callous knuckles

[izzybig]

hi

ok could someone help me im a new karateka studying okinawan karate and i wanted to ask if anyone could help me you see my knuckles suck so if anyone could sugest some training tips it will be greatly appreciated.

izzybig
7th kyu

[TonyU]

Why do you need calloused knuckles? They are not needed in karate training, contrary to popular belief.
The importance is in the punch and in its proper execution.

[Gordon Nore]

Ditto what Tony said. You can have the most calloused knuckles in the world, but if you hit something improperly, your hand will still break. Some teachers use knuckle pushups. If you do them right, they help to illustrate the proper positioning of the fist for punching with the front two knuckles, as well as the importance of keeping your fist closed. As for conditioning the knuckles goes, I know of an MA who did all kinds of things to get that calloused look when he was young. As an adult, he sometimes had trouble picking up pencils and healing cuts and abrasions because of poor circulation.

[Bugeisha]

Agreed. And despite what many people think, knuckle pushups aren't to condition the knuckles particularly. They're to help with the alignment and structure of the punch.

[Dennis Monk]

ok could someone help me im a new karateka studying okinawan karate and i wanted to ask if anyone could help me you see my knuckles suck so if anyone could sugest some training tips it will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry, but I can't help with calloused knuckles. I can, however, help with grammar. Let's see:

OK, could someone help me? I'm a new karateka studying Okinawan karate and I wanted to ask if anyone could help me. You see, my knuckles suck. If anyone could suggest some training tips, it would be greatly appreciated.

That should just about do it.

[John Lucas]

There are better things to worry about. I went through a phase where I was all crazy about knuckle conditioning for awhile, but I personally now think it to be a pretty small and fairly unimportant part of training.

Think about it, in a fight, with your adrenaline going, you dont really feel a little pain in your knuckles untill well afterwards, even if you did, would you let a little pain stop you from defending yourself?. The real pain comes when you fail to line up your punch properly, and you hurt the bones in your wrist.

If youre really concerned about hurting your hand when you punch, I would suggest getting a makiwara or a heavy bag, so you know what it feels like to have your punches land on a real target.

[izzybig]

thank you for all your insight and wisdom my fellow artist, they are greatly appreciated keep them coming.

all the best
IZZYBIG

[GodofGamblers]

Izzybig, bugeisha gave good advice: i used to have a problem with my wrist buckling on a punch and so did knuckle pushups. even better in fact, is to simply go into the push up position and hold yourself immobile for as long as you can. it works your wrists, knuckles and stomach. it will also correct any problems with your punching. give it a try.

[Gene Williams]

There was a time when I had huge callouses on both hands. Then, over the years, I developed some calcium deposits and larger knuckles. Then more callouses, but not as thick. Now, I have thick skin over my knuckles and only light callousing. It doesn't matter that much, but I do hit stuff alot. Yes, knuckle pushups are for strengthening the wrists and learning proper alignment, but they will toughen the knuckles if you do them on hard surfaces. Now, my feet are hugely calloused because I train a lot on wood floors and outside, and I do not like to wear shoes when I am not at work.

[CEB]

Ditto what Tony said. You can have the most calloused knuckles in the world, but if you hit something improperly, your hand will still break. Some teachers use knuckle pushups. If you do them right, they help to illustrate the proper positioning of the fist for punching with the front two knuckles, as well as the importance of keeping your fist closed. As for conditioning the knuckles goes, I know of an MA who did all kinds of things to get that calloused look when he was young. As an adult, he sometimes had trouble picking up pencils and healing cuts and abrasions because of poor circulation.

My knuckles are sort of calloused over. I still play piano for paying customers about once a month or so.

Callouses happen in the course of training over time if you practice certain arts.

What is wrong is that people don't have good teachers or do not listen to their teachers or do foolish things like ask complete strangers on the internet how they should be practicing an art that they are supposed to be learning from their teacher.

[Bugeisha]

What is wrong is that people don't have good teachers or do not listen to their teachers or do foolish things like ask complete strangers on the internet how they should be practicing an art that they are supposed to be learning from their teacher.

I always wonder when beginners (myself included) come here to ask technical training questions rather than checking with their teachers. Is it because they don't want to appear ignorant in class, or because they think they missed something they're "just supposed to know" or what? It's curious.

[CEB]

But see you don't know me. I may have never set foot in a Karate Dojo. Maybe I learned what I know from a Bruce Tegner book.

[Gene Williams]

I'm sure forums give traditional sensei headaches with beginners and others coming in saying, "I saw this on the internet..." Students would sometimes say things in my dojo like, "I saw this in BB Magazine," or "I have a friend who takes over at xyz school and they do this." I have two standard answers: 1) "I don't care what you saw in BB Magazine," and 2) " So, go train at xyz school." :bow:

[Cliff Hargrave]

Now, my feet are hugely calloused because I train a lot on wood floors and outside, and I do not like to wear shoes when I am not at work.

The dojo I started in taught Shorin Ryu and jujutsu on alternating nights and the floor was one huge canvas covered mat. I got my start doing karate on a mat then a year later we moved to bigger place that had a hardwood floors and had open space and additional room for the mat. Big difference going from a mat to wood floors. My feet were one big blister the first few months, then they got ugly callouses on them :)

I remember having to learn my balance all over again, especially when I hit a sweaty spot on the floor.

[izzybig]

thank you my fellow artists, some of the views you have given have made me question myself on my first thread, keep any advice you have coming.

izzybig
7th kyu

[TonyU]

I learned the hard way. Remember this?

http://www.budoseek.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=748

They've actually grown a bit since then. :o

[izzybig]

So what everyone is saying is that i should worry more on my punch alignment than the conditioning of my knuckles. So how could i improve this, is there anymore exercises besides knuckle pushups to improve my punching alignment.

izzybig
7th kyu

[CEB]

You should practice the methods your teacher teaches you to do.

You say you do Okinawan Karate. Well the punch you learn in Isshin Ryu would be different than in Goju Ryu which would be different than what is done in some Shorin Ryu which would be different than what is done in some other Shorin Ryu. Etc….

So just pay attention to what your teacher teaches. If your teacher is a good teacher then you will be fine.

[TonyU]

You should practice the methods your teacher teaches you to do.

You say you do Okinawan Karate. Well the punch you learn in Isshin Ryu would be different than in Goju Ryu which would be different than what is done in some Shorin Ryu which would be different than what is done in some other Shorin Ryu. Etc….

So just pay attention to what your teacher teaches. If your teacher is a good teacher then you will be fine.
Exactly what he said.
Don't be afraid to ask your sensei as long as it doesn't detract from the class. Also you can wait untill after class is over to ask about anything you may not have understood and don't be afraid to ask any of the seniors.

Keep in mind some things will not be understood untill you have performed countless repetitions.

Good luck in your training.

[izzybig]

I post a thank you to all my fellow artist and a special thank you goes to TONYU and CEB for their constant information thank you. So thank you to eveyone for their advice, please offer anymore advice to this young knowledge seeking grasshopper.

izzybig
7th kyu

[kumite]

I learned the hard way. Remember this?

http://www.budoseek.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=748

They've actually grown a bit since then. :o

Tony, that was so scary I damn near shat myself. :D

Seriously though, two different karate masters whom I respect very much had different views on hand conditioning. One said it was not needed and one had knuckles that looked like the short end of the old ball pin hammers. And felt like it too when he hit you.