Sorry for a late answer to an old question. But some answers suggest that the technique is too dangerous to be used; or that you should bend your fingers to allow safe crumble; or that there’s no way to properly condition for use. These answers assume that there’s only one way the spearhand is to be used, which is that it is a power strike into the target. Why assume that? A gentle backhand smack to the eyes can be enough distraction for the opponent to become off-balanced, lessening the impact of his strike. Surely if a gentle back-smack can do that, a gentle poke to the eyes — even a threat of a strike to the eyes — can do the same, yes? These answers also assume that the tips of the fingers are what strikes the target. Why assume that? Can’t the palm of the spearhand be used to rub along the attacker’s face? If meeting your opponent head-on, if your right hand is the spearhand, your left arm is crossed in an «L» shape in front of you. This is a common defensive movement: you’re holding your opponent to you while you slide your hand up the chest, over the face, and beyond: this has the effect of bending his head backward. Isn’t the shape of the spearhand the same? Or are we talking about where the palm is vertical (facing left with a right-hand spearhand). Well, meeting your opponent from the side and issuing a similar strike has the effect of twisting the head sideways, snapping the head laterally, maybe breaking the neck, inducing vertigo, or applying a headlock. I get it that we see these strikes as a power strike. After all, I break with fingertips. I’m above average with respect to fingertip strikes, given my constant practice for breaking. However, I would never use a fingertip strike as a power strike against an opponent. Rather, I would use it as a distracting movement, or to poke the eyes or throat — but not with full power. Doing that could cause injury to both of us, and, if he’s got a friend who can help him, I’m going to be fighting his friend next — and without a good hand to do so. We should never assume a technique’s use based on its name. Giving a thing a name thus limits its use, and that is unfortunate because it makes it difficult for us to imagine more uses. To figure out what a technique’s use is, you need to look at many things: what’s the other hand doing? What’s the stance you’re in? What’s the previous movement? What’s the next movement? Did you ever see a spearhand being applied WITHOUT the other hand’s palm beneath the elbow? If you did, it’s probably high — as if attacking the eyes with the finger tips, and the stance was probably a front stance. If it was very low, the palm was probably facing up and it’s probably to grab at the groin or knee — but not attacking by the tips of fingers. (and most likely, you’re in a back stance or cat stance). Ever wonder why? Here’s another use for a spearhand: it can be a throw. In Kukkiwon Taekwondo, Taeguek Sa Jang (#4) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAauWkIZuqY), the first movement is a double knifehand block, then step into a spearhand. The key here is to figure out what the previous double knifehand was doing. If you were competently taught, you’d know you’re not blocking anything. Because your hands are knifehands, and not fists, the assumption is that you are being grabbed. The outstretched hands keep your opponent off-balance; if he wriggles into a position most advantageous to him with maximum possibility to attack you, then, he’ll jam himself up by having his hands (which are now grabbing you) useless; you step in with your forward hand (the forward part of the double-knife-hand) reach behind his back or head (that’s the part that forms the palm down underneath the spearhand), and the rear hand of the double-knife-hand then moves forward over the shoulder, which throws him backward. In Aikido this technique is called «iriminage», and you can see superb examples with Sensei Christian Tissier on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2EJEWrAxsQ). Hapkido has a very similar throw, in English we just called it a head throw, I don’t remember the Korean name. So there you have it: don’t assume a technique’s purpose based on it’s name. Otherwise, you’ll get completely flustered with «Swallow Poom» (which is the high-block/neck chop combo). And a word of warning: if you have to condition to use a technique, what good is the technique when you can no longer condition for it? As you get older, the technique that once required conditioning is useless to you. And in many cases, conditioning can be damaging; osteoarthritis is common among people like me who condition for breaking. Yes, I’m paying dearly for it. And what good is a technique if you are required to condition for it, but you never do condition for it? That’s on your instructor, who should have told you that the spearhand need not be a power strike (unless you’re breaking). In self-defense, a spearhand is just too dangerous for YOU to use as a power strike. To answer your question, you ought to explore the many uses of a spear-hand. Don’t assume you need full force behind it, such is not the intention. In my belief, a technique which requires such conditioning means to go down a path not intended for the technique. What will you do when you’re older, or injured, or fatigued? Learn what a spear-hand really is, and then practice your technique for those cases. If you think hitting a sandbag will improve it, or condition you, then you don’t know what it is for. Find a competent instructor who can give you drills, and help you as you practice. Download Article Download Article Aiming to expand your Kung Fu training? Iron Spear Iron Body Training is a facet of Shaolin Kung Fu where the practitioner trains their body so they’re able to give or sustain heavy blows without serious injury to various parts of their body. Read on to learn how to train your finger-tip strikes to increase power.

1. 1. It would be beneficial to have a good quality Dit Da Jow ointment. This can help with preparation and healing.

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1. This is a good way to prepare your hands. Once you can activate your hand chi you train it 5 days from 7 for 20 weeks (100 times). Use the Dit Da Jow (DDJ) before and after each exercise. If you are successful every time in activating your hands without fail, you can continue to the next step.

1. 1. It needs to be twice the depth of and 4 times the width of your hand. Fill the bowl with boiling water. Pour it into the container first then start your 5 step breathing preparations. When your hands are ready; execute 100 Snake Head Finger Strikes (50 each hand) 5 days from 7 for 20 weeks without fail or error before progressing onto the next level.

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1. Prepare yourself again with the DDJ and Five Step breathing (FSB). Ensure that your fingernail length is less than your fingers else you will force sand in under your fingernails and it will be very painful. Your are not yet ready for this.

1. 1. Push until all 4 fingers are fully in the sand. Again, practice this until you can do this 100 times, 50 with each hand in one practice session. Now, start increasing the speed of your pushing gradually until it is striking speed. Take this slowly as this is the make or break phase. You may also wish to supplement this with 100 Push-ups first on your fist then on three middle fingers of each hand.
      • At no time should you break skin! Always stop if your hand is damaged and start from the beginning all over again!

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1. Repeat as before and continue your Push-up on three fingers. If you can do 100 push-ups on both hands 5 days from 7 DO NOT proceed to the next level. Again, if you can work the coarse sand as easily as with he find sand, at striking speed proceed.

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• QuestionIn martial arts, which is better, kung-fu or karate? Every style has benefits, depending on what you want to achieve. Some are geared towards sports (MMA, Muay Thai), others towards self defense (Wing Chun, Arnis), and others towards fitness and self improvement (Taichi, Non contact Karate). First choose WHY you want to study a martial art, this will make it much easier to choose the right style for you.
• QuestionHow can a ten year old child learn this? A ten year old child should not train in this method, as they are still growing and it could cause difficulties later in life in the hand and wrist. Additionally, their forearm bones are at risk if the technique is poor, which can happen as a result when they attempt to substitute with strength. Generally, children are not permitted to break boards with their knuckles or fingers, let alone perform pushups on their knuckles. However, if desired, you could take these steps about three times slower to allow the child’s body to adapt to the new environmental challenge it is experiencing. Also, don’t flex fingers fully straight. Use a slight, strong bend.
• QuestionIs it possible to do the boiling water bit without burning myself? Yes. You are not holding your hand in the boiling water. You’re just quickly dipping it in and out, which shouldn’t cause any lasting damage.

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Replace the mung beans when you can strike them with ease.=

1. Replace them with white river pebbles. Make sure that they are rounded and that they do not have sharp edges. Do everything as in the previous stages!

1. Repeat the training again. The training is complete when you can strike the ball-bearings without pain or injury to yourself.

• Throughout your training, you should use liniment on your fist to prevent injuries. This liniment is called Die(1) Da(3) Jiu(3) in Chinese, and commonly known to the western world as Dit Da Jow. Applying this liniment to the affected area before and after training, rubbing it in well, is thought to prevent injury later in life caused by the Iron Body Training. The liniment is obtainable from Chinese medicinal halls or off the internet. You should make sure the type you use is specifically for training Iron Body.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• These strikes are best to aim at soft pressure points, be sure to memorize them.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

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• This art is not something that can be attained quickly — it is for life. Make sure you have maximum commitment before embarking on the training.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Such Iron Body Training works by calcifying the bone and thickening the skin. This may cause unwanted deformity such as shortened fingers. Do not undergo such training without knowing the risks. This form of Iron Body Training is the least recommended due to its large potential for deformity.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• This information is provided for informative purposes only and should only be undertaken at your own risk.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Don’t show off your skills. If you want to learn Iron Body Kung Fu in order to show off, you should re-examine your motive.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!
• Be careful when striking — know your limit and try not to go over. Start lightly and slowly build up strength.As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!

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