This section explores a wide variety of martial arts punches and strikes. The instructions and videos will help martial artists to learn about basic striking techniques such as the jab, straight punch, knife hand strike, palm strike and spinning back fist. This section also provides information on more exotic martial arts strikes such as the Tiger Claw and Crane Beak Strike.
Punches and strikes are used by martial artists for self-defense, sparring, breaking techniques, etc. These techniques are often practiced with a training partner and/or against a speed bag, heavy bag, Wavemaster, Body Opponent Bag (BOB), Wing Chun Wooden Striking Dummy, etc.
Martial punches & strikes and all other martial arts techniques should only be practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized. In addition, all martial arts techniques should be used safely and responsibly.
Punches – Training Equipment
Related Pages
Basic Punches & Strikes – Click on each punch or strike for instructions & videos
- Back Fist
- Elbow Strikes – This page reviews a wide variety of elbow strikes.
- Hammer Fist
- Haymaker Punch
- Hook Punch
- Jab Punch – This punch by your lead hand is done for speed (versus the power of a rear hand straight punch).
- Knife Hand Strike – The classic “Karate Chop”.
- Palm Strike or Palm Heel Strike
- Slap – Groin Slap, etc.
- Straight Punch or Cross Punch, Rear Hand Punch, etc. This is the standard power punch.
- Uppercut Punch
Advanced Martial Arts Punches and/or Strike Variations – Click on each punch or strike for instructions & videos
- Back Hand Strike or Back Hand Slap, Karate’s Haishu Uchi, etc.
- Bolo Punch
- Crane Beak Strike or Crow’s Beak Strike, Wood Hand Strike, Fingers Together Strike, etc.
- Double Fist Punch – This punch uses both hands to strike the target at the same time.
- Eagle Claw
- Eagle Strike
- Ear Clap or Thunderclap Strike, Thunder Palm Fist, etc.
- Extended Index Knuckle Punch or Ippon Ken, Shark Tooth Punch, Pistol Poke, etc.
- Eye Rake or Eye Scratch
- Eye Strike or Eye Jab
- Finger Pokes or Scissor Finger Strike
- Two Finger Poke
- Four Finger Poke
- Spear Finger Strike – This is also known as Saber Hand Strike or Reinforced Finger Poke.
- Leopard Punch or Half Fist Punch, Knuckle Edge Punch, Half-Clenched Fist Punch, etc. – Used to target narrow areas.
- Liver Punch
- Mouth of Hand Strike
- One Inch Punch – This punch popularized by Bruce Lee is also known as the Wing Chun One Inch Punch.
- One Knuckle Punch or Extended Middle Knuckle Punch, Nakadaka Ken, etc.
- Overhand Punch
- Rabbit Punch
- Ridge Hand Strike – A reverse knife hand strike.
- Sambo Casting Punch or Casting Punch
- Spear Finger Strike – This is also known as Saber Hand Strike or Reinforced Finger Poke.
- Spear Hand
- Spinning Back Fist
- Superman Punch
- Thumb Strike
- Tiger Claw or Throat Strike
- Vertical Punch or Vertical Fist Punch
- Wing Chun Double Punch
Martial Arts Punches
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons via its Creative Commons license
Training Equipment for Martial Arts Punches & Strikes
- How To Use Focus Mitts – These are also known as Punch Mitts, Punching Mitts, etc.
- How To Use A Heavy Bag
- How To Use Rebreakable Boards – This training tool is used to practice breaking techniques (i.e. with a knife hand strike).
- How To Use A Speed Bag
- How To Use Thai Pads
- How To Use A Wing Chun Wooden Striking Dummy – This training tool is also known as Wooden Man Post, Mu Ren Zhuang, etc.
- Focus Mitt Drills
- Heavy Bag Drills
- Speed Bag Dills
- For more equipment “how to” instructions and drills, please visit the main Martial Arts Training Equipment section.
Martial Arts Punches and Strikes by Martial Arts Style
- Karate Elbow Strikes
- Karate Hand Strikes
- Karate Punches
- Krav Maga Punches & Strikes
- Kung Fu Punches
- Muay Thai Elbow Strikes
- Taekwondo Punches