7 Star Mantis Kung Fu: Bung Da (Backfist) Technique

[DD23ize]

what would be a good follow up after the Backfist

[Alien0one]

wing chun and praying mantis are the most practical chinese styles for a street fight.

[hcdub]

This looks like a weak punch compared to a boxer's jab.

[MartialSkillDotCom]

@hcdub Most backfists aren't strong, that's why you have to train them...just like a jab. The front-hand variety is similar to a jab in terms of power & intent -- it's meant to setup other punches & draw the hands. The backfist has some advantages over the jab however: It's better at turning the head, which is something PMKF seeks to do; also, it is better at targeting the jawline and behind the ear which the linear jab cannot as easily reach. They have different purposes and each has its place.

[eugeneshaolin]

I think this is a good conversation about the danger of hurting your hand when you throw a punch, backfist, etc. In my experience hammer fists and palm strikes are the safest to throw. Backfist strikes are a little less safe, but I've always thought of them as a little sting, used much like the jab to gauge and lead your opponent's defense. It's nowhere near as sketchy for your hand as say a hook punch or a finger jab though. With proper training this is a solid strike with an acceptable risk.

[MarmarAkaSeiryu]

@eugeneshaolin but with open hand your more prone to finger/wrist chin na

[Teller3448]

Is there less chance of injury to your hand with a backfist...than a jab or hook?

[MartialSkillDotCom]

The risk of injury is different w/different attacks. The hand is comprised of many small, fragile bones so when you're striking with it, there is always a chance of injury. With a jab/straight punch, the biggest risk is when the bones are not aligned properly (as in straight), whereas with a backfist the risk is in accidentally striking with the soft part of the back of the hand rather than the ridged knuckle line. A dieu sao (hook punch) probably is safest due to the non-use of the hand itself.

[Teller3448]

Is a hammerfist safer than a backfist?

I injured my right wrist so I concentrate on elbows and palm heels.

Most MAs think a backfist has little power and is only useful as a distraction. To add power there has to be a whole body spin behind it.

[MartialSkillDotCom]

Actually I'd consider hammerfists to be less safe as they use a part of the hand that's even more prone to injury/breakage than the aforementioned (with all of these, I am excluding the possibility of iron palm training which of course affects all of this, as does individual genetics..these are generalities). The backfist (non backspan variety) can be powerful if properly trained, but most ppl don't and so they're often weak as a result. They should be considered similar to a jab as far as power