5 One Hit Knockout Points

A Quick Reference To Fast Self-Defense

Nathan Wender

RVA Martial Arts 1909 W. Cary St.

RVAMARTIALARTS.COM

Traditional Martial Arts : Modern Applications

Introduction

At RVA Martial Arts all or our self-defense is pressure point based. That means we use attacks to the nervous system, not to tissue, bone, or the tendons and ligaments that other schools target. The effects are instantaneous and work on reflex actions that are programmed into our nerves. Just like pulling your hand away from a hot stove, the body reacts to protect itself depending upon what signals reach the nerves. By activating these reflexes we can cause fainting, loss of breath, loss of muscle control, and more. It all depends on how well you hit the nerves, not how hard, so you can learn it regardless of what kind of shape youre in. As an added bonus, none of the nerve attacks cause permanent damage, which means theyre safe to practice and use. It also means you have much less legal liability should you need to defend yourself on the street and in court after. Its selfdefense that defends you twice!

M-HN-18 The Mental Nerve

The first thing to learn about pressure point attacks is that you are targeting nerves, and you have to attack the nerves in a way that will cause the reflex action you want. In the case of the nerves on the head, that means pressing or striking the nerves in a way that pinches them rapidly against the bone. This first target is the Mental Nerve. If you trace a line straight down from the corner of the mouth to where the bone of the jaw juts outward on the chin youll find it. This nerve protrudes from within the jaw through a hole in the bone called a foramen (in this case the mental foramen, shown at left). At this point the nerve can be either pressed or struck down and in toward where the cervical and thoracic vertebrae meet, pinching the nerve against the bone and sending a signal that can cause dizziness, loss of motor control, or unconsciousness.

Yifeng

Triple Warmer 17

This point is located posterior to the lobule of the ear in the depression between the mandible and mastoid process. It lies over the root of the 7th cranial nerve, or the facial nerve. The facial nerve is connected to the vagus nerve, which can affect the heart when stimulated. The correct activation of this point can therefore very easily cause syncope (fainting). Striking from behind the jaw toward the bridge of the nose will have the best effect, but this one also works exceedingly well with fingertip pressure, which has proven useful for law enforcement and security personnel. By striking or pinching the nerve against the bone you send a signal that can cause dizziness, loss of motor control, or unconsciousness. Striking with a small weapon such as a single knuckle works best, and the addition of torque or a twisting motion to the strike at the moment of impact will further stretch the nerve over the bone and dramatically improve results.

Da Ying
Stomach 5
This point lies over the trigeminal and facial nerves, and over the facial artery. It is located anterior to the angle of the mandible, on the anterior border of the attached portion of m. masseter, where the facial artery pulsates. You can find it by tracing a line straight down from the corner of the eye and feeling for the notch in the jaw. Because the nerves branch here with one branch traveling along the jaw line and the other underneath it, S-5 is really two pressure points in one. It can be either struck down and in toward where the cervical and thoracic vertebrae meet, or up and in toward the opposite quadrant of the head. When striking up it is best to apply a slight twisting action to stretch the nerve from underneath the jaw over the bone. Striking in either direction will cause dizziness, loss of motor control, or unconsciousness.

Feng Chi

Gall Bladder 20
This point is at the junction of the occipital and nuchal regions, in a depression that lies between the origins of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. It stimulates the greater occipital nerve, lesser occipital nerve, and the suboccipital nerve. Find this point by feeling in the hollow pockets underneath the rear sides of the skull, approximately two finger widths below the skull itself. This point can be struck from back to front either upward toward the center of the skull or downward toward the opposite foot. Striking upward can cause dizziness, loss of motor control, temporary loss of vision, or unconsciousness. Striking downward has similar effects, but will also cause a greater immediate loss of motor control, which can easily collapse someone to the ground.

Ren Ying Stomach 9

This point is located level with the tip of the Adams Apple on the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoideus muscle (where the pulse of the common carotid artery is felt). This is another point that lies over the vagus nerve and can cause the same fainting effect. You can find it by tracing a horizontal line from the Adams Apple to the front of the muscle next to the windpipe. This point responds well to both fingertip pressure and strikes. It can be either struck down and in toward the heart, or up and in toward the center of the head. Striking up will cause an instant numbness of the arm on that side. Striking down will cause dizziness, loss of motor control, or unconsciousness do to fainting. Because this point lies directly over the carotid artery it is recommended that you practice great caution in training with it.

A Note on Training
Pressure point martial arts is a subtle skill. An experienced practitioner can knock a man out with the slightest touch, but it takes years of hands on training to acquire that level of ability. There are no shortcuts except for this: Train with someone who knows them, and who is willing to share openly and honestly. Train hands on with as many people you can find. You will not know if you can do a pressure point strike until you try it on a live partner, and there are so many details that make them work or not work that you will need the guidance of an experienced instructor to help you work past your mistakes. At RVA Martial Arts we can show you how to use the points, as well as how to correct them, so you and your partners can train in comfort and safety as you develop real skills. Our systematic and leveled approach will help you progress much faster than any other program in town. Contact us for a free trial lesson and see the difference for yourself.

RVA Martial Arts 1909 W. Cary St.

RVAMARTIALARTS.COM

Traditional Martial Arts : Modern Applications