This page provides details on martial arts finger pokes or finger strikes. This technique is also known as a scissor strike (if two fingers are utilized), eye pokes, etc. For information on other martial arts punches & strikes, please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Punches & Strikes section.
Examples of martial arts finger pokes/strikes include the following:
- Four finger poke
- Two finger poke
- Spear finger strike
- Single finger poke
These techniques are used as a self-defense weapon for close combat, if trapped by a stronger opponent or if the martial artist has long finger nails. These finger strikes are used by martial artists in order to target vitals areas such as the eyes.
Eye strikes are illegal in almost all martial arts sparring competitions. These attacks on vital areas are taught by martial arts schools in order to be used only in life or death situations as they can severely injure an opponent. In order to reduce the potential for accidents, many martial arts schools practice eye strikes against the eyes of BOB (Body Opponent Bags) training dummies versus “live” students. Or they practice against students who are wearing large plastic face shields in order to protect the student’s eyes and face.
Martial arts punches & strikes and all other martial arts techniques should only be practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor.