Superstition Or Knowledge
The Asian fighting skills were practiced and developed many centuries prior to the discovery of the actual nature of vital body functions such as the process of digestion and the circulation of the blood. Among the ancients, muscle contractions, palpitations, intestinal growling and other such internal stirrings and audible processes were thought to result from reptile spirits which resided within the body and that these hyperphysical serpents and dragons moved about in response to specific...
Solar Plexus 34
This is not an anatomic entity, but is a term used to describe a striking area. It is the region below the breast bone, where the ribs part. There is a critical difference in the degree of pain, risk of injury and other effects depending on the angle of delivery of the blow as well as on the force of the blow and the health and frame of the individual being struck. Equal adversary A moderate blow causes pain and could result in what is commonly called knocking the wind out which is in fact a...
Wrestling Stance
79. When wrestling is played as a sport, the rules prohibit the use of hand or foot blows. Techniques are limited to grappling and takedowns for the purpose of applying a point-gaining hold. Because of these rules there is no need to put up a defense against blows to the body. The open stance of the wrestler is appropriate to the activity. But because of its open, unguarded aspect, this stance is not suitable for self-defense. The parody of wrestling frequently seen on television is not...
Judo Contest Stance
80. Although in the past judo has been taught as a self-defense method, today it has taken its proper place as a sport it is an event in the Olympic Games. Like wrestling, judo is played by rules which prohibit and penalize hand or foot blows or any tactic intended to hurt the opponent player. Judo players do not use a fighting stance because there is no need to guard against the possibility of being struck. Contestants in a judo match are in close contact, gripping cloth of the uniform as...
Temple Area 16
It is widely believed that the temple area is extremely vulnerable because of a mistaken notion that the skull is thinner and more fragile in this region. An examination of a skull in an anatomy class or in an anatomy textbook will confirm that the bone is as thick at the temple area as it is at several other places on the skull. Vulnerability in the temple area is associated with the shape of the bone rather than its thickness. Because the skull is flat at the temple area referral shock to the...
Onto The Nose 17
If you are already in close to an assailant, this is an excellent target. DO NOT step in close to hit at the nose if you are out of fist-hitting range Hitting onto the nose is very likely to hurt, confuse and disorient an assailant. Drawing the head back and watering of the eyes are the two most common reactions to being hit on the nose. Even a moderate blow results in considerable pain. A bloody nose, while not serious, has a positive psychological effect in self-defense. Even when other...
Between The Shoulder Blades 32
Slightly above and between the prominent bones of the shoulder blades is an area which is struck with the intention of referring shock force into the heart or the aortic arch and the vagus nerve. I do not favor this as a practical self-defense target. It is either high-risk when a power blow is applied or it is ineffectual, depending on the relative size and frame of the persons involved. Equal adversary A moderate blow causes pain. A heavy blow could refer shock force into vital organs with a...
Forearm Mound 38
Just beyond the elbow is an area which, on most people, is very sensitive to pain. If you extend your arm you can see the top of the mound, which is the target area. Using a hand blow onto the forearm mound, it is not necessary to hit with precision. A blow aimed at the mound will refer force into the sensitive area. If you press your thumb into your own arm at this point you will discover how little pressure is needed to effect pain. t Equal adversary A moderate blow causes pain. A forceful...