Hammer Fist Strike
The closed-fist option for when a palm heel won't reach the angle you need — particularly to the side, behind, and downward.
The hammer fist is a closed-fist strike that uses the bottom of the fist (the meaty side, not the knuckles) as the striking surface. It's the only Krav Maga closed-fist strike taught at every level.
When to use it
The hammer fist is the answer to angles a palm heel doesn't reach: targets to the side (an attacker grabbing your wrist), targets behind (someone closing from the rear), or targets below (an attacker bent over from a knee strike). It's also the default head strike from a clinch or against a wall.
The four common versions
- Vertical hammer fist: straight down on the top of the head or back of the neck.
- Horizontal hammer fist (to the side): across the temple or jaw at lateral targets.
- Reverse hammer fist: backhand version, useful when turning to address a rear attacker.
- Hammer fist to groin: downward, often from a clinch position.
Why it's safer than a punch
Like the palm heel, the hammer fist puts the fragile knuckle structure out of the line of impact. The strike lands on the heavily-padded ulnar side of the fist, which can absorb bone-on-bone contact without injury.