Body Shots: Viewpoints and Real-World Applications

Hi Everyone,
Now, it's pretty much universally accepted that the head and neck are the best targets to attack in personal combat. However, some believe (such as Bas Rutten) that body shots are very potent as well. While I'm a full-fledged, card carrying member of the "Headhunters Club," there have been occasions where I've found utility in body shots during situations when it was not appropriate to attack the head; one reason I spend time honing them.

All who have read my posts know that I'm a through-and-through headhunting palm guy (whenever a situation dictates the necessity of course) but, when it comes to body shots, that I'm a fist guy through-and-through. Anyway, there are three body shots I've found effective: the right shovel hook to the floating ribs/spleen, the left shovel hook to the floating ribs/liver, and the rear hand piston punch to the solar plexus. Out of the three, the most potent one for me has been the right (my lead hand) shovel hook to the spleen.

Body shots are not something I advocate and teach to the average person strictly interested in self-protection skills. I reserve it for those whose interests and job needs exceed those requirements.

One thing I've discovered is that it is not an easy thing to teach/have people switch from palms to the head, fists to the body in the chaos of mid-fight combat. Switching from one hand configuration to another can be a difficult thing when the frog brain is in play. This is but one reason I don't advocate it for the average person. It takes a lot of training and pressure testing to ingrain seamlessly.

In regards to using palms to the body, I've found them to be less potent than fists and awkward feeling as well. I am an advocate of soft weapon (e.g. palm) to hard target (e.g. head) and hard weapon (e.g. fist) to soft target (e.g. body).

As far as actual application, I am of the "single shot" school. I never throw two or more successive body shots in a row at any given time. When I use a body shot it's either as a single preemptive strike or, if part of a continuous attack, single insertion shots in between the barrage of head shots.

Some considerations to take into account with the potency of body shots, besides adrenaline's effect, are clothing, conditioning (which you won't generally know about other than physical appearance), body size, and body mass (whether from fat or muscle). These factors do play a significant role in diminishing a body shot's effectiveness. On the other hand, surprise, accuracy, and catching an opponent while he's inhaling are three things that increase their effectiveness.

Anyway, these are some of my thoughts on body shots. I'm interested in others' viewpoints and experiences, so don't be shy, please share...

Take Care,
Lito
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Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

Pre-emptive=Yay

When the fight is already on=Nay

And my preferred is the straight shot to the solar Plexus. An AWESOME blow that many people just do not expect.

Joined : 27 Feb 2008 Posts : 23

Never in a real world "live" situation either as a pre emt or in fight. In the ring, love them and use them often but not in the street.
Obviously they work as quite a few people use them as pre empts and I've also heard of people using them 'in fight' too.
Personally I have a mental block re using them as a pre empt. I'm always worried about hitting elbows and forearms on the way in so prefer to aim for the head.

Hi Jeff, re the straight right to the solar plexus, how many times have you used it pre emptively and what were the results?

Admin Joined : 13 Aug 2007 Posts : 177

peter m

Check your PMs

Joined : 08 Apr 2008 Posts : 27 Location : Riverside ,CA

I like body shots. My favorite would be a left shovel hook to the floating rib. It sets up a beautiful overhand right (Ernie Shavers style). I think body shots are effective depending on where you are from. Here in So Cal were its sunny and warm you are not likely to see guys wearing thick coats. The less amount of clothing the guy has on the more effective the body shot.

Joined : 27 Feb 2008 Posts : 23