Palmheel strike

Palmheel strikes contact targets with the heel-of-the-hand, circled in red. Bending the fingers at the second knuckle prevents hyperextension sprains.

Teishō uchi (literally “bottom-palm strike”), the palmheel 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.

Palmheel strikes (along with elbow strikes) are an essential part of self-defense courses because:

• Palmheel strikes require little skill.
• The teishō is the most robust part of the hand, so palmheel strikes can be used without risk of injury. This is vital because:
  • Some people have dainty hands, which cannot handle the rigors of punching.
  • Many people (e.g., artists, physicians, tradesmen) need their hands to earn a living, and this could cause hesitation.

There are four ways to throw a palmheel strike, because your hand must strike different vital points at different angles to prevent hyperextending your fingers.

Rising palmheel strike

Rising palmheel strikes are thrown much like an uppercut, but the hand turns until the fingers point upward. This protects your fingers as you strike the opponent’s philtrum, chin, or collarbone.

Please note that palmheel strikes to the philtrum will not drive the opponent's nosebone into their brain, causing instant death. That is an urban legend.

Downward palmheel strike

Downward palmheel strikes extend out like a reverse punch, except the rotates the opposite direction, until the fingers point straight down, to allow you to safely strike the opponent’s abdomen and groin. Downward palmheel 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

Outside strikes are thrown with the fingers pointing to the outside, so the hand does not turn over, like a tate tsuki. This is commonly used to strike the opponent’s kidneys. Also, the most efficient way to push some away is by striking their hips with outside palmheel strikes; this is useful in bear hug escapes, or to jam an opponent's hip throw.

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

Inside palmheel strike

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

After executing an inside palmheel 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.]

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