Hand Attacking Tools
| The hand creates so many types of tools that special care should be paid to the selection of the appropriate tool for the appropriate target. |
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Forefist The forefist is generally used for attacking the philtrum, ribs, solar plexus, chest, abdomen, jaw, etc. The main knuckles of the forefinger and middle finger arc the punching parts. The top and the front of the fist should form a right angle so the punching parts can be closely contacted with the target. The wrist should not be bent when the fist is clenched. The forefist is occasionally used for a pressing block How to make a clenched fist (Jwinun Bop) If the fist is not made firmly and correctly and if there is even the minutest of air space, the fist will be as weak as untempered steel and as soft as cotton. The fist must be tightly clenched at the moment of impact.
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Open fist It is created when the wrist is bent upward and all except the main knuckles are bent towards the palm. This is used to attack the nose, jaw and point of the chin. It can be used in blocking in rare cases. |
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Back fist This is primarily used for attacking the skull forehead, temple, philtrum and abdomen, with the floating ribs and epigastrium secondary targets. The main knuckles of the forefinger and middle finger are the parts used. |
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Side fist This is used for attacking the skull, elbow joint, ribs, solar plexus, philtrum and abdomen. It is occasionally used for blocking. |
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Long fist This is very similar to an under fist except that the main knuckles are stiffened and the thumb is bent firmly, leaving some space between the fore finger and the thumb. It is used to the attack the temple or the Adams apple. |
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Forearm This is used for blocking and is classified into outer, inner, back and under forearm. One-third of the arm, from the wrist to the elbow, is used. |
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Elbow The elbow is created when the arm is bent sharply. It is used for attacking the solar plexus, chest, abdomen, point of the chin, ribs, jaw, cervix, small of the back, etc. It is classified into front, side, straight, high, upper and back elbow; frequently, the straight elbow serves as a blocking tool. |
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Pincher fingers Three fingers are clenched while the thumb and forefinger are stretched out to form the shape of pincers. It is chiefly used to attack the Adam's apple and throat. The secondary knuckle of the middle finger is used, together with the tips of the thumb and forefinger |
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Pressing fingers It is used to apply pressure to arteries and minute vital spots. |
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Bear hand Bend all fingers inward firmly. It is normally used in attacking the post auricular and jaw; occasionally the solar plexus and epigastrium. |
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Thumb Extend the thumb out of the forefist. Be sure not to bend any joint of the thumb. It used to thrust the solar plexus, ribs, eyes, windpipe and armpit. |
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Hand palm Bend all the fingers slightly toward the palm to strengthen it. This is chiefly used in blocking and occasionally for attacking the face. |
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Knuckle fist This is formed with either one of the secondary knuckles of the forefinger or middle finger. The attack is more effective to a minute vital spot at a close distance if the snap motion is used properly. |
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Knife hand This is very powerful attacking tool, especially against a side target, and is used for attacking the skull, neck artery, bridge of the nose, temple, philtrum, clavicle, shoulder and floating ribs. The knife-hand is also frequently used for b1ocking. Press four fingers together bending the middle finger and ring finger slightly inward leaving some space between the forefinger and thumb, so that most of the strength is concentrated on the striking part, the surface from the wrist to the main knuckle of the little finger. An incorrect way of forming a knife hand is by pressing the thumb against the forefinger. This will weaken both the knife-hand and fingertips. In both cases, the joint of the little finger should not be used by beginners due to its weakness. |
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Reverse knife hand It is similar to the knife-hand except that the thumb is bent sharply toward the palm. It is used for attacking the neck, point of the chin, temple, philtrum, ribs and angle of the mandible. It's frequently used for blocking as well. |
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Underside knife hand |
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Fingertips This is a special tool found only in Taekwon-Do. The usage of it varies according to the target. The form of the hand is just the same as that of a knife-hand as far as straight flat and upset fingertips are concerned. The fingertips are the parts used and a great emphasis is placed on evenly aligning the three fingertips - forefinger, middle finger and ring finger. |
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Arc-hand Bend three fingers slightly deeper than the forefinger while the thumb is bent toward the little finger. It is used to attack the Adams apple, point of the chin and upper neck. The surface between the secondary knuckle of the forefinger and thumb is used. The arc-hand is occasionally employed for blocking. |
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Backhand It is an ordinary open hand but by pressing the thumb against the side of the forefinger, it is used for attacking the face, jaw, lips and epigastrium. Occasionally the back hand is used for blocking. |
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Fingerbelly This is used only to adjust the back fist when attacking the philtrum by bringing it to the side fist at the moment of impact. |
