How To Make A Fist Correctly

 

"Don't fight for the choke, fight to get your hand in the right place."

-Andre Monteiro

 

"A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind."

-Morihei Ueshiba

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most common errors I have seen in martial arts is in others and how they form a fist.

And while I personally do not prefer to use the fist; it has a huge liability as it is essentially a ball of joints no matter how much you condition them with the fingers and knuckles, and is very liable to break; I still believe it essential that every martial artist regardless of style be able not only to make a fist, but know how to use it.

So this article will be short and sweet; on how to make a fist adequately.

I have found a simple way to teach the method to make a proper fist.

First open and splay your hands. Join the first four fingers; the index, middle, ring finger and pinky fingers together, as if one were making a spear hand. Then curl the segments of the finger, from the finger tip segment to the middle of the finger segment until one has basically formed their hand into the posture of a thumbs up. The finger tips should press into the middle of the palm as if attempting to squeeze all the air out of it.

After that fold the thumb across the middle segments of the index and middle finger. Depending on the length of the thumb it's tip should either come to rest on the middle segment of the index finger, or the ring finger.

Some of the most common mistakes I have seen are the following;

Sometimes people will curl and fold their fingers around their thumb. Make sure it is on the outside of the fingers, not the inside. Doing a punch with your thumb inside will cause it to break.

Occasionally I will see someone try to fold their thumb on top of their fingers, instead of across. I can't even do that without making my own hand hurt. If you do that when you punch your thumb will make contact first and will also become broken.

Another issue I have seen arise is when people jut their thumb out too far. The thumb keeps the inner fingers in place, tightening the fist into an iron-like vice. If it's too far apart from the center of the hand this destabilizes the fist, and can lead to one easily turning, twisting, or jamming their wrist when they make contact. The thumb is one of the most important parts of the fist. One isn't merely tucking it out of the way- it is essential to creating a well-balanced and controlled fist.

Without that punching is not only impossible, but potentially harmful.

Another is not making a right angle with the thumb as it is folded across the fingers. When this happens the tip will extend just outside of the fist- again causing initial contact through a finger rather than the knuckle and risking a break of the thumb.

"Take things as they are. Punch when you have to punch. Kick when you have to kick."

-Bruce Lee