Is there a situation a punch would be more effective than a palm strike?
I can't punch very hard, but I can do a palm strike with reasonable force. In particular I can't punch well with my left hand. I can't really make a good fist with my left hand. I'm not sure I can explain it in text.
If I ever get attacked and have to defend myself, I'd go with a palm strike over a punch first. But I wondered if there was a situation in which a palm strike just doesn't make any sense compared to a punch.
CM772013-11-22T17:00:20Z
Favorite Answer
Punches are safest for your hands when you aim for the soft spots of the opponents body. A good rule is conventional boxing punches to the body, elbow, hammerfist, or palm strikes to the head. A well aimed punch to the nose or jaw is okay, but avoid the skull.
When I was a green belt I was told by a senior black belt that a full fisted punch was a warning shot. Shokens (one knockle punches) harikans (tiger paw) finger strikes and palm strikes are for when you really want to hurt someone.
As I've gained rank and learned more and more I now echo his words as I now teach my own mid level students!
One suggestion for you is to work on all of your strikes. Learn power, accuracy and technique. You never know when a certain strike may be best. So always be prepared.