Combat techniques 201

STRIKING PRINCIPLES
Effective striking with the weapons of the body to the opponent’s vital points
is essential for a victorious outcome in a hand-to-hand struggle. A soldier
must be able to employ the principles of effective striking if he is to emerge
as the survivor in a fight to the death.

a. Attitude. Proper mental attitude is of primary importance in the
soldier’s ability to strike an opponent. In hand-to-hand combat, the soldier
must have the attitude that he will defeat the enemy and complete the mission,
no matter what. In a fight to the death, the soldier must have the frame of
mind to survive above all else; the prospect of losing cannot enter his mind.
He must commit himself to hit the opponent continuously with whatever it
takes to drive him to the ground or end his resistance. A memory aid is,
“Thump him and dump him!”

b. Fluid Shock Wave. A strike should be delivered so that the target is hit
and the weapon remains on the impact site for at least a tenth of a second. This
imparts all of the kinetic energy of the strike into the target area, producing
a fluid shock wave that travels into the affected tissue and causes maximum
damage. It is imperative that all strikes to vital points and nerve motor points are
delivered with this principle in mind. The memory aid is, “Hit and stick!”

c. Target Selection. Strikes should be targeted at the opponent’s vital
points and nerve motor points. The results of effective strikes to vital points
are discussed in paragraph 4-1. Strikes to nerve motor points cause
temporary mental stunning and muscle motor dysfunction to the affected
areas of the body. Mental stunning results when the brain is momentarily
disoriented by overstimulation from too much input—for example, a strike
to a major nerve. The stunning completely disables an opponent for three to
seven seconds and allows the soldier to finish off the opponent, gain total
control of the situation, or make his escape. Sometimes, such a strike causes
unconsciousness. A successful strike to a nerve motor center also renders the
affected body part immovable by causing muscle spasms and dysfunction due
to nerve overload.

(1) Jugular notch pressure point. Located at the base of the neck just
above the breastbone; pressure to this notch can distract and take away his
balance. Pressure from fingers jabbed into the notch incurs intense pain that
causes an the opponent to withdraw from the pressure involuntarily.

(2) Suprascapular nerve motor point. This nerve is located where the
trapezius muscle joins the side of the neck. A strike to this point causes
intense pain, temporary dysfunction of the affected arm and hand, and mental
stunning for three to seven seconds. The strike should be a downward
knife-hand or hammer-fist strike from behind.

(3) Brachial plexus origin. This nerve motor center is on the side of the
neck. It is probably the most reliable place to strike someone to stun them.
Any part of the hand or arm may be applied—the palm heel, back of the hand,
knife hand, ridge hand, hammer fist, thumb tip, or the forearm. A proper
strike to the brachial plexus origin causes—
Intense pain.
Complete cessation of motor activity.
Temporary dysfunction of the affected arm.
Mental stunning for three to seven seconds.
Possible unconsciousness.

(4) Brachial plexus clavicle notch pressure point. This center is behind the
collarbone in a hollow about halfway between the breastbone and the
shoulder joint. The strike should be delivered with a small-impact weapon
or the tip of the thumb to create high-level mental stunning and dysfunction
of the affected arm.

(5) Brachial plexus tie-in motor point. Located on the front of the shoulder
joint, a strike to this point can cause the arm to be ineffective. Multiple strikes
may be necessary to ensure total dysfunction of the arm and hand.

(6) Stellate ganglion. The ganglion is at the top of the pectoral muscle
centered above the nipple. A severe strike to this center can cause high-level
stunning, respiratory dysfunction, and possible unconsciousness. A straight
punch or hammer fist should be used to cause spasms in the nerves affecting
the heart and respiratory systems.

(7) Cervical vertebrae. Located at the base of the skull, a strike to this
particular vertebrae can cause unconsciousness or possibly death. The
harder the strike, the more likely death will occur.

(8) Radial nerve motor point. This nerve motor point is on top of the
forearm just below the elbow. Strikes to this point can create dysfunction of
the affected arm and hand. The radial nerve should be struck with the
hammer fist or the forearm bones or with an impact weapon, if available.
Striking the radial nerve can be especially useful when disarming an opponent
armed with a knife or other weapon.

(9) Median nerve motor point. This nerve motor point is on the inside of
the forearm at the base of the wrist, just above the heel of the hand. Striking
this center produces similar effects to striking the radial nerve, although it is
not as accessible as the radial nerve.

(10) Sciatic nerve. A sciatic nerve is just above each buttock, but below
the belt line. A substantial strike to this nerve can disable both legs and
possibly cause respiratory failure. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the
body besides the spinal cord. Striking it can affect the entire body, especially
if an impact weapon is used.

(11) Femoral nerve. This nerve is in the center of the inside of the thigh;
striking the femoral nerve can cause temporary motor dysfunction of the
affected leg, high-intensity pain, and mental stunning for three to seven
seconds. The knee is best to use to strike the femoral nerve.

(12) Common peroneal nerve motor point. The peroneal nerve is on the
outside of the thigh about four fingers above the knee. A severe strike to this
center can cause collapse of the affected leg and high-intensity pain, as well
as mental stunning for three to seven seconds. This highly accessible point is
an effective way to drop an opponent quickly. This point should be struck
with a knee, shin kick, or impact weapon.