Strikes

Strikes are hand attacks using some variation of a closed (such as back fist), semi-open (such as bear paw), or open (such as knife hand) hand in a circular attack. Impact area depends on the type of technique. Power comes from twisting of torso and footwork that permits body spinning. The arcing of the strike and the rotational speed of the body greatly increase power. Arc may travel along a vertical or horizontal axis. Strikes may be "snapped" or "pushed through" or a combination of the two.

All the strikes start from the hands and arms being held in a basic guard position: Hands in fists held just below cheekbones with palms toward face, with forearms almost vertical.

Back Fist

A back fist is usually used to the temples, jaw hinges, or ribs. It is executed by striking with the back of the clenched fist (knuckles outward), in an inside to outside, horizontal motion or a downward, vertical motion. The point of contact is the back of the second knuckle. The back fist may be as quick as the job, but it may do much more damage. Three important points to delivering an effective back fist are:

Form. Many instructors tell you to bring your elbow up and cock your arm, before throwing the back fist. Although this is not necessarily wrong, it does tell your opponent that you are going to do something. Also, if you bring your elbow up, you create a target for your opponent to counter strike. Move the hand toward the target first so no signal is given and you maintain maximum protection.

Move fist in a straight line. As stated above, many instructors teach the traditional way of throwing the back fist, with elbow up and arm cocked. The back fist is then thrown as if your elbow and arm were a hinge. This movement takes too much time to reach the opponent and the arcing movement is easy to block by just raising the lead forearm. The shortest and quickest distance between two points is a straight line. The back fist is thrown just to the side of the target and then it snaps horizontally into the target.

Range must be closed quickly. To accomplish this, move your hand first. Most people think that if you move the body before, or at the same time, you throw the back fist, you will achieve maximum efficiency. However, if you move the hand first, you will find the attack is quicker. Keep fist and wrist loose and relaxed for speed, and deliver the back fist with a whipping, snapping movement. At the moment of impact, tighten the fist to create maximum focus and power. Quickly return the back fist to the guard position.

The back fist offers maximum protection since we do not have to compromise our body position to use it effectively. It also gives us maximum range; if executed properly, even 6 feet can be too close to stop it. It is virtually unstoppable if used properly.

• Inverted Back Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple or ribs. It is executed by striking with the back of the clenched fist (knuckles inward), in an inward horizontal. The point of contact is the back of the second knuckle
• Double Inverted Back Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple or ribs. Two inverted back fist strikes are executed at the same time to opposite sides of the same target.
• Spinning Back Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple or ribs. It is executed by rotating the body 360° toward the side executing the strike.
• Flip Back Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the face or temple. It is executed by striking with the back of the clenched fist (knuckles toward body) in a backward motion over the top of the shoulder to a target direct behind the shoulder. The point of contact is the back of the second knuckle.

Bottom Fist Strikes

A bottom fist strike, also known as a "hammer fist," is usually used to the head or body or as a block. It is executed by striking with the bottom area of the clenched fist in an inward horizontal motion (knuckles down) or a downward motion (knuckles outward). The point of impact is the fleshly area of the bottom of the fist.

• Inverted Bottom Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple or ribs. It is executed in an outward horizontal motion (knuckles upward).
• Twisted Bottom Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the chin. An inverted bottom fist punch that over rotates 90° until the thumb is downward knuckles inward) It is executed in an upward motion.
• Double Bottom Fist Strike. A strike, usually used to the temple or ribs. Two inward bottom fist strikes (knuckles downward) are executed at the same time to opposite sides of the same target.
• Spinning Bottom Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple or ribs. It is executed by rotating the body 360° toward the side executing the strike with a bottom fist strike (knuckles upward).

Claw Strikes

Claw strikes are where the fingers of the hand are held in claw shape. Fingers being used are tensed and forced apart to make them stiff and strong.

• One-Finger Claw Strike. A strike, usually used to the face, corners of the mouth, or nerve centers. Formed by starting with a tight fist and then extending the first finger straight out in alignment with the forearm with the thumb tucked in alongside the finger. Then bend the finger into a semi-circle. The point of impact is a clawing motion with the tip of the finger.
• Two-Finger Claw Strike. A strike that is usually used to the face or upward into the nostrils. Formed by starting with a tight fist and then extending the first two fingers, spread apart, and straight out in alignment with the forearm with the thumb curled in tight over the bottom two fingers. Then bend the two fingers into a semi-circle. The point of impact is a clawing motion with the tips of the fingers.
• Four-Finger Claw Strike. A strike, usually used to the face. Formed using the knife-hand described above, except all the fingers are spread apart and bent into a semi-circle. Hand is held thumb side up. Attack is an outside to inside movement. The point of impact is a slapping motion with the palm or a clawing motion with the tips of the fingers. 
• Inverted. May be used as an inverted technique. Hand is held thumb side down. Attack is an inside to outside movement.
• Spinning Inverted. Same as inverted except spin to the same direction of the attack is added.

Elbow Strikes

Elbow attacks are not punches, but since they are used in same way as punches and under the same circumstances as punches, they are included in the punches sections. Elbows require you to be in close range. It is not good to try to get inside just to use elbow attacks, but when your opponent moves into range or you find yourself in close range, remember elbow attacks. When in tight range or in a clinch, punches are ineffective, but elbow attacks may be deadly. Elbow strikes use a short stoke but they allow you to put all force of the large shoulder and back muscles, hip rotation, body mass, and leg power into the attack. Elbows are more effective than hands when used against hard targets, such as the head. A punch to the head may hurt the opponent, but punching hand will probably also be injured. An elbow smash to the head may seriously injury the opponent, while the elbow will probably not be injured. When fighting multiple attackers, you cannot afford to injure your hands.

• Front of Elbow Strike. This is the most common elbow strike. It uses the 6" of forearm just in front of the tip of the elbow. Use it in the same manner you would use a cross, hook, or uppercut. Used for breaking since the striking surface is narrow bone and the full force of the body may be applied behind the strike. A powerful breaking technique is to rotate the shoulder over so the front of elbow strikes downward into the breaking medium.
• Back of Elbow Strike. This strike uses the 6" of the upper arm just behind the tip of the elbow. The back of the elbow may be pulled backward at shoulder level, pulled across the side of the body at shoulder level similar to a hook. It may also be dropped downward in front while the mass of the body is dropped into the attack. This elbow drop is used in breaking because if its power. An effective attack is a spinning back elbow strike to the head. Since the upper arm bone is thick and well padded, it may impart serious injury to the head without injury to itself.
• Tip of Elbow Strike. The tip of the elbow presents a hard bone that comes to a point. This concentrates the force of the strike into a small area, which increases the strength of the force. However, the bone is relatively fragile, so it must not be used against hard targets. However, against soft targets, such as the kidneys, it may be deadly. The tip of the elbow may be thrust backward at shoulder height, under the shoulder, or out to the side. The tip of the elbow may also be thrust downward while the mass of the body is dropped into the attack.
• Twin Elbows. There are numerous combination of double elbow attacks. Each elbow may perform the same attack, or each may perform a different attack. For example: twin high tip of elbow strikes to each side or one low backward tip of elbow strike and one low tip of elbow strike to the side.
• Top of Elbow Strike. The top surface of elbow joint may be jerked upward under the chin, similar to an upper cut. Not an effective strike.
• Bottom of Elbow Strike. The bottom surface of elbow may be snapped inward to side of the head. Not an effective strike.

Forearm Strikes

Definitions:

• Inner forearm: palm side of forearm
• Outer forearm: back hand side of forearm
• Inside forearm: thumb side of forearm
• Outside forearm: little finger side of forearm

With inside and outside forearm strikes, the striking surface is bone. Bone is dense, hard, and may withstand powerful strikes even though it may be bruised at the point of impact and may be tender at this spot; however, the use of the hand is not impaired. With inner and outer forearm strikes, the striking surface is muscle. Muscle is soft and helps protect bone form bruising, but the muscle itself may receive trauma. If this occurs, use of the hand may be impaired.

Striking with the inside forearm is similar to throwing a roundhouse punch and striking with the outside forearm is a similar to the motion of a back fist strike. When striking with either side, it is important keep your arm bent to prevent injury to the elbow joint. Some types of forearm strikes are as follows:

• Execute a right reverse punch into abdomen, followed by a left elbow to right ear. Then whip your right arm around behind the head and snap the inside forearm into the base of the skull.
• When in a clinch, ram outside forearm upward under chin or under nose.
• From a kneeling position while facing opponent, snap inside forearm upward between opponent's legs into groin. From a kneeling position facing away from opponent, snap outside forearm backward upward between opponent's legs into groin.
• Raking. Strike with inside or outside forearm while sliding or raking the forearm along the impact point. If you are wearing sleeves, the cloth will burn the exposed skin of the opponent. If not wearing sleeves, your skin will burn the exposed skin of the opponent since all the friction is concentrated at one point on the opponent. Your skin will not burn because the friction is spread along the length of your forearm. The rake causes a distraction to the opponent while you are closing in to grapple or to throw. When used to the side of the opponent's face, it will cause the head to turn, which will cause the body to turn, which removes the opponent's weapons and exposes deadly targets such as the kidneys and base of skull. When you scoop or grab a kick, charge in with a rake across the face, and follow up with a throw.

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.

Targets are the temple, face, neck, septum, throat, clavicle, ribs, kidneys, groin, or large muscle groups. The throat strike is especially effective since the knife hand's narrow profile allows it to slip beneath the chin. Forge your knife hand by striking against a canvas bag filled with dried peas, then a mixture of dried peas and sand, and finally, pure sand.

• Horizontal Knife Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple, face, neck, ribs, kidneys, or large muscle groups. Bring the striking hand back in a knife hand shape, cupping it over the same side ear. As the hand moves forward in the strike, let the shoulder move into the strike, twisting hand to a palm upward position as it strikes. Develop additional power by leaning into the strike. Leaning forward at impact can cause knife hand to slide over skin as it strikes, possibly causing a tearing injury. 
• Vertical Knife Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the clavicle. Bring the striking hand back beside the same side ear with the palm facing forward in a knife hand shape. As the hand chops forward and downward, the hand rotates with the knife edge. Let the shoulder move into the strike, twisting your hand to a palm upward position as it strikes. Develop additional power by slightly rotating the upper body and dropping the body weight into the strike.
• Inverted Knife Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple, face, neck, ribs, kidneys, or large muscle groups or as a block. Formed by using the knife hand described above except the hand is held (palm down). 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 outward palm down slashing motion. Bring the striking hand back in a knife hand shape, cupping it over the opposite side ear. As the hand moves forward in the strike, let the shoulder move into the strike, twisting hand to a palm downward position as it strikes. Develop additional power by leaning into the strike.
• Reverse Vertical Knife Hand Strike. A strike that is used against an opponent standing directly behind you. Bring the striking hand back in a knife hand shape, cupping it over the opposite side ear. Strike downward and backward into the groin of the person as you step forward with the opposite foot.
• Vertical Knife Hand Thrust. A strike that is usually used to the clavicle. Bring the striking hand back beside the same side ear with the palm facing forward in a knife hand shape. Thrust the knife edge of the hand straight forward similar to a punch.
• Spinning Knife Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the temple, face, neck, ribs, kidneys, or large muscle groups. Formed by using the knife hand described above except the hand is held (palm down). 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. It is executed by rotating the body 360° toward the side executing the strike in a palm down slashing motion.

Knuckle Strikes

Strikes using one or more knuckles of the clinched fist.

• One-Knuckle Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used on soft body tissues. It is formed by extending the second joint of the first finger of a clenched fist until the joint is aligned with its first knuckle. The thumb then slides up and against the nail of the finger to strengthen the finger. The point of impact is the tip of the extended joint. Use only against soft targets.
• Middle-Knuckle Fist Strike. A strike that is usually used on soft body tissues. It is formed by extending the second joint of the second finger until it is aligned with its first knuckle. The thumb then slides up under the third joint of the finger to strengthen the finger. The point of impact is the tip of the extended joint. Use only against soft targets.
• Fore Knuckle Strike. A strike that is usually used to the philtrum, solar plexus, or soft body tissues. It is formed using the knife-hand described above, except the second joint of all the fingers are extended until aligned with their knuckles. The finger joints are held together tightly with the first joints curled backward tightly. Arch the palm backward. The points of impact are the tips of the four extended joints.
• Thumb-Knuckle Strike. A strike that is usually used to the base of the jaw. From a clenched fist, place the thumb on top of the fist and press the tip of the thumb into the side of the first finger so the thumb's second knuckle extends upward. The point of impact is the second knuckle of the thumb. Use only against soft targets.
• Thumb Base Strike. A strike, usually used to the base of the jaw. It is formed by using the ridge hand described above except the wrist bent outward. The point of impact is the base of the thumb just in front of the wrist. Use only against soft targets.
• Base of Knife-Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the neck or clavicle. It is formed by using the knife hand described above except the wrist is bent backward toward the base of the thumb. The point of impact is the rear area of the fleshly part of the outer hand just in front of the wrist knuckle.
• Back Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the face or as a block. Formed by using the knife hand described above The point of impact is the back of the hand just under the knuckles.

Ridge Hand Strikes

The ridge-hand strike is usually used usually used to the face, neck, or ribs. Keep wrist locked with the hand aligned with the forearm. To make a proper ridge hand:

• Hold arm straight out in front of the body with hand held flat (palm down) with fingers straight and together with thumb sticking out.
• Slightly bend fingers and arch the palm backward.
• Fold thumb tightly across the palm. The point of impact is the ridge along the inside of the hand from the base of the first finger to the base of the thumb. Because there is no fleshly padding, striking with a great force on a hard surface may injure the hand
• Inverted Ridge Hand Strike. A strike, usually used to the temple, face, neck, ribs, kidneys, or large muscle groups or as a block. Formed by using the ridge hand described above except the hand is held (palm up). Keep wrist locked with the hand aligned with the forearm. The point of impact is the ridge along the inside of the hand from the base of the first finger to the base of the thumb. Used in a outward slashing motion.
• Spinning Ridge Hand Strike. A strike, usually used to the temple or ribs. Executed by rotating the body 360° toward the side executing the strike in a palm up slashing motion.

Other Strikes

• Arch Hand Strike. A strike that is usually used to the front of the throat. It is formed using the knife-hand described above, except the thumb is extended in a semi-circle and tilted down toward the little finger and the four fingers are curled inward. The point of impact is the crook of the semi-circle formed by the thumb and first finger.
• Bent Wrist Strike. A strike that is usually used to the jaw or as a block. It is formed by bending the wrist downward as much as possible with the fingers and thumb hanging down with all their tips touching. The point of impact is the top of the bent wrist. Perform the strike in an upward motion.
• Chicken Beak Strike. A strike that is usually used to an eye, solar plexus, nerve centers, or soft body tissues. It is formed by starting with a clenched fist held with the knuckles upward. Extend all the fingers and the thumb straight out perpendicular to the forearm, which is held vertically. The tip of all the fingers and the thumb are held aligned on the same vertical plane pointed toward the target. The hand now resembles a chicken head with the fingers being the beak. The vertical forearm is cocked backward and the hand is cocked back even further. The forearm snaps forward toward the target, the hand snaps forward toward the target, and the point of impact is the tips of the fingers and thumb. The motion is that of a quick, powerful peck.
• Paw Strike. A strike that is usually used to the face. It is formed using the fore-knuckle punch described above. The point of impact is the inside flat of the palm. The strike is similar to the slapping motion a bear uses with a paw.
  
• Palm Heel Strike. A strike that is usually used to the chin, nose, or solar plexus.

To make a proper palm heel:

• • Hold arm straight out in front of the body with hand held flat (palm down) with fingers straight and together with thumb sticking out.
  • Slightly bend fingers and arch the palm backward.
  • Bend thumb and keep it tucked close to the hand.
  • Bend hand backward at the wrist so that the base of the palm in line is pointing toward the target.

The point of impact is the inside base of the palm. Usually used in an upward or forward motion.

Benefits of palm heel strike:

• • May be delivered very quickly.
  • May delivered without telegraphing.
  • Close to its intended target.
  • May be delivered from almost any hand position.
  • May be used as a "first strike", fighting technique, to stun your attacker and then follow up with other techniques.
  • May be used as a finishing technique, after your attacker is slowed up or stunned.
  • Easy to hit a target using this fighting technique, even when under the duress.