Hand Techniques (With Pictures!)

The Ji Hands;

These are the hands of the Karate classic "wu bei zhi" or bubishi. It is believed to be related to white crane style (He-Quan) gongfu. The ji hands are a subject of much study and debate. I truly don't think anyone knows for certain which interpretation is correct. Following are my own theories.

Iron Bone Hand

Haito,Kote Uchi, and Boshi Ken

The iron bone hand is formed by extending the fingers, sliding the thumb down the palm to about the third finger, tightening the muscles of the hand, then angling the hand down so that the bones under the first finger line up with the radius bone in supination. That is to say, the arm should be rotated so that the bones are parallel, not twisted. The primary striking weapon is below the knuckle where the first finger joins the hand. The forearm is a secondary weapon and the thumb bone may also be used as a hard striking surface with the hand swung in a "slap" as a tertiary weapon. This technique delivers penetrating blows into body tissues and is good for soft and moderately hard surfaces.

Iron Sand Palm
Teisho

My theory is that this is a palm strike using the upper portion of the palm, with the heel as a secondary weapon. It is good for softer targets like the nose and diaphragm. By flexing the fingers backward the insides of the knuckle bones push forward, creating a series of hard "pressure point" weapons. This is also dangerous for the fingers, however, as it puts them in a hyperextended position, thus making them more prone to breakage if struck. However, it also stiffens them, making a tertiary "claw" type weapon for poking and gouging. According to the text, conditioning with hand by striking at hot sand is the traditional method, and vibrating force is also used in conjunction with this strike.

Blood Pool Hand
Kakuto, Washide

My theory is that this is essentially an open crane beak. The description given in the text leads me to believe that striking with this hand is meant to cause internal hemorrhage. In tui na, we use a cupping percussion to draw blood to the surface, and thus it is my theory that the text is referring to what basically amounts to a malicious version of the same technique. To perform this strike, the body is first struck with an open hand and, at the last instant, the hand is cupped and snapped back. There should be a loud "pop" is performed correctly. When striking at blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, this has a chance of rupturing them. In addition, the knuckles of this hand can be whipped back or rotated forward, or the fingers driven in behind bones with rotational force, with the thumb reinforcing the grip. As such, the blood pool hand is more or less the predecessor for two following techniques, the crane beak and crab claw.

Claw Hand

This is an open handed slap in which the fingers are used for hooking and ripping at the body. The initial impact is made with the palm, and the motion of the arm continues in circular fashion, allowing the fingers to catch and pull at areas such as the jaw. This also works for striking and swiping limbs out of the way in defense. Performed correctly, moving the hand down the body center and out to the side, using explosive jing transmitted from the core, this sort of "offensive-defense" can pull the assailant off balance and leave them exposed. I taught my 8 year old to do this to me, and he is half my height and one quarter my weight, so one does not have to be particularly strong to achieve this effect.

Sword Hand
Shuto, Seiryuto

It is my belief that this is nothing more than a standard ridge or knife hand strike. Striking with the thumb side (ridge hand) creates three vital point striking areas- the side of the knuckle below the first finger, and the two lower joints of the thumb. The opposite side of the hand creates a narrower blade and one vital point striking surface- the side of the knuckle below the little finger. This technique has good penetrating force and can be used to effectively attack the bones at the joint as well as nerves and blood vessels which may  be concealed more deeply inside body tissues.

One Blade of Grass Hand
Ippon Nukite

The first finger is extended and the other fingers are bent at the second knuckle. The thumb presses into the side of the first finger, while the rest exert counter pressure to reinforce the structure. This would be used in the same manner as "sword secret" to follow which I find to be a superior structure to the above.

Striking Hands;

These are techniques from various schools which I personally favor and the manner in which I use them.

Crane Beak

Washide

All four fingers are drawn together at the thumb. The second and third fingers press down into the thumb tip and the thumb into them. The first and fourth fingers push more toward the middle, from the sides, thus reinforcing the structure. Care should be taken to hold the thumb straighter than it is in the pictures. Sorry about that, angling was awkward and I got distracted. This is a versatile technique which, in my opinion, is highly underrated. The wrist, knuckles and fingertips are all valid striking weapons. The knuckles may be whipped back (toward the arm) or rolled forward (toward the wrist) to strike penetrating blows to vulnerable points (kyusho/dianxue targets) or the fingers thrust forward for the same. In all of these cases, the practitioner needs to use Fa Jin "explosive/short power" generated at lower dan tien and directed into the target through the attacking limb. When properly executed, this allows for effective strikes to be landed with little to no "wind-up" distance, thus also affording greater speed. The wrist strike can be used even against hard surfaces to expose more vulnerable targets.

Diamond Fist

Nakadaka ippon ken

The middle knuckle is extended while the first and third fingers squeeze either side of the second. The thumb then comes across to further reinforce by pressing the fingers tightly together and giving the first knuckle of the middle finger something to press against at the same time. This is used for penetrating blows, particularly into the muscles and tendons. 

Ridge Hand

Haito

The thumb and hand press against one another and the muscles are tightened for strength. The lower knuckle of the thumb and of the forefinger both form striking weapons. This is used for attacking multiple points at once with an inside swing.

 Knife Hand
Shuto

This is formed on the opposite side of the ridge hand. Tucking the little finger in and overlapping with the ring finger, both pressing against one another, reinforces this hand position and creates a hard surface just under the lower knuckle of the little finger. The blade of the hand is also a valid striking surface, but the greatest penetration comes from the aforementioned area. This is used, like the ridge hand, for striking vulnerable points under softer portions of the anatomy, such as in the neck, only the knife hand is used for OUTSIDE strikes.

 Palm
Teisho

There are many ways to land a palm strike, however, I happen to be partial to this one. It is essentially a leopard fist, with the thumb pressing against the side of the hand so as not to be injured when striking with the palm. By pressing the thumb into the hand, it also creates a harder surface by flexing the muscle. This technique can be swung from a distance for concussive blows to targets such as the joints of the skull, or explosively from a short distance to jar and bruise organs. As an example of this later format, I have personally used this to strike the diaphragm of an attacker to knock the breath from them.

 Phoenix Eye Fist
Ippon Ken

This fist is used like the diamond fist, either explosively, from short distance, or at longer range. The thumb is held straight and the forefinger wrapped over the tip to create the striking weapon, which is the middle knuckle of said finger.

Standard Fist

Seiken

Just in case anyone reading did not know how to make a proper fist, the thumb should NEVER be tucked inside the fingers (striking in this way could very easily break the thumb) nor should it be placed to the side of the fingers. The later is sometimes used to create another sort of "ippon ken" like the diamond and phoenix eye fists, however, a glancing blow could result in the flattened lower knuckle of the thumb striking the target rather than the pointed upper knuckle. Such a blow would, again, very easily break the thumb. The standard fist may be used in a variety of ways; striking with the knuckles, as in a standard punch, striking with the side of the hand OPPOSITE the thumb, as in a hammerfist, or striking with tops of the knuckles (NOT the back of the hand) as in a backfist. Various techniques of movement are also used; small circle, large circle, thrusting, hooking, etc.

Leopard Fist
Hiraken

Same basic formation as in a palm strike, only with the thumb tucked into the palm, not extending beyond the second finger. The forward knuckles are the primary striking surface, used to penetrate into narrow targets which the standard fist would not adequately reach. The side of the hand opposite the thumb and the knuckles at the back of the hand may also still be used, just like with a standard fist. When striking with this weapon, the back of the hand should ALWAYS be lined up with the arm. Any bending of the wrist at the moment of impact could result in self injury, and, at the very least, will significantly decrease the power of the blow.

Sword Secret
Nihon Nukite

The third and fourth fingers are bent at the second knuckle and the thumb is pressed against the other side of the fingers below the second knuckle. All of the fingers should be exerting inward pressure toward the space between the first and second fingers. The tips of the fingers are used for thrusting at vulnerable targets in the softest portions of the anatomy, such as the eyes, suprasternal notch, throat, below the chin, and the cavity behind the ear. This is primarily used for pressing into targets to exert control, though some schools teach thrusting with this weapon I personally find that other, more sturdy weapons are better suited to this. That being said, this hand shape may also be used when holding an actual physical weapon such as a knife or stick to thrust more accurately into targets. In this case, the thumb and fingers would be gripping the weapon while the fingers point into the target. This also affords greater penetration because it lines the weapon up with the arm while allowing the wrist to straighten, thus creating a more efficient anatomical structure.

Claw Hands;

These are the various types of "claw" techniques I use in applying qin na or grappling. Some also have secondary use for striking. Striking with a claw first can shock limbs and weaken bones, thus making them more vulnerable to follow-up. Smashing the jaw with the palm and then immediately hooking and ripping it is much more likely to break or dislocate the jaw as it has already been displaced by the strike. It is also easier to seize and manipulate a limb in the split second of weakness following a strike, especially if that strike was to a nerve center. 

Crab Claw 1

Crab Claw 1- direction of movement

Crab Claw 2

The thumb is the primary weapon in this technique, with the side of the hand being secondary and the tips of the fingers, tertiary. When gripping in an overhand position, the thumb drives over the tops of the fingers while the fingers and hands rotate inward. The thumb also pulls inward to extend the nerve or blood vessels which causes significant distress, thus greatly increasing the efficacy of technique. This is particularly useful for points in the arms. When applied to broader targets, like the trapezius for instance, the fingers are held straight and the nerve is pinched and rolled into the hand. Finally, this hand position can also be used for driving the fingertips into targets behind bones, such as the clavicle or ribs, using rotational force. In this case, it is more or less transitioning into a "blood pool hand" described elsewhere.

Eagle Claw

This is a standard gripping position good for general use on most common targets. The fingers drive toward the center of the hand and are held tightly bent. This technique can also be used with shaking and ripping motions to increase effectiveness. It is good for techniques which attack the muscles and the nerves/blood vessels behind them.

Hooking Claw 1

Hooking Claw 2

Used for small targets, as well as ripping/gouging techniques. In the first formation, catching and pulling the inside of the cheek while twisting the head in the opposite direction is a dirty, but highly effective street fighting tactic. This formation is also good for driving into targets behind bones with rotational force. In the second formation, the thumb is also used for attacking vulnerable points and they all drive in toward one another to increase pressure on the target while simultaneously pulling and stretching the nerves. As with eagle and tiger claws, shaking and ripping can also be used with the secondary form.

Tiger Claw

As with the eagle claw, this technique is good for general use in grappling common targets. The palm may also be used for striking and the fingertips thrust into vulnerable targets such as the eyes. Both tiger and eagle claws can be used to strike the offending limbs before seizing them to apply grappling techniques.