By Jason Filmore
Well, it's been a while since I wrote an article with pen in hand. But for those of you who are familiar with me from my earlier pieces, welcome once more and thanks for reading.
Are Pressure Points Effective?
Take into account that there are numerous methods in which the human body can be attacked, some of which call for the use of strong force and others of which call for a lesser amount. By hitting or manipulating some portions of the body more than others, the impacts on the human body can be heightened. What kind of effect do you hope to achieve is what matters.
But first, let me make one very clear point before I go into a little more depth. In this article, I'll explain a number of defensive methods that can strengthen the proper application of just a few crucial points—making your technique more powerful and effective. The usage of critical points requires some knowledge and a lot of practice.
These striking points go by various names, including pressure points and weak spots, to mention a few. The labels don't important, though; if you hit your opponent at the right place, they will be wounded. But if you're a 7-stone woman being attacked by an 18-stone male, a punch to a typical body part won't do much to stop him. What are the ideal spots to strike as targets as you need to use as little force as possible?
You see, studying self-defense is useless if you're just going to hit random objects out of the blue and damage yourself in the process. Therefore, when compelled to protect yourself in any self-defense circumstance, it makes sense to exploit the weaker, more susceptible spots on the body for greatest effect.
Okay, I hear you asking, “How do I identify the weak points?” Try pressing a location on your body; if it hurts, you can be sure that hitting that point on someone else's body will hurt them. For example, if the same 18-stone attacker attacked the 7-stone victim and she poked him in the eye with her finger, it would hurt. This is a straightforward application of the target area concept, but you also need to be aware of the locations of these targets and the most effective strikes to employ against them.
The drawback to all of this is that many of the effective striking points are not very large, roughly the size of a fifty pence piece. Additionally, since the target must be shot while moving, accuracy is a must. Get a poster or something similar from a store or make one yourself, mark the targets on the chart, and hang it somewhere. Then, simply reach forward and touch each target until you are familiar with its location on the body because, as was previously mentioned, if you are going to use pressure points, you must be precise.
Now, if someone's jaw is as hard as your fist, smacking them on the chin won't do much good. But what about the eyes? A strike near the eyes will produce the intended result. Additionally, the nose and the back of the throat are all delicate areas to hit; even a slight pressure can result in excruciating agony. Lower down the body, the areas you can't assault are typically covered by muscle, like the chest, there is another sensitive area where the top lip joins the nose. If you hit the solar plexus with a closed fist or elbow, you will effectively hit the V of the rib cage. Even persons with strong stomach muscles will double over if they are kicked in the bladder area, which is also a weak spot, especially if your attacker has consumed eight pints of beer and is filled up.
Additionally, keep in mind that all of the major arteries and nerves are located inside the limbs. Therefore, the inside of the upper arm is more sensitive to a blow than the outside, and the same is true of the inside of the thigh. When you strike someone in the armpit while they have their arms raised, it will hurt awfully bad. More sensitivity exists on the inside of the knee than the outside. The interior of the shin is once more more sensitive than the outside; a kick to this area will be very painful.
Striking and pushing: If you ever find yourself on the floor—which, by the way, you must strive to avoid at all costs—with someone on top of you, press your thumb into the area around your adams apple, and you'll usually receive a response—usually, they'll pull away or get off you. Don't waste time trying to shove under the jaw; it usually won't succeed, giving you time to flee.
If you can, purchase a striking dummy and label all the exposed parts. Try poking yourself with a pencil, but not the pointed end, to identify any sensitive spots you are unsure about. If it hurts, it will hurt someone else, therefore if it doesn't hurt you, you know where to poke. When hitting, there are a few things to keep in mind towards the back of the body. Another sensitive place is the base of the skull where it connects to the neck, the two kidneys two inches higher and farther away from the belly button. The tendon behind the ankle and the backs of the legs are both extremely sensitive, and if you kick the attacker hard enough, they won't be able to move.
In conclusion, accuracy is also necessary for these sensitive areas to be successful, in addition to practice and memory of their location. One rule is to hit high and then low; it's an excellent strategy to use to attack the eyeballs and lower balls simultaneously because a man cannot guard both at once.
There are many more vulnerable points than the few I've included in this short article, so post your chart. Put dots where it hurts, use your elbows, single knuckle fist, knees, and thumbs to strike these points, and you can easily cripple someone. Most importantly, make sure you know where these points are by practicing repeatedly.
Enthusiasm is the True Secret to Success.
Disclaimer: This publication's author, publishers, and distributors expressly disclaim any responsibility for any risks or injuries of any kind that may be experienced by readers or users of the information it contains. This is solely available for scholarly and educational use. This information is used totally at the user's own risk.
What is the cost of your safety? Buzz Campion, a self-defense expert, is the author of several practical and educational self-defense and awareness manuals that teach men and women alike how to avoid or defend themselves against an unprovoked violent attack at work, at home, or on the street.
