The Devastating Power of the Thumb

Friday Night News

"Do not concentrate on the finger or you will miss all of the heavenly glory!" Bruce Lee

The thumb up sign is almost globally accepted as a sign of approval. The thumbs up was supposedly used to indicate if a gladiator was to spare a downed opponent. While the thumbs down, was used to indicate if the gladiator was to finish off the opponent. The thumbs down position was referred to as Pollice verso, which in Latin meant to press a thumb down. The thumb up is generally seen as an approval both in business transactions and personal communications.

The versatility and strength of the thumb is well-known. As human beings, our manual dexterity is often attributed to the fact that we have an opposable thumb. Having an opposable thumb is in fact one of the characteristics that help define being a primate. In the martial arts thumb strikes have a long history of use. I personally use five variations of them; strikes both in my kempo and my aikijujutsu training. I believe that no matter what system of martial arts you practice you can benefit from the inclusion of these five thumb strikes.



The first of the thumb strikes that I like to use is the open hand claw or rake. This particular thumb strike also includes the use of the other four fingers and can be used as a beak strike once the fingers and thumb come together. They can also be performed by utilizing only the thumb and the middle and index fingers as well. It basically consist of reaching toward the opponent with an open hand as if to catch the opponent in your grasp. The primary target is the throat or groin.

My second most common usage of the thumb strike is utilizing the thumb tip to strike. Generally speaking, the practitioner will form a fist and extend the thumb forward over top of the index finger to gouge an eye or throat primarily. However, this thumb tip strike also makes an ideal groin strike. All that is needed is to hold the fist in the prescribed manner. While maintaining a relaxed position with the hands at the sides of the body. The pinpoint accuracy and non-aggressive posture helps to increase the effectiveness of the strike.

Thumb Tip

The third strike consists of pressing the thumb tip down onto the index finger while elevating the first knuckle of the thumb upward. I utilize this strike for attacking pressure points when in a grappling or clenched position and there is no room for a traditional strike. It can be utilized against any of the body's junctions for pressure points. My primary targets are against those found in the face and neck of the opponent.

Thumb Strike

The fourth strike is comprised of utilizing the second joint of the thumb knuckle. It is used in a tiger's mouth like strike except that the thumb is folded inward across the palm. I use it as a short distance grappling range strike, although the hand position resembles somewhat of a thrusting ridge hand. But it is in fact, nothing more than a more powerful short distance spear hand.

Second Thumb Knuckle

The fifth and final thumb strike I utilize is formed by placing the thumb in the same position as the aforementioned strike. The primary difference is that instead of striking forward in a thrusting position, we are utilizing the amount of muscle of the thumb pad to make contact. This is also a close distance strike which I utilize primarily as a clavicle slap. This strike can be utilized immediately after the fourth strike in this list to help drop the opponents weight and drive them to the ground backwards. The thumb training needed to utilize these techniques can be achieved primarily by fingertip push-ups and makiwara training.

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to battle." Palms 144:1

The following are links to my Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker" series. My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.

Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.