BEST PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES AND PALMS VS. FISTS, PART 1

In the June/July, August/September and October/November 2022 issues, I presented an overview of pre-emptive attacks as the lastresort option of proactive self-defense. In this issue, I will cover the two best strikes to use in that context and follow up with my thoughts on using palms versus fists.

- LITO ANGELES

The criteria I used to determine the best pre-emptive strikes are encapsulated in 10 questions: Is it simple? Is it direct? Is it powerful? Is it adaptable? Is it versatile? Can it instantly knock out or incapacitate an adversary? Has it been proved effective in harsh real-life conditions? Is it "real-life practical" for the average person to employ? Is it psychologically palatable for most people? Does the technique have a low probability of causing injury to you?

Two strikes meet all these criteria. The first is a Western-boxing-style hook punch to the side of the jaw. (It's the best target to attack when you're unarmed because it's the best route to producing a clinical knockout) The temple, the area behind the ear, the side of the neck and the base of the skull are also vulnerable targets for the hook.

For the average person, it's optimal to use the dominant hand from the rear side. If you're a well-trained martial artist and/ or combat-sport athlete who's proficient at throwing hooks with either hand or if you stand with your dominant hand in front, you! can certainly initiate a pre-emptive hook from the lead side.

In terms of what "tool" to use it with, most martial arts instructors and combat-sport coaches teach using the fists. I, on the other hand, advocate using the palms. I'll explain why in the second part of this column.

The reason the hook is No. 1 for me is it's a proven shot that has produced countless knockouts in all arenas of combat sports and in real-life engagements. In nearly all sports that include striking, the hook is arguably the predominant one-shot knockout blow.