Combat techniques

MEDIUM-RANGE COMBATIVES

In medium-range combatives, two opponents are already within touching

distance. The arsenal of possible body weapons includes short punches and

strikes with elbows, knees, and hands. Head butts are also effective; do not forget

them during medium-range combat. A soldier uses his peripheral vision to

evaluate the targets presented by the opponent and choose his target. He should

be aggressive and concentrate his attack on the opponent's vital points to end the

fight as soon as possible.

VITAL TARGETS

The body is divided into three sections: high, middle, and low. Each

section contains vital targets (Figure 4-1, pages 4-5 and 4-6). The effects of

striking these targets follow:

a. High Section. The high section includes the head and neck; it is the most

dangerous target area.

(1) Top of the head. The skull is weak where the frontal cranial bones join.

A forceful strike causes trauma to the cranial cavity, resulting in

unconsciousness and hemorrhage. A severe strike can result in death.

(2) Forehead. A forceful blow can cause whiplash; a severe blow can

cause cerebral hemorrhage and death.

(3) Temple. The bones of the skull are weak at the temple, and an artery

and large nerve lie close to the skin. A powerful strike can cause

unconsciousness and brain concussion. If the artery is severed, the resulting

massive hemorrhage compresses the brain, causing coma and or death.

(4) Eyes. A slight jab in the eyes causes uncontrollable watering and

blurred vision. A forceful jab or poke can cause temporary blindness, or the

eyes can be gouged out. Death can result if the fingers penetrate through the

thin bone behind the eyes and into the brain.

(5) Ears. A strike to the ear with cupped hands can rupture the eardrum

and may cause a brain concussion.

(6) Nose. Any blow can easily break the thin bones of the nose, causing

extreme pain and eye watering.

(7) Under the nose. A blow to the nerve center, which is close to the

surface under the nose, can cause great pain and watery eyes.

(8) Jaw. A blow to the jaw can break or dislocate it. If the facial nerve is

pinched against the lower jaw, one side of the face will be paralyzed.

(9) Chin. A blow to the chin can cause paralysis, mild concussion, and

unconsciousness. The jawbone acts as a lever that can transmit the force of

a blow to the back of the brain where the cardiac and respiratory mechanisms

are controlled.

(10) Back of ears and base of skull. A moderate blow to the back of the

ears or the base of the skull can cause unconsciousness by the jarring effect

on the back of the brain. However, a powerful blow can cause a concussion

or brain hemorrhage and death.

(11) Throat. A powerful blow to the front of the throat can cause death

by crushing the windpipe. A forceful blow causes extreme pain and gagging

or vomiting.

(12) Side of neck. A sharp blow to the side of the neck causes

unconsciousness by shock to the carotid artery, jugular vein, and vagus nerve.

For maximum effect, the blow should be focused below and slightly in front

of the ear. A less powerful blow causes involuntary muscle spasms and

intense pain. The side of the neck is one of the best targets to use to drop an

opponent immediately or to disable him temporarily to finish him later.

(13) Back of neck. A powerful blow to the back of one’s neck can cause

whiplash, concussion, or even a broken neck and death.