Palmheel strike

Teishō-uchi (literally “bottom-palm strike”), the palm-heel strike uses the heel-of-the-hand (teishō) to smash several different vital areas from close range. To form the teishō, bend your wrist back as far as you can, and curl your fingers at the second knuckle. The picture below will guide you:

[Picture of a palm-heel, use MS paint to make a circle to highlight the striking area]

Palm-heel strikes (along with elbow strikes) are an essential part of any self-defense course because:

• Palm-heels strikes are incredibly simple to perform; they require little skill.
• Some people have dainty hands, which cannot handle the rigors of punching. Likewise, some people (e.g., artists, guitarists, and surgeons) cannot earn a living if they suffer a hand injury. Since the teishō is the most robust part of the hand, anyone can use palm-heel strikes to defend themselves without risking injury.

There are four ways to throw a palm-heel strike. All four ways are essentially variations of a reverse punch, but the hand rotates in different directions to different angles depending on the target. Different weak points will require slightly different final hand positions to prevent hyperextending your fingers backwards.

Rising palmheel strike

Rising palm-heel strikes are thrown much like a reverse punch, and the hand only turns until the technique ends with the fingers pointing upward. This will protect your fingers as you strike the opponent’s nose, chin, or collarbone. (Please note that palm-heels to the nose will not instantly drive the nosebone into the brain. That is an urban legend.)

[video of rising palm-heel strikes from the front and side, fast and slow.]

Downward palmheel strike

Downward palm-heel strikes are thrown much like a reverse punch, and the hand turns until the technique ends with the fingers pointing straight down. This allows for safe striking to the opponent’s abdomen and groin. Downward palm-heel strikes are also the perfect setup for groin grabs, which can be used to start a number of simple-yet-utterly-horrific combinations.

[video of downward palm-heel strikes from the front and side, fast and slow.]

Outside palmheel strike

Downward palm-heel strikes are thrown much like a tate-tsuki. The fingers pointing to the outside, so there is no turn-over. This is commonly used to strike the opponent’s kidneys. Also, the most efficient way to push some away from you is to strike their hips with outside palm-heel strikes; this is useful when escaping from bear hugs.

[video of outside palm-heel strikes from the front and side, fast and slow.]

Inside palmheel strike

Inside palm-heel strikes are thrown much like a reverse punch, with a 270° turnover, ending with the fingers pointing to the inside. Inside palm-heels are typically thrown to the chest, to stop a rushing opponent, or to knock an opponent off-balance. At its highest level, the shock of an extremely powerful inside palm-heel strike can send the opponent’s heart into fibrillation.

After executing an inside palm-heel strike, immediately close your hand to grab the opponent’s clothing, jewelry, or chest hair. Then, the reciprocal action of your rechamber pulls your opponent into your next attack, doubling its power.

[video of inside palm-heel strikes from the front and side, fast and slow.]