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Hand Strikes: American Kenpo Karate

These basic hand strikes are required for promotion to your next belt. As you get better, your understanding of each should also improve.

• Thrusting: Strike drives through the target instead of snapping off the target
• Snapping: Strike snaps back off the target with shattering force

Hand Strikes

1: Straight Punch

• Fist starts palm up
• Rotates to palm down as it strikes the target

2: Vertical Punch

• Fist starts palm up
• Rotates to palm in, knuckles vertical, as it strikes the target

3: Inward Hand Sword

• Raise your right hand so that the palm raised, shoulder level, palm forward
• Looking at yourself in the mirror, strike your neck in the mirror with the knife edge of the hand
• You'll note that the hand rotates from 'palm forward' to 'palm in' as you move, providing torque
• This is an inward strike because the hand moves from the outside in, towards your center line

4: Outward Hand Sword

• Raise your hand so that your arm is across your body, the palm level with your head and the palm parallel to your face
• Looking at yourself in the mirror, strike your neck in the mirror with the knife edge of the hand
• You'll note that the hand rotates from 'palm in' to 'palm out' as you move, providing torque
• This is an outward strike because the hand moves from the inside out, away from your center line

5: Palm Heel

• Can be straight, horizontal, underhand, overhand, rear
• Start in a training horse, elbows back, hands palm up on your pecs
• Your hand will rotate from 'palm up' to 'palm out' as you strike with the palme of the hand
• Try to hit as close to the base of the hand as you can in order to avoid having your wrist bent back
• Keep your fingers together and thumb in, and think about focusing power up your forearm into the palm

6: Back Knuckle

• Strike with the back of the hand, specically with the knuckles
• This can approach the target at any angle
• Most often, we strike vertically, diagonally, or rising (Lifting Back Knuckle)

7: Finger Thrust

• Fingers spread slightly, for a shotgun effect
• This is most often done either to the front, side, or over the shoulder

8: Finger Poke

• Intended for more penetration into the eyes, throat, or other soft area
• Index and long finger together, rigid, and poke the target

9: Inward Slice

• Hand moves across, from outside to inside, palm up, index and long finger slicing across the eyes
• Keep elbow anchored and make a quick motion with the hand

10: Outward Slice

• Hand moves across, from inside to outside, palm down, index and long finger slicing across the eyes
• Keep elbow anchored and make a quick motion with the hand