Palm Strike or Palm Heel Strike - Martial Arts Striking Technique

This page provides details on how to throw a "Palm Strike" (or "Palm Heel Strike). This martial arts technique uses the heel of the palm in order to strike an opponent's nose or chin.

This strike is a useful self-defense tool and likely to result in less damage to your fingers/hands as you are hitting with "padded bottom" of your hand. Therefore, you are less likely to break a finger or knuckle. However, a well-aimed punch is likely to result in greater damage due to the impact of the knuckles versus the padded impact of the heel of the palm. For information on different punches and hand/arm strikes (i.e. back fist and hammer strike), please visit the main Punches & Strikes section.

Section supported by Heavy Striking Bags

Tips:
1. keep fingers together, curled or mostly straight
2. keep thumb parallel to meta carpals
3. keeping the hand open leaves the extensor muscles more relaxed and allows for greater flow of energy (compared to a beginner using a clenched fist punch)
4. striking with the exact heel of the hand keeps the force in line with the arm and avoiding damage to the carpals and associated muscles
5. arguably most effective when aimed to the nose or solar (celiac) plexus

References

1. TaekwondoAnimals.com, Taekwondo Punches, http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-punches.asp, Added - 4/30/13