With vast array of strikes and kicks martial artists learn, it always amazes me how sometimes the most effective measure to an up close confrontation are the simplest motions.
Certainly punches, elbows, whipping blows, knees and groin shots can get the job done for you, but the recovery time for each can vary based on how solid a shot you delivered as well as how your attacker responds to blunt force pain. Let’s face it, some guys can just take a shot. Others may have the benefit of chemistry in their bodies, thus dulling the intended pain.
Once, while working with a nine year old, 70 pound student , he inadvertently poked me in the eye while clumsily attempting a front choke removal. I literally lost almost 2 full minutes trying to recover vision, dealing with the pain and clearing my eyes of tears and nose from discharge. His shot was unintentional and not even a direct strike, but it might as well have been, because if I had truly been attacking him, he would have had more than enough time to make his escape.
My point is the following: as someone in the business of teaching self defense, I ensure I drill all the strikes and kicks in the Krav Maga arsenal and focus on maximum power delivery so that my students can deliver the goods if necessary. I will use this “eye opening” experience (sorry!) as a reminder to also drill eye pokes and strikes for close quarter confrontations. They require none of the power of our other artillery, but can have devastating results nonetheless.
Peace.
