A hammerblow is a
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...
attack made with both hands interlocked at the fingers. The added weight and control (as opposed to a regular
punch
Punch commonly refers to:
* Punch (combat), a strike made using the hand closed into a fist
* Punch (drink), a wide assortment of drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, generally containing fruit or fruit juice
Punch may also refer to:
Places
* Pun ...
) allows for a slower, but more powerful strike.
To execute, one brings their palms together (slightly off-centre), locks the fingers downward, then swings at an opponent as if they were holding a
club-weapon (like a
bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera.''cheir'', "hand" and πτερόν''pteron'', "wing". With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most bi ...
). When performed properly, the strong muscle on the side of the hands can cause a great deal of damage especially against bony protrusions on the
face. When
grappling
Grappling, in hand-to-hand combat, describes sports that consist of gripping or seizing the opponent. Grappling is used at close range to gain a physical advantage over an opponent, either by imposing a position or causing injury. Grappling i ...
, the hammerblow can be performed directly upwards (like an
uppercut
The uppercut (formerly known as the undercut; sometimes also referred to as the ''upper'') is a punch used in boxing that travels along a vertical line at the opponent's chin or solar plexus. It is, along with the cross, one of the two main pun ...
) and will likely
shatter the chin.
Martial art techniques
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