More on Knuckles

Date: Thurs, 27 October 2005

I got a lot of feedback from readers regarding which part of the fist to strike with. There were strong opinions on both sides of the issue.

I have to say that a lot of my readers are very experienced in martial arts, law enforcement, boxing, and so on, so it wasn’t just a bunch of know-it -alls mouthing off, like you might find in a forum (wink).

I’ve already said that I prefer to hit with the last 3 knuckles because the wrist is straighter, and you have slightly more striking surface.  Let me just list, in no particular order, some of the points raised by people who emailed me on this topic.

(You can pull these out of your hat next time you’re arguing with your martial arts buddies.)

Boxers don’t actually hit with the last 3 knuckles – they hit with a glove under which is a wrap.

Hitting with the first 2 knuckles is based on the straight punches of karate and doesn’t transfer well to American boxing/street fighting/mixed martial arts.

Which knuckles do upper cuts or spin backfists hit with? Most broken knuckles from punching occur with the outside 2 knuckles.

Okay, those are all very good points.  I guess the bottom line is – you get best at what you train hardest.

And where does that leave us?

Train like you mean it!

Rob LaPointe