Punching: Three knuckle vs Two knuckle Contact

What part of your fist are you actually punching with? Why? How do gloves change that?

[@anthonyhernandez4266]

WHAT? I didn't even know that punching with 3 knuckles was a thing. Thank you for teaching me something new. That's why I love this channel.

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

yeah i sub to anyone i can find. im like a meth addict when it comes to knowledge xD Its clear this guy has a lot to offer tho. You can learn from everyone even an idiot but you can tell he is no idiot.

[@davidsprott3216]

It doesnt really matter in a fight tho because a human head is not flat or solid. So i think the only time it matters is for conditioning.

[@DeakinWilson]

Jack Dempsey goes into detail about 3 knuckle punching in his book. If your into martial arts and boxing I would highly recommend listening to it.

[@trip83]

I learnt 2 knuckle when I did Karate but Wing Chun and Jeet Kun Do veered me towards 3. I've always felt more natural with the 3 knuckle style.

[@EthanNoble]

J G same

[@babypyscho9606]

actually i was reading jack Dempsey book and as soon as i see three knuckle he mention i search on google and come here

[@TonyqTNT]

Thanks for the insight regarding knuckle contact landing in punching. I remember asking my martial arts instructor a question concerning optimal surface area striking area contact in punching and he gave me an object lesson. We had a rather tall guy in our club and he was told by the instructor to assume something like a military position of forward facing attention. The instructor then instructed me to lightly touch with a vertical punching fist different points of the man's body along his front centerline without any hand wraps or gloves just bare knuckle light touching contact. As I slowly moved up the man's centerline slowly simulating actual vertical punching I found when the trajectory of my wrist and foream was angled downward it seemed natural to make contact with the top two relatively larger knuckles.This natural downward wrist and knuckle inclination was present to just above solar plexus target height. However, as I continued vertical fist punching higher up the man's centerline I noticed that just a little past the centerline point my fist began to naturally land upon the target area with the middle knuckle and as I continued farther along up the man's centerline my fist naturally began to incline forming a slight upward angle and landing upon the man's chin point with the bottom three knuckles in the manner of the Jack Dempsey and Bruce Lee method of power contact punching. As my instructor told me it all depends on what area of the body I'm trying to hit that determines the intended configurational form of the fist upon impact.

[@benjaminvega7186]

Since I bought my boxing gloves, I've been trying to figure out if I was doing something wrong when it comes to making a proper fist. I'm really grateful for this and the Jack Dempsey book reading, it was such a huge help on how to train

[@chuweihang585]

I'm a self taught mixed martial artist and Chinese martial arts, I have always punched with three knuckles as it have a wider surface area and less painful and risk of knuckle injury but always see people saying that punching with three knuckles is wrong good to see someone finally have a good explanation

[@carpenter155]

For 3 years now I’ve switched over to 3 knuckle punching and haven’t had any injuries to my hands unlike throwing 2 knuckle. Maybe I’m crazy but my wrists feel stronger now when punching. Straight punches, uppercuts and hooks and corkscrews and I’ve noticed I been making 4 knuckle contact on corkscrews and hooks. Jack made me a believer.

[@zoidsfan12]

I had no idea there was a difference. Suddenly explains why my pointer knuckle has always been behind my other knuckles.

[@clydenolet736]

Big fan of 3 knuckle tho I am also a fan of coordinated side forward.

[@Charly_Gomez]

Hi, good explanation. It´s very different hitting with boxing gloves on. For me, it results better straight punches make contact with the two first knuckles, and for hooks and crosses the three knuckles contact. I would ask you if you can make a video hitting a heavy bag with boxing gloves on for all the kinds of punches, please. If you want to. Thanks if not anyway! Great vid.

[@Dudesofdestruction]

Thank you!

[@lazur1]

Make the tightest, strongest, most balanced fist you can, with your eyes closed. Your fist will line-up with your forearm on 2 planes, back-fist & knife-edge. This is, (obviously, I'd think), the strongest interface. It also lines up a 3-knuckle punch . i think the proposed value of a 2-knuckle punch in some styles is more than made up for with this stronger fist-forearm connection.

[@YearsOVDecay1]

THANK YOU MR. DOO-WEE!!

[@JKDVIPER]

0:29 if you look. The bottom three are backed by the elbow. My rule of thumb is. If my arm fires like a torpedo it's good. Torpedo with a spike on it. My pinky. Now, I do use top two but 8t gets swung in. Winged. The bottom three can be landed horizontal too. Explode horizontally. Or vertically with body weight. Do we land an uppercut with the top two? That's competition punches. Because it makes the glove land flush if you AIM THE TOP TWO. BUT in actuality, the bottom fist is way better horizontally or vertically

[@ventusninjamaster]

hey! i do boxing and this was a intresting video for sure. Personally i dont really aim with what knuckles to hit with because it makes me think an extra step. Ofcourse we have boxing gloves when we sparr but i think that its kinda the same in mma where you have gloves but smaller ones.

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

i can do 4 knuckle with one hand since once time i didnt focus on this proper form xD My teacher was the first person i ever heard about proper punching from. I suppose tons of people out there ended up with a hand like mine. He taught biological lessons (life kung fu) so he says the pinky not being connected makes it weaker and isnt something we should use most the time unless sticking with that side of the hand (palm/knife edge, side fist etc). You need tons of training to toughen up those weak parts

[@JosephKerr27]

For me, it comes down to utility. Much like using fingers to jab at soft targets, different knuckle combos are best for different approaches. I focus on the first two knuckles, though I would emphasize that the middle finger knuckle is the most important. There's a reason why it's that dividing line: it is the initial point of contact. My "birdie" knuckle is the biggest on either hand because it gets the most abuse. When using spearhand techniques, I often prefer to use the middle finger as sole contact as well. More force focused on less area equals greater penetration for fleshy bits. And yes that's what she said.

[@rparker8761]

Lol, I used to box, broke my pinky metacarpal on both hands, so I firmly believed in 2 knuckles (I aoso think this is probably depends on individuals). What you say about boxing gloves changing your fist is so true. I did exactly what you said. After not hitting a heavy bag for ten years, I went to a bag, and they didn't have bag gloves---the ones with the steeel bar in them, but the kind of boxing glove you have. Just like you said in your video, I jammed the shit out of my thumb. Don't get old.

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

So the bigger bag gloves have the steel bar to hold onto? I got free speed bag gloves with my heavy bag (xD) and i was wondering if all boxers use this steel bar to hold onto? its kinda cool, but gloves arent for kung fu/real world training. i bet i could hit harder if i use this tho. It made my fist feel more powerful like it was a proper form

[@BrentDelong1253]

I used to have a heavy bag just like that one. Seeing it made my wrist hurt. I've rolled both my wrists a couple times years ago. It happens when you get tired. I like my free-standing bag better.

[@erintheangry]

I have always thrown 3 knuckles no matter what. Mostly because street fights don't give time to think about it and my combat sports were grappling types, wrestling being my favorite. I never wound up training myself to throw 2 knuckles so as a result, my hands are misshapen with the ring and pinkie fingers having been broken many times. Though granted most of those were from me getting incredibly angry at someone and taking it out on the nearest object like, a door, a window, my car... whatever wasn't the person because objects don't sue you or get you thrown in jail when you hit them.

[@tomwalker8944]

I feel ya. Mu middle knuckle is the size of a walnut and the bone in my hand going to my pinky is about 1/2 an inch shorter these days.

[@Otherverse1]

I was taught two knuckle technically from tae kwon do but I always thought three made sense from certain angles and also using the two makes you sort of bend your wrist awkwardly. Especially for haymakers or hooks it makes a lot of sense.

[@reddmikeshinoda6486]

its an old thing, years and years ago.. 3 knucles contact is the best thing to use.. because all are align the radial and ulna arms bone are align your knucles are align...

[@T1Oracle]

Make sure you decide before you do any knuckle hardening because there is no going back once you've changed the shape of your hands... ☹️

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

I can now strike with all 4 knuckles on one hand so i know that feel xD

[@MRXN-fx5hq]

@@ShawnJonesHellion wait. How do you do that and what does it have to do with knuckle conditioning?

[@elpato402]

Coming a martial arts background then training and competing in boxing. I had several hand fractures from this very reason.

[@Freightorious]

I walked into a karate place at age 4 while my mom was shopping and got free lessons on punching and nunchucks. The next year I devastated my bullies and fixed my speech impediment. Never bullied again. Teach your kids how to fight at age 4 before entering the nwo institutions known as schools.

[@Freightorious]

Make sure there is a crowd when finally beating up bullies. I did it when the bus pulled up to zak, and in front of the entire class andy while several classes were coming in from recess in line by water fountain. He dunked my head in, i uppercut break his nose in front of everyone. Hes a swat cop now and i never was bullied again...

[@Freightorious]

Everyone who i ever faught is now my friends btw. Odd how that works.

[@wm.h.9123]

@Ramsey Dewey I found this video after reading about the three-knuckle punch in an old boxing book. What about the fragility of that last, pinky knuckle? Seems to me like a bad idea, even with gloves.

[@rintume8631]

🤔 As you go up hand your knuckles are stronger. So I dunno if including the third one to spread out the force is as important as discluding it since its your second weakest/last knuckle.

[@MRXN-fx5hq]

Most of the time I end up punching with only one knuckle (middle finger) because people told me to not twist my wrist. So how do I train to punch so I can hit with with the first to?

[@user-tu7je3qn6e]

Oh man, I have the same problem. But I don't have this problem in a street fights or boxing, because in a street fights I just don't throw straight punches, only hooks and uppercuts, because usually in this type of fights you don't need your all arsenal, all it takes is to land one or two solid sucker punches and he is done. If you square off, just feint a little bit and go with left hook and right swing or right uppercut (depends on a distance) and if you land them clean, most of the times, he will go down. But actually, when you square off in a street fight, you did something wrong, so try always hit first and end up a fight with a sucker punch. So I would recommend you to avoid straight punches too, because with hooks and uppercuts you will always land with 3 or even 4 knuckles. Now if you want very much to do a straight punch, or they are your strongest punches, you can do it, but with vertical fist, so most of the times (especially when you punch in the nose) you will land 3 or 4 knuckles. But I avoid straight punches because I am not confident in them, they are my weakest punches and I am not sure will I land them with proper knuckles or not. And in a boxing it's actually doesn't matter with which knuckles you are landing, because you have wraps and gloves. And in all of these cases you don't have to bend your wrist, so it will feel natural for you and you won't break it. P.S. Sorry for my English, I am from Russia

[@2ndamendmentmf183]

If you are good use 2

[@GuillermoHernandez-ge7jf]

What if I use all striking methods of the hand 😮

[@ottovonbismarck7646]

You could learn how to make your punches dig into their targets, so that your using all four.

[@metalema6]

What's the point if it goes out the window when you stop using gloves? It seems to me like punches going outward from the elbow need the 2 knuckles, while the ones going inward need the last three. If you try hooks with the first 2 knuckles you sprain your wrist

[@marcosfontes3653]

I think it all depens on hitting angle surface punching alignment

[@woowowo7471]

I can’t do the 2 knuckle really my first knuckle isn’t very big

[@TheClinchMagazine]

My pinky knuckle is almost as big as index knuckle.

[@lurrishix230]

My pinky knuckle isnt there I broke it so I punch with my broken knuckle and my 2 other onee

[@victorsrur134]

0:25 wait tkd actually punch something other than air? is better to train both in 2 knuckle and 3 knuckle punching, because in street fight/self defense scenario, probably anyone won't have the precision to hit exactly with the "correct form", adrenaline and precision don't work together

[@MMcDonald1107]

Interesting! This is the first time I disagree with you. However, to each their own. Thanks for the video.

[@RamseyDewey]

What do you disagree on? This isn’t an opinion video- it’s objectively stating that these are two different methods that people use.

[@MMcDonald1107]

@@RamseyDewey I don't agree with the point about it's probably best to use 3 knuckles when using boxing gloves. I box and I've never hit or jammed my thumb using the first top two knuckles. However that's my experience, may not be someone else's. Thanks for the reply. Have a great day!

[@sosukeaizen7028]

Why not 4?

[@RamseyDewey]

Because most human hands don’t bend that way.

[@dannymedina5157]

As a #lethwei practitioner just train your knuckles. 3point is key

[@JoeWere]

What part?.. Tiger palm's bitch slap!

[@user-nh5zd3ic8r]

I prefer 3 knuckle contact. Just me though

[@TonyqTNT]

Are you and Master Wong cool now I heard there was some kind of beef?

[@RamseyDewey]

There was never a beef. I made a basic rear naked choke tutorial video referencing Wong and the people of the internet tried to turn it into KSI vs Logan Paul part 2. Wong made an angry response video where he shouted at the camera while throttling his training partner for 20 minutes- and life went on.

[@Cloppa2000]

Ramsey, this is just wrong! This whole thing of striking with the 3 knuckles is wrong! For the power line it is correct and for hitting flat objects such as a wall or heavy bag it is correct.. but when it comes to striking irregular objects such as a human whilst the dynamics are the same the point of contact should always be the middle or first 2 knuckles! E.g. If you strike a wall at chin height with a vertical fist with correct wrist alignment your 3 knuckles will strike the wall.. Replace the wall with a head and your middle or first two knuckles will hit the opponents chin.. Try it! And it's the same for all punches.

[@MaxLohMusic]

2-knuckled isn't just "traditional" martial arts. It's what boxers and bare-knuckled boxers are taught. The main proponent of 3-knuckled punching wasn't a boxer; it was Bruce Lee with vertical punches. Basically, everyone except adherents of the bruce lee method (wing chun, jkd), uses the 2-knuckle method. So 2-knuckles is actually less traditional than 3-knuckles. The thumb thing doesn't happen unless the punch misses quite a bit. Is there a lot of data on 2 versus 3 knuckles in real fights? In my opinion 3-knuckled seems way more likely to break. Whenever I spar with people a slightly missed 3-knuckled punch is likely to result in contacting only the pinky knuckle which is the worst possible thing.

[@RamseyDewey]

It’s what Jack Dempsey taught (also, Bruce Lee borrowed heavily from Jack Dempsey’s book Championship Fighting” in the Tao of Jeet Kune Do)

[@Gloin79]

Pugilism also has vertical punches with 3 knuckle contact. The reasons for three knuckle that i was given was that it has the most surface to protect your hand fighting bare knuckle and it allows your forearm bone to be in line with the middle knuckle.

[@barefoot2478]

Jack dempsey in 1920 mate

[@Hatlegratzz]

3-knuckles=pinky injury 2-kunckles=wrist injury

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

2 knuckle is traditional. the pinky is seen as a weak part that needs too much conditioning for the average practitioner to use. Try getting a young apprentice to slam a brick wall with the knife edge and youll feel it. Biology dictates the pinky is weak if only because its not connected the same as the other 3. humans dont use it and its thought by any a waste product of evolution. Like the pinky toe, you can lose it and no loss occurs in life ability unless you are a typist or a musician or use modern controllers etc. The pinky toe being mostly there to protect the useful toes from damage