Vital Targets in Short-Range Combat

Posted on Jan 3, 2025 in Physical Education

Chapter 4: Short-Term Combative

Combative Middle Range

In middle-range combative, two opponents are already within touching distance. The arsenal of possible body weapons includes short strikes with elbows, knees, and hands. Head butts are also effective. Do not forget during the middle of combat at short range, a soldier uses his peripheral vision to evaluate the targets presented by the opponent and choose his destination. He must be aggressive and concentrate his attack on the opponent’s vital points to end the fight as soon as possible.

4-1. Vital Targets

The body is divided into three sections: high, medium, and low. Each section contains vital targets (Figure 4-1, pages 4-5 and 4-6). The effects of striking these targets are as follows:

a. Upper 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 in front of the skull bones. A forceful blow causes trauma to the cranial cavity, resulting in unconsciousness and bleeding. A severe attack can cause death.
(2) Forehead. A heavy 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 nerve are very close to the skin. A powerful strike can cause loss of consciousness and concussion. If the artery is cut, the result is a massive hemorrhage compressing the brain, causing coma and death.
(4) Eyes. Light in the eyes can cause uncontrollable watering and blurred vision. A decisive blow or push can cause temporary blindness, or 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 can cause a concussion.
(6) Nose. Any blow can easily break the thin bones of the nose, causing extreme pain and tears.
(7) Under the nose. A strike to the central nerve, which is near the surface under the nose, can cause great pain and watery eyes.
(8) Jaw. A strike to the jaw can break or dislocate it. If the facial nerve is pinched against the lower jaw, one side of the face can become paralyzed.
(9) Chin. A strike on the chin can cause paralysis, mild concussion, and loss of consciousness. The jaw acts as a lever that can transmit the force of a strike to the back of the brain where the cardiac and respiratory mechanisms are controlled.
(10) Back of ears and base of the skull. A moderate strike on the back of the ear or the skull base can cause loss of consciousness by the irritant effect on the back of the brain. However, a severe blow can cause a concussion or a brain hemorrhage and death.
(11) Throat. A blow to the front of the throat can cause death by crushing the windpipe. A heavy blow causes extreme pain and nausea or vomiting.
(12) Side of the neck. A blow to the neck causes loss of consciousness by the shock of the carotid artery, jugular vein, and vagus nerve. For maximum effect, the blow should be focused below and slightly ahead of the ear. A less powerful strike causes involuntary muscle spasms and 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 the neck. A blow to the back of the neck can cause whiplash, concussion, or even a neck fracture and death.

b. Central Section

The central section extends from the shoulders to the area just above the hips. Most strikes on vital points in this region are not fatal but may have serious long-term complications that range from trauma to internal organs to injury of the spinal cord.

(1) Front of shoulder muscles. A large bundle of nerves passes in front of the shoulder joint. A heavy blow causes extreme pain and can make the whole arm ineffective if the nerves are struck squarely.
(2) Clavicle. A strike to the clavicle can fracture it, causing intense pain and rendering the arm near the fracture useless. The fracture can also sever the brachial nerve or subclavian artery.
(3) Armpit. A large nerve is near the skin in each armpit. A strike to this nerve causes severe pain and partial paralysis. A knife inserted in the armpit is fatal because it severs a major artery that runs from the heart.
(4) Spine. A blow to the spinal column can sever the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis or death.
(5) Nipples. A large network of nerves passes near the skin at the nipples. A blow here can cause extreme pain and bleeding from the many blood vessels below.
(6) Heart. A strike to the heart may jolt and stun the opponent and allow follow-up or finishing techniques.
(7) Solar plexus. The solar plexus is a center for nerves that control the cardiorespiratory system. A strike to the site is painful and can take the breath away from the opponent. A severe blow causes loss of consciousness from shock to the center. A penetrating blow may also damage internal organs.
(8) Diaphragm. A blow to the lower front ribs can cause the diaphragm and the other muscles that control breathing to relax. This makes breathing difficult and can result in unconsciousness due to respiratory failure.
(9) Floating ribs. A blow to the floating ribs can easily fracture them because they are not connected to the ribcage. Rib fractures on the right side near the liver can cause internal injuries; fractured ribs on both sides can possibly puncture or collapse a lung.
(10) Kidneys. A blow to the kidneys can cause shock and can even cause internal lesions of these organs. A stab to the kidneys induces immediate shock and can cause death by severe internal bleeding.
(11) Abdomen, below the navel. A blow to the area below the navel and above the groin can cause shock, loss of consciousness, and internal bleeding.
(12) Biceps. A strike to the biceps is most painful and makes the arm ineffective. The biceps is an especially good target when an opponent has a weapon.
(13) Forearm muscle. The radial nerve, which controls much of the movement in the hand, passes over the bone of the forearm below the elbow. A strike to the radial nerve renders the hand and arm ineffective. An opponent can be disarmed by a strike to the forearm, and if the strike is powerful enough, he can be rendered unconscious.
(14) Back of the hand. The backs of the hands are sensitive. Because nerves pass over the bones in the hand, a strike in this area is very painful. The bones in the back of the hand break easily and a strike can also render the hand ineffective.

c. Lower Section

The lower body section includes everything from the area of the groin to the foot. Strikes to these areas are seldom fatal, but they can be incapacitating.

(1) Groin. A moderate strike to the groin can incapacitate an adversary and cause intense pain. A powerful blow could result in unconsciousness and shock.
(2) Outside of the thigh. A large nerve passes near the surface on the outside of the thigh about four fingers above the knee. A powerful strike to this region can render the entire leg ineffective, causing an opponent to drop. This target is especially suitable for knee strikes and kicks.
(3) Inside of the thigh. A large nerve passes over the bone around the center of the inside of the thigh. A blow to this area also incapacitates the leg and can cause the opponent to fall. Knee strikes and heel kicks are the preferred weapons for this purpose.
(4) Hamstring. A severe strike to the hamstring can cause muscle spasms and inhibit mobility. If the tendon of the hamstring is cut, the leg is useless.
(5) Knee. Because the knee is a major supporting structure of the body, damage to this joint is especially detrimental to an opponent. The knee is easily displaced when hit at an angle opposite to the normal range of joint movement, especially when it is bearing the opponent’s weight. The knee can be dislocated or hyperextended by kicks and strikes with the entire body.
(6) Calf. A powerful blow to the top of the calf causes painful muscle spasms and also inhibits mobility.
(7) Shin. A moderate blow to the shin produces great pain, especially from a hard object. A heavy blow can possibly fracture the bone that supports most of the body weight.
(8) Achilles tendon. A powerful strike to the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel can cause ankle sprain and dislocation of the foot. If the tendon breaks, the opponent is incapacitated. The Achilles tendon is a good target to cut with a knife.
(9) Ankle. A blow to the ankle causes pain; if a decisive blow is delivered, the ankle may be twisted or broken.
(10) Instep. The small bones at the top of the foot break easily. A strike here will hinder the opponent’s mobility.