Martial Arts Techniques for Law Enforcement. Mike Young

then resting the thumb over the closed fingers (see Figs. 39 and 40).

      Some people leave their thumbs dangling when punching. They put themselves at a greater risk of injuring their thumb while executing the punch because their thumb may strike their assailant’s head or hit a bony area or another object (see Fig. 41).

      If you decide to use a fist when you get into a physical altercation, practice closing your open hand into a proper fist as quickly as possible. Do this drill a few times a day, and you will form the habit of making a proper fist automatically when you need to.

      Another very important point about hitting with your fist is that you need to be sure that the bones in your wrist are aligned correctly on impact (see Fig. 42). If the bones are misaligned, your wrist can be severely injured while executing a punch. This is why boxers always wrap their wrists so well—to prevent this kind of injury from happening (see Fig. 43).

      To properly execute a boxer’s jab, start from your basic defensive boxing stance and quickly extend your nongun hand, with a fist formed, parallel to the ground (see Fig. 44). The mechanics of throwing the jab are otherwise identical to the palm heel jab described above. Again, make sure that your chin is tucked into your shoulder to protect your knockout band. Once your arm has made contact, quickly retract it with a pistonlike motion, protecting yourself through the full motion of the punch.

      A properly executed jab is usually all you need to convince a suspect to stop an assault.

      The Cross

      The cross is one of the most powerful and effective hand strikes that you can deliver. It combines raw natural strength with powerful body mechanics to create a very powerful blow.

      The Palm Heel Cross

      From the basic defensive boxing stance, quickly twist your strong-side waist forward toward the suspect and immediately extend your strong-side arm toward the attacker (see Figs. 45 and 46).

      Strike the attacker with the heel of your palm—as with the palm heel jab. Remember to get into the habit of tucking your chin under your extended shoulder to protect your knockout band (see Fig. 47).

      Keep your opposite hand at eye level to protect the other side of your face. If you miss with the palm heel cross, your assailant may try to counterattack on that side (see Fig. 48).

      On the same side, tuck in your elbow so that your assailant doesn’t try to hit you in the ribs (see Fig. 49).

      Once your arm is fully extended or has made contact, return it immediately to its original position. This will help you protect yourself from a counterpunch. The power in this strike comes from adding the full rotation of your hips and a push off with your rear foot to your natural “strong arm” strength (see Fig. 50). Put together properly, these elements add up to a devastating blow that can easily stop an average-sized assaultive male. I have tested this technique many times with excellent results.

      Remember, to make this strike as effective as possible, do not telegraph the strike before the blow is executed (see Fig. 51). Just let the punch travel in a straight line from the ready position to your assailant’s chin, eye, jaw, chest, groin, or wherever you choose to strike. If you can make the strike travel quickly and in a straight line, your attacker won’t have time to tense his muscles to absorb the strike, increasing your chances of stopping him.

      The Boxer’s Cross

      The boxer’s cross incorporates all of the principles of the palm heel cross, except that you use your fist to make the strike (see Fig. 52).

      Remember to keep your chin tucked under your shoulder, turn with your waist into the punch, and keep the opposite hand at eye level with your elbow tucked in. Push off with your rear foot as you pivot into the punch (see Fig. 53).

      Since you are striking with your fist, it’s important to remember to make the fist correctly—holding the wrist flat and straight at the moment of impact to both increase your power and prevent injury (see Fig. 54).

      When striking with your fist, the main impact area should be the flat section of the index knuckle and the middle knuckle of your hand (see Fig. 55).

      The