Where Do You Hit? Vulnerable and Vital Targets

Vital Targets Are Important

Many times in my classes or seminars, I will throw out a quick punch beside a student’s head, missing by the tiniest bit. I then ask, “How much did that hurt?” The reply is always, “It didn’t.” I then come back with, “Why not?” Almost universally the reply is, “Because you didn’t hit me.”

I then tell them that I only missed by this much, as I hold my two fingers up with the smallest of gaps between them. This illustrates the point of targeting. The best punch or kick in the world won’t do much if it doesn’t connect. And hitting certain places on the body won’t even make some guys flinch. Hitting targets is very important when defending oneself. Vital targets even more so.

So what targets do you hit?

My personal favorites for a self-defense situation are the eyes, ears and throat. Coming in a close second are the groin, knees, and solar plexus. These are not the only targets, but they are the targets I teach to attack first. Unfortunately, they are often protected by experienced fighters. It is good to know different vital areas that you can inflict pain upon your attacker with minimum energy expenditure on your part. (Believe me, in a real fight, even minimum energy expenditure seems like a lot.)

Here is a simple list of vulnerable areas to get you thinking about where you are striking.

The Head:

eyes

temple

nose

jaw

ears

throat

base of skull

The Torso:

collar bone

sternum

ribs

solar plexus

stomach

kidneys

groin

spine

The Limbs:

all joints: shoulders, elbows, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles

thighs

shins

instep

A Few Random Thoughts on Vulnerable and Vital Targets:

There are no 100% guarantees that any single blow will stop a determined attacker. His mental attitude and physical condition can lesson the effect of blows, especially to the torso. That’s why I prefer throat, solar plexus and the groin because of less protection by muscles and conditioning. Blows to the nose and jaw can cause severe pain and disorientation, but some can learn to take these strikes. For instance, many who have had their nose broken multiple times state that it hurts less on the second, third and future breaks. If an attacker cannot see, it is difficult for him to continue attacking. (When I competed in Judo I knew a blind Judoka and the lack of sight didn’t make him less formidable.) If you take a guys eyes out with a gouge, it can stop a fight. Strikes to the ears can cause severe pain and loss of balance. Strikes to the throat can result in choking, unconsciousness or even death. (Note that the eyes, ears and throat don’t have muscles protecting them either, and that is why some of the first targets I teach to attack.) Breaking or stomping on a joint can immobilize an attacker or deny the use of a limb, even if it does not totally incapacitate him. (I seriously doubt an attacker with a busted knee will be able to catch you running away to safety.)

Train to hit and kick, but make sure you know where to strike. Learn the vital and vulnerable areas of the body and choose your targets.

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