How to Stop an Attack from Behind with Pressure Points

Martial artists have used pressure points for centuries to help defeat opponents. Pressure points allow the martial artist to subdue much larger and stronger people. Even the most aggressive attackers can be brought to their knees by a well placed strike to a vulnerable pressure point.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   Place your hand on the elbow of the attacker. Most attacks from behind involve the attacker wrapping an arm around the neck or body. Find the pressure point located one inch above the elbow. Press the points on both sides of the upper arm as if sandwiching the bone.

2. 

   Simultaneously place your other hand on top of the attacker's hand. Wrap your fingers around the meaty part just under the attacker's thumb. Find the pressure point above the webbing between the attacker's thumb and index finger. Press the point from both sides as if sandwiching the meaty part of the attacker's hand. The simultaneous attacks on pressure points in the hand and elbow will stun the attacker.

3. 

   Stomp the pressure point in the instep of the attacker's foot. Drive your heel straight down on the attacker's shoelaces. This will press the point in the middle of the foot and cause great pain.

4. 

   Throw your head back. By now the attacker is preoccupied with the pain in his elbow, hand and foot. He is most likely leaning forward in an instinctive reaction to protect himself. Attempt to strike the pressure point just beneath the attacker's nose. This will feel like little more than a tap to the back of your head, but will probably break the attacker's nose.

5. 

   Step to one side and thrust your elbow straight back. This will put you in line to strike the attacker in the solar plexus. This is the point just below the sternum where your diaphragm helps you breathe. An elbow pressing the point suddenly will knock the air out of any unprepared attacker.

6. Duck under the attacker's arm while you push up on the arm. This should be easy after neutralizing the attacker with five pressure points in the space of a few seconds. Run away as fast as you can.

Tips & Warnings

• All of these pressure point defense techniques should be done in quick succession. The idea is to use the element of surprise to stun the attacker with pressure points. Don't give him time to think about what is happening or to recover. You only have a few seconds to escape. Don't waste them admiring your work.

Resources

• PRESSthePOINT.com
• Pressure Point Locations
• Hand Pressure Points
• Arm Pressure Points
• Foot Pressure Points
• Neck Pressure Points
• Head Pressure Points
• Back Pressure Points
• Leg Pressure Points
• Chest Pressure Points
• Relieve a Toothache with Pressure Points
• Find Pressure Points on the Body
• Stop Attack from Front with Pressure Points
• EmergingDragon.com
• IwantTHEMfired.com
• Third Coast Martial Arts

[maxmonkey]

on 4/8/2009 Thanks for commenting on my pressure point article. If you want to learn more about pressure points all over the body, check out pressthepoint.com. I also contribute to that website.Maxmonkey

[shaztheripper]

on 3/22/2009 Great article, I look forward to reading the rest of the pressure point series as well.