~Differences Between Bareknuckle Punching Opposed To Gloved Punching~

THERE ARE MILITARY PROFESSIONALS WHOM TRAIN IN COMBAT-SPORT METHODS OF BOXING WHILE BELIEVING THAT THEY WILL STRIKE THE SAME WAY BAREKNUCKLE AS ONE DOES WEARING GLOVES~

~During WWI and WWII many military hand-to-hand-combat instructors, like Captain Allan Corstorphin Smith, William Ewart Fairbairn, and Eric Sykes taught that the edge of hand/axe hand strike and palm strike/chin jab, prevalent in the Japanese Jujutsu schools, was a safer and superior method of striking with the empty hands in close combat. However there were other instructors whom taught 'bareknuckle' boxing methods to infantrymen during both world wars, along with grappling methods, as a viable option for close-combat.

~When we say 'bareknuckle' boxing methods, for the purpose of this article, that would include any method of empty hand combat that includes utilizing the hands for striking. Most specifically, that include using the fists for striking in close-combat whether it be English boxing, American rough and tumble, boxe française (also known as French Savate), Thai boxing, Chinese Ving Tsun boxing or the many other schools which utilize the bare knuckle fists as impact weapons.

~Today many military units, particularly western military units, have programs which incorporate various methods of boxing into their close-combat training. Some programs on bases out in the sand box train in western sport based boxing mixed with Brazilian Jiu-jutsu. Some train in Thai boxing mixed with grappling, while some units are even training in Gung-fu based methods.

~Of course the Marine Corp has their MCMAP and the Army has it's MACP while the Army Special Operations have SOCP. But down range some units are actively supplementing their training with individual unit programs which incorporate full contact sparring in sport-based boxing, Muay Thai, gungfu, or kick-boxing with some element of grappling often involved. The 82nd Airborne as well as other units often incorporate some form boxing along with grappling methods into their close-combat training and sparring sessions.

~Contact sparring along the lines of sport-based boxing methods like Western boxing, Thai boxing, American kick-boxing, Savate, or any other school of boxing is great for developing an aggressive spirit in a soldier or marine. In fact, if the goal is merely to foster fighting spirit and impact inoculation with no intention of ever engaging an enemy with lethal intent during a close quarter combat situation than carry-on. 

~ However, if this training is also meant to prepare the fighting man for the method by which he will engage and bring down his adversary in a close-combat situation than something must be said about the difference in how one must deliver a strike using the bare-knuckles as opposed to delivering a strike during sparring with hand protection, like gloves.

~There are some schools of thought which admonish the idea of using the bare-knuckles to strike the hard bony targets of the face and head during a frantic close-combat situation due to the risk of self-injury in the form of a boxer's fracture or busted knuckle. After all if the world heavy weight champion, Mike Tyson, can break his well trained hand in a 1988 street fight against fellow professional boxer Mitch 'Blood' Green than certainly anybody can suffer the same fate. And since professional soldiers are predominantly 'gun slingers' whom fight with weapons and operate sensitive equipment on the battle field, while performing sling-load operations, rappelling, fast-roping, mountaineering, swimming and airborne operations in the field, a badly damaged hand could hinder one's mission capabilities.

~However, there is another school of thought that propagates the use of bareknuckle punching in a close-combat defense situation. And it reflects in the amount of time devoted to their boxing, kickboxing, Thai boxing, etc...

~Ideally all military battles should be fought with weapons, but close-combat training is vital and necessary for when an adversary is able to close distance by surprise or deception before a weapon can be deployed and utilized to eliminate the threat. This has happened at check points while I.D. are being reviewed or when moving through crowds. Sometimes an ally at very close range can turn the tables and become an attacking enemy. Movements through fatal funnels are always potentially a close-combat situation. At any of these times the individual warfighter must fall back on their close-combat training.

~"Train how you will fight." This is a phrase every military personnel in a combat MOS or security MOS has heard and one which has a deep element of truth to it. However, sometimes for the risk of injury one must utilize safety equipment in their training. We utilize MILES gear, blank adapters, blanks, airsoft weapons, paint ball, aluminum knives and other safety gear in training. And yes, some include boxing or MMA gloves into their close combat training and sparring.

~So how does wearing boxing or MMA gloves hinder the development of proper punching technique for bareknuckle striking, in the context of military close-combat? Let's go back to training how we fight.

~When we wear hand protection we can throw punches 'to-whom-it-may-concern' while swinging for the fence. If you're American you will get the implication. In other words, we don't have to be so specific in target selection and are capable of putting our full power behind the punch with the added confidence of wearing hand protection. In addition we can pronate our punches aimed at targets located on the human head in the same way that we would pronate our punch when striking the targets of the torso. It seemingly makes a faster punch and with the protection of gloves we don't think twice about delivering the same pronated punch to the head as we do to the torso.

~The main reason for pronating the punch, or twisting the punch, so that it lands with the palm facing downward is that when we strike the targets of the torso our point of impact will be our first two knuckles. The index and middle finger knuckles are a smaller surface area attached to the two thickest metacarpal bones of the hand. This smaller surface area permits deeper penetration into the targets of the human torso such as the liver, solar-plexus, kidneys, and floating ribs. The key words here are deeper penetration.

~Now the problem is that in a bareknuckle situation it isn't prudent to punch the bony surface area of the face using the pronated two-knuckle punch that we use for the targets of the torso. We do not wish to penetrate the bony facial targets in the way that we wish to penetrate the softer torso targets.

~Generally speaking the bones of the face and head are thicker and harder than the delicate metacarpals and knuckles of the human hand. Again, professional heavy weight champion of the world Mike Tyson is a perfect example of why the modern sport-based boxing technique of pronating the punch to the face has it's disadvantages. In physics we learn that when two opposing forces meet the greater force will prevail. 

-Also, the same amount of force being delivered through an impact is also returned back to the object performing the impact. So the weaker of the two structures will be the one to give under the impact. If you could deliver 300psi (pounds-of force-per square inch) through a bareknuckle punch delivered to the face of another human being then the same amount of 'psi' impacting the bones of the face are also impacting the bones and knuckles of your hand. The 'psi' is shared when it is returns back into your hand, after impact upon the bone of the face.

~Let us also consider that, according to many scientific experiments, trained boxers hit with more 'psi' than martial art black belts. So when one uses that amount of force, which one develops through training with hand protection, and applies it to a bareknuckle close-combat situation where one's fists will be brought to bear against the hard bony facial targets we increase the amount of 'psi' being returned to the metacarpals and knuckles of the unprotected fist.

~Now let us examine the fact that a 'sport-based' boxer who trains and fights with gloves will also wrap and secure the wrists to prevent buckling and injury. When the punch is pronated the structural support in the forearm and wrist is weakened as opposed to when a punch is delivered straight, in a vertical manner. To counter the structural integrity issue common with the pronating, twisting, punch of combat-sports, Western ring boxers, Thai boxers, American kick boxers, Savate boxers will reinforce the wrists, as well as the hands.

~When we examine historical bareknuckle boxing methods like fisticuffs, Ving Tsun (Wing Chun), and Okinawan Toudi, among others, we will find that all punches delivered to the bony structure of the face were delivered with the back three knuckles with the fist in a vertical, or often diagonal, position. With this method the middle knuckle is the primary point of impact while the last two knuckles go along for the ride and support the middle knuckle. This method eliminates the common injury to modern fist fighters which is often referred to by orthopedic doctors as the boxer's fracture, dubbed so for being so prevalent among modern day boxers whom use the pronating (twisting) punch when striking head/facial targets. Especially when fighting bareknuckle.

~Old school bareknuckle boxers and Okinawan fighters understood that the pronating (horizontal) or twisting punch is of value when delivering the (penetrating) two-knuckle punch to the targets of the torso. The two knuckle, twisting, punch penetrates between ribs and digs deeper into the torso to damage soft organs. Particularly the liver and kidneys. But when delivering bareknuckle punches to the bony targets of the face/head they always used the vertical, or often diagonal, punch for the superior structural integrity of the fist and the wrist. Wing Chun/Ving Tsun boxers have always used the vertical and diagonal punch because they are a bareknuckle boxing school whose focus is on civilian-self-defense and they are not a competitive 'combat-sport'.

~A simple test one can try at home is to make a fist and place the first two knuckles against the wall, palm facing down, at torso level while applying one's body weight and pressure behind it, as if to push down the wall. This represents a horizontal or pronating punch. Rock the fist back and forth a bit. Now perform the same exercise with the fist at face level, above your shoulders. Notice how the wrist is weaker and the last two knuckles are floating on their own.

~Now perform the same test with the fist in a vertical or even diagonal position, with the thumb side up, and all of your weight and force resting upon the last three knuckles. You will notice that the fist and the wrist is more solid and secure in this position. This is the fist position which you will want to train and utilize when striking the targets above your adversary's clavicle or collar bone in a bareknuckle close-combat situation.

~Let us address perhaps the most important issue of all that separates bareknuckle boxing punches from gloved punches. The battle field is very different from the combat-sports arena. With the advent of wraps and gloves a combat-sport fighter can deliver much harder punches to the face/head targets without breaking the delicate metacarpal bones and knuckles in the fists. This makes for a more exciting fight for spectators since the boxers can throw more 'punches-in-bunches' toward the face/head in hopes of a spectacular knockout. It also makes modern combat-sports more lethal due to the amount of concussions received by ring/cage fighters. Without hand protection a bareknuckle punch must be held in check when striking the hard facial/head targets.

~When we strike the bony facial/head targets using bareknuckle punches we mustn't punch 'through' the target with all of our power nor throw 'punches-in-bunches' in the same way that we can with hand protection in the sporting arena. Nor in the way that we do when delivering bareknuckle punches into the softer targets of the torso.

~When executing bareknuckle punches to the bony targets of the face/head the rule of thumb passed down through the centuries is that one must 'snap' back the punch as soon as impact is made. The power comes from the quickness of the impact while the 'snapping' back upon impact allows the kinetic force and 'psi' to travel through the target without all of the force returning back into your fist. 

~Modern sport boxing and MMA coaches often teach to 'punch-through' the target. To try to drive one's fist through the adversaries face and out the back of their head. This is very effective in the ring or cage considering that the athlete is training and going into a bout wearing hand protection but here we are discussing 'bareknuckle' punching for a military close-combat situation since so many military units abroad and in the sand-box are currently training in various boxing methods for CQC/H2H.

~Old school soldiers and Marines going back to WWI and WWII whom received bareknuckle boxing instruction in their close-combat/hand-to-hand training were taught that the rule of thumb in bareknuckle punching in actual combat was:

A. When striking the torso, punch 'through' the target.

B. When striking the face/head, always 'snap-back' your punch upon impact.

~This seems to be lost knowledge among modern day fighters whom transition their combative skills from combat-sports into military close-combat/hand-to-hand/CQC training programs with the intention of being battle ready in a frantic life or death situation against a highly motivated, dedicated, enemy intent upon killing them so that he can earn a special place in paradise.

~If you are going to incorporate modern day western boxing/Thai boxing/MMA into your military combatives programs and individual unit training than it would behoove you to consider the necessary modifications which must be incorporated into your 'boxing' training. 

~Lets reiterate what we have discussed here in this article about the difference between bareknuckle striking and sport-based striking as it relates to 'punching' and the transition from combat-sports to the battlefield, or one's area of operation. Hoo-ah?

~1. The warfighter must use a vertical, or diagonal, punch when striking targets located above the clavicle (face/head) but may use a pronating/twisting punch, vertical, or diagonal punch when striking the targets of the torso below the clavicle.

~2. The warfighter must 'snap-back' his punches upon impact when striking the targets of the face/head but 'drive-through' the targets of the torso. Snapping-punches delivered to the face and digging-punches to the body.

~Let us make mention that in the realm of military combatives, unlike combat-sports, it is important to drill simulated strikes in training which would be illegal in combat-sports. Rabbit-punches using the radial bone to attack the back of the neck in close-combat is highly effective and dangerous, which is why it is illegal in combat-sports. 

--Everyone likes to discuss dirty tactics like eye gouging, biting, PPC, spitting in the eyes, fish hooking, striking the testicles, kicking the knees, striking the trachea, tearing off the soft tissue targets of the face and head, when they discuss the difference between combat-sports like MMA and CQC/Hand-to-Hand Combat. But there are many other attacks that are simple, efficient, and highly effective while being illegal to every combat-sport arena. 

-This is not meant to be an article for disseminating those specific attacks, which every warfighter should be training, but one need not look any further than studying every illegal attack banned from both catch-wrestling and boxing. Also study the attacks which ancient Greeks banned from their Olympic Pankra'tia matches, which were also the reasons why the Spartans were banned from competing in the same matches.

~If we wish to prepare for CQC/Combatives we need not look to modern innovations but rather examine that which was used with great success in the past. In more recent military history the greatest proving ground for effective methods of both training and employing combatives/CQC/hand-to-hand combat for the life and death struggles faced by the Infantryman or special operations commando would be both World Wars. No wars since have seen as much close-combat as WWI and WWII.

~Considering that the adversaries were Germans, trained in both western and eastern martial arts, and Imperial Japanese, trained in Asian martial arts, yet the American and allied troops were consistently able to prevail in close-combat engagements with the enemies at a much higher success rate is no small testament to the methods trained and employed by the military men of that era. 

-But everyone wishes to reinvent the wheel and some believe that the same techniques that achieve success in the sporting-ring will apply, unmodified, to the battle-field or area of operations. Let's also remark that combat-sports of that era still retained much of their practical self-defense/street credit compared to the evolution they've undergone with the advent of the post WWII commercialization of the competitive-martial/combat arts.

-As for the aforementioned Okinawan Ryu of pugilism let's give honorable mention to the most lethal empty hand (Kara te) school known to mankind. . .Uechi Ryu, aka Panghai-Noon, of Okinawa. 

-The legendary Shinjo Kiyohide sensei, aka Superman of Okinawa, is perhaps the most renown master of Uechi Ryu in my earthly life time. 

-Uechi Ryu is a tier one bare knuckle school of physical training, discipline and self defense which combines indigenous Okinawan Toudi with Chinese Panghai-noon dragon, tiger and crane boxing. 🐉 🐅 🐦 

~Si vis pacem para bellum...In omnia paratus.

12February2015, 

♣Hoo-ah♣