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The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. That truth tells the individual who possesses the common horse sense to understand it, exactly what kind of blow is the fastest in striking its target: i.e., the un-telegraphed straight-line thrust that takes the attacking hand from where it is now straight into the adversary’s vulnerable target.
Boxers know that a straight left jab will hit the opponent whenever the opponent is within range, providing the blow is not telegraphed. In unarmed close combat we do not box, but we certainly can make use of much of that which boxing has taught us, like the value of the straight thrust.
In an emergency the straight thrust technique may be used to significant effect with the following natural weapons:
- The tiger’s claw
- The fingertips
- The half-fist
- The heel palms
- The single knuckle
Additionally, although not as versatile and effective for most individuals, unless they have had some serious boxing background—or in some instances, karate training—is the normal, clenched fist. We teach this and advocate it, but only to the very weakest and softest targets.
Normally we prefer the five key weapons enumerated for the maximum effectiveness when straight thrusting.
We recommend their application as follows:
The tiger’s claw is extraordinarily practical, reliable, and effective. Although it may be sufficient to stop an attack, we would never depend upon it alone (or any single, individual blow, alone). It should be driven powerfully into the enemy’s face. The hand is formed as though a chin jab smash were going to be executed, but the palm faces the assailant’s face and is driven directly into it. The fingertips hit the eyes first, and then the palm heel “collapses” into the face, in an immensely powerful blow.
One of the remarkable things about this strike is that it is about impossible for even a slightly built woman to injure her hand delivering it. The hand smashes into the attacker’s face and the follow-up entails either a vicious hold and deep clawing into the face and eyes, or the hand recoils back, and is utilized for another blow (hand axe chop, kick to testicles or side kick to knee, etc.).
Anyone concerned about practical self-defense should master this speedy, efficient, and almost foolproof way to—at the very, very least—disorient an opponent so that whatever follow-up action is desired may be executed. If you are standing off-angled to your adversary, you may use either the lead or rearmost hand to deliver the tiger’s claw.
The fingertips thrust is to be employed against only two extremely specific targets: the enemy’s eyes, or the enemy’s throat. The hand is formed by extending four fingers naturally (holding them in place, but without tensing the fingers or the hand). The fingertips of the index, middle, and fourth finger are positioned together, but not rigidly. The thrust is made to the eyes with the objective of going through the eyes and skull completely.
This is the attitude; obviously, this is impossible. But such a powerful, straight thrust into anyone’s eyes will cause serious trauma. Drive the thrust as though you were going through a fog bank, forcing the enemy’s head itself to cause the thrust to reach a point of termination. Do not “poke” and withdraw. Leave shenanigans like that to the Three Stooges. Same identical idea when thrusting to the throat.
If you have read or been taught that your fingers can be driven into and through the human body, forget it! Attack the body with elbow smashes, heel palm blows, hand axe chops, and—when going after the sternum, solar plexus, hypogastrium, bladder, or testicles—with the clenched fist.
The lead or rear hand, if you are standing off-angled, may be used with equal effectiveness in fingertips thrusting attacks.
The half-fist is one of the best ways to deliver a powerful thrust into the throat. Unlike a clenched fist, the half-fist cannot be blocked by the jaw. It passes right under the adversary’s chin and—because it presents a hard, powerfully formed impact point—it inflicts significant injury. With less devastating, but nonetheless effective results, the half-fist may be driven into the bridge of the nose-and-eyes, also.
The late Prof. William K.S. Chow (Founder of the Hawaiian School of Kenpo-Karate) liked to employ this blow against an attacker’s knee. Chow doubtless had hands like steel and could employ this weapon with satisfactory results against that target; but we would not try it and we don’t recommend it.
The half-fist demands that the fingers be pressed firmly together, and the thumb (to avoid injury) should be kept pressed firmly against the side of the hand, not left to dangle loosely.
We would recommend using this blow with the rearmost hand if you are standing off-angled to your foe. Turn your body powerfully and sharply into the strike. Use only against the throat in a life-threatening situation.
The heel palm is stupendously versatile! One of its finest uses is in straight thrusting to the eye, the jaw, the nose, the temple, or the sternum. During WWII this blow to the sternum was referred to as the “rock crusher” by Fairbairn.
The physics of this blow is phenomenal. It is a power blow, to be sure! Unlike a blow with the fist, which requires a locked and braced wrist, the heel palm has no such weakness. There is zero possibility of “give” when the blow is delivered. It is like driving a solid block of wood into your target.
We suggest focusing on the rearmost hand in an off-angled position when delivering the heel palm. Get all your body into this strike, and if you hit the eye or jaw or nose of your enemy, you very well may knock him out!
The single knuckle is an excellent blow, but not everyone likes it. Frankly, we do not find it compatible with how we prefer to attack, however, anyone who does find it to his liking can use it to excellent effect. Deliver the index finger flexed knuckle or the middle finger flexed knuckle—hand tightly clenched to support the blow—to the attacker’s eye.
In some instances, where a student’s hands are strong and heavy, driving the knuckle into the solar plexus can be effective, but again we’d limit the blow to the eye. Obviously, it can cause serious eye damage, which, if you are being threatened with severe injury or death, should not concern you.
But never horse around with this or any of the blows described, and if you work with a live partner do not deliver them by contact. Stop a few inches short. Make contact with a dummy, heavy bag, striking post, or other training aid—not a human practice partner.
NOT FOR BOXING ONLY! THE STRAIGHT THRUST, UTILIZING MORE DESTRUCTIVE NATURAL WEAPONS AND ATTACKING TRULY VULNERABLE “VITAL POINTS”, IS INVALUABLE FOR SELF-DEFENSE AND UNARMED COMBAT.
The straight punch is OK when driven into the sternum. We always use a “vertical fist” (palm facing in, not down upon impact). This locks the wrist most effectively, and the sternum is easily attacked with little stress to the fist/wrist. No punching to the bony facial area or head (unless you are wearing “sap gloves”!).
You can be certain that if your enemy is within reach and if you deliver any of these straight blows without telegraphing, they will land!
And we will close with this: Remember how potentially dangerous these blows are and do not abuse your knowledge of them. They are strictly for serious self-protection