Strike (attack)

A strike is a directed physical attack with either an inanimate object (such as a weapon) or with a part of the human body intended to cause blunt trauma or penetrating trauma upon an opponent. There are many different varieties of strikes. An attack with the hand closed into a fist is called a punch; an attack with the leg or foot is referred to as a kick; and an attack with the head is called a headbutt. There are also other variations employed in martial arts and combat sports. Buffet or beat refer to repeatedly and violently striking an opponent. Also commonly referred to as a combination, or combo, especially in boxing or fighting video games.

Usage

Strikes are the key focus of several sports and arts, including boxing, savate, karate, muay thai, taekwondo and wing chun, some martial arts also use the fingertips, wrists, forearms, shoulders, back and hips to strike an opponent as well as the more conventional fists, palms, elbows, knees and feet that are common in combat sports. Other sports and arts, such as wrestling employ no strikes in focusing on grappling techniques. There is also a form of karate called goju ryu which focuses on pressure points (joints) in the legs and arms.