Types of Arm Attacks

Strikes

Strikes are attacks that use some variation of a closed hand (such as back fist or hammer fist), semi-open hand (such as bear paw or palm strike), or open hand (such as knife hand or ridge hand). Strikes also include attacks using the wrist, forearm, and elbow.

• The striking surfaces are the inner and outer edges, the palm, the back, the outer wrist, outer forearm, and front, back, and inside elbow.
• Techniques include, ridge hand, knife hand, back fist, and hammer fist.
• Usually delivered in a snapping motion in a linear or hooking movement.
• Strikes are usually targeted to the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and to the upper, middle, and lower torso. 

Southern preachers are known for their powerful hammer fist strikes. While preaching, they hold the Bible in one hand while pounding on it with a hammer fist strike with the other hand to emphasis points in their sermons, which is why they are called "Bible thumpers."