fists vs open hand strikes

In a self defense situation I would still punch them. If you spar with gloves on all the time (boxing or MMA style) and you train as an MMA fighter then you are use to hitting with your fist, not your palm. I think it would be stupid to do all that training one way (using your fist) just to go and try to use something that you don’t train very often in a self defense application. To me that would be like me a being a great wrestler and getting into a street fight and deciding to try and use my striking stills to beat someone. It doesn’t make sense to me to use something that you aren’t that accustomed with to save your ass in a dangerous situation. Also using you palm shortens your reach slightly which if you aren’t use to throwing palm strikes, again can be awkward. I also like punches for the fact the you still hit harder and are more likely to cut someone open with your first two knuckles then you are going to with your palm.

The classic rule of self defense is hard to soft and soft to hard. In other words, a fist for body shots and open palm for shots to the head. This does, indeed, minimize the chance of breaking your hand.

The Striking Viking, however, hit on the key issue. Under stress (like a self defense situation) you will revert to your training. Unless you train and practice with open hand strikes, it is unlikely that you will be able to suddenly change when the time calls for it. So, either risk breaking your hand, put in some time training self defense scenarios and working your open hand strikes.

Dave