Difference between revisions of "Kyūsho"

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|[[Kyūsho#Side of the jaw|Side the of jaw]]
 
|[[Kyūsho#Side of the jaw|Side the of jaw]]
 
|[[Kyūsho#Side of the neck|Side of the neck]]
 
|[[Kyūsho#Side of the neck|Side of the neck]]
|[[Kyūsho#Base of the cerebellum|Base of the cerebellum]]
+
|[[Kyūsho#Base of the skull|Base of the skull]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|[[Kyūsho#Windpipe|Windpipe]]
 
|[[Kyūsho#Windpipe|Windpipe]]
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== Skull ==
 
== Skull ==
  
'''Do not punch someone in the skull. Heads are incredibly hard, and you can easily break your hand trying to crack one open.''' (This is why boxers wear padded gloves.) Attacks to the skull should only be conducted with the most robust parts of your body (e.g., hammerfist, elbow, knee, or heel). Even then, skull fractures are unlikely, but it will introduce your opponent to the magical world of closed-head trauma.
+
'''Do not punch someone in the skull. Heads are incredibly hard, and you can easily break your hand trying to crack one open.''' (This is why boxers wear padded gloves.) Attacks to the skull should only be conducted with the most robust parts of your body (e.g., hammerfist, elbow, knee, or heel). Even then, skull fractures are unlikely, but closed-head trauma is certain.
  
Brain floats in the skull like a yolk in an egg. Localized force will crack the skull like an eggshell, less than that will move the head. This overwhelms the brain (E goes as v2), brain stays still while skull moves. Liquid helps cushion the blow of the skull striking the brain. Brain is scrunched, rupturing blood vessels on the side opposite the punch, and likely at the site of the punch from the rebound. This repeats until oscillations die out. Jolt and damage interrupts nerve conduction, so brain has to reboot, if you are lucky.  
+
===Closed Head Trauma===
 +
The brain floats in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebrospinal_fluid cerebrospinal fluid], like the yolk in an egg. Strong localized forces can crack the skull like an eggshell, a less-powerful blow can rapidly move the head, such that the brain remains stationary while the head moves around it. The brain strikes the side of the skull, and becomes bruised. This happens repeatedly, as the the brain [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator oscillates like a pendulum] inside the head, until the repeated impacts and cereberospinal fluid [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_oscillator#Damped_harmonic_oscillator dampen the motion]. The results in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion concussion], which can lead to unconsciousness and death, depending on its severity. The severity is increased by not allowing the head to roll with the shockwave. The effect is greatest where the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontal_bone frontal] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietal_bone parietal bones] join, as this is the skull's weakest point.
  
Any jolt to the head, especially those where the head is not allowed to roll with the shockwave, can cause a concussion. A consussion is the vibration of the brain within the skull. The effect of a concussion can range anywhere from insignificant to fatal, depending on the number of ruptured blood vessels and their position relative to the brain.  
+
The brain has many [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_plasticity redundant pathways and connections], so a single knock-out for < 30 s causes little long-term damage. However, frequent knockouts will have a cumulative effect, depleting these pathways and causing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)]. CTE is a permanent, irreparable degenerative condition which renders people "punch drunk;" and resembles simultaneously having [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer%27s_disease Alzheimer's disease] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_disease Parkinson's disease].  
  
The brain has many redundant pathways, so being knocked out for < 30 s causes little damage. Being knocked out frequently will though. Loss of brain flow from blood loss, chokes, the brain builds up swelling, lactic acid, fatigue poisons and will idle until those are flushed out. When this happens, sometime these people wake up again, but they are very different afterwards. This is a coma.
+
Additionally, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(medicine) whiplash] can result from the sudden change in head position.
  
The skull is weakest where the frontal and parietal bones join. Sharp blows can cause cranial nerve traume, resulting in unconsciousness, vasucular shock, and possible death.
+
== Temples ==
 +
Contrary to popular belief, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_(anatomy) temples] are comprised of bone which is just as thick as the rest of the skull. The temple's flat surface allows attacks to more effectively transfer energy. A strike to the temple can hit dead-on, whereas strikes to the skull will glance off of its rounded surface. This can have a number of dire consequences, including:
  
A flow to the forehead could cause whiplash from the sudden change in head position.
+
===Concussions===
 
+
Any strike to the head can potentially cause a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion concussion], which can lead to unconsciousness and death.
== Temples ==
 
Contrary to popular belief, the temples are comprised of bone which is just as thick as the rest of the skull. Blows to the temple are more effective because the temple is flat, which allows for more efficient energy transfer. so the blows can hit dead-on, rather than glancing off of a rounded surface.
 
  
Powerful blows can cause concussions, unconsciousness, and possible death.
+
===Brain Compression===
 +
A powerful strike can rupture the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_meningeal_artery meningeal artery], either from the direct shock of impact, or from being pinched by broken bone. Jagged bone edges could also cut the artery. This hemorrhaging causes a hydrostatic pressure buildup within the skull, compressing the brain. Immediate headaches, nausea and vomiting, will ensue, leading to coma and death. Depending on the severity of the rupture, the full effect could occur instantly, or take up two weeks.  
  
A epecially poweful blow can fracture the skull a that point, rupturing, pinching, or cutting the meningeal artery, resuling in an immediate compression of the brain from the hemmoraging, leading to coma and death.
+
===Secondary Effects===
 +
A mistargeted temple strike can [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perforated_eardrum rupture the opponent's eardum], or fracture the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygomatic_arch zygomatic arch], rending them unable to eat.
  
 
== Eyes ==
 
== Eyes ==
  
 +
The eyes are ''extremely'' vulnerable to damage, so all attacks to the eyes are forbidden in [[Kumite|kumite]] and should only be practiced with great care under controlled conditions, if at all. Attacks to the eyes should be considered a weapon-of-last-resort.
  
 +
Even light strikes to the eyes will result in tremendous jarring pain, uncontrollable watering of the eyes, and blurred vision in the remaining eye, which can incapacitate an opponent. Most strikes to the eyes will pierce the eye, causing the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitreous_body vitreous humor] to leak out, and/or tearing the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retina retina]. Blindness will result, wither from the injury, or for the infection which follows.
  
The bones behind the eye are thin. A really strong eye-poke can break this bone and pierce the brain.
+
The bone behind the eye is unusually thin. Though it is ''extremely'' unlikely, strong eye-poke could break this bone and pierce the brain itself.
 
 
  
 
== Ears ==
 
== Ears ==
  
 +
Cupping the hands and smacking the ears can compress the air in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_canal ear canal], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perforated_eardrum rupturing the opponent's eardrums]. As such, these "bear-paw strikes" (kumade uchi) are forbidden in [[Kumite|kumite]] and should only be practiced with great care under controlled conditions, if at all. These strikes can potentially damage the nearby nerves and blood vessels which feed and control the jaw. While bear-paw strikes are rarely fatal, and blow to the head can cause [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perforated_eardrum concussions], which can lead to unconsciousness or death.
  
rupture eardrum, causing nerve shocks and internal bleeding. Sharp blows can cause concussions, leading to unconsciousness or death.
+
The outer ear structure is poorly moored to the head, and it can be torn off like the rind of a fruit. This is only suitable as a last-ditch effort to escape from a hold. This disfiguring injury can help law enforcement identify your attacker. Tearing the opponent’s ear off may impair the opponents vision, since the ears are anchor points for most styles of eyeglasses.
 
 
In later volumes, we will introduce kumade uchi, the bear-paw strike, which was exclusively designed to do this.
 
 
 
tear ear off.
 
 
 
Tearing the opponent’s ear off may also impair the opponents vision, since the ear serves as an anchor point for most styles of eyeglasses.
 
  
 
== Bridge of the nose ==
 
== Bridge of the nose ==
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===Indirect Death===
 
===Indirect Death===
While a strike to the nose is not ''directly'' fatal, the pain and shock can induce unconsciousness, which can be ''indirectly'' fatal from:
+
While a strike to the nose is not ''directly'' fatal, the pain and shock can induce unconsciousness, which can always be ''indirectly'' fatal from:
 
*The trauma of the opponent's head striking the ground.
 
*The trauma of the opponent's head striking the ground.
 
*The unconscious opponent choking to death on their own blood.
 
*The unconscious opponent choking to death on their own blood.
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== Side of the neck ==
 
== Side of the neck ==
  
A target-rich environment, carotid arteries, jugular veins, the vagus nerve, which can cause unconsciousness from shock.
+
The neck is a target-rich environment, due to its large number of major nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, striking the side of the neck can result in multiple severe or fatal injuries. A powerful blow to the neck will cause one or more of the following:
  
Skeletal trauma can damage the spinal cord; this effect can be amplified by their broken neck's inability to support the weight of the head.
+
===Circulatory Failure===
 +
Fatal [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeding hemorrhaging] and/or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombosis thrombosis] can result from one or more of the following sources:
 +
*The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_jugular_vein internal jugular vein], when it becomes rigid during exhalation, from being crushed against the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_vertebrae cervical vertibrae].
 +
*Internal corotid vein spasms restrict bloodflow, and eventually causes leading to cerebral thrombosis.
 +
*Blows which can chip or fracture the spiny vertebral processes can crush or lacerate the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebral_artery vertebral artery], causing fatal hemorrhaging or cerebral thrombosis.
 +
In addition to hemorrhaging, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hematoma hematoma] will grow in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carotid_sheath vessel sheaths]. This will grow with each heartbeat until they strangulate the opponent from within.
  
== Base of the cerebellum ==
+
===Nerve Failure===
 +
A powerful blow can compress or pinch nerves, leading to partial or total paralysis of the affected organ or appendage. Powerful strikes to the side of the neck are especially dangerous, because they will impact:
 +
*The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve vagus nerve], which among other things regulates heartbeat and lung constriction. This is not always fatal, because of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence_in_depth_(non-military)#Engineering redundant connections] on the other side of the neck.
 +
*The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrenic_nerve phrenic nerve], which controls the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_diaphragm diaphragm]. Injuring this nerve will cause respiratory paralysis (i.e., knock the wind out) until the injury self-corrects, or death ensues.
 +
* The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurrent_laryngeal_nerve laryngeal nerves], which control the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx larynx]. Injuring this nerve can trigger the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharyngeal_reflex gag reflex], which can cut off airflow, causing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphyxia suffocation].
 +
*Shock to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord spinal cord] can result in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(medicine) whiplash ].
  
 +
===Skeletal Trauma===
 +
Shards of broken or dislocated vertebra can compress, lacerate, or sheer the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord spinal cord], leading to severe paralysis (e.g., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraplegia paraplegia], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraplegia quadriplegia]), and/or immediate death. This effect will be amplified by their broken neck's inability to support the weight of the opponent's head.
  
 +
== Base of the skull ==
 +
A strong, well-aimed attack to the base of the skull can dislocate or sever the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord spinal cord], separating it from the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstem brainstem] entirely, and effectively decapitating the opponent. These "rabbit punches" are universally banned by every sporting organization for this reason.
  
 
+
Less severe strikes to this region can still cause paralysis and death from pinching or compressing the spinal cord, or from sharp bone fragments lacerating the spinal cord. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash Whiplash] is almost certain. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion Concussions] are possible; since the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medulla_oblongata medulla] receives the brunt of the damage, death will likely result from the body's diminished ability to autonomously regulate its reflexes and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis homeostatic] processes.
 
 
Nerves are the most energy- greedy cells in the body.
 
 
 
Without oxygen, glucose metabolizes wrong and becomes lactic acid. Brain shuts down to preserve itself from lactic acid build up. Anything less than 5 minutes is ok. More than that causes brain damage. A delicate person, one with clogged arteries or diabetics could see it in 3 minutes. There are also cases of kids trapped under ice for 15 minutes and coming out normal though.
 
 
 
Strikes to the side of the knee work too well; don’t practice
 
 
 
Striking between the should blades can send shockwaves into the heart , aortic arch, or vargas nerve.
 
  
 
== Windpipe ==
 
== Windpipe ==
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Any across-the-throat chokes, strikes, or any other pressure source can easily crush the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_cartilage thyroid cartilage] (i.e., the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_apple Adam’s apple]) or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachea trachea] (windpipe), resulting in death without an emergency [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheotomy tracheotomy].
 
Any across-the-throat chokes, strikes, or any other pressure source can easily crush the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_cartilage thyroid cartilage] (i.e., the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam%27s_apple Adam’s apple]) or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trachea trachea] (windpipe), resulting in death without an emergency [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheotomy tracheotomy].
  
Additionally, strikes to the nearby [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurrent_laryngeal_nerve laryngeal nerves] can cause [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx larnyx] spasms, triggering the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharyngeal_reflex gag reflex] and/or cut off airflow, causing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphyxia suffocation].
+
A lesser blow can compress the nearby [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recurrent_laryngeal_nerve laryngeal nerves]. The resulting [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larynx larnyx] spasms can trigger the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharyngeal_reflex gag reflex], which can cut off airflow, causing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asphyxia suffocation].
  
 
== Collarbone ==
 
== Collarbone ==
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== Upper back ==
 
== Upper back ==
 +
Attacks to the spine should be viewed as a weapon-of-last-resort due to their dire consequences:
 +
 +
===Paralysis===
 +
Powerful strikes to the upper back (i.e., between the shoulder blades) can crush or dislocate the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_vertebrae thoracic vertebra], lacerating or sheering the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord spinal cord] leading to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury#Thoracic limited or full paraplegia, urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurogenic_shock Neurogenic shock] is possible, and potentially fatal. In general, the higher such an injury occurs, the more profound its effects will be.
 +
 +
Less powerful blows will cause similar effects, but to a lesser degree, through spinal cord compression by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_disc_herniation herniated discs]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(medicine) Whiplash] is likely.
  
Dislocation of the spinal column can lead to dislocated or herniated vertebrae. these "slipped disks" cause extreme pain, imparing mobility.  
+
=== Secondary Effects===
 +
Mistargeted attacks can break the opponent's ribs, and cause [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumothorax punctured lungs] from the broken rib fragments.
  
Severe dislocations can compress, sever, or otherwise damage the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis or death. The higher the dislocation, the more severe the consequences.
+
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrostatic_shock_(firearms) hydrostatic shock] of a powerful strike could potentially act as a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_thump precordial thump], sending the opponent's heart into [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibrillation fibrillation].
  
 
== Lower back ==
 
== Lower back ==
 +
Attacks to the spine should be viewed as a weapon-of-last-resort due to their dire consequences:
  
(e.g., the small of the back; sacrum)
+
===Paralysis===
 
+
Powerful strikes to the small of the back can crush or dislocate the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbar_vertebrae lumbar vertebra], lacerating or sheering the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord spinal cord] leading to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury#Lumbosacral limited or full paraplegia, urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction]. Less powerful blows will cause similar effects, but to a lesser degree, through spinal cord compression by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_disc_herniation herniated discs]. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiplash_(medicine) Whiplash] is likely.
Spinal cord injury to this region can result in limited or full paraplegia, urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction.
 
  
 
== Abdomen ==
 
== Abdomen ==
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== Kidneys ==
 
== Kidneys ==
A direct blow to the kidney can cause it to rupture from hydrostatic shock, or from being pieced or lacerated by broken floating or short rib fragments. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritonitis Peritonitis]
+
If the kidneys present themselves as a target in a fight, it is because your opponent has rendered themselves defenseless through the error they have made, and through your skill at exploiting those mistakes. If striking the kidney becomes an option, the opponent is in a position where it is difficult or impossible to escape without injury. The is exacerbated by the terrible consequences which result from striking this target, including:
 +
 
 +
===Kidney Rupture===
 +
A direct blow to the kidney can cause it to rupture, either from hydrostatic shock, or from being pieced or lacerated by broken floating or short rib fragments. Internal bleeding, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritonitis peritonitis], bloody urine, coma and death will result if left untreated.
 +
 
 +
===Kidney Dislocation===
 +
A glancing blow can sheer the kidney from its moorings, causing internal bleeding and kinking the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urethra urethra], leading to blocked urine flow. While this is not itself fatal, the resulting infection can be.
 +
 
 +
===Secondary Effects===
 +
Because of the kidney's location, strikes to the kidney strike the [[Kyūsho#Solar_plexus|solar plexus]] form the other side. Thus, kidney strikes can also affect the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoracic_diaphragm diaphragm] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumothorax puncture lungs] with broken rib fragments.
  
 
== Bladder ==
 
== Bladder ==
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== Hollow of the knee ==
 
== Hollow of the knee ==
Attacks to the hollow behind the knee can injure to the popliteal blood vessels and tabialis nerve, which can paralyze the leg. Sever blows can dislocate the knee itself. Even light to moderate blows  will tear ligaments and cartilage, causing extreme pain and limited mobility.
+
Light pressure can cause the knee to buckle, destroying an opponent's [[Stances|stance]] and [https://youtu.be/UKDFop0aqYQ?t=49 forcing them to kneel]. Because of the risk involved, these "knee depression" techniques should only be practiced in a highly-controlled manner, if at all. Even light strikes can [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprain tear ligaments and cartilage], or dislocate the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patella kneecap], causing extreme pain which limits mobility.
 +
 
 +
A moderate strike behind the knee can rupture or abrade the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popliteal_artery popliteal artery], resulting in hemorrhaging and painful swelling. This can be compounded by nerve abrasions, which can cause partial paralysis. Limited mobility is bound to result.
 +
 
 +
Powerful attacks to the back of the knee can tear its muscles, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unhappy_triad ligaments], and even the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patella kneecap] itself, leading up to dislocation of the knee. Any of these will cripple an opponent until it is surgically corrected.
  
 
==Side of the knee==
 
==Side of the knee==
Dislocations of the kneecap are likely. even light to moderate blows  will tear ligaments and cartilage, causing extreme pain and limited mobility.
+
The side of the knee is inherently fragile, and even light pressure can cause rehabilitating or crippling injury. For this reason, attacks to the side of the knee are forbidden in [[Kumite|kumite]], and are strongly discouraged even in controlled settings.
 +
 
 +
Even light strikes can tear [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprain ligaments, cartilage], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synovial_bursa bursa] causing extreme pain which limits mobility. Moderate strikes can dislocate the knee or its cartilage, which can cripple an opponent until it is surgically corrected.
 +
 
 +
Powerful attacks to the side of the knee can damage the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femur femur], by dislocating ligaments with such vigor that they tear out chunks of the bone which they anchor too. This will also cripple an opponent until it is surgically corrected.
  
 
==Shin==
 
==Shin==
  
Shin attacks are unlikely to kill an attacker, but they can render your opponent helpless, via:   
+
Shin attacks can render your opponent helpless, via:   
  
 
=== Skeletal Trauma ===
 
=== Skeletal Trauma ===
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===Arterial Embolism===
 
===Arterial Embolism===
Bone fragments, torn subcutaneous fat, and blood clots can clog blood vessels, cutting off circulation from that part of the body, resulting in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangrene gangrene] and/or death.
+
Shin attacks are unlikely to kill an attacker. However, bone fragments, torn subcutaneous fat, and blood clots can always clog blood vessels and cutt off circulation from that part of the body, resulting in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangrene gangrene] and/or death.
  
 
==Achilles’ tendon==
 
==Achilles’ tendon==
 
+
Attacks to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles_tendon Achilles’ tendon] could overstretch or tear the ligament and the surrounding muscle, leading to a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprained_ankle sprained ankle]. Ankle dislocation is possible, as are fractures of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibia tibia], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibula fibula], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarsus_(skeleton) tarsus], or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metatarsal_bones metatarsals]. Any of these outcomes will result in extreme pain under applied weight, making standing, walking, or fighting impossible.
Poweful blows could poteinally sprain the ankle and/ or tear ligaments. Ankle dislocation is possible.
 
  
 
==Instep==
 
==Instep==

Revision as of 18:55, 10 February 2019

Kyūsho (literally: “places of suffering”) are anatomical weak points within the human body. Kyūsho are susceptible to the application of force or pressure, which will result in pain, injury, unconsciousness, or death. The magnitude of the applied force, the area of the body to which the force is applied, and the technique used to apply the force must always be seriously contemplated.

In general, avoid striking any muscular or fatty areas. Muscle and fat act as a natural safety padding which dampens the impact of your blows. While striking these areas will cause painful bruising, these bruises will not set in until long after the confrontation has ended. To quickly incapacitate an attacker, you must attack sensitive soft tissues, break small bones, or dislocate major joints. Fighting requires a functioning skeleton.

There are a number of popular books which explain vital points location, and list their effects. However, these books typically draw from traditional Chinese medical practices (i.e., acupuncture) and lack a scientific basis in anatomy or physiology. The only non-pseudoscience kyūsho book is Deadly Karate Blows: The Medical Implications, by Brian C. Adams; however, this book is currently out-of-print. If you cannot obtain a used copy of this book, we suggest critically reading standard medical reference texts, such as Gray’s Anatomy.

A list of kyūsho is provided in the table below, listed from the top of the body to the bottom (which is easier to memorize):

Kyūsho
Skull Temples Eyes Ears Bridge of the nose
Philtrum Chin Side the of jaw Side of the neck Base of the skull
Windpipe Collarbone Armpit Elbow joint Fingers
Floating ribs Inner wrist Solar plexus Upper back Lower back
Abdomen Kidneys Bladder Tailbone Groin
Hollow of knee Side of the knee Shin Achilles’ tendon Instep

Every technique you perform should be always directed to one of these thirty kyūsho. Even when performing kata, you must envision striking the kyūsho of an imaginary attacker matching your height and build.

Skull

Do not punch someone in the skull. Heads are incredibly hard, and you can easily break your hand trying to crack one open. (This is why boxers wear padded gloves.) Attacks to the skull should only be conducted with the most robust parts of your body (e.g., hammerfist, elbow, knee, or heel). Even then, skull fractures are unlikely, but closed-head trauma is certain.

Closed Head Trauma

The brain floats in cerebrospinal fluid, like the yolk in an egg. Strong localized forces can crack the skull like an eggshell, a less-powerful blow can rapidly move the head, such that the brain remains stationary while the head moves around it. The brain strikes the side of the skull, and becomes bruised. This happens repeatedly, as the the brain oscillates like a pendulum inside the head, until the repeated impacts and cereberospinal fluid dampen the motion. The results in a concussion, which can lead to unconsciousness and death, depending on its severity. The severity is increased by not allowing the head to roll with the shockwave. The effect is greatest where the frontal and parietal bones join, as this is the skull's weakest point.

The brain has many redundant pathways and connections, so a single knock-out for < 30 s causes little long-term damage. However, frequent knockouts will have a cumulative effect, depleting these pathways and causing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a permanent, irreparable degenerative condition which renders people "punch drunk;" and resembles simultaneously having Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Additionally, whiplash can result from the sudden change in head position.

Temples

Contrary to popular belief, the temples are comprised of bone which is just as thick as the rest of the skull. The temple's flat surface allows attacks to more effectively transfer energy. A strike to the temple can hit dead-on, whereas strikes to the skull will glance off of its rounded surface. This can have a number of dire consequences, including:

Concussions

Any strike to the head can potentially cause a concussion, which can lead to unconsciousness and death.

Brain Compression

A powerful strike can rupture the meningeal artery, either from the direct shock of impact, or from being pinched by broken bone. Jagged bone edges could also cut the artery. This hemorrhaging causes a hydrostatic pressure buildup within the skull, compressing the brain. Immediate headaches, nausea and vomiting, will ensue, leading to coma and death. Depending on the severity of the rupture, the full effect could occur instantly, or take up two weeks.

Secondary Effects

A mistargeted temple strike can rupture the opponent's eardum, or fracture the zygomatic arch, rending them unable to eat.

Eyes

The eyes are extremely vulnerable to damage, so all attacks to the eyes are forbidden in kumite and should only be practiced with great care under controlled conditions, if at all. Attacks to the eyes should be considered a weapon-of-last-resort.

Even light strikes to the eyes will result in tremendous jarring pain, uncontrollable watering of the eyes, and blurred vision in the remaining eye, which can incapacitate an opponent. Most strikes to the eyes will pierce the eye, causing the vitreous humor to leak out, and/or tearing the retina. Blindness will result, wither from the injury, or for the infection which follows.

The bone behind the eye is unusually thin. Though it is extremely unlikely, strong eye-poke could break this bone and pierce the brain itself.

Ears

Cupping the hands and smacking the ears can compress the air in the ear canal, rupturing the opponent's eardrums. As such, these "bear-paw strikes" (kumade uchi) are forbidden in kumite and should only be practiced with great care under controlled conditions, if at all. These strikes can potentially damage the nearby nerves and blood vessels which feed and control the jaw. While bear-paw strikes are rarely fatal, and blow to the head can cause concussions, which can lead to unconsciousness or death.

The outer ear structure is poorly moored to the head, and it can be torn off like the rind of a fruit. This is only suitable as a last-ditch effort to escape from a hold. This disfiguring injury can help law enforcement identify your attacker. Tearing the opponent’s ear off may impair the opponents vision, since the ears are anchor points for most styles of eyeglasses.

Bridge of the nose

Strikes to the bridge of the nose can have a variety of effects, depending on the power behind the attack:

Impaired Vision

Due to the nerve density in that region, all strikes to the nose will cause an involuntary watering of the eyes, which can temporarily impede the opponent's vision. This will not stop an opponent, but will slow them down; this is why a backfist strike to the side of the nose is an ideal atemi.

Skeletal Trauma

A powerful strike to the nose can fracture or dislocate the nasal bone and septum, resulting in shock, pain, and a severe nosebleed. Due to the small target area, it is likely that a strike to the side of the nose will miss and strike the opponent's face, just under the eye. A powerful strike could break the opponent's orbit. This can be be dangerous, since the fracture can extend into the ethmoid bone, and tear the brain casing. This will result in sever headaches as the cerebrospinal fluid leaks out. This is exacerbated by the fact that cerebrospinal fluid leaks tend to be ignored, since they are often mistaken for runny noses.

Indirect Death

While a strike to the nose is not directly fatal, the pain and shock can induce unconsciousness, which can always be indirectly fatal from:

  • The trauma of the opponent's head striking the ground.
  • The unconscious opponent choking to death on their own blood.

Philtrum

The philtrum is the groove centered on the upper lip, directly under the nose. A strike to the philtrum can have a variety of results, depending on the severity of the impact:

  • Due to the high nerve density in that region, all attacks at/near the nose cause an involuntary watering of the eyes, which can temporarily impede the opponent's vision.
  • Split lips are likely.
  • Chipped, fractured, or dislocated teeth are likely.
  • Whiplash is possible.
  • Due to the skull's sphere-like geometry, a sudden pressure pressure spike in this region can cause a bursting fracture of the maxilla (upper jaw) under the eye, beside the nose, and above the canine teeth. These fractures typically occur on the opposite side of the face, but same-side bursting fractures are possible. Eating becomes excruciatingly painful until these fractures heal.
  • Unconsciousness can result, either from a concussion or from shock.
  • Death can occur. Please note that contrary to popular portrayals in television, movies, and comics, a rising palmheel skrike to the philtrum will not cause instantaneous death via piercing the opponent's brain with their fractured nasal bone. This is physiologically impossible; the only intra-skull passages leading to the brain are for the nerves and blood vessels -- these passages are too small to accommodate the nose structure, and their direct upward angle offers no convenient attack vector. Any forceful blow to the head is unlikely, though possible, to cause death from via the following mechanisms:
    • Concussions.
    • Choking on blood and/or tooth fragments. Inhaling blood and/or teeth can cause vocal cord spasms, which can seal off the trachea (windpipe), causing death by suffocation.
    • Epidural hematoma caused by rapid head motion tearing or rupturing the middle meningeal artery.

Chin

Striking the chin allows the jawbone to act as a lever rapidly rotate the opponent's head. This leverage efficiently induces closed-head trauma, leading to unconsciousness and concussions. To best exploit this weakness, strike the side of the chin, 1" (2.5 cm) from the tip. Boxers call this spot "the button," since it figuratively acts like an on/off switch for your opponent's brain.

Striking the chin from underneath has a similar effect, which is is amplified by the fact that properly-executed rising strikes are hard to detect and defend against. Whiplash may result. An unprepared opponent may inadvertently bite through their tongue, leading to pain, intense bleeding, and the inability to speak.

Side of jaw

Powerful strikes could fracture or dislocate the jaw. Broken jaws must be wired shut to heal, rendering the opponent unable to speak or eat solid food.

A mistargeted jaw strike can fracture the cheekbone, rupturing the sinuses and causing a severe nosebleed. If the opponent were to loose consciousness, they could choke to death on their own blood.

Additionally, facial nerves may be pinched or abraded, resulting in paralysis.

Side of the neck

The neck is a target-rich environment, due to its large number of major nerves and blood vessels. Therefore, striking the side of the neck can result in multiple severe or fatal injuries. A powerful blow to the neck will cause one or more of the following:

Circulatory Failure

Fatal hemorrhaging and/or thrombosis can result from one or more of the following sources:

  • The internal jugular vein, when it becomes rigid during exhalation, from being crushed against the cervical vertibrae.
  • Internal corotid vein spasms restrict bloodflow, and eventually causes leading to cerebral thrombosis.
  • Blows which can chip or fracture the spiny vertebral processes can crush or lacerate the vertebral artery, causing fatal hemorrhaging or cerebral thrombosis.

In addition to hemorrhaging, hematoma will grow in the vessel sheaths. This will grow with each heartbeat until they strangulate the opponent from within.

Nerve Failure

A powerful blow can compress or pinch nerves, leading to partial or total paralysis of the affected organ or appendage. Powerful strikes to the side of the neck are especially dangerous, because they will impact:

Skeletal Trauma

Shards of broken or dislocated vertebra can compress, lacerate, or sheer the spinal cord, leading to severe paralysis (e.g., paraplegia, quadriplegia), and/or immediate death. This effect will be amplified by their broken neck's inability to support the weight of the opponent's head.

Base of the skull

A strong, well-aimed attack to the base of the skull can dislocate or sever the spinal cord, separating it from the brainstem entirely, and effectively decapitating the opponent. These "rabbit punches" are universally banned by every sporting organization for this reason.

Less severe strikes to this region can still cause paralysis and death from pinching or compressing the spinal cord, or from sharp bone fragments lacerating the spinal cord. Whiplash is almost certain. Concussions are possible; since the medulla receives the brunt of the damage, death will likely result from the body's diminished ability to autonomously regulate its reflexes and homeostatic processes.

Windpipe

Any across-the-throat chokes, strikes, or any other pressure source can easily crush the thyroid cartilage (i.e., the Adam’s apple) or trachea (windpipe), resulting in death without an emergency tracheotomy.

A lesser blow can compress the nearby laryngeal nerves. The resulting larnyx spasms can trigger the gag reflex, which can cut off airflow, causing suffocation.

Collarbone

A collarbone fracture will incapacitate that arm, as the clavicle is one of the more painful bones to break. The jagged bone ends can potentially lacerate the brachial plexus or subclavian artery, creating the possibility of arterial blood clots (i.e., thrombosis) and/or gangrene.

Extremely penetrating strikes to the collarbone can can drive bone shards into the chest, puncturing and collapsing the lungs. Collapsed lungs can cause shortness of breath, painful breathing, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, coma, and possibly death.

Armpit

Though it is unlikely to present itself during the course of an altercation, your opponent's armpits contain an anatomical weakness. The brachial plexus lies in this region, close to the skin, where there is little to no muscle to act as padding. All of the nerves controlling the arm and hand branch from this point, so striking this area can compress this nerve cluster, causing severe pain and temporary paralysis (i.e., a "burner" or "stinger").

Elbow joint

Striking the inside of the elbow joint causes the arm to fold, and makes the opponent to bend forward. This can be used to break an opponent's balance and setup a takedown. Striking the outside of the elbow joint, like with an elbow break, can have a variety of outcome, all of which will painfully incapacitate the arm. The power of the blow will determine the additional severity of the injury:

Painful Swelling

Moderate strikes to the outside of the elbow will tear its bursa ("student's elbow") and tendons ("tennis elbow"), causing pain and extreme swelling which impedes mobility.

Skeletal Trauma, with Complications

Powerful strikes can fracture the humerus, just above the elbow joint, resulting in extreme pain, nausea, and anxiety. This injury can exhibit severe secondary effects:

Fingers

Individual fingers can be grabbed, peeled off, and quickly snapped backwards or sideways to break out of grabs and holds, for an escape with a built-in atemi. The fingers contain numerous small long bones, which can easily be broken by strikes from lateral directions to induce pain. If the hand is not incapacitated, it's grip and dexterity is severely reduced, leaving the opponent unable or less able to use grabs, weapons, or tools.

Floating ribs

The lowermost (i.e., the 11th and 12th) pairs of ribs are structurally weak because they have a "floating" end which does not connect to the sternum, or its cartilage. Powerful attacks to the floating ribs can result in:

Kidney Damage

The hydrostatic shock from a strike to the floating ribs can rupture the opponent's kidney. Broken floating rib rib fragments can lacerate the kidneys, resulting in weeks of mandatory bed rest to recover from peritonitis, extreme pain, bloody urine, coma, and possibly death.

Glancing blows to the floating ribs can tear the membranes holding the kidney in place, causing internal bleeding and a possible bend or kink in the urethra, causing urethral blockage, infection, and possible death.

Respiratory Damage

Additionally, shattered rib fragments can pierce the diaphragm, resulting in short, quick, "shallow" breathing as the body restricts diaphragm motion to prevent further piercing. Internal bleeding will irritate the diaphragm and cause painful hiccuping. This restricted air intake can lead to asphyxia-induced unconsciousness, coma, and death.

There is a tendency to miss the floating ribs and strike higher up on the chest. This can break the short ribs (i.e., the 8th, 9th, and 10th ribs), creating sharpened bone fragments which can resulted in punctured or collapsed lungs. Collapsed lungs can cause shortness of breath, painful breathing, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, coma, and possibly death.

Inner wrist

The inner wrist contains many nerves, tendons, and major blood vessels which control and feed the hand. These are all close to the surface, in a region where there is little muscle tissue to cushion impacts. Striking these tendons can cause their hands to involuntarily open, which can be exploited to disarm attackers. Powerful strike to this area will cause:

Sprains and/or Fractures

Wrist sprains are likely, and radius and/or ulna fractures are possible. Both of these injuries will cause pain, swelling, and a greatly weakened grip.

Solar plexus

The solar plexus is a large nerve cluster located where the rib cage (thorax) and abdomen meet. The solar plexus is oriented along the centerline, behind the diaphragm, in front of the first lumbar vertebrae. The nerves controlling many major organs branch out from the spinal cord at this point, like rays from the sun. While martial artists frequently attack the solar plexus, they are not attacking that nerve cluster per se; they are just attacking its general location. Attacks to this region can have a number of deleterious effects on the opponent's major organs, as described below:

Respiratory Paralysis

Blows to to solar plexus can send the diaphragm into Charley Horse-like spasms. While the intercostal muscles ("rib meat") will function as a redundant diaphragm in this emergency, these muscles are inefficient and will quickly tire, leading to respiratory paralysis (i.e., "getting the wind knocked out of you"). Complete incapacitation for 1-2 minutes will likely result, spelling doom in an altercation. Lapsing into asphyxia-induced unconsciousness from such a blow is unlikely, but possible.

Experience indicates that respiratory paralysis mostly occurs when opponents are struck during inhalation. As such, all inhalations must be sharp and quick, to minimize this vulnerability.

Organ Damage

Attacks to the solar plexus can damage and/or rupture various organs, depending on the attack's angle and force. The opponent will enter shock from the blood loss, vomiting, and influx of different organ fluids entering the abdominal cavity. Unconsciousness can result, and if so, it will often lead to death before the damage can be surgically corrected. The jarring shock of a powerful solar plexus attack can tear lung tissue, leading to short and painful breathing.

Straight attacks to the solar plexus cause the lumbar vertebrae to act as an anvil or chopping block, vectoring all of the attack's power into deforming and possibly rupturing the pancreas, duodenum, and/or aorta. While any organ rupture causes internal bleeding, ruptured aortas commonly result in fatal hemorrhaging.

A strike at the opponent's solar plexus, angled towards their left can compress and rupture the opponent's stomach and duodenum. Without surgery, uncontrollable hiccuping, gastrointestinal disturbances, vomiting, shock, and eventually death will result as the body cavity is filled with, and eventually dissolved by, a mixture of blood and stomach acid. Additional compression many bruise or rupture the spleen. If bruised, the spleen will weaken, and could spontaneously rupture at some point within the next 2 years. A ruptured spleen will cause death from massive hemorrhaging within 48 hours.

A strike at the opponent's solar plexus, angled towards their left can compress and rupture the opponent's liver and gallbladder. Without surgery, uncontrollable hiccuping, gastrointestinal disturbances, vomiting, shock, and eventually death will result as the body cavity is filled with, and eventually dissolved by, a mixture of blood and bile.

Upper back

Attacks to the spine should be viewed as a weapon-of-last-resort due to their dire consequences:

Paralysis

Powerful strikes to the upper back (i.e., between the shoulder blades) can crush or dislocate the thoracic vertebra, lacerating or sheering the spinal cord leading to limited or full paraplegia, urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Neurogenic shock is possible, and potentially fatal. In general, the higher such an injury occurs, the more profound its effects will be.

Less powerful blows will cause similar effects, but to a lesser degree, through spinal cord compression by herniated discs. Whiplash is likely.

Secondary Effects

Mistargeted attacks can break the opponent's ribs, and cause punctured lungs from the broken rib fragments.

The hydrostatic shock of a powerful strike could potentially act as a precordial thump, sending the opponent's heart into fibrillation.

Lower back

Attacks to the spine should be viewed as a weapon-of-last-resort due to their dire consequences:

Paralysis

Powerful strikes to the small of the back can crush or dislocate the lumbar vertebra, lacerating or sheering the spinal cord leading to limited or full paraplegia, urinary and fecal incontinence, and sexual dysfunction. Less powerful blows will cause similar effects, but to a lesser degree, through spinal cord compression by herniated discs. Whiplash is likely.

Abdomen

Poorly-conditioned, fatigued, or relaxed abdominal muscles can be sent into painful spasms when struck. Vomiting is unlikely, but possible. A well-timed attack can cause respiratory paralysis (i.e., knocking the wind out of an opponent) if they are struck during inhalation. Organ damage, as described in the solar plexus entry, is possible though less likely.

Note that blows to the abdomen are less effective against opponents who tense highly-developed abdominal muscles, as they will act as sort of natural armor plating. This is one reason why boxers spend so much time on abdominal conditioning, and kung-fu practitioners cross train in Iron Shirt Qigong.

Kidneys

If the kidneys present themselves as a target in a fight, it is because your opponent has rendered themselves defenseless through the error they have made, and through your skill at exploiting those mistakes. If striking the kidney becomes an option, the opponent is in a position where it is difficult or impossible to escape without injury. The is exacerbated by the terrible consequences which result from striking this target, including:

Kidney Rupture

A direct blow to the kidney can cause it to rupture, either from hydrostatic shock, or from being pieced or lacerated by broken floating or short rib fragments. Internal bleeding, peritonitis, bloody urine, coma and death will result if left untreated.

Kidney Dislocation

A glancing blow can sheer the kidney from its moorings, causing internal bleeding and kinking the urethra, leading to blocked urine flow. While this is not itself fatal, the resulting infection can be.

Secondary Effects

Because of the kidney's location, strikes to the kidney strike the solar plexus form the other side. Thus, kidney strikes can also affect the diaphragm and puncture lungs with broken rib fragments.

Bladder

In addition to explicit bladder attacks (i.e., gyaku-sukuite), groin strikes can also damage the bladder, since it is conveniently nearby. This can have different adverse effects:

Bladder Rupture

When struck, a filled urinary bladder can pop like a water balloon, flooding the opponent’s abdominal cavity with blood and urine. This will cause extreme tenderness, the inability to urinate, and an urinary tract infection. (To defend against this vulnerability, the bladder unconsciously voids as part of the fight-or-flight response. This is why frightened people pee their pants.)

Skeletal Trauma

Severe blows to the bladder can fracture the pelvis, and its sharp, jagged edges can puncture or tear the bladder and/or colon. This will result in internal hemorrhaging, shock, and painful breathing caused by the weight of the gastrointestinal system bearing down on the broken pelvis.

Hernias

Men run the additional risk of receiving risk of inguinal, femoral, or scrotal hernias following bladder strikes, due to the unsupported hollow spots left in that region after their testicles descended. Femoral hernias are particularly dangerous, as they have the following potential side effects:

  • Protruding sections of the intestine or abdominal membranes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritoneum peritoneum) may become constricted and receive decreased blood flow, leading to gangrene.
  • Pressure on the femoral nerve may lead to partial paralysis of the affected leg.
  • Blood clots in the femoral vein can cause thrombosis, which can lodge themselves in the opponent's lungs, causing death.

Tailbone

Contrary to popular belief, the tailbone does serve a purpose -- it anchors the anal sphincter muscle. Fracturing this small bone can lead to extreme pain, especially when sitting or defecating. Fecal incontinence may also result.

Groin

The groin properly refers to the hip adductor muscles located in the upper inner thigh. Rising ridgehand strikes to this region can send those muscles into spasms (i.e., Charley horses).

However, "groin" is really just a polite (read: parent and school administrator friendly) way of referring to a male attacker's testicles. So, let’s just drop the façade and talk about testicles directly, like adults.

In Goshin-Jutsu, attacking the testicles is not permitted -- it is encouraged. Groin strikes, being painful, debilitating, and humiliating, should be a part of most waza -- but they should not always be the initial attack. There is no element of surprise associated with groin attacks; literally everyone, everywhere, knows this trick. Groin strikes are not a solves-all since every man must develop a groin-protecting sixth-sense in order to survive middle school. However, this reflex can be exploited to your advantage. All groin attacks can be used as atemi, by using this flinch response as a distraction. When the opponent frantically covers his groin, he momentarily stops thinking about protecting his head, and thus leaves himself open to counterattack.

Also, be mindful that testicle strikes are immensely painful, but not always immediately painful. The opponent might have to take a few steps, and/or wait up to 10 minutes before feeling the full effect.

Severe groin strikes can have the following dire consequences:

Bladder Rupture

Groin strikes will often double as bladder strikes, doubling the damage potential.

Pelvic Fracture

Severe groin strikes can fracture the pubis (i.e., the bottom-most pelvis linkage). Walking becomes excruciatingly painful, due to the fractured bone's jagged edges rubbing against each other. The opponent must then curl up into a fetal ball, for lack of other options.

Crushed Testicles

Crushed testicles will induce extreme pain, loss of breath, and nausea. Vomiting can occur. Exceptionally severe cases can send an opponents into shock, leading to unconsciousness or death. Severely crushed testicles can result in sterility. Testicular rupture requires surgery, and depending on the severity, may end with the partial or whole amputation of the damaged testicle.

Hollow of the knee

Light pressure can cause the knee to buckle, destroying an opponent's stance and forcing them to kneel. Because of the risk involved, these "knee depression" techniques should only be practiced in a highly-controlled manner, if at all. Even light strikes can tear ligaments and cartilage, or dislocate the kneecap, causing extreme pain which limits mobility.

A moderate strike behind the knee can rupture or abrade the popliteal artery, resulting in hemorrhaging and painful swelling. This can be compounded by nerve abrasions, which can cause partial paralysis. Limited mobility is bound to result.

Powerful attacks to the back of the knee can tear its muscles, ligaments, and even the kneecap itself, leading up to dislocation of the knee. Any of these will cripple an opponent until it is surgically corrected.

Side of the knee

The side of the knee is inherently fragile, and even light pressure can cause rehabilitating or crippling injury. For this reason, attacks to the side of the knee are forbidden in kumite, and are strongly discouraged even in controlled settings.

Even light strikes can tear ligaments, cartilage, and bursa causing extreme pain which limits mobility. Moderate strikes can dislocate the knee or its cartilage, which can cripple an opponent until it is surgically corrected.

Powerful attacks to the side of the knee can damage the femur, by dislocating ligaments with such vigor that they tear out chunks of the bone which they anchor too. This will also cripple an opponent until it is surgically corrected.

Shin

Shin attacks can render your opponent helpless, via:

Skeletal Trauma

The shinbones are close to the surface of the skin, and there is little muscle in that region to cushion impacts. Pain, broken skin and bone bruises (i.e., the bruising of the spongy, bone-forming tissue surrounding the marrow) are likely. Tibia and fibula fractures are possible from stomp kicks while wearing hard-soled shoes or boots. Since shinbones come in pairs, a fracturing one of them may not be obvious, even though the ruptured blood vessels surrounding the fracture will cause extreme swelling. If one bone is broken, the opponent can walk with extreme pain. If both bones are broken, the opponent will be immobilized, since they cannot support their own bodyweight.

Arterial Embolism

Shin attacks are unlikely to kill an attacker. However, bone fragments, torn subcutaneous fat, and blood clots can always clog blood vessels and cutt off circulation from that part of the body, resulting in gangrene and/or death.

Achilles’ tendon

Attacks to the Achilles’ tendon could overstretch or tear the ligament and the surrounding muscle, leading to a sprained ankle. Ankle dislocation is possible, as are fractures of the tibia, fibula, tarsus, or metatarsals. Any of these outcomes will result in extreme pain under applied weight, making standing, walking, or fighting impossible.

Instep

The instep contains numerous small long bones, which are prone to fracture when struck from a lateral direction. To avoid injuring them, karateka kick with the balls of their feet, and not with their insteps, like in many Korean martial arts styles.

Stomping on an opponent’s instep is a common atemi in waza involving opponents grabbing you from behind. Crushing the instep literally leaves the opponent without a leg to stand on, since the foot is essentially a tripod comprised of the heel and the first and fifth metatarsals. Foot stomps should always be directed the opponent's instep, and not their toes because: