Striking in the cold

[ewallace]

When it is cold outside it really bites to strike with a closed fist. If you were confronted while wearing gloves would you try to take them off when possible? I personnaly would try to resort to palm strikes, kicks or striking softer areas (ie not the face). Thoughts anyone?

[JWTAYLOR]

Why does it suck to strike with a closed fist? Because of the gloves?

No, I would not take off the gloves, and no, I would still likely use fist strikes where appropriate.

JWT

[ewallace]

I have been told that your bones have a better chance of breaking when it is cold. Maybe I was misinformed. Now granted if it was a life/death situation I could care less about a broken hand or two...hell my two right-most knuckles have been broken on and off for the last 6 years. But if it is not I would like to avoid injury at all cost.

[Former castleva]

I would use palm heel,seiken (usual fist),kuma fist (bear fist),thumb,double dragon finger strike,one finger jab,tegatana (sword/knifehand).
You may use palms if you don´t want to break your hand (good for beginners)

[JWTAYLOR]

Your body temperature is pretty stable unless you are suffering from hypothermia. I wouldn't think your bones were any less stable in the cold. If that were the case, you would see allot more broken bones from Alpine climbers.

JWT

[sanchezero]

Hmmm.

My theory is that if you have to fight there isn't time to do anything else. If there were, you wouldn't have to fight. Tho I suppose you could be cornered in a blind alley by a gang that wants to lecture you before they stomp you :D

I guess its making a tight fist thats the issue? The padding will be the same for palm strikes as fists. So, yeah, I can see your point. I probably wouldn't give it alot of thought at the time and just nurse my knuckles later. However, I train palms alot as I'm paranoid about not making a good fist in time. :(

[Kristoffer]

I strike with closed fist

[Tigerstyle]

The gloves might serve as a bit of protection for your hand. Not that they're built like boxing or MMA gloves, but it may reduce the chances of a hand injury if you happen to connect on too hard of a target.

In the pre-glove UFC's, a broken hand was a somewhat common injury for the competitors. Since gloves became standard, the number of hand injuries has gone down and the competitors are landing some hard shots to the head too.

I'm no expert on this though. I don't even have to wear gloves in the winter here :) .

[Ray Pina]

The moment when you take the gloves off is the moment that you get beat -- both physically, and. more importantly, and first, mentally.

One must be ready ... at all times.

Gloves? So what. It's the mass of your blow that is going to disrupt the other. Also, I have always been a big lover of the heel of the palm strike. It flows loose and natural, and offers more variations to grab or rip once delivered. I still use fists. I let the moment decide.

Do not, repeat, do not take off the gloves. If you have that time, then you can maybe avoid the fight all together. Perhaps doa few rounds of punching a light bag with your gloves on, to get the feel. Its not big deal.

[ewallace]

My fault. I was not clear in the beginning of the thread. What I meant to say was if you are wearing gloves would you take them off? And if you were not wearing gloves would you try to strike softer targets with a closed fist or not use a closed fist at all.

[Ray Pina]

Unless I'm sporting an injury, nothing changes. My targets don't change because of what I'm wairing, but can be affected by what the other is wearing (heavy wool sweater and leather jacket, ect).

For the most part I'm going to the chin/throat, collar bone and controling the body through locking up an arm after hitting. Only if the top is covered will I aim lower to floating ribs, kidney, pelvis -- and only after contact has been made and I can feel his intentions.

[Sharky]

I wear the Rocky Balboa-esque weightlifting half finger length gloves when i go out somewhere and it's really cold. can still use my fingers, warmer than without any gloves, and it won't hurt my pretty hands if i choose to knock someone out. i don't wear them for a night out though :rolleyes:

you'd think they'd look kinda funny, but i *still* look good.

god *dam.n*

[ewallace]

If you only wore one you would really look cool.

[Ray Pina]

funny

[Budokan]

But only if it's a sequined glove, while your free hand was grabbing your "package" and your pet monkey was blowing your pet llama in your oxygen sleep chamber.

[premier]

I know what you mean. When it's cold and your hands get cold, even a small snap to the fingers hurt like hell. I think it has something to do with the nerves, but the cold won't get deep enough to affect the bones. And even if it did, I don't think they would break more easily.

Don't take the gloves off if you get in a fight. They protect your hands and keep them warm. Make sure your gloves are warm enough so the hands won't get cold and tender.


premier

[Sharky]

I'd look cool runnin down the street with a lilly stickin out my ass while singin the theme to Eastenders.