I’m sure many of you remember the scene in the movie “El Presidio” where Sean Connery’s character decimates the donkey at the bar with nothing more than his thumb!
Some of you may remember Andy Adam’s book on Ninjutsu which highlights Hatsumi. Several photos showed the intense conditioning of natural weapons, including the “boshiken” or thumb fist. One photo in particular impressed me. It showed a small flat stone that would break with a “thumb” strike.
It has been reported that Sykes had an enormous amount of grip and hand strength. Apparently, he really liked the “thumb” jab. Although NOT a basic method, as conditioning over a period of time is mandatory, it was still a favorite “personal” weapon of his.
Allowing the thumb to stick out along the side of the fist was a “street” tactic taught to me by my father and uncles as a child. Aimed for the eyes, it made the left jab a really powerful weapon.
The thumb as a weapon can be used to strike, pierce, and/or apply tremendously concentrated force. Also used in many Judo/Jujutsu “shimewaza” of the “sparring” variety.
Many methods employ this type of strike. The problem is TRUST in its use! Here is a method to harden and strengthen the “thumb” that is specific to its use in close combat:
Grab your palm-sized “crushing” rock. Keep the flatter side UP. If the rock you are using is TOO round, go for a flatter one.
Get a THICK DENSE piece of foam like you would use for upholstery.
Place the rock in the middle of your thumb jab, place the pad of your thumb on the rock and PUSH. Try to push/press the rock THROUGH the foam. DON’T HIT IT YET! Just numerous repetitions of the HARD push! Repeat it over and over again. Over time, you will be able to hit the rock and push it all the way to the bottom of the thick foam pad.
Other good drills can be added as well, such as the “thumb” up hook onto bricks or cinder blocks, as well as any other personal favorites, BUT the drill described above is as specific to USING the “thumb” jab as you can get.
I train the thumb in several uses:
Boshiken: prick with the tip of the thumb
Boshiken – Uechi style thumb knuckle
Oyayubiken – Thumb Knuckle Fist
Tohote – Sword Point Hand (Thumb Hook)
Dim Jeang – Palm strike with thumb jab. From Fushan Wing Chun as taught by Sifu Chong.
Ying Jow – Eagle Claw with Crush/Thumb Gouge
In Dr. Ernst Jokl’s excellent treatise on the scientific and medical aspects of boxing punches, he describes the “old” street fighter’s trick of driving the extended thumb into the carotid and causing a knockout. He also details some “jiu-jitsu” punches with the edge of the hand.
All of the above weapons can be trained on the makiwara. Just start EASY. And………………Keep a bottle of “New Skin” handy.
Here’s another “good” one: Get a cinder block. Place it far in front of you. Open your hands and “hook” your thumbs into the openings at each end of the block. Apply OUTWARD pressure with THUMBS ONLY and lift AND HOLD. Repeat several dozen times.
Also any king of the “pinch” grip job is great too!
Copyright 2003 thetruthaboutselfdefense.com
