question for martial artists

[speakeasy]

What would cause more damage, a punch to the face or an palm heel strike to the face?

 

[search1ng]

really it depends on the practitioner. It's not like an rpg where some skill will do 'more damage'. Both are potentially dangerous (knockouts) or useless.

 

[Interceptor]

The palm has less chance of breaking when hitting the human body. Even on hard bone surfaces.
The knuckles of the hand in a fist are a bit more suspect.
Many MA train to use their fist only on softer body areas.
They both work. And ultimately your ability to generate power in that particular strike and which vital area of the human body is what makes the difference.
IOW, it's not an either/or question, one should train them both and be able to use them both.

 

[Bible_Belt]

The force generated from the punch comes mostly from the form of the rest of your body away from the arm. If you do everything else right, you're going to hurt the other guy with either the palm strike or the punch. Most people who have trained have done so throwing mostly punches, though, and their form is probably going to be better doing that.

 

[FairShake]

A punch. The concentration of force is greater. The surface area is also rougher and the object "tighter."

Somebody above gave the reasoning for palm strikes though. If your fists aren't conditioned it's very easy to break a hand. I've boxed alot but times I've unfortunately gotten into a street fight I've messed my hands up alot. Hitting someone on the ground looks easy and fun in the UFC but it's easy to miss and hit nothing but 'crete.

If you ever find yourself in that situation hit them with palms. You may get made fun of by yourfriends but you can still palm strike them afterwards if you have to.