Bare fist, which knuckes and why?

[OZZ]

First three knuckles are pretty much standard for most fighting styles..When doing knuckle push ups I usually do the first set on the front two and then the next set on the ring and little finger..

[MrGalt]

I give up. I don't know what the hell anybody's talking about anymore. *unsubscribe

[battlefields]

One of Lawrence Lee's first queries of me was my fist and which knuckles I used. I had always used my index and middle, but he said to get the maximum impact you have to hit with all the knuckles at once. He then showed me the shape of his fist and in comparison to a normal fist, his knuckles, albeit deformed somewhat, were in a straight line. Then he asked how much money I had before formulating a "special deal" for his super secret ancient Chinese herbs that helped heal bones and flesh after iron palm training. I can honestly say they didn't do that much.

[socratic]

He must have had super fucked up knuckles if they were ALL in a line. That means either his last two metacarpals have been elongated or his first two visibly shortened.

[MMAMickey]

I can see how the third knuckle might connect, but hitting with the first two preserves the integrity of your wrist.

[Franco]

In Wing Chun I was told use the last 3 knuckles because there is more give in the hand and wrist here so your less likely to break any bones because it well absorb the preassure.

A boxing gym I used to train at with a good track record and my current MMA instructor say I should punch with the first "big" two knuckles.

Guess who I listen to?

Its not the chun if your not sure of the answer

[BackFistMonkey]

**** what " the Chun " has taught or told anyone to do .

Seriously .

It should be a bannable offense unless the person making X claim puts up a video of X working .

You don't hit with the "bottom" knuckles ( if you are holding it vertically ... like a tight hook or something silly like chain punching ) .

What the hell is wrong with you people ?

[Whathappened]

That's funny, google told me this

Boxer's knuckle

Boxer's Fracture Overview

Guess your gym has some Karate influence if they suggest using the 1st two knuckles.

Because, in this famous pic of Muhammed Ali,


and Mike Tyson,


and current hot-topic for the Filipinas,


the striking point is the last three fingers/knuckle.
I guess it varies from boxing instructor to instructor, gym to gym.

[OZZ]

Don't forget about corkscrewing too..some of the old boxer's employ that tactic as well.So in a pic it might look like the punch is landing with emphasis on the little finger and ring, but it could be at the tail end of a corkscrew.
I know Ali liked to corkscrew, especially after he cut someone.
I don't think too many fighters try to hit with their little finger and ring finger..it just doesn't make sense.
Anyways, once you have gloves on its a whole different story.I know when I hit the heavy bag bare knuckle I am always emphasizing the first three knuckles - to avoid injury.

[TheMarquis]

Don't forget about corkscrewing too..some of the old boxer's employ that tactic as well.So in a pic it might look like the punch is landing with emphasis on the little finger and ring, but it could be at the tail end of a corkscrew.

Dammit! - I never thought to mention corkscrewing!

It does however add weight to the question

"what do you want to achieve with the strike and how are you going to make that happen...?"

TBH - this style of thread has been remixed and reworked through the internets more times that a lonely teenager tosses one off after he's found his dad's porn stash.