Personal Weapons

There are many parts of your body which can be used for self-defense and counter-attack. They are usually referred to as Personal Weapons. These weapons are extremely important and if you develop skill in their use, there is no need to consider yourself unarmed or helpless at any time. The following paragraphs discuss some of the more important factors to consider when using personal weapons.

In using the hand as a weapon, the wrist should be held straight for all strikes except the “heel of hand” blow. The “Heel of hand” or “Palm Heel” blow is employed when you are in close combat and it is delivered upward with the hand slightly cupped. The “edge of hand” and “edge of fist” strikes are delivered with a chopping motion across the body with the palm down. Another technique for these two strikes is a downward motion with the palm facing in. For the “finger jabs” and the “extended knuckles” strikes, hold the fingers rigid.

Fully flex the elbow when you use it as a weapon. Elbow strikes are most effectively delivered toward the rear or outward across the body. A forearm strike is usually delivered by raising the arm about shoulder height, flexing the elbow fully, and then swinging the arm sharply forward and toward the inside ofyour body.

The Knee is used for knee lifts to the face and groin, and to fall on your opponent when taking him to the floor. Like the elbow, the knee should be fully flexed when striking. If a knee lift is employed, be sure to return the foot to the floor immediately so that you are off balance only momentarily.

You can use the foot for kicking forward with the toe, to the side with the edge, ball or heel or for stamping down with the heel. One extremely effective method is to deliver short, snappy kicks to your opponent’s shin or knee.

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