Ippon Ken - Karate Striking Technique

Ippon Ken is a Karate striking technique that uses the extended knuckle of the forefinger (index finger) in order to strike a target. For greater details, pictures and to see how this technique is used by other martial arts, please visit the Extended Index Knuckle Punch section.

Instructions for Technique

• Ippon Ken is a very good technique to strike at nerve points and it is included in Hangestu Kata.
• It is acheived quite simply by protruding your first finger slightly, so the joint pokes out of the fist. You do not point your finger out but just the joint.
• You will strike the target with just the point. Therefore, it can take some conditioning of the hands in order to this strike without injuring your finger.
• You can strike anywhere on your opponent's body with the Ippon Ken. However, given Ippon Ken's narrow striking surface, it is more effective when targeting small nerve points.

Reference Sources

1. Red Dragons Karate School UK. Sensei Nathan Foster