side of hand strikes..chop-chop

[Anonymous]

Question about the chop: there are only about three inches of fleshy space on the edge of my hand, between the little finger and the wrist bones (metacarpals/lateral ulna and phalanges). When the fur starts flying, how do I prevent damage to my own wrists and fingers while I’m hacking away? Won’t the enemy reactively try to block those strikes withby raising his arms? Pardon if this question seems idiotic; I just started the program.

[Damian (Instructor)]

It’s a good question:
1. The surface area for the edge of hand actually covers from the pinkie knuckle to your shoulder. So if you get jammed, that edge of hand turns into an elbow.
2. Second, he is definitely going to react to being hit. Mostly by putting his hands up. You’ll see in module 1 that the edge of hand is incredibly resistant more so than the untrained fist. With the edge of hand you will be able to hack through his cover. If he covers, your attack will be so explosive, that will be his last mistake.

Here’s the catch…you still need to condition you hand. That’s why it is extremely important to HIT SOMETHING in training.

Train to hit progressively harder and let pain be your guide. There is no doubt that when the fur starts flying you will catch and elbow or a skull.

This time instead of smashing your knuckles on their skull, you’ll shock them with an edge of hand or hammer fist.

There is no guarantee that you won’t hurt anything, but worst case you’re trading a dislocated finger/sprain wrist with a shattered knuckles.

[Damian (Instructor)]

Mr. Ross,
Thanks for your reply. Is there anything I can do to improve accuracy of hitting the intended target area using the chop?

[Damian (Instructor)]

Hit something and please, don’t over think it. As long as you attack the target rich areas of above the neck, you’ll eventually hit something. Like you pointed out, in the unpredictable conditions of a fight who knows where you wind up.

Worst case scenario, you hit his arm as he covers up. Best case you connect with a shot and put him out.

When it comes down to it, you’re attacking him or he’s attacking you. The guy who wins is the one who’s doing the attacking.

[Author]

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