Increase the Effect of Strikes for Self Defense

There are many simple strategies we employ to increase the effect of striking and these are some of the simple startegies we employ for effective striking at Ju Jitsu Rugby.

• Look to use a distraction by striking to a sensitive area such as the shins, this takes away from the attackers mind whilst it is occupied with pain. A distraction creates a window of opportunity for further strikes to other areas.

• Utilize larger muscle groups and learn to use your body mechanics effectively. Rotate your upper body at the hips and shoulders, utilizing some of the larger muscles in your waist, back and shoulders when striking.

• Target weak and sensitive areas. Everyone, regardless of size has weak and sensitive areas on the body. You are capable of inflicting more serious damage to another person than you could probably imagine.

• Brace the Target- This can be done when the attacker is against a wall or floor, or you can brace the target yourself by holding the person or limb in place whilst striking. This prevents them from evading your strike.

• Pulling the target toward your strike, causes a collision effect, creating more power at the point of impact.

• Strike through the Target! Don't aim just at the Target but about 6 inches through the target.

• Time on Target! Don't pull your strikes back too quickly. Your strike is kept in contact for a count this helps create a maximum transfer of Energy. Striking with a larger surface also gives a better transfer of energy.

• Strike several times to the same target. Targeting a motor nerve can cause such a sensory overload that it will shut down the limb it supplies.

• Shoutinghelps you focus your energy into your strike. Shout as you strike as this not only startles an attacker, it alerts any people around you and also helps channel you fear into aggression. Shouting out may attract the attention of people in the area that may come to your aid or create witnesses to the attack. Shouting tenses up your abdominal region, reducing the risk of being winded by a strike. It also helps to focus your energy into your strike.

• Use the element of surprise, acting suddenly and giving a loud shout while striking (eg - "Let Go") right in the face of the attacker has good effect. The shout not only startles the attacker, it also signals to people in the area that you are in trouble; it also tenses up your abdominal muscles which is useful if you were to be struck at the same time and finally it helps you to focus on your strike. You'll learn how to execute techniques correctly as they often aim at weaknesses in the attacker.

By making several small changes to techniques, you can have a massive increase in effect. That is the concept behind Maximum-Effect where we publish a weekly newsletter.

It is by utilizing some of the strategies mentioned previous, that makes it possible to overcome larger, stronger people. Here is some more general information regarding striking.

Avoid punching to the head if possible. It's very easy to damage your own knuckles and fingers as the head is so hard. There is also the risk of someone transmitting nasty infections, even HIV or hepatitis via puncture wounds from the attacker's teeth to the knuckles. You can strike just as hard with the open palm of your hand with much less risk of injury to yourself.

When working with sensitive areas, pressure points or motor nerve points, full on strikes would cause lasting damage and even light strikes can have an effect on people, sometimes there is even a delay before the reaction. Be careful in training as striking these areas can have serious consequences.

Be warned that strikes to the throat could cause permanent damage to the throat and even result in death so this must be treated very cautiously in training and only used in a true Self Defense situation. The same caution is necessary with strikes to the eyes, you must treat this with total caution in training and only use firm strikes in a real Self Defense situation.

Concentrate on your offensive techniques rather than on being reactive to whatever the attacker might throw at you.

Use distractions, if a distracting strike does not get you free from the assailant, it will at least loosen their grip on you, giving you a window of opportunity to strike or escape.

Rotating the body in pulling or striking, makes use of some of your body's larger muscles in the back, waist and shoulders.

Be pre-emptive whenever possible, you do not have to wait for an attacker to strike or grab and then respond. Know what strikes and targets you are going to use before the encounter begins.

Be explosive, let rip with all you have. Initiate combinations with fast strikes using your nearest tool to the nearest target. Keep striking in quick succession as openings appear.

The picture above shows how to increase the effect of a knee to the thigh by pulling the attacker onto your strike.

Tearing at the face, eyes and ears, the attacker will become more concerned as whether he will see or breathe again than about whatever he intended to do to you.

Train Smart - Fightwize !