General Comments on The Fist
The skin and bones of the fist are liable to suffer much more trauma
than then objects they connect with in a fight. The skin covering the
knuckles is very thin and liable to break open when it strikes a solid
surface. When you punch an opponent in the mouth, the skin will cut
open by the opponent’s teeth. This will lead to other health problems,
including infection with AIDS, hepatitis, jaundice, and other
debilitating problems. Compared with other weapons of the hand the fist
is not a reliable, long term, general-purpose weapon. Despite this
reality, the fist remains the principal weapon in close combat for the
novice fighter. This is because it is a natural, nurtured and cultural
expression of aggression.
Natural It is a natural expression of aggression
because most people will clench their fists when they are under stress.
In many cases, individuals will telegraph their intentions by
approaching you with their fists clenched. In conflict resolution,
where the minimum amount of force is required, the approach of the
individual who intends resolving the situation is open handed. This is
instantly recognised as non-offensive. The individual who intends using
a sucker punch will also use this open handed approach.
Nurtured A false sense of security in the use of
the fist can be nurtured through success in childhood fistfights. The
bones of a child’s fist are more pliant than adults. There is much more
give when a child’s fist strikes another’s skull. Adult bones are much
more solid. When bones connect in a fight they do not bend or spread,
they will splinter and break. Success in playground fights will not
prepare you for adult combat.
Cultural From a cultural perspective, the sport of
boxing is very popular and the media, to represent aggression, uses the
fist. These factors can lead to individuals emulating their screen or
ring idols by using their fists. It must never be forgotten that boxing
is only a sport. It is now a sanitized version of a very practical form
of close combat. Boxing originally included; cross-buttocks, choking,
eye gouging, foot stamping, tripping, head butting, spitting,
headlocks, kicking and arm locks.
Because of these cultural and natural tendencies, it is inevitable
that individuals will have to either defend themselves from or resort
to fist fighting in close combat. For that reason, this chapter will
illustrate several fist techniques. When the fist is used in combat, it
must be protected with a knuckle-duster or sturdy gloves.
Punching
For the purposes of both defence and attack, spend
at least one month in daily practice of the basic punch. This practice
will not be wasted; you will develop your attacking muscles so that you
can deliver more powerful attacks. Coordinating the following seven
principles will develop your power punches:
The Basic Punch
The basic punch starts with the fist palm up
against the hip (Fig1). Your feet should be in line and shoulder width
apart. Imagine that at arms length there is a centre line from head to
toe and you direct your punches into it. On the full thrust of your
arm, the palm of your hand is facing down. To lock your fist for the
impact, push the thumb side of your fist forward. The back of your fist
should be straight with the forearm and locked so that the wrist can
cope with the impact.
The perfect fist is made by having point A (Fig.2a) protruding
slightly further than point B. The figure in 2a shows how the average
person will make a fist and therefore the fist needs a pair of sturdy
gloves to protect the knuckles, particularly at point B. It is
important that you develop your fist until you are only using the two
knuckles as shown in Fig. 2b.
Consider this point, how long can you wait in order to develop a
complete fighting style incorporating the fist? Leave out the fist
fighting and your training programme will accelerate. The better
alternative to the fist is the palm heel. This technique will be
illustrated later in this chapter.
The Left Jab
Jabs are used to loosen up the opponents defence, block their vision
and distract them. When the fist is punched out, your body weight
should be off the leading leg and your shoulders add impact by turning
into the target. When your fist is almost touching the target, tense it
in a grabbing action. As the fist connects, your whole body weight
should be on the fist with virtually no weight on the leading leg. For
your recovery, relax the arm, pull back fast and distribute your weight
equally to both feet (Figs. 3a & b).
Combinations with the left jab:
Defences to the left jab:
The One Two Combination
The one two combination is usually made with a left jab and a
straight right. The left jab is used to block the opponents vision and
distract them. This will leave a clear path for the straight right.
Figures 4a, b, c, d, e and f show this sequence. Check the
illustrations for:
Defences against the one two combination:
The Left Hook
The left hook is a short arm circular punch. On the way to the
target, the elbow is raised, but not as high as the fist. The left
shoulder and hip must turn into the punch in order to add speed. At all
stages of the punch your palm should be facing you. If you do not have
a pair of protective gloves, use the palm heel instead (Figs. 5a &
b).
This punch, like all others, is executed without full muscular
tension until the target is reached. For the final stages of the punch,
your body weight is transferred to the leading left leg. To aid balance
and recovery, your body weight is transferred to the right foot. If you
miss the target, this weight shift will help you to maintain your
balance.
Limit the forward movement of your fist to an area approximately six
inches in front of your shoulder. This will also stop you from over
extending yourself if the punch misses.
The main targets for the hooking punches are:
Combinations using the left hook:
Defences against the left hook:
The Upper Cut
The upper cut is normally used as either a finishing punch or a
counter punch. Start by cocking the punching fist close to your hip and
bend bend your knees in a crouching position. Complete the punch by
straightening your legs and turning your hips and shoulder into the
target. Your palm faces you all the way to the target. Stop the punch
and recover when your fist reaches a point six inches in front of your
nose (Figs. 6a & b).
Combinations with the upper cut:
Defences against the uppercut:
The Pivot Punches
After missing with a left hook to the opponents head, follow up with a back knuckle (Figs. 7a & b).
Double arm block, followed by a double back knuckle (Figs. 8a & b).
Back knuckle to the bladder (Figs. 9a & b).
Back knuckle to the nose (Fig. 9c).
Back knuckle to the temple (Figs. 9d & e).
Back knuckle to the bladder and jaw (Figs. 9f & g).
To use the tension back knuckle punch, hold your right fist against
your right kidney, pressing it in lightly (Fig10a). To release the
fist, turn your right hip and shoulder into the target and transfer
your weight to your left toes. (Figs. 10b – d). This is a whip action
punch, so work on raising your elbow and allow the fist to flick out.
Hammer Fist
Hammer fist to the spine (Fig. 11a).
Hammer fist to the bladder (11b).
Reverse hammer fist to the kidneys (Figs. 12a & b).
Combination Attacks
Back knuckle jab and a right cross (Fig. 13).
Snap toe kick with the leading leg, followed up with a jab and a
right cross (Figs. 14a & b). The purpose of the toe kick is to
cover the opponents footwork and distract them.
Step right with the leading left leg and then use a lower sweep to
cover their footwork. Carry out a hand attack to the face while using
your left hand to cover the opponents arms (Figs. 15a & b). If you
use your shins in the roundhouse kick and direct them to the side of
the knee cap, this will break the leg.
Hammer fist to the spine followed by a toe kick (Fig. 16).
Rear attack followed up with a hammer fist to the face (Figs. 17 & 18).
Thumb Attacks
The point of your thumb can be used to stab or bring direct pressure
to many weak points of the body. Particular areas of interest are the
main nerves that run through the body and cross in front of the main
bones. Here they are very vulnerable to direct pressure with varying
results. Some of these points will be described here without using
their anatomical names.
The Pincer Grip
The pincer grip in figures 19 and 20 is made by pressing down with
the thumb on the knuckle of the index finger. This technique can be
used to either create a distraction or death.
Targets:
Thick clothing will nullify the shock value of this technique. In
some situations the teeth can be used to equal effect on these targets.
Fore Knuckle Fist
Used below the nose, jabbed at the throat, eyes and upper cut into
the kidneys or solar plexus. (Fig. 20) The circled area is used for the
pincer grips.
Reverse Knife Hand
Put the tip of your thumb on the palm of your hand (Fig. 21). Use
this thumb edge of your hand to attack the testicles, throat, below the
nose and the eyes.
Palm Heel
Because there is less muscular tension involved, the palm heel
attacks are much more powerful than the fist attacks. This will become
obvious when you practice combination attacks. The palm heel techniques
may reduce your reach by two inches but there are many advantages.
“Y” of the Hand
The “Y” of the hand can be targeted to:
The Extended Knuckle Fist
The fore finger knuckle can be used in a left jab to the throat or
eyes. (Fig. 24). The thumb knuckle can be used if the opponent is side
on to you.
The Finger Jabs
In the three finger jab, (Fig. 25) the fingers are doubled up
slightly so that the ends are even. Jab at the eyes, throat, solar
plexus or testicles. Keep the fingers bent forward slightly. If
something solid is hit, your fingers are less liable to damage. The
fingers are held this way for one and two finger jabs.
The Knife Edge Chop
The area of the hand that strikes the target first is the inside
edge of the palm near the little finger (Fig. 26a & b). Just before
impact the fingers should be held tightly together and bent back from
the palm.
Elbow to Spine
This attack starts with the palm side of your hand touching your
ear. The elbow is raised as high as possible (Fig. 27). To strike the
blow, bend the knees slightly and snap down the elbow, palm sideways
all the time. Also breathe out as the elbow comes down.
Elbow Hook to the Solar Plexus
In this blow the palm of the hand faces down (Fig. 28) and your shoulders and hips turn into the target.
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