Knuckle Sandwich- Buy 1, Get 1 Free!

Date: Mon, 17 October 2005

I got a call the other day from a guy who had seen an ad for my Shaolin Fitness Secrets book.

Instead of introducing himself, he began the conversation by asking “Which knuckles do you hit with when you punch?”  I told him the last 3 – that is, not the knuckles of the index and middle fingers.

He agreed enthusiastically and I thought I’d made a sale.  Unfortunately, he went on to inform me that using the first 2 knuckles was the result of “(derogatory term referring to Asians) stupidity.”

The last time I heard that word was from an FBI agent (and I've known some good ones) who’s no longer welcome in my school.  Using racist language has got to be one of the fastest, most effective ways to advertise one’s ignorance.

Anyway, I told the guy he could keep that kind of talk to himself, and thanked him for calling.  And he hung up.

Several points of interest here:

1) The sooner you ask certain people to move on, the better.  Don’t delay, and don’t get into a debate.

2) Is punching with the last 3 knuckles really the best way?  I think so because your wrist isn’t bent so you’re less likely to sprain it.  Also, you have a little more surface area so you’re that much less likely to break a knuckle.

3) Fighter’s who punch “wrong” can still hit you pretty dang hard.

One more thing to consider is that maybe you don’t hit with any knuckles . . . you hit with the heal of your palm!

Anyway, the guy who called may have been right about a punching technicality, but he’s sadly mistaken when it comes to some of the things that matter most.

Train like you mean it,

Rob LaPointe