What is the difference between a punch and a knife-hand strike in terms of hand shape?

What is the difference between a punch and a knife-hand strike in terms of hand shape?

• A. A punch uses a closed fist; a knife-hand strike uses a flat edge of the hand.
• B. A punch uses the flat edge of the hand; a knife-hand strike uses a closed fist.
• C. A punch uses the side of the hand; a knife-hand uses the knuckles.
• D. A punch uses the back of the hand; a knife-hand uses the palm.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how the hand is formed for each strike. A punch uses a closed fist, curling the fingers into the palm with the thumb tucked to create a compact, solid impact surface. A knife-hand strike uses a flat edge of the hand—the fingers are kept together and the thumb tucked, so the contact surface is the knife-edge along the side of the hand. This difference in hand shape changes the surface that lands on the target and helps protect the hand while delivering the strike.

The key idea is how the hand is formed for each strike. A punch uses a closed fist, curling the fingers into the palm with the thumb tucked to create a compact, solid impact surface. A knife-hand strike uses a flat edge of the hand—the fingers are kept together and the thumb tucked, so the contact surface is the knife-edge along the side of the hand. This difference in hand shape changes the surface that lands on the target and helps protect the hand while delivering the strike.