Open hand vs closed fist.

**skanlessflipboy** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 12:36pm

This is no debate or argument whatsoever, I am just presenting the opinion of my uncle. My uncle is a martial artistist who practiced many styles and currently studying Krav Maga. Recently he visited me and talked about striking and his opinion on how to strike correctly. This is a summary of what he said.

If using a closed fist the target should be 'soft' i.e. belly. If targeting something hard, use the open hand because if you hit the target hard enough you have a chance of injuring yourself. His logic is that as todlers we didn't crawl with our fists, but our open hands.

I agree with him, but I don't think it'd be in my instinct in a fight to use this philosophy.

**Yrkoon9** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 12:43pm

Theorizing over where and when to hit someone is likely to be overwhelmed by someone who just doesn't give a **** where they hit you or with what.

**Ronin** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 12:49pm

Originally Posted by skanlessflipboy

T.

If using a closed fist the target should be 'soft' i.e. belly. If targeting something hard, use the open hand because if you hit the target hard enough you have a chance of injuring yourself. His logic is that as todlers we didn't crawl with our fists, but our open hands.

This is a take on "old school" Goju with their Hard VS Soft philosophy:
Hard targer - soft weapon and vice-versa.

**Sh0t** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 1:08pm

Curved swords for Square bodies!
Straight swords for round bodies!

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 1:16pm

I recall Bas using lots of open palm strikes. Seems to work ok.

**MaverickZ** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 1:25pm

Originally Posted by PirateNinja5000

I recall Bas using lots of open palm strikes. Seems to work ok.

wasn't that part of the rules in the venue he fought in for a while? pacrase was it?

**VikingPower** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 1:31pm

Yep, Pancrase doesn't allow any closed-fist strikes to the head so their fighters didn't injure their hands. Closed-fist to body was okay though.

**MaverickZ** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 1:33pm

though.... i'm starting to remember bas giving (i think) frank shamrock a backfist that could be heard miles away.

**VikingPower** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 1:44pm

Yeah, the missed roundhouse kick to spinning backfist that cracked Frank a good one. Frank's first fight, I think. I guess they let that one slide because it looked badass.

**MrAndrewV** · Posted On: 6/20/2005 3:13pm

Lo.

Actually that back fist was done with open hand ;) sounds silly but if you watch the clip again it really was.

Anyway as Ive trained more and more Ive found that sometimes I instinctively change to palm from fist.

Whether or not its the right thing to do is unclear at this time :) But my point is that maybe with training you can learn to use the right strike for the right body part. And palms to the head are easier to get than fists and they let you follow up with a grab.

ciao