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In previous articles I have talked about the need to drop an attacker with only one blow and also the importance of being accurate with that blow. In this article I want to talk about the best places to actually strike an attacker, i.e. the most vulnerable areas of the body that are going to cause the most damage when hit, places that are really going to hurt them. So starting from the top down, here are the ten best areas of the body for you to attack.
1. Top of the head. Underneath that thin layer of skin that covers your skull is a network of highly sensitive nerve endings that cause you to feel a great deal of pain when hit. This area is often neglected in self defence techniques because people think the skull is too hard and striking it won’t have much effect. In fact, it is one of the most painful places to get hit on. There are different ways to attack this area. If you are grabbed by an attacker, in a bear hug for instance, a very simple and effective escape is to just rap the top of your attackers head repeatedly with your knuckles. Believe me, they will soon let go! The pain is extremely sharp. Rap your own head and you will see what I mean. If you want to attack this area more directly and with more force, then an elbow strike to the top of skull will drop someone very quickly, though this strike is difficult to deliver without any initial set up. A strike to the mid section of your attacker first would be a good idea. This will make them lean over a bit, thus offering you the target area.
2. The Ears. Another neglected area of attack. The best way to strike the ears is to cup the hands and slap them hard over your attacker’s ears. Done hard enough, it is possible to rupture the ear drums of an opponent. Again, this attack is especially useful if you have been grabbed or someone is trying to choke you. Your attacker has to be in close for this to work and it is best to follow it up with a few more strikes, just to finish your attacker of, although it is possible that this one will be enough.
3. Eyes. The eyes are obviously one of the most vulnerable areas on the human body and can be attacked by either striking with two fingers or gouging with the thumbs (unless you’re an MMA fighter, in which case don’t even think about it!). The latter is especially good in a grappling situation. The following video illustrates some good ways to attack both the eyes and the ears.
4. The nose. We all know how it feels to get hit on the nose. It stops you in your tracks and is thus an excellent place to hit an attacker. Target with a punch or more effectively, a solid palm heel strike. You will almost certainly break the nose and it will be game over.
5. The neck/throat. The neck and throat are highly sensitive and easily damaged. A well placed knife hand strike to an attacker’s throat will usually be enough to drop them there and then. I have been hit here a few times and it is extremely painful. Similarly the side of neck is a good place target, either with a knife hand strike or with my favourite, a wrist strike or forearm strike. The technique is similar to the knife hand only you’re striking with the side of your wrist instead. Again, done properly, this will floor most opponents immediately. Watch the video below for a demonstration of this strike.
6. The bicep/front deltoid. Attacking the arm and front shoulder area of an attacker is an often under looked method of attack, simply because most people believe it won’t cause enough damage to stop anyone. Having been struck here more than once myself, I can testify to excruciating pain caused by getting hit here. A good way to target this area is when your attacker throws a punch. You simply evade and strike the deltoid, Wing Chung style, with either a punch or for more penetration, a knife hand strike. Done correctly, this will incapacitate your attacker’s whole arm, allowing you finish them of as you see fit. Again, these muscles are surrounded by highly sensitive nerve endings. Poke yourself in the arm and you’ll see what I mean and then imagine a full force strike to that area.
7. Solar Plexus. A well known vital point on the body but no less worthy of attack because of it. You all know what it feels like to get hit here, the windedness, the sickening feeling. This makes it a good place on an attacker to target. The solar plexus can be targeted with any number of strikes but for street self defense purposes, I find the front snap kick to be the best form of attack, along with a knee strike if you’re in close. Both methods will usually drop an attacker if done hard enough.
8. Groin. As Cartman from Southpark is fond of saying: “I’ll kick you in the nuts!” And this what you should be thinking when faced by an attacker, especially a large attacker. You don’t need me to tell you how painful it is to get hit here. It’s dirty, but so is a street fight and I have no qualms about targeting this area if I have to. It is still one of the most devastating attacks you can do. Kick, punch, knee, the possibilities are endless depending on the distance between you and your attacker. One thing is for sure- they won’t get up again!
9. Knee. As I explained in a previous article you can attack the knee with a low kick from any direction, using either your shin, top of your foot or with a stomping motion. Attacking an opponents knee will allow you to maintain distance and also take them down straight away if hit with enough force, allowing you to deal with any other opponents that there may be. A good knee strike will snap the leg altogether and it doesn’t take much force to do so.
10. Shin/feet. The shin can be targeted with a very low kick. The impact may not be enough to drop an attacker but it will certainly give them something to think about, allowing you to follow up as you see fit. The feet can also be targeted but usually only if you are grabbed from behind. A good hard stomp is enough to make an attacker let go or again, distract them enough so that you can break free and finish them of.
Those are the ten main areas of the body to target for maximum damage and effect. There are obviously many other points on the body to attack but the ones mentioned are probably the easiest ones to hit in a self defense situation when you’re under extreme pressure. Many of the other vital points require a high degree of skill and practice to target correctly and for this reason require many years of training. The areas listed can be targeted by pretty much anyone with some knowledge and skill and are therefore to be given preference over nerve points and the like.
I should also like to remind you that hitting someone in these areas can cause them a lot of damage and in some cases can even lead to death. The attacks should therefore be used with extreme caution and only if your life is being threatened by an attacker on the street.
