Techniques>Thrusts>Types of thrusts

↩ Back

Types of thrusts

Intro

All hand thrusts start from a basic guard position with the hands in fists held just below the cheekbones, with the palms toward the face, and with the forearms almost vertical. Power comes from the hip snap and driving off the ball of the trailing foot. All thrusts that use the fingertips are largely ineffective against well-muscled or bony targets unless the fingers are well-forged.

Spear hand thrust

A spear hand thrust is usually used to attack the solar plexus, the lower abdomen, or the throat. To make a vertical spear hand:

• Hold the arm straight out in front of the body with the hand held vertical, with the palm facing inward, with the fingers straight and together, and with the thumb sticking out.
• Slightly bend fingers so the first three fingertips are even and are held tightly together. Stiffen the fingers.
• Bend the thumb and keep it tucked close to the hand.
• The point of impact is with the tips of the fingers.

Use a vertical spear hand (palm facing inward) to thrust into the solar plexus. Use a horizontal spear hand (palm facing downward) to thrust into the throat. Use an inverted horizontal spear hand (palm facing upward) to thrust into the area just under the floating ribs.

One-finger spear thrust

A one-finger spear thrust is usually used to attack the eyes, solar plexus, nostrils, nerve centers, or soft body tissues. To make a one-finger thrust hand:

• Make a clenched fist with the thumb knuckle facing up.
• Extend the first finger straight out in alignment with the forearm with the thumb extended alongside the finger.
• Slightly bend the finger so it will not be jammed if it strikes a hard surface.
• The point of impact is the tip of the finger.

Even if the finger is well-forged, this is a very risky weapon to use against any target, even a soft target.

Two-finger spear hand thrust

A two-finger spear thrust is usually used to attack the eyes. To make a one-finger thrust hand:

• Make a clenched fist with the knuckles facing up.
• Extend the first two fingers straight out in alignment with the forearm with the thumb curled over the lower two fingers. 
• Slightly bend the fingers so they will not be jammed they strike a hard surface.
• The point of impact is the tips of the fingers.

Thrust the fingers into the eyes. Keep the fingers slightly bent;. If the fingers are straight and you jam the fingers into the forehead, they will be injured and the hand will become useless as a weapon.

Pincher thrust

The pincher thrust is usually used to attack the throat. To make a pincher hand:

• Make a clenched fist with the knuckles facing outward.
• Extend the index (first) finger and the thumb straight out. Slightly bend the fingers so they will not be jammed they strike a hard surface.
• Spread the two fingers apart as if they were gripping a large ball and hold them in alignment with the forearm.
• The point of impact is the web of skin between the thumb and index finger.

The pincher hand is thrust toward the throat so the area between the two fingers rams into the throat. As impact is made, the thumb and finger pinch together around the windpipe and grip it. The grip may be used to crush the windpipe, or the windpipe may be yanked out of place.

Thumb thrust

A thumb thrust is usually used to attack an eye, the solar plexus, nerve centers, or soft body tissues. To make a thumb thrust hand:

• Make a clenched fist with the knuckles facing outward.
• Extend the thumb straight out in alignment with the forearm. 
• Press the thumb down on the curled index finger to brace and strengthen it.
• The tip of the thumb is the point of impact.

Jab the thumb into the target and then gouge the thumb into the target to cause the opponent more pain.

↩ Back