Effective hand strikes??

**Ryan Platts** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 7:16am

Now, I know I posted this in Newbietown before but it wasn't really answered at all.
The system I train in uses only hammer fists, palm strikes and phoenik eye fists (index finger knuckle) strikes. Is this practical? Will I get killed trying to use them against a boxer, a good fighter, or a thug? Should I add other hand strikes (we also do elbows by the way). Thanks a million fellas.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 7:22am

Two of those are shorter range moves than more common punches and one is going to break your hand against a hard style blocker. If you can accept that you should be able to answer this question yourself.

**Ryan Platts** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 7:37am

cheers. plain boxing then is the way to go.

**Craigypooh** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 7:37am

If you watch most MMA matches, when you have the option to throw a range of different strikes, then the most common ones used are the standard boxing strikes. I've only seen palm strikes used in matches when closed fist strikes were banned.

So I think the answers to your three questions are: No, probably and yes

**Ryan Platts** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 7:39am

cheers. pretty obvious really, I just didn't want to "admit" it.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 7:50am

On the other hand... open hand strikes do work well if you learn how to do them right. You can't just box with open hands, there is a whole skill-set to it, another arsenal of strikes. As far as range goes, You're losing an inch, maybe two depending on how big your hands are. Comparing that with the amount of power you'll be able to deliver w/o absurd amounts of conditioning, and the fact that your chances of hurting your hand are miniscule when compared to punching... if you're already comfortable with hammer fists and palm strikes (palm heels, etc), then I'd say cut out the phoenix eye stuff and you're well on your way.

Of course, cross train in boxing if you like. It can only serve to expand your options. Good Luck!

**white_flame** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 8:37am

In Krav Maga there are straight punches, hooks and elbow strikes. There are some nuances though - you don't twist your arm when throwing straights and you don't spin your leg when throwing a hook.

**selfcritical** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 10:10am

Originally Posted by Ryan Platts

Now, I know I posted this in Newbietown before but it wasn't really answered at all.
The system I train in uses only hammer fists, palm strikes and phoenik eye fists (index finger knuckle) strikes. Is this practical? Will I get killed trying to use them against a boxer, a good fighter, or a thug? Should I add other hand strikes (we also do elbows by the way). Thanks a million fellas.

provided that you know how to throw them, palm heels and hammerfists work just fine, and will be unlikely to get any part of your hand broken

**IndoChinese** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 10:27am

the hammer and palm are very protective of your hands, that hand set your are describing is the 'old shool'. i dont know what ging mo kune is, but it sounds like a kuntao.

the PE takes some training to use, and is generally for very soft areas or otherwise 'vital' areas.

**SuperGuido** · Posted On: 10/15/2007 10:29am

Hammerfists and Palms are great for GnP. The risk of missing and hitting your knuckles on the ground is smaller...and even if you do miss and hit the ground, your palm and "hammer" can take the force better than your fingers.

Of course, different rule sets allow different strikes, and I believe Hammerfists are banned in many rule sets. However, palms are uniquely suited to Pankration rulesets, which usually ban fists to the head, but allow palms.