Strikes - Knife Hand Strikes

Knife Hand Strikes

The knife-hand strike is a middle to long range weapon that may be used for striking or blocking. It may be used with a circular motion or a thrusting motion.

• Hold arm straight out in front of the body with hand held flat (palm up) with fingers straight and together with thumb sticking out.
• Slightly bend fingers and arch the palm backward. This pulls little finger inward and keeps fingers from striking the target.
• Stiffen fingers to keep them from banging together upon impact.
• Bend thumb and keep it tucked close to the hand.
• Striking area is fleshy part of the outer side of the hand between the base of the little finger and the wrist.

Keep wrist locked with the hand aligned with the forearm. The point of impact is the fleshy part of the outer hand, which may be used with great force on a hard surface without injury to the hand. Used in an outside to inside, inward, palm up, slashing motion or in a downward chopping motion or a forward thrusting motion. Accurate distancing is essential to avoid striking with the little finger joint or the wrist.