Is there any physics to this 'punch'?

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The discussion centers on the effectiveness and risks of using finger jabs in combat. While some martial arts, like Wing Chun, incorporate finger strikes, they are often used as distractions rather than primary attacks due to the high risk of injury to the attacker. Many participants argue that finger jabs can lead to self-inflicted injuries, especially for untrained individuals. The physics of striking emphasizes that effective punches originate from the body's core, and using more robust striking surfaces like fists and elbows is safer. Overall, while finger jabs exist, they are generally discouraged in serious combat situations.
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Where the fingers (extended) go first, then only the knuckles. Is it supposed to be more effective? I believe it will break your fingers instead.

An example
 
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More flashy, certainly. Never take anything from movies, animes and such seriously.

Finger jabs (look it up, if you want) do exists, but outright banned in most competition and regulated fights.
The reason is: since it's aiming for 'soft spots', it's far too dangerous. If it hits then the opponent would be crippled: if it don't then likely the attacker.

Some sites/instructors are advocating finger jabs as an effective self-defense technique.
IMO without lots of training (after which you don't need it anymore) it's far more likely that you will cripple yourself with a finger jab right away at the start of the fight than do any successful self-defense (especially since your opponent likely will get VERY angry even on a failed attempt).

So - just enjoy these shows and forget them after the closing credits.
 
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@Rive No no I did not learn it from the anime 😂 It was some random thing school kids once talked about and tried on each other.
 
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yucheng said:
@Rive No no I did not learn it from the anime 😂 It was some random thing school kids once talked about and tried on each other.
I won't say that there aren't martial arts that use this technique. Ving Tsun (better known to the West as "Wing Chun") uses all sorts of combinations to cause pain to the opponent, for example. But most will only use a finger jab as a distraction to set the opponent up for a more measured attack because, as stated above, there is as much risk to the aggressor to break their fingers as there is to the opponent to be harmed. No martial artist is going to take the risk of hurting themselves unless they feel it is necessary.

-Dan
 
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Cannot view the video but your question concerning physics of fighting has merit and a general answer.

Strikes, punches, kicks, etc., originate at the body's core. A small movement of your central mass balanced through hips and legs transmits through shoulders and arms to a relatively small striking area including elbows, forearms, fist (closed hand) and various hand parts ('knife edge', finger jabs, knuckle punches, etc.).

My father taught me traditional family fighting forms employing handheld weapons such as sticks, knives and quarterstaff (rods) to 'transmit energy' to opponents for defense. My mother practiced open hand informal ("street") fighting similar to aforementioned Wing Chun, attributed to religious nuns for exercise and focus.

Finger strikes can be used to extend your striking range depending on the situation and intended target but contact via elbows, forearms, and fists preserves the more delicate bones in the fingers, as the OP suggests.
 
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