Best Hand Strike

[majlee95]

Actually, the nature of this thread should be "favorite hand strike" rather than "best hand strike". I was wondering what others in the MA community thought of as their favorite hand strike. Of course, taking in account strength, speed, economy, fluidity, range, how much it is telegraphed, etc..

My favorite would have to be the uppercut. It's not a good punch to use often such as a jab or a straight lead and it lacks range but if it lands correctly on the opponent's jaw/chin, it can be devastating, even more so if your back foot is on its toes. It can often make quick work of in-fighting, IMO.

Second favorite would have to be a knife hand to the collarbone.

:asian:

[Muad'Dib]

I will have to agree...........palm fist to the chin from a right punch or roundhouse. On the left punch, chop to the throat.

[digitalronin]

worst hand strike: the spearhand, has anyone actually used this?

[terryl965]

palmstrike to the middle of the chest and brake the whole rib cage, or to the nose and pudh it straigh to the head.

[Simon Curran]

worst hand strike: the spearhand, has anyone actually used this?
My thoughts exactly, in order to be able to use it without breaking your fingers you are going to have to have the strongest hands known to man...

[TigerWoman]

There are guys with strong hands, even strong fingers... The over 6' guys in our class are awesome hand breakers. Speed break, fingers on-then quick palm to 6 bricks. One can easily do a thumb break (thumb is doing the break) to a concrete patio brick. He is a 1st dan. Spear would be a devastating attack for him to do. TW

[ghostdog2]

A straight right ( left if you're left handed ) settles most arguments.

[Bammx2]

Ridge hand to the side of the neck,temple or jaw joint.
(trained many years for an awsomwe windmill action on that one!)
Never failed me either!
Right hook or any elbow strike.

[Zepp]

My favorite hand strike is the one that my opponent never sees coming. :D

The one I used most often is probably a jab.

BTW, the spearhand thrust is meant to be used against soft tissue targets, such as the solarplexus or throat. Obviously since it requires a lot of precision to use without hurting your fingers, it's not the best choice of strike to rely on for self-defense. Though you could sucker-punch someone in the solarplexus with it... :EG:

[Eldritch Knight]

My favorite are palm strikes, especially as finisher to a trap or a combination. My second favorite would possibly be monkey hand (index finger and thumb together at a point, with middle finger supporting) to the soft spots of the face and torso. With those pointy jabs to the face, most people raise their guard, making them susceptible to kicks to the torso.

Now that I think about it, its been a long time since I've thrown a regular punch. I almost always use open-hand attacks. Hmm....

[digitalronin]

There are guys with strong hands, even strong fingers... The over 6' guys in our class are awesome hand breakers. Speed break, fingers on-then quick palm to 6 bricks. One can easily do a thumb break (thumb is doing the break) to a concrete patio brick. He is a 1st dan. Spear would be a devastating attack for him to do. TW
It still an unnatural strike in comparison to palm, close fist, and knife hand strikes. The most common application of the spear is a throat strike, which and more effectively be replaced with a knife hand. A person's strongest strike is rarely a spear hand.

[majlee95]

My favorite hand strike is the one that my opponent never sees coming. :D

Me too.

I've started moving away from punches other than the jab and the uppercut. I've sprained all ten fingers at one point or another punching incorrectly and have had a broken pinky from throwing a right hook that landed awkwardly (only the ring finger and the pinky landed).

I'll still use the jab for outside fighting but for finishers/counters after a jam/trap I mainly use a knife hand or a hammerfist, maybe a backfist if I'm feeling creative that day.

[clapping_tiger]

Favorite in self-defense situation would be the palm strike, either as a straight attack to the chin, or instead of a hook.

2nd favorite would be a ridgehand, but I use this in sparring.

As far as the spearhand goes, I have never used one, but I thought it was mainly used for attacking the throat, and it doesn't take much there. Although in the finger set, you do use a spear hand to strike up into the ribcage, I don't think that would be to effective for me.

[Simon Curran]

Open handed slaps with proper "back up mass" are pretty devastating too.

[bignick]

It still an unnatural strike in comparison to palm, close fist, and knife hand strikes. The most common application of the spear is a throat strike, which and more effectively be replaced with a knife hand. A person's strongest strike is rarely a spear hand. A lot of the movements martial artists make are unnatural. Certainly, if you don't train to use a spearhand than you won't probably use it. My jujutsu instructor used to do spearhand breaks all the time when he was younger. Said it was never a problem. One of my tae kwon do instructors did one once and said it was an experience he wouldn't like to repeat. The difference being that my jujutsu instructor trained to use it against harder targets.

A weird little side note, my jujutsu instructor (also a karate practioner) said he used to work out every once and a while at my tae kwon do school back in the 80's. The head instructor at the time saw him do a spearhand break once and told him to stop because it would affect his vision. Whether from some sort of accupressure point or for some other reason, I don't know.

[rmclain]

I've never heard of that affecting vision. Hmm...

For a few demonstrations in the 1990's, i would break 1 board using the spearhand. But, after doing this demonstration a few times, my finger joints would ache a bit afterwards. So, I quit doing that demonstration. Don't want any health problems in the future.

R. McLain

[Simon Curran]

I've never heard of that affecting vision. Hmm...

For a few demonstrations in the 1990's, i would break 1 board using the spearhand. But, after doing this demonstration a few times, my finger joints would ache a bit afterwards. So, I quit doing that demonstration. Don't want any health problems in the future.

R. McLain
Hardly a surprise your fingers hurt...

[Chronuss]

It still an unnatural strike in comparison to palm, close fist, and knife hand strikes.
how is it unnatural? you described the basic hand position named in the last strike in your list. it's the same hand, wrist, and arm position; however, instead of striking on a horizontal plane or diagonal plane, it's simply striking on a vertical. nothing unnatural about that.

[Chronuss]

My thoughts exactly, in order to be able to use it without breaking your fingers you are going to have to have the strongest hands known to man...
wouldn't have to have the strongest, per se, but you would have to take into consideration proper body alignment to yield correct results.

[Simon Curran]

wouldn't have to have the strongest, per se, but you would have to take into consideration proper body alignment to yield correct results.
Granted, but I once broke a metacarpal in a street altercation, and that was using a closed fist, the adrenaline dump would generally tend to negate the ability to maintain correct form in a "have to use it" situation

[Shu2jack]

If it has to be a HAND strike (I am fond of elbows), I would have to go with palm heel strikes. Easier on the hand, quicker to grab things than with a closed fist, and quicker to work joint locks and the like after/before you strike.

I don't think spear hands are bad, you just need to know when to apply them. Squaring off against an opponent and throwing a spearhand is a bad idea. Throwing a spearhand after trading blows is still a bad idea since it requires precision. Personally, I would use a spearhand strike if my opponent and I were in the midst of grabbing each other and struggling for superiority.

Oh look, he left an opening around his neck, silly him. I would recommend curling the fingers so you strike with the second knuckles on the throat. You can also use the spear hand as a pressure point. Have control of one side of the guy's head with one hand and thrust your spearhand into a pressure point with the other and squeeze. You could also dig your fingers under bones and other things with the spearhand depending on the pressure point.

[KyleShort]

Hammer fist...fits in very nicely with the same swinging mechanics that I use to generate power with my escrima.

But elbows are my fave if we are counting them =)

[Simon Curran]

If it has to be a HAND strike (I am fond of elbows), I would have to go with palm heel strikes. Easier on the hand, quicker to grab things than with a closed fist, and quicker to work joint locks and the like after/before you strike.

I don't think spear hands are bad, you just need to know when to apply them. Squaring off against an opponent and throwing a spearhand is a bad idea. Throwing a spearhand after trading blows is still a bad idea since it requires precision. Personally, I would use a spearhand strike if my opponent and I were in the midst of grabbing each other and struggling for superiority.

Oh look, he left an opening around his neck, silly him. I would recommend curling the fingers so you strike with the second knuckles on the throat. You can also use the spear hand as a pressure point. Have control of one side of the guy's head with one hand and thrust your spearhand into a pressure point with the other and squeeze. You could also dig your fingers under bones and other things with the spearhand depending on the pressure point.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not necessarily saying that spear hands are all bad, just that it would not me my weapon of choice when "Lizard brain" kicks in.

[Shu2jack]

I agree, a spearhand would not be my weapon of choice when the blood starts pumping and everything is a blur.

I do see times when the spearhand can be used in a physical confrontation. Not usually how it is done in a form, but in a short, quick thrusting motion where I can continue to dig in with my fingers and maybe even curl them into the flesh for more pain. My step-dad was a wrestler and was great at this.

Any other time, I would rather use a palm heel strike. Same motion, better chance of hitting (larger striking surface), and less risk of injury to yourself.

[Knifehand]

Personally, I am fond of the Side Hand Strike (Phakeso Sang Dan Soo Do Kong Kyuck).

[Cthulhu]

Whatever hurts the other fella without busting your own hand. It may sound flippant, but really, whatever strike happens to work in the given situation at the given moment.


Cthulhu

[Knifehand]

I kind of agree with you. The least obvious strike can be a potent one. In a bar brawl, for instance, everyone expects a punch, not an knife hand strike or a hammer fist. In close quarter fighting, elbow up is an effective strike.

[Cthulhu]

Just learn the proper technique for all the hand strikes your art/system teaches. That way, if a particular situation requires a particular strike, you are in less danger of breaking your hand while doing it.

Cthulhu

[Vadim]

My favorite is the left hook. I also am fond of the backfist.:boxing:

-Vadim

[KenpoTex]

My fav. is probably a palm-heel to the chin coming up from a slight angle (not quite an uppercut but close) after the strike, dig your fingers into the eyes. I like this one for several reasons, 1) the whole open-hand vs. closed fist thing. 2) by striking with a slight upward angle you're going to disrupt their balance by rocking their head back (this works great to set up a throw) which can also cause damage to the vertebrae (sp?). 3) by going into/around the eyes you can obscure their vision even if you don't actually do damage to the eyes.

Some others that I favor (in no particular order) are: Handsword (to neck, throat, or collarbone); half-fist/leopard fist (to throat, neck, or solar-plex); Hammerfist (to basically anywhere :D); "Y" strike or web-hand strike to throat which turns into a grab 'n' twist (also good in conjunction with throws/takedowns). I use a lot of elbows too.

[tongsau]

Finger sputter to the face; worked for Vitor against Randy. I always use this. Second would have to be a slap followed by a pinch of the cheeks. My uncle makes that work well. Causes total loss of focus.

[Whitebelt]

Sonkal to the side of the neck...very very hard. Thats my faverout. But if you don't want to go to the hospital with the guy whos neck you hit a sonkut to between the ribs.

[Em MacIntosh]

I gotta go with a lunging right cross stop-hit. Connect to the back of the jaw. Then extend the punch. All while coming an inch off your toes and flying into a four foot lunge. Gotta have really strong calves and a quick sense to capitilize on a stop hit. Devestating power. Don't break your hand. This is a committed move so you it's quite possible you'll get jammed.

[Em MacIntosh]

Wait no. A good "Shat to the Back". (don't bother, I know)

[qi-tah]

I'm a bit of a counterattacker i'm afraid. I quite like a finger strike darting out from underneath my blocking hand. If they aren't ready for it they generally pull their elbows up and leave their ribs exposed (i think someone else also mentioned this?), if they are ready then you can grasp their striking hand and pull them into a chop to the throat or an elbow to the temple.

[LawDog]

The fist at the end of any straight, hook or upper cut.
:ultracool

[Cirdan]

Heito to the side of the neck

and

Vertical fist punch upwards below the ribcage with elbow close to the hip

[Shaderon]

I'd go with a knife hand strike but an inwards one not an outwards out done with the palm upwards and the bodyweight behind it by using a step inwards and a waist twist. I'm using this one on the punch bag right now in prep for the breaking comp in the next tournament. I've never been unfortunate enough to use one on a human but I move the bag more with this than I do punching it for some reason.

[Em MacIntosh]

The lead hook or jab from my south paw stance. I use a "hip-whip" motion and can hit pretty fast and hard. I'm not as good at combos with the right leg forward though.