Self-Defense Zone: Crime Prevention & Self-Defense Forums

Boogie Man · Moderator Joined: 25 Jan 2005 Posts: 44

There are 5 primary targets that should attempt to attack during an assault. What makes them primary targets?
They are primary because a successful attack upon them will almost instantly end the fight- or at least pave the way for further attacks. They are primary because anyone can attack these targets to good affect- you do not have to be a powerhouse or a highly skilled fighter to get good results.
The 5 targets are-
1. The Eyes
2. The Throat
3. The Solarplexus
4. The Groin/Testicles
5. The Knees
It is important to note that no matter what type of "guard" someone utilizes at least 1 of those primary targets is always available. Attack the target that is open and it will pave the way for you to get at the others.

Guest · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject:

I suppose I have a difference of opinion here.

First off, anyone who has sparred full-contact knows that single hits, even to vulnerable targets, rarely end a fight.

Optimum targets depend on the situation. As the sayings go:

"closest weapon to closest target" and
"lead with speed--devour with power"

Therefore more often than not the first target is one of opportunity.

However, going along with your premise, the targets of preference might be the following:

- center of the face, or the ears
- the "chevron" between the jawline and collarbone, consisting of various targets of the neck, brachial plexus, etc.
- hands: break fingers, batter the nerves
- sciatic nerve, running longitudinally along the distal side of the thigh. This is far more accessible AND more debilitating than a groin shot.
- knees

These are increasingly favoured by RBSD trainers such as Tony Blauer, Kelly McCann, etc.

The solar plexus is good but often covered with clothing--sometimes thick clothing-- and is the most easily defended.

Boogie Man is correct about using one shot to set up others. This needs to be practiced first in slow-motion with a partner who mimics realistic responses, then with impact-reduction equipment such as the FIST or High Gear suits (Redman is NOT recommended).

Guest · Posted: Sun May 28, 2006 6:37 am Post subject:

I dont believe he was talking about full contact sparring. Hes talking about the dark street where a guy has you pinned against the wall with his hand on your throat. Real situations, where surprise and targeting will get you that one chance to get away.

Blowjob Lessons · Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 5:29 pm Post subject:

Ed · Guest

It seems to me that most lists of targets are compiled by going through Gray’s Anatomy and just listing the week spots on the human body.

My approach is different. First I list the FIGHT PROVEN weapons I have (punches, kicks etc.), and then I assign an appropriate target to each weapon. The reason I do it this way is because a certain target may be a good place to hit someone but if you don’t have an effective means to strike this target then it isn’t of any value to you.

The following is a list of the FIGHT PROVEN weapons that I have and the target/s for each.

Hands (jab, cross, hook, overhand): Striking with the heal of the palm, but thrown like a boxer’s punch, the target for the hands is the chin/jaw. The fastest way to end a fight is with a KO and hitting the chin/jaw is the best way to KO someone. If the person keeps their chin down then hit them in the forehead to pop their chin up. A secondary target for the hand is the floating ribs (liver shot) or the solar plexus if that’s open. I use a shovel hook for these secondary targets.

Elbows (uppercut, level, swimming): The primary target is the Chin/jaw and the secondary target is the eye/temple area. If the person covers up, the tertiary target is the radial nerve in the forearm.

Knees (straight, round): The primary target is the Chin/jaw and the secondary target is the floating ribs or solar plexus.

Kicks: I only use the dead leg style of roundhouse kick. The primary target is the sciatic nerve, secondary target the knee.

What about Grappling?

I suppose that submission holds should count as attacks on week points of the human body but I think submissions are beyond the scope of this thread. There is one grappling target that I will mention however. During a tie-up there is a hand position called the bear claw. If you jam your thumb into the clavicle notch it will greatly improve the effectiveness of the bear claw. I call this the grizzly claw.

What about the groin?

Very over rated!

What about the throat?

Best place to hit someone if you want to kill him. And be charged/convicted of manslaughter.

What about the “center of the face, or the ears”

LOL

Xplosive · Registered User Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Posts: 11

I believe that saying there are specific targets is not accurate. Specific blows utialized in specific ways to specific points in the body.
The spot right below the nose is extremely sensitive, a strike with the forearm would cause the foe to retreat for a couple of seconds. a straight kick with the shin-bone (a GOOD kick) will result in MUCH more than a gasp, unlike most "groin-kick underestimaters" think. An elbow to the temple, or a good hook to the bottom of the chin. a round kick to the knee with the shin-bone, if precise and powerful enough might cause the knee to break or just the foe to collapse. The headbutt, if done correctly, is a VERY dangerous tool, and it is exciting to realize that the last thing the man lying unconscies near your feet will remember only one thing when he wakes up- your face!

Zipfreer · Newbie Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 3

Your attacker may have a strong chest but a glass jaw or weak knees, his chest may not crumple but his jaw and knees will. Alternatively, the chest is really not a good target to take a man out if he's ready and prepared to repel you, he'll have his guard up making it quite difficult to get to. There are many targets on the body so you can bypass such a region completely.

Personally, the more simplified formula I would have chosen would be this, KE = (1/2)mv2, more people can understand it. However, that having been said, I, in all honestly could never use it to factor fighting mechanics. For one, we will never know the measurement of mass that is being transferred into a bodily target, there is no way I know of doing that. We can state 10% or 20% of the fighters mass is being utilized, but there's absolutely no way of knowing. The less mass, the less energy transference, with all things being equal, speed for us is a balanced and even distribution with our energy output.

In addition, even if we could make such a determination of the mass being utilized by the practitioner, how much force would a 100 lb women need to exert to move a 230 lb man and/or the level of resistance caused by the surrounding environment? While math and physics can address some of these issues, it clearly neglects the physiological properties of the attacker or how that alone affects resistance. Likewise, our fighting mechanics is not restricted to the application of kinetic force alone, but compression force and all the complexities those principles entail as well.

If this discussion has shown anything, is that THERE IS a science to combat and it is applicable. This is why I state and will continue to state, that combat is a Science, and while none of us may not have all the answers, part of the thrill is the struggle to make these matters quantifiable. However, you'll never accomplish that goal if you insist on going through life blindly believing fighting’s an art.

Kinetic Energy = ImpactForce*Distance= 0.5 mass*velocity^2.

The "force of impact" is by definition the Kinetic Energy/distance traveled after impact. This is how cars that have crumple zones protect there passengers.

It is not vital to be close as possible(think right up next to the guy before you punch) when striking, it is vital to be a the optimum distance to allow maximize your impact force which still means using more of your body or moving faster.
"Because many individuals continue to insist that fighting is an art, a STYLE when it clearly is not. Punisher proved that himself, maybe inadvertently, but for a good purpose."

While this general principle helps an individual seeking to understand the peripheral nervous system they are assualting, it does not mean 'every' individual will react in the same exact fashion. Each individual has a greater or lesser degree to endurance to pain or injury and it is further complicated by the fighter with his knowledgebase and ability to project force to the person he is attacking.

Effect= Getting your ass kicked

Cause= Giving the ass kicking

Problem= individuals believing they'll always be the ones giving the ass kicking

skecanj

Yes, I agree with much of what you are saying about sd targets. You can also find targets and weapons (natural, body) here:

Women’s Self-Defense: Your Weapons, Your Targets
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1533937/womens_selfdefense_your_weapons_your.html?cat=50
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chrishagen · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 1 Location: England

ultimatehlth · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:44 am Post subject:

Good discussion. I agree these are clearly favorite targets, but in a fluid environment you go for the target of opportunity first.

Eye, groin and nostril hooking are particularly effective against grapplers...oh, and biting. You can always bite your way out of the guard if you must.

Self-Defense Los Angeles/Hollywood

Blowjob Lessons · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:27 am Post subject:

LOL@ eyes, groin, nostril-hooking, and biting as effective against grapplers. I haven't heard that old chesnut in years. The mandate of any competent grappler is to use weight and space to deny your weapons' access to his targets. He'll be gouging your eyes... not the other way around.

Any self-defenser who has explored grappling even marginally, understands this.
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