Open Hand Strikes vs Closed Fist Punches, What's Better in a Streetfight

Here are some other videos I referred to in the video above...

How to Take a Punch to the Head

How to Make a Tight Fist

3 Best KO Points on the Human Head

[alpolacci]

You look like you actually have hair but you put on a bald wig.

Nice vid btw

[SwordFighterPKN]

I was taught hit something hard with something soft (open hand) where you punch something soft with something hard (closed fist). Going by the comments below I am not the only one. Training is how we get past the animal instincts and evolve.

Super happy to hear you stress targeted punching not just the tough man punching! I have been trying to get the MMA guys I coach to do that but boy it hard to train out the toughman mentality.

[kevinb]

If you get the mount I'd definitely recommend open hand or elbows. So many people punch the ground and mess their hand up bad.

[cyberjoe]

I know someone who punched somebody in the mouth cut his knuckles on the guy’s teeth and caught an infection cause of how dirty the guy’s mouth was.😧

[tonywilliams]

My experience was a lot of my colleagues got hairline fractures from punching people in our line of work. I encouraged them to use the palm heel strikes instead.

[NakedSteak]

On Police Academy of Czech Rep. they conducted experimental research and they found out, that trained people do closed hand strikes as effective as an open hand strike, but UNtrained person does more effective open hand strike than closed hand strike. So if it is equally or more effective to use open hand strike and it is safer (for me and many others also easier) I will stick with open hand, thanks.

[CederichHower]

An open-handed palm strike to the ribs can shatter ribs and like other people are saying slapping is not the general use of an open-handed strike in martial arts.

[timothysmith]

Interesting but...

Even MCMAP now advises against using a closed fist. It's also scientifically proven you can deliver as much force and even more with open hand strikes. Extensive training is needed to deliver a proper closed fist punch to minimise the chance of wrist or knuckle damage but even then you're far more likely to injure your hand striking with a fist than an open hand. This is one of the reasons why most military unarmed combatives are moving more and more to teaching open hand rather than a closed fist.

[battler]

Excellent video, I've only ever punched one person, ( a trespasser) the friction of my knuckles against the side of his head took the skin off the two big ones, knocking him out. He was also bleeding from his ear from the blow, now I avoid confrontations all together, due to me being arrested and charged for the incident. I don't think a slap would have got me into so much trouble.

[amokbel]

I am a kyokushin practionner and no, we do not close our fists like you mentioned in your video. They teach us to be relax before punching. The difference here is that we don't punch to the head, only body, and that's the main reason why we don't break our knuckles or wrists since we are hitting a softer part of the body. We also do a lot of knuckles and wrist conditioned. We also punch everything (bags, dummies, etc) bareknuckle. Great video though.

[DonaldSchnell]

Good points about Bas Ruten and the open hand vs. the correct fist. Thanks

[babyboomersensei]

Let me out it this way. I’ve been in fights and you’re right, my fists were closed. But I once did hit the head and felt an electric shock that damn near paralyzed my right side. It was like hitting a brick wall. There was no next time after that because I’ve learned to stay from fights, . But if I do, ‘it’ll be with body shots and if my state of mind is there, with open palms. It’s really hard to say because you don’t know what’ll happen till it happens. Mike Tyson said, everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.

[bunnieseatliverspots]

To add another perspective: open hand strikes are common in southeast Asian martial arts, because those arts assume that weapons will always be involved in an encounter. The thought here is that if you break your hand mid fight, you lose the ability to wield your weapon. Historically this usually meant knives, but today it might mean firearms, pepper spray, kubatons, or any other self defense tool. Of course, the same risk applies to grappling: it’s a lot harder to control an opponent with broken hands.

Like others in this comment section, the SE Asian martial arts that I’ve studied prefer open handed strikes to hard, bony areas, and punches to soft areas.

Other arts - Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, Kali - utilize a vertical fist when punching, the thought being that this bone alignment is safer for the wrist and knuckles.

[SuperFamiKing]

Use both. Depends on the situation and surface area you are striking.

[davidwayne]

OPEN HAND--- FIRST - it can be MORE ppwerful and effective than any fist- second- not as likely to injure YOU the thrower.. third- LOOKS more DEFENSIVE for the videos that get used to try to convict YOU of being the attacker. I'm a retired ranger, fed bodyguard and have been in 1000 TRANSACTIONS plus-- (transactions because someone always pays in one way or the other) and only lost 2--- I NEVER punch-- it's NOT needed.

[nikkig]

I would dispute that a closed fist is instinctive for everyone. For most men, especially those that have been a bit rough and tumble in their youth, absolutely. As a woman, not really. I have done kickboxing training and such over the years. I know how to throw a punch. But I’ve never had a situation come up that I needed to execute in real life. I don’t trust that I could land it correctly or that I won’t injure myself more than the target. This is especially true where any aggressor (likely male) is probably going to be a lot taller than me, and also closer into my space. A palm heel strike doesn’t need the same accuracy to be effective and can be executed in close quarters. I am petite, with very small hands. I trust I could get a lot more power with the palm strike. But! This video does seem more geared toward a bar brawl scenario, whereas I would be more likely to need it in self-defense.

[Prof.Fulkerson]

Open hand, strike then grab opponent, pull them into elbow or knee.

[teabagNBG]

after fckn up both of my hands after several boxersfractures... i wish i had uses palms or elbows earlier

[engchoontan]

Align knuckles with wrist and forearm to reduce wrist injury
Train wrist push ups
Use the same technique to strike heavy punching bags with wrists
Train swings with elbow as pivot point
Use reverse palm, use palm, use punch, use ... depending on angle of contact with opponent. Consideration for impact.

[jethrobradley]

I like to open and close my hands very rapidly and keep the other person guessing. I also shout "Open. Closed. Open. Closed" to add an extra intimidation factor