Thrusts

Thrusts are hand attacks when some part of the hand (such as two-fingers, palm, or middle knuckles) is jabbed into the opponent in a linear motion, usually to specific targets (such as eyes or solar plexus). Power comes from hip snap and driving off ball of trailing foot. There are three types of delivery:

• A snapping whip-crack motion.
• Pushing off an incoming attack with a thrusting motion.
• Combining the whip-crack and push-through. This is used when breaking boards to leave the first board intact while breaking the others.

All the thrusts start from the hands and arms being held in a basic guard position: Hands in fists held just below cheekbones with palms toward face, with forearms almost vertical.

Spear Hand Thrust

It is usually used to the solar plexus or other soft body tissues. To make a proper spear hand:

• Hold arm straight out in front of the body with hand held flat (palm down) with fingers straight and together with thumb sticking out.
• Slightly bend fingers so the first three fingertips are even and held tightly together. Stiffen the fingers.
• Bend thumb and keep it tucked close to the hand.
• The point of impact is with the tips of the fingers.
• Deliver spear hand with thumb upward against the solar plexus, with palm upward against the solar plexus and floating ribs, or with palm downward against the groin or face.
• Palm downwards thrust against the throat is deadly if delivered in the same way as a jab.
• Spear hand is largely ineffective against well-muscled or bony targets unless it is well forged. Achieve this by repeatedly thrusting fingers into cardboard boxes and then into a bucket of dried peas, sand, or pebbles.
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