LETHAL HANDS

11 TIME-TESTED TOOLS You Need for Close-Quarters Combat Courtesy of the Ancient Greek Art OF PANKRATION!

- JIM ARVANITIS

Experts agree that real-world combat takes place most often at close range. In such encounters, the hands are the go-to weapons. No other offensive tool resolves conflict more quickly and with less effort and energy. Hand strikes are also versatile: They can be delivered from virtually any angle, can follow a straight or curved path, and can travel upward or downward. They can be employed while you’re standing and moving about freely or while you’re locked in a clinch. They also work well when you’re on the ground.

For these reasons, most high-risk conflicts are best resolved with the hands, whether they’re used as closed fists or in an open position. By definition, the lead hand is closer to the target, which means it can land more quickly and more economically than the rear hand. Although such blows are not as powerful, with proper body mechanics, you can hit hard enough to finish your foe. That said, being able to use both hands effectively is the name of the game in the real world, which is why it’s paramount in pankration.

Note: All the hand techniques described here have been observed works of art that date from around the fifth century B.C.

CLOSED-FIST BLOWS