In Martial Arts and Self Defense, students and teachers look to gain a maximum effect, a maximum advantage over their opponents using many methods, one such method is by knowledge of such areas considered by many as “Deadly Pressure Points“.

These extremely sensitive areas of the body will give the ability to cause intense pain quickly and effectively and will create obvious advantages.

In modern day use the outcome does not have to be deadly, pressure points are more so used to gain a significant advantage by producing significant pain in the area when struck or simply when a force is applied to that area.

These areas can be used to gain a significant advantage through intense pain but also you can use them to make the opponent move in a specific direction by applying the force to a specific target. This becomes very practical when applying take-downs (throws) or Hold-Downs (submissions).

Pressure points allow the person applying a technique to use a minimal amount of force to gain a significant effect.

Police and Security Forces throughout the world, rely on these potentially deadly pressure points to maximize the effect of their own techniques. PPCT has become a popular addition to their curriculum.

Deadly Pressure Points exist all over the body and can be accessed in many ways by using many different tools of the body. The fingers, fists, elbows, knees and feet are all ultra valuable tools in accessing these areas effectively.

Another area that can create a significant advantage is the knowledge of motor nerve points, with effective striking ability, this creates the ability to temporarily disable the functionality of a limb, by traumatizing the nerves that supply it.

So in summary, the extreme sensitive areas of the human body should not necessarily be considered as deadly pressure points, however, they can be used to gain a significant advantage by helping you to maximize your effect with a minimal amount of effort.

An understanding of why Jiu-Jitsu works really develops over time and with continued practice. Your real understanding will not come from reading and research but from physical application, this can only be accomplished through proper training.

There is a sound foundation behind each and every technique. At the core of Jiu-Jitsu, you can guarantee that size and raw strength are no match for skill, balance, flexibility and functional conditioning.

There some basic scientific principles that help explain why jiu-jitsu works. Proper technique must be stressed in favour of excessive force. Use the the natural laws and principles to maximize the effect of your techniques. It is emphasis on the proper technique that allows smaller people with proper training to beat a larger or stronger opponent.

By using simple concepts such as Newtons First Law of Motion, “Every Object Remains at Rest, or Moves at Constant Speed in Straight Line unless a Resultant Force acts on it” we can use a persons momentum and by applying a force in the opposite direction, below the opponents centre of gravity, allows us to unbalance and take them to the ground with ease, regardless of strength, without the use of strength.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion can be applied when using your own body’s momentum against your opponent to unbalance them. This is much more efficient than attempting to use the strength of an isolated muscle.

There are many other ways that we can use simple physical concepts such as Gravity, Leverage, Inertia, Friction, Velocity etc and then we come to all of the “Human Anatomy” factors that we can take advantage of too.

A simple knowledge of pressure points and motor nerve points can gain you an incredible advantage by gaining a guaranteed reaction from your opponent when you strike different areas of the body. This is not only useful in causing pain that will distract your opponents mind but creating a movement in your opponent that you can take advantage of for a throw or take-down.

There are many of these senstive areas spread through the body, Take some time to discover where they are and how you can use them to your benefit. Incorporate such knowledge into your training and you will certianly begin to appreciate why Jiu-Jitsu works.

Train Smart – Fightwize!