If you want to learn what knuckles to punch with DONT ask a TKD instructor or a Kung Fu instructor or an Aikido instructor... ask a BOXING INSTRUCTOR. Boxing instructors know more about proper punching technique than any other martial arts instructor would. Boxing instructor says: "DONT PUNCH WITH THE LAST 2 F#%$ING KNUCKLES..... EVER"

Hmmm ... I do TKD and I have always been taught to punch with the first two knuckles. I can't speak for Aikido, but those that break boards such as Taekwondo do know the proper way of punching!

Many boxer punch with "all of their knuckles" but this is due to they are taped and wrapped and fitted with a glove so they stand to be safer when punching this way. In fact years ago in a car accident good ole' Mike Tyson punched out somebody and broke both of his hands because he was so use to punching his way. But I think good boxing trainers know the proper way of punching and also agree not to punch with the last two knuckles as these are smaller bones and easier to break.

And this topic has been . (And I thought I'd never get to use this. )

Breaking boards is NOWHERE near to the stress of punching a skull as hard as you can for 20 minutes. The boards break, this absorbs alot of the energy.
They wrap their hands because they may ACCIDENTALLY hit with the other knuckles and also because your wrist and hand are going to be under IMMENSE pressure for the duration of a fight.
It is still NEVER ok to punch someone in a fight with the last 2 knuckles (even in combination with others). NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO THAT.
Also. Mike Tyson broke his forearm. Not his hand. The pressure went through his knuckles and broke the arm bone.

In our boxing/karate class we are taught to punch with the first two knuckles, this isnt to prevent your arm breaking though, its so your hand aligns with your arm, which your putting your body weight into. It basicly makes your punches harder.

EDIT - By the way i cant see any reason not to punch with your last 2 knuckles, but theres more power the other way

Hi there

If a person punches with the last two knuckles(3rd and 4th from the thumb) and hits a hard target then the knuckle/s
become damaged


me thinks!

Me thinks you thinking is wrong. They "disappear"?

I actually broke thos knuckles. They didn't disappear but they swole up enough that they didn't look like knuckles. Maybe that is what you are referring to.

I will research the medical term and re post

I know a guy whos knuckle dissapeared after breaking it multiple times. They CAN dissappear.
And no, you don't just punch with the first two knuckles for alignment. Point your fist straight out forward from you. right now. Look, does the first fingers knuckle look in line with your forearm? No... BUT it is such a strong knuckle that you use it because the ring finger will break if you use it.

actually, you turn your wrist so it does align. lol