Knife and Hand to Hand Combat.com’s

The Vital Truth About Vital Targets

Comprehensive 5 page report on the

truth about VITAL TARGETS that will

destroy any attacker in seconds

THE VITAL TRUTH ABOUT VITAL TARGETS

“If a man can’t see; he

can’t fight. If a man can’t

breathe, he can’t fight. If

a man can’t stand; he

can’t fight.”

- John Kreese

KARATE KID

In This Report

Definition of Vital Target

Roles of the Human Body’s

Vital areas

Overview of attack methods

and targets

Vital Target Chart

Closing

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What are Vital Targets? Not to be confused with Pressure points, which may also be vital targets. Vital

Targets by definition are points of interest or attack that when attacked or dam-

aged, inhibit other functions necessary for normal function. Vital targets are areas

of the body or object, that are necessary for the normal function of the said object

or organism. When damaged these targeted areas bring said mechanism to the

point of mechanical failure.

Defining Mechanical Failure Mechanical Failure: The point or status of an organism’s or machine’s facul-

ties; where it no longer functions as intended or designed.

Q: What is a faculty?

A: A person, place or thing that facilitates or aids in making , doing, etc.

Human Body Vital areas Vital is a subjective term; however in terms of hand to hand combat, vital targets

are necessary faculties that aid one in fighting or fending off attack. In Combat

Application Techniques: Principles of Destruction, Author Andrew Curtiss reflects

upon the bad Sensei from The Karate Kid who tells his student’s in relation to

attack targets, “If a man can’t see, he can’t fight. If a man can’t breathe, he can’t

fight. If a man can’t stand , he can not fight.” Therefore for the purposes of this

report, we define vital targets as those areas of the body where when damaged

bring the body to the point of mechanical failure.

Knife and Hand to Hand Comba.com May 2014

Which targets are vital? Remembering the terms vital targets and mechanical failure and referencing

Sensei Kreese’s quote we can more easily identify the areas of the human body to

attack. Starting from the head and working downward to the feet we will identify

targets and function in regard to combatives.

Head

The head itself is a vital area because the brain rests within it. One strong blow

can mean complete disorientation, unconsciousness or even death.

Eyes

It is nearly impossible to fight blind, so with that said attacking the eyes is an ex-

cellent vital target.

Ears

The ears control equilibrium in the body and help maintain centralization and bal-

ance. A cupped strike to the ear and dizziness, headache and decentralization

follow.

Veins and Arteries

Arteries carry large quantities from the heart and veins deliver it back to the heart,

by cutting off the flow of blood to the brain you can induce a state of unconscious-

ness because blood delivers nutrients and vital oxygen to the various parts of the

body. This is why the notorious Rear Naked Choke is so effective. Cut one of

these vital transport conduits of blood and one may die in seconds, depending on

the target.

List of major veins and arteries to attack

Carotid—Carries blood from the

heart to the brain and when struck

or compressed can cause uncon-

sciousness or death. When sev-

ered will cause a speedy death.

Jugular—Removes blood from the

brain and when struck or com-

pressed can cause unconscious-

ness through asphyxiation. Again

when severed this will cause

death.

Brachial—A large artery that runs

along the long access of the arm

and ties into the Axillary. Strike the

inner bicep and this pressure point

can cause the blood in the arm to

momentarily stop flowing. The

added bonus of the Brachial

nerves resting adjacent to this aid

in rendering the subject of a strike

here with numb limbs.

Slice this artery with an edged

weapon and watch how much

blood can be quickly drained from

the body, causing rapid uncon-

sciousness and death.

Axillary Artery—This is one of the

largest arteries and therefore car-

ries massive amounts of blood.

Although due to its location in the

recess of the armpit ; it is difficult

to strike, but one thrust of a blade

and death ensues in seconds

Femoral—This large artery that

protrudes from the body cavity via

the groin and runs along the inner

thigh carries large quantities of

blood. A kick to the inner thigh will

cause severe pain because of the

Femoral Nerve bundle that runs

next to it, but one good deep lac-

eration and it can mean death. The

higher the cut and closer the prox-

imity to the groin, the more likely

the result will be death. This is

because the artery naturally con-

tracts inside the cavity as a form of

protection.

The Cover of Combat Application Techniques: Truth About Pressure points

Which targets are vital?

(Cont.)

Throat

This soft tissue area of the

Trachea and Pharynx , facili-

tate the flow of air into the

lungs. One strike can close

this airway with the onset of

rapid swelling. A cut with an

edged weapon can cripple

or kill.

Spinal Column

All of the major nerves that

control all functions of the

body run down through the

vertebral column which lies

in the center of the back and

begins at the base of the

skull and continues to the

tailbone.

One good strike can cripple

or kill . Sever this and go

for the kill. At the very least

a severed spine will cause

paralysis.

Joints

The joints in the arms and

legs only bend in one direc-

tion. So move it the other

way and enjoy the crippling

effect.

Tendons and Ligaments

These are the ties that bind.

Slice, sever or tear this sin-

ew and render the attached

limb or joint useless. The

following targets are easily

attacked at the ligaments

and tendons.

Elbows

Wrists

Knees

Ankles

Vital Targets for Edged Weapon Attack

Unarmed attacks

When attacking vital tar-

gets it is important to use

the most structurally sta-

ble and reinforced parts

of the body as weapons.

Hammer fist Strikes

Palm Strikes

Elbow Strikes

Knee Strikes

Due to the frailty of the

bone structure in the

hand it is advised to stay

away from conventional

closed fist strikes and any

sort of finger strikes like

pear hand attacks. The

exception being fingers or

thumbs to the eye sock-

ets.

Unarmed Combat Vital Target Chart

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Closing This report was meant to expand one’s horizons and thinking on the subject of

“Vital Targets”. The targets of the main body cavity were avoided because other

than the heart and lungs, many of the organs of the body when attacked will not

cause speedy incapacitation or death. It should also be noted with edged weap-

ons that the rib cage presents an obstruction in which one’s edged weapon may

get caught on. Many edged weapon programs teach attacks to the stomach; how-

ever as this writer has witnessed in the battlefields of the War on Terror. The in-

nards may be ripped and protruding from the body cavity and the person may still

fight on.

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