A punch involves hitting with the knuckles, strikes do not.

Punches are generally long/mid range weapons. When in closer, elbows replace punches. They are the short range equivalent of a punch. Part of that is common sense (if you're in too close to get in a punch, try an upward elbow) and part is because we want to use Point of Origin for our strikes, i.e. we don't want to have to spend the time to wind up in order to get the appropriate travel for a punch if we're in close.

Name	Description
Horizontal Thrust	Punch straight out with fist, knuckles up. For snap version, bring hand back to waist.
Vertical Thrust	Punch slightly upward, knuckles to outside of body. For snap version, bring hand back to waist.
Uppercut	Beginning with hand at your side, punch upward and away from you, stopping at the height of your lower chest.
Hammerfist	This strike is done in numerous directions and at numerous angles. In general, you are striking with the bottom of your fist (outside the little finger).
Back Hammerfist	Swing fist from in front of your body, past your side and behind you, striking at groin level with the bottom of your fist.
Inverted Hammerfist	Swing fist (circular) in towards you,down and away from you, striking at groin level with the bottom of your fist.
Inward Hand Sword	Sword hand striking on side of attackers neck, palm up, arm bent coming from outside my body
Outward Hand Sword	Sword hand striking on right of attackers neck, palm down arm bent coming from across my body.
Inward Elbow	Pull fist into my chest, pushing elbow into attacker
Upward Elbow	Pull fist to my ear, pushing elbow upward to attacker
Overhead Elbow	Raise arm (open hand) around the back, over head and straight up then drive elbow down onto attacker while making fist with hand.
Obscure Upward Elbow	Start with arm fully extended downward (i.e. arm hanging at side) then drive upward with elbow. This is almost always used to strike an attacker under the chin. This strike can be used to the front, side and back.
Rear Elbow	Move arm straight out in front of body then back behind body. Bend arm at elbow as it moves back behind body.
Side Elbow	Move arm across body and strike back to original side. Bend arm at elbow as it moves across. Upper arm should be lined up with back.
Whip	Left arm 90 degrees in front of body, left elbow resting in right hand. Snap left hand loosely toward attacker striking with ring and little finger knuckles and side of hand.
Heel Palm	Push arm out slightly across body striking attacker in the face and pushing across. This strike can be executed in multiple directions and to multiple angles, but we always strike with the lower part of our open hand with the finger tightly together.
Heel Palm Claw	Essentially the same as a Heel Palm, but finger are bent (like a claw) and rake across the target. This strike is mainly used on the face.
Finger Poke	Using first 2 fingers slightly bent. Fingers must line up or they get broken.
Ridge Hand	Swing arm from outside body to inside body, hand flat and palm down, striking with thumb and forefinger.
Middle Knuckle	Vertical fist position, extend middle knuckle slightly so it's the contact point.
Half Fist	Horizontal fist position, unroll fist one knuckle's length.
Back Knuckle	This strike is done in many directions and to many angles. Strike with the knuckles using the back of the hand. It's like a slap with a closed fist.