Attack Points

Definition

Attack points are the specific parts of your body (hands, feet, elbows, knees, head, etc) which are used to attack specific targets and execute specific techniques. The use of a particular attack point usually involves specific formations of the hand, foot, or other parts of the body:

• HANDS:
  • FORE FIST — Used to strike, or press. Formed with a tight fist and using the front of the first two knuckles for contact.
  • BACK FIST — A strike to any part of the body accomplished by snapping or twisting the forearm from the elbow and landing the hit with the tops of the first two knuckles.
  • HAMMER FIST — Used typically as a strike to the head or ribs. Contact area is the bottom fleshy part of a clenched fist.
  • KNIFE HAND — Used to strike. Formed by extending the fingers with slight bend at second knuckles. Contact area is the fleshy edge of the tensed hand.
  • RIDGE HAND — The reverse of the Knife Hand. Tucking the thumb further in against the palm, and using the area from slightly below the base of the index finger to the first thumb joint as a contact point. It is usually aimed at the neck, temple or ribs.
  • PALM HEEL — An open hand technique designed to strike, block or press. The wrist is snapped during strikes to the chest, ribs, head, temple, jaw and nose. Contact area is at the base of the palm.
  • OPEN HAND — Similar to the Knife Hand, with the only difference being that the hand is cupped. The hand is relaxed or tense and used to strike, slap, push, block or hold. Contact area is the entire palm.
  • TIGER CLAW — General purpose of this position is to rake, tear or grab, usually clawing the eyes and ears. Formed by bending 5 fingertips partially inward imitating a claw. Contact area is tips and nails of all five fingers.
  • INNER ELBOW — Used for snapping strikes, clothesline strikes, holds, chokes, and takedowns. Often used against head targets or to trap a kicking leg. Contact area is between the inner forearm and bicep.
  • ELBOW — Elbow techniques are chiefly used in close-quarter combat to the chin, solar-plexus or ribs. They can be used to strike forwards, sideways, backward, upward or downwards.
  • BACKHAND — The back of stiffened or open hand used in delivering a strike.
• FEET & LEGS:
  • BALL OF THE FOOT — Used to strike or push. Used to strike any part of the body. Striking withthe padded area between the arch and base of the toes. Most commonly used on a Front Kick.
  • FOOTSWORD — Another name for the outer edge of the foot. Used to strike, block, check and choke. Also termed Knife Foot.
  • INSTEP — Used to strike. Most typically in Roundhouse and rising kicks. Strike with the top part of the foot, between the ankle and toes.
  • ARCH — An attack point most commonly used in conjunction with an inside crescent kick. Strike with the inside edge of the foot between the heel and ball.
  • BACK HEEL — Used to strike or throw. Typically in power kicks such as the Spin Kick or Axe Kick, and throws such as the Inner Reaping Throw. Contact is made with the bony area below the Achilles tendon.
  • BOTTOM HEEL — Used to strike, press, hold or throw. Contact area is the base of the heel bone. Some of the more common techniques utilizing this foot position include the Back Kick, Stomp Kick and Tomeo-nage (stomach throw).
  • SHIN/FRONT LOWER LEG — Used for kicks to mid-section or legs, blocks against kicks (shin-shields), arm bars (grappling), chokes, pins, and leg-trap throws. Contact area is the tibia bone at the front of the leg.
  • FRONT KNEE — Used in closer range combat. Primary targets are the groin, stomach, head and ribs.
  • BACK KNEE — Used to hold and throw. Knee-flex and foot positioning vary depending upon technique. Basically you are utilizing the area between your middle hamstring and calf to control or move your opponent. As in the ‚ÄúHinge-snap‚Äù

Explanation

See Also