand or closing it? If I successfully block the attack and strike what will prevent me from simply opening my hand or closing it? Again you need to review range.

 

I could waste bandwidth all day and simply say that I have effectively used open hand strikes with just as much efficacy as a closed fist. But what will that prove? You won't believe it anyways. Besides, for all you know I could just be lying. I mean, this is the internet. People can hide really easily behind a keyboard.

 

MA

[monkeygirl]

I split off the disrespectful posts.

 

RAZOR, I appreciate your helpfulness, but since I split off all traces of the disrespectful posts, I split off yours, too.

 

In the future, guys, try not to get so upset

 

Different strokes for different folks, eh? Take it easy.

 

As for my opinion, palm strikes (because palm strikes are the discussion here, not just open-hand strikes in general) are very useful in a self-defense situation, along with knees, shins and elbows. The heel of your palm is the hardest, toughest part of your hand. You do not need to do any special conditioning on a makiwara in order to use a palm strike without hurting yourself. You do, however, have to have some conditioning to punch someone in the jaw painlessly.

 

This is why a palm strike is great from a self-defense standpoint, especially for use by someone who isn't a martial artist, but simply someone who took a self-defense course or two. Not everybody has time to train or condition. Personally, I have the time to condition, but I don't want swollen, arthritic knuckles. That's also why I don't break boards.

 

If you have wonderfully conditioned fists, go ahead and punch somebody in the jaw. But if not, palm strikes are more knuckle-friendly.

[Martial_Artist]

Pretty well rounded response, MG. A good answer too.

[granmasterchen]

come to think of past fights i usually don't use them too much, yet they can generate alot of power, a palm strike to the jaw, nose, and chest can be very effective.