Strike (attack)
From Freepedia
A strike is an attack with an inanimate object, such as a weapon, or with a part of the human body intended to cause harm to an opponent. An attack with the hand closed into a fist is called a punch. A strike with a knee, foot or other part of the leg is called a kick. An attack with the head is called a headbutt.
Strikes are employed in many martial arts, such as karate, boxing and Muay Thai. Most Chinese martial arts also use the fingertips, wrists, forearms, shoulders, back and hips to strike an opponent as well as the more conventional fists, palms, elbows, knees and feet. A few martial arts employ no strikes at all; wrestling for example. In most styles, strikes are complemented by traps, locks (see chin na), footsweeps and grappling.
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Punches
Punches are covered by a separate article.
Alternative strikes
Palm strike
Whether the hand is open or the fingertips are folded against the bottom knuckles, palm strikes hit with the bottom part of the palm, where the hand meets the wrist. The hand is held perpendicular to the wrist to avoid hitting the softer inner wrist tissue against the target.
Many Chinese martial arts teach the Iron Palm, which in the hands of a trained practicioner, can send a more penetrating shock into the body. This percussive shock can disrupt the nervous system and cause unconsciouness.
The palm strike is useful as it is thrown in a very relaxed manner. The hand can then "adhere" to the opponent which can lead to a control with the hand.
Targets include the face, ears, back of the head, the groin, the kidneys and abdominal cavity.
Palm heel
This strike impacts with the mass of bone at the bottom of the palm. This is a very strong part of the hand, and there is no compression of the bones in the hand on impact.
The palm heel is faster because there is no need for any tension in the arm to keep the wrist in alignment. There is less antagonistic muscle contraction and so can be thrown faster.
While the palm heel appears innocuous, the average man can achieve a KO within 6-8 inches with it.
The palm heel can be used with the exact same body mechanics as any fist strike. It is simply a matter of opening the hand to the palm heel position.
Targets for the palm heel are the temples, nose, jaw, chin, shoulder (to negate punches), solar plexus, floating ribs, back of the head and neck, spine, coccyx, kidneys, and bladder.
Knife hand
The classic "karate chop". This refers to strikes performed with the lower part of an open hand. Knife-hand strikes are mostly used to strike sensitive pressure points via sweeping techniques like the backhand or the hook.
Power comes from the extension of the arm and shoulder and hip rotation. Relaxation is essential.
Targets include the nose, throat, neck, and arms (to cause pain and numbness).
Ridge hand
By tucking the thumb into the palm, a striking surface called the ridge-hand, or reverse knife-hand is formed, extending a few inches along the inside of the hand below the first knuckle of the first finger. Ridge-hand strikes commonly are devliered with a hooking motion.
Targets include the neck, throat, nose, jaw, and groin.
Hammerfist
A strike with the bottom of the fist, using an action like swinging a hammer, but can also be used horizontally.
This strike will not damage the bones of the hands as there is no compression of the knuckles or metacarpals, and there is no leverage to bend the wrist.
All the knife hand targets can be struck with the hammerfist, but it is also good for striking the spine, coccyx, and kidneys of an opponent who is bent over.
The dangers of fist strikes
Knuckle and finger damage
The human hand is made up of several small bones which are not designed to withstand heavy impact. If you inadvertently strike a hard part of the opponent's body, or a hard object in the environment, chances are you will break your knuckles. The metacarpals may splay on impact and break. This will render your hands useless for the duration of the fight.
Boxers tape their hand to pad the knuckles, but also to hold the metacarpals together to keep them from splaying.
Many martial artists condition their knuckles to strike hard objects, but this does nothing to strengthen the metacarpals, and can lead to arthritis and loss of mobility later in life.
Wrist damage
The wrist must be kept in proper alignment during a fist strike. If the wrist bends on impact, it can easily be sprained, dislocated or broken. Boxers tape their wrists to reduce wrist flex.
Legal implications
Knuckle strikes often open up cuts on the opponent, which can appear very damaging even if it is only superficial.
