Punches
1 - Basic Punches
Straight Punch
The straight punch (choku-tsuki) is a fast punch using the front hand like a jab in boxing. Make a fist by rolling your fingers into a ball and folding your thumb over. Your first two knuckles are the striking area. Your wrist and hand should remain in a straight line.
Reverse Punch
The reverse punch (gyaku-tsuki) generates more power than any other punch. The reverse punch is performed in exactly the same way as the straight punch. The only difference is the placement of your feet. When you punch with the hand that is on the same side as your front leg, you are throwing a straight punch. When punching from the same side as your back leg, you are executing a reverse punch. You are able to generate more power with a reverse punch because of your body position. You can pivot your hips into the punch to get the full force of your body behind it.
Double Punch
Double punches (ren-tsuki) are accomplished by quickly punching several times in a row, alternating punching hands.
2 - Intermediate and Advanced Punches
Knife Hand Strike
Knife hand strikes (shuto-uchi) use the outer edge of your open hand as the striking surface. To position your hand correctly, keep all your fingers and your thumb straight. Keep your wrist straight and your hand and fingers tight. The basic knife hand strike is chambered, palm up, near the opposite side shoulder. Then, sweep your hand across you body, straightening your elbow as you go. As you reach your target, twist your wrist so your palm starts facing down. This adds power to the technique. The hand that you are not striking with should remain a fist at your side.
Ridge Hand Strike
The ridge hand strike (haito) uses the inner edge of your hand as the striking surface. To make a ridge hand, start with your hand in the knife hand position, then fold your thumb under your hand. The thumb edge of your hand should be smooth. Start with your ridge hand extended out to the side, quickly sweep your arm across your body, pivoting at the waist and hips as you do so.
**Tip**
Performing this technique can leave your chest open, which makes it a vulnerable target area. Practice the ridge hand strike while keeping your body turned away from your opponent to avoid this problem.
Reverse Ridge Hand Strike
This is a variation of the ridge hand strike. With your ridge hand held under the opposite arm, palm down, sweep your arm outward across your body, keeping your elbow slightly bent. At the moment of impact, twist your wrist so that your palm faces up. Strike with the thumb edge of your hand. This technique keeps your chest protected until the last possible moment.
Palm Strike
The palm strike (teisho) is performed like a punch, except that the hand remains open. The heel of the hand is the striking surface. Position your hands as for a knife strike, but with the fingers slightly pulled back, and the heel of your hand forward. Chamber your hand on the same side, with fingers pointing down and palm facing forward. Strike forward with your hand, twisting your wrist at the moment of impact so that your fingers point up, but the heel of the hand still forward. A reverse palm strike is a variation of the palm strike, except with the striking hand on the same side as the back leg.
Spear Hand Strike
The spear hand technique (nukite), sometimes called spear fingers, uses the tips of the fingers as the striking surface. Position the hand in the knife hand position. The tips of the fingers should be held even with each other. Your fingers must be kept strong so that they won't bend under impact. Chamber your hand, palm side up, and strike forward with your hand, fingers aiming for the target. Turn your palm down at the moment of impact.
**Tip**
This technique is rarely used as a power attack, but one effective tactic is to use it as a jab. It can be used for feinting and requires less commitment than a punch. Simply move your open hand slightly toward your target to see what happens and then take advantage of an opening.
Backfist Strike
The backfist strike (uraken) uses the back of the fist as the striking surface. This strike is usually reserved for the opponent's head. Chamber your fist near the opposite shoulder, with the palm facing downward. Sweep outward from your body, twisting your wrist at the moment of impact so that the back of your fist strikes the target area.
Downward Hammerfist Strike
The hammerfist strike (kentsui), also called the bottom fist strike, uses the bottom of the hand as the striking surface. Make your hand into a fist, as for a punch. Then, chamber your hand above the same shoulder, with the bottom the bottom of your hand facing up and out. Sweep your hand down, making an arc, twisting your wrist so that the bottom of your hand strikes the target. This downward strike is only used when striking from above a target. The key to an effective hammerfist strike is to use a circular motion, which generates speed and power.
**Tip**
The downward hammerfist strike is most useful when performed after you've swept or thrown your opponent and are following up with a strike.
Horizontal Hammerfist Strike
A variation of the hammerfist strike is the horizontal hammerfist strike. This begins chambered at the opposite shoulder and sweeps across the body. It is more useful in sparring than the hammerfist strike.
**Tip**
Traditional strength training methods use a "Kan Shu" or a container with abrasive materials, such as sand or even gravel. The martial artist repeatedly thrusts his hands into this pail. Progressively harder materials are used as the hands grow tougher. This conditions the hands and strengthens the hand and arm muscles.
Founding Rules
Characteristic Definitions
3 Steps of Meditation
Types of Fighters
Stretching
Drills
Elbows
Kicks
Knees
Blocks
Training Tips
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