Palm strike

[Justme]

Ok. Its a new year. Lets start some threads with serious discussion on various techniques keeping the threads to that particular technique and its applications. Keeping the thread focused on that particular technique. Target areas good bad etc. I'll start.... The Palm Strike.

Targets - temple, solar plexus, floating rib etc.
Good against hard targets (hard meaning bone)


I know we have discussed many before, but I want to isolate the information in threads to make it easier to refer back to later.

[WingChun Lawyer]

What about the nose? Seems to me it would be a good target for palm strikes.

My sifu sometimes makes us do chain punches using palms instead of fists, and it seems a good idea - specially to keep the distance from the adversary, something which is a bit harder using fists.

But mainly I agree with you, and believe palm strikes are ideal for hard targets.

[drunkenj]

good target: behind the ear

plus point: low risk of hand injury compared to punching barefist

minus point: mechanics make the effective range of a palmheel much shorter

i recently saw a boxer ko his opponent with a cheeky palm heel in the clinch--- the ref was on the other side, could'nt see a thing.


interestingly the ancient greek pankrateon fighters had to always hit with palmheels---- presumably to reduce risk of damage to the hands as they were not allowed to wear the studded wraps that boxers wore

[Justme]

Noes, yes, my list is not made to be comprehensive..... Thanks.

[Ronin]

Hooking to the temple or the area where your eyebrow ends, with a palm heel can be very effective.
Let us not forget the "iron palm", although my preference is still for the "stainless steel" palm, due to concerns about rusting.
A VERY effective "finishing" palm heel taught in Judo:
Pull the head back, chin point up, till the back of the head makes contact with the back of the neck, palm heel strike the chin.

[Black_Rose]

Ditto as Ronin69,

Great for that ****, I love palm strikes, espically if you fight for example in the street, i mean you could get a brick wall if you miss, and trust me hitting brick wall with knuckles is anot a good thing, but palms not so much of a problems. I prefer palms generally because if you miss, the way you make a palm with your hand, you can grab onto something i.e clothing and go into a grapple. Or leaves the option open the gouge orgrab flesh or ears :)

[Justme]

where does the power come from? I mean isn't MOST of the power generated by twisting the waiste into the strike. Example, Bas Rutten when he was smacking Shamrock on the ground with the palm wasn't most effective because he couldn't generate power through his whole body.

[Black_Rose]

Umm, i suppose if you there it could be a bit of a problem, same as with punching gonna have to use jusut your arm, not really your body. In that case, use elbows, LOTS OF THEM :)

[Hannibal]

The palms are much harder than your fists. Think sbout it. If you had to strike a bickwall would you use your fists? Come on,you'd break your knuckles.Striking the wall with your palm would be more preferable because your palms are the hardest part on your hand.

[Ronin]

Originally posted by Justme
where does the power come from? I mean isn't MOST of the power generated by twisting the waiste into the strike. Example, Bas Rutten when he was smacking Shamrock on the ground with the palm wasn't most effective because he couldn't generate power through his whole body.

The straight palm gets its power from the twist of the waist and the driving of the body behind the thrust, like any other thrust, but the upward palm requires that the elbow be bent and that the hip be directly behind and in-line with the strike od it becomes simply an arm strike. This requires that the body be slightly out and away from the arm.