Punching somebody with a closed fist?
POSTED BY: raiftel
UPDATED: Monday, August 24, 2026 00:31
VIEWED: 21077
PAGE 1 of 5
Not so much an episode query.
In the Train Job Mal says to the doctor something along the lines of "They say to never punch somebody with a closed fist, but on occassion it is damned amusing" (sorry for the brutalised quote 
)
Anyways I am not a fighter at all so was wondering why you should not punch somebody with a closed fist and Mal would find it amusing to do now and then.
From a pure psyhics level I am assuming it is because a closed fist would break the hand...but I honestly don't know. 
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
It was a joke, raiftel. From beginning to end, a joke. Mal was making a funny.
As for breaking the hand, you're much more likely to do it if you have a loose fist than a proper closed fist. To make a perfect fist (perfect for punching, that is):
1.Start bending your fingers at the 1st (topmost) knuckle, then the 2nd, then roll them into your palm.
-- Do NOT have your fingers flat against your palm - they are rolled. People with long nails find this uncomfortable because the nails dig into the hand. This is why fighters don't have elegant manicures. If you have your fingers flat when you punch, ensure you have a friend ready to drive you to the St. Lucy's emergency room. --
2. Your thumb wraps around and the tip tucks over the index and middle fingers between the 1st and 2nd knuckles. Tight tight tight
3. Your stricking point is the flat surface created by your index and middle fingers between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles. The 3rd knuckle is where the finger meets the hand. Hit with that board.
-- do NOT hit people with your knuckles ... remember the trip to St. Lucy's --
Quote:
Originally posted by raiftel:
Not so much an episode query.
Anyways I am not a fighter at all so was wondering why you should not punch somebody with a closed fist ... From a pure psyhics level I am assuming it is because a closed fist would break the hand...but I honestly don't know.
"Just keep walkin, preacher man."
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Yeah you can break it(the skull is very hard and teeth are very sharp), the most commom break is called a "boxers fracture". The reason boxers tape their hands up is to align the wrist in a proper way so to try and prevent this.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
My reading of They tell you never hit a man with a closed fist is that, in a pre-wushu Firefly, the alternative to the closed fist is a slap with the open palm. So the fist is dangerous to the recipient, the palm merely insulting. I'm surprised that fight-ready-Reynolds hasn't gone prepared with a pair of snug gloves to protect from abrasions and provide some elementary strapping. 
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
It was a joke, raiftel. From beginning to end, a joke. Mal was making a funny.
I know it's a joke, I know it's funny, I know it makes me laugh, what I don't know is why.
-Ratboy
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Knibblet:
It was a joke, raiftel. From beginning to end, a joke. Mal was making a funny.
As for breaking the hand, you're much more likely to do it if you have a loose fist than a proper closed fist. To make a perfect fist (perfect for punching, that is):
1.Start bending your fingers at the 1st (topmost) knuckle, then the 2nd, then roll them into your palm.
-- Do NOT have your fingers flat against your palm - they are rolled. People with long nails find this uncomfortable because the nails dig into the hand. This is why fighters don't have elegant manicures. If you have your fingers flat when you punch, ensure you have a friend ready to drive you to the St. Lucy's emergency room. --
2. Your thumb wraps around and the tip tucks over the index and middle fingers between the 1st and 2nd knuckles. Tight tight tight
3. Your stricking point is the flat surface created by your index and middle fingers between the 2nd and 3rd knuckles. The 3rd knuckle is where the finger meets the hand. Hit with that board.
-- do NOT hit people with your knuckles ... remember the trip to St. Lucy's --
"Just keep walkin, preacher man."
Oh. .
wow.
A woman who knows the physics and mechanics of a punch.
I think I love you.
==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Beatle:
Yeah you can break it(the skull is very hard and teeth are very sharp),
That is why the best place to punch, when aiming at the head/face is square on the nose. Getting hit in the nose causes more immediate pain than anywhere else, and a square hit will also produce lots of blood, which panics your opponent.
==================================================
"Wash. . .we got some local color happening. A grand entrance would not go amiss."
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Wow. I'm learning all sorts of things today. 
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Perhaps if he'd said, "They tell you that when you're navigating through an asteroid belt to never mix your sake` with Everclear..." ? The joke is, "If the deed is inappropriate, it doesn't matter how you alter the doing."
Quote:
Originally posted by Rat:
I know it's a joke, I know it's funny, I know it makes me laugh, what I don't know is why.
-Ratboy
"Just keep walkin, preacher man."
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Damn good thing I'm in your harem then, Flyboy, Sir 
Quote:
Originally posted by Static:
Oh. . wow.
A woman who knows the physics and mechanics of a punch. I think I love you.
"Just keep walkin, preacher man."
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME