Palm heel or fist to the face?

**Urbanassassin** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 9:16pm

What do you think is the better basic move to use on the street? In the ring, of course use your punches! You have gloves for a reason, but for your own protection, what do you think?

As far as I can tell, palm strikes are powerful enough to knock a guy out, but not as powerful as a fist. But they are also safer on the wrist, and allows you to strike more areas without worry.

On the other hand fists are very natural to most martial artists due to sparring, and arguably have more knockout power. Especially if you are a boxer, but without those gloves on, the power transmitted to your fragile hands could mess you up.

Personally, It seems palms are the better choice, but I still find it hard to naturally default to them over punches.

**RurikGreenwulf** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 9:30pm

It depends I would just go with elbows to the face and maul the body with closed fists

I think a Kyokushin karateka would have more conditioned fists (more knucle push up, more bare fisted punching the bags, etc)

**Urbanassassin** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 9:38pm

Originally Posted by RurikGreenwulf

It depends I would just go with elbows to the face and maul the body with closed fists

I think a Kyokushin karateka would have more conditioned fists (more knucle push up, more bare fisted punching the bags, etc)

I'm not even arguing over the effectiveness of knees, elbows, hammer fists and body punches. the hammer fist is probably my favorite move. And yeah, karateka are notorious for their conditioning, but most martial artists don't go through the same thing. From what I can tell, it's mostly iron palm in kung fu and kyokushin karate workouts.

**RurikGreenwulf** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 9:41pm

You dont have to depend on only one kind of strike you can jab with closed fists to have impact and speed and the use the heavier strikes with an open hand

**gregaquaman** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 9:49pm

Fists I have had no luck with palm heels

**Grab my fist** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 9:55pm

Fists if you condition your knuckles and wrists. Knuckle push ups are good for this, also hitting pads/mitts without gloves helps. Although, I have seen a dude get knocked out with an almighty bitch slap. Now that was epic.

**cualltaigh** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 10:10pm

Originally Posted by Urbanassassin

What do you think is the better basic move to use on the street? In the ring, of course use your punches! You have gloves for a reason, but for your own protection, what do you think?

As far as I can tell, palm strikes are powerful enough to knock a guy out, but not as powerful as a fist. But they are also safer on the wrist, and allows you to strike more areas without worry.

On the other hand fists are very natural to most martial artists due to sparring, and arguably have more knockout power. Especially if you are a boxer, but without those gloves on, the power transmitted to your fragile hands could mess you up.

Personally, It seems palms are the better choice, but I still find it hard to naturally default to them over punches.

Why limit yourself to just one? OH, and search function noob:

The palm Heel Thrust Discussion Thread
The open hand (Palm heel)
Self-Defense crash course - to punch or palm heel?
Effective hand strikes?
Palm strikes - do they work?
palm strike
What is the optimal palm strike form?(I busted my knuckles)
Open hand vs closed fist?
Article: Won't you Bust Your Hand?
Effectiveness of non-fist hand techniques

just for starters.

**alex** · Posted On: 7/02/2012 10:14pm

Originally Posted by Grab my fist

Fists if you condition your knuckles and wrists. Knuckle push ups are good for this, also hitting pads/mitts without gloves helps. Although, I have seen a dude get knocked out with an almighty bitch slap. Now that was epic.

facepalm