Each week MASTERCLASS gives you brief but key information on how to optimise a simple Krav Maga strike or technique.
This MASTERCLASS covers CIRCULAR HAND-STRIKE (OPEN PALM, TO HEAD).
This strike can be preceded by moving away in a pre-fight camouflage stance (SEE MASTERCLASS: CAMOUFLAGE STANCE AND MOVEMENT or indeed in-fight (SEE MASTERCLASS: FIGHTING STANCE) as part of a single hit or as a component of a hand-strike combination or hand-strike and kicking combination (SEE MASTERCLASS PRO section on website for further combinations).
The circular hand-strike is aimed directly at your opponent’s ear, aiming to immediately disorientate and disturb balance or possibly rupture the eardrum, setting up an opportunity to strike more or escape the situation). It is more protective of the striking hand as it connects softer palm tissue with the opponent’s harder skull rather than the higher injury-risk closed fist punch against the jaw, which - if not connected right - can cause severe damage to the finer bones and tendons in the hand. It is also arguably a more defensible strike in legal terms, as it’s not an aggressive punch, but more like a ear slap (but when delivered with the right speed and precision, a devastating one).
The strike can be conducted from a hands-up position as well as from a more relaxed stance with hands down, as the diagonally upward striking motion is not visible to the opponent’s eye line until late in the trajectory.
HOW TO DO THE CIRCULAR HAND-STRIKE (OPEN PALM, TO HEAD)
From a hands-up in front of you position, send the arm forward in a fairly straight line (not by swinging your arms back, which is a very visible and slower motion). As you arms move forward, lower your fingers into a horizontal position with the thumb on the topside of the hand.
Aim at the opponent’s ear, connecting with the palm covering the ear of your, but metaphorically look to smash the ear through the head, and recoil every quickly on impact as if you’ve touched a burning hot stove to transfer maximum energy into the target.
The power in the strike comes from sending the shoulder into it, creating extra impact by pivoting the striking side hip inwards, as the body swings into the strike to optimise the energy generated.
Breathe out in a single exhale as you strike. The other hand stays up and in front of your face throughout the strike.
As your opponent moves sideways from the impact, you are now ready to continue with other strikes such as further hand, arm, elbow and kicking strikes. (SEE MASTERCLASS PRO FOR SUITABLE FOLLOW-UP COMBINATIONS).
HOW TO PRACTICE THE CIRCULAR HAND-STRIKE (OPEN PALM, TO HEAD)
Start by practicing in a dry drill, paying close attention to the frame and rigidity of your hand and arm position. Also pay attention to your shoulder and pivoting movements.
Continue to send this frame forward until you lose balance and step forward with the foot matching the striking hand if you do.
Work the circular hand-strike on a striking pad or training head (with a partner) to work on power.
Apply various continuation strikes, either on a partner (slow, controlled) or in dry drills.
Picture:The Krav Maga Master Gheorghe Husar demonstrating the circular hand-strike for online tutorials. ALL VIDEOS ARE AVAILABLE IN OUR ONLINE LEARNING AND COURSES AT WWW.SPARTANS-EDU.ORG.