The Best Striking Techniques You Never Use

We’ve all seen the many popular striking techniques martial arts and sports have to offer but what about the others? Let’s have a look at three super effective and under loved strikes and how we can apply them.

Forward Head Butt

Most head butts are thrown with a backwards motion intended to hit an opponent coming from behind. But what about someone who is in front?

What it is

A head butt technique using the forehead to smash an opponent who is face to face.

How to throw it

With your dominant leg back and both hands up (where possible) drop both knees and drive your forehead towards the opponent’s nose. Eyes should be looking at the target and the full force of your body should go into the strike without losing balance. Really push those feet into the ground. After the initial impact it’s important to return to your stance or continue your attack in your stance to avoid losing balance and control.

Why it’s so good

You can generate a lot of momentum and power through your body using the skull as a large blunt striking object. A well placed forehead to an unsuspecting nose causes a lot of pain and disorientation. The shock and pain from one head butt can end and altercation right on the spot.

Scenario 1

Somebody grabbed you from the front. Your arms and legs aren’t in a great place to strike but your head is. You plant your dominant leg back and drive forwards cracking your forehead right into the attacker’s nose. He loses his grip and falls to the ground. You have plenty of time to safely decide what to do next.

Scenario 2

Somebody has your phone and you’re both tangled in each other while you try to recover it. Your arms have grabbed his. You place your dominant foot back and smash your head into his. He’s dazed but still struggling and trying to punch you. You deliver another two head butts and he’s stopped so you can recover your phone and move from there.

Straight Elbow Strike

With the cutting motion dominating elbow strike techniques globally the simple power of a straight elbow strike has been forgotten by many. Just like our straight punches and kicks a straight elbow can be utilised for some simple powerful hits.

What it is

A thumping elbow strike that goes through the opponent instead of cutting.

How to throw it

Imagine a straight punch, now flex at the elbow joint bringing your forearm in front of your body. Now make sure your elbow and shoulder are in line.  Then drive forward with a punching motion as if your forearm is about to collide with the opponent and let the elbow connect. There is no cutting motion here. Your elbow goes right through just like a straight punch. You can throw it from the lead hand and the cross hand with full force. The chin, nose and eyes are perfect targets to devastate with this strike.

Why it’s so good

Unlike the usual cutting motion of the more common elbow strikes the result of the straight elbow strike is more like a solid straight punch but with more pain like only the elbow can deliver. Master this one and watch opponents heads jolt back from the force and give you plenty of control.

Scenario 1

You’re in the ring chasing somebody down; you see an opening and step in with a dominant hand straight elbow right into his eye. His head flies back from the impact and he’s hurt. This gives you time to counter and dominate the next moments of the fight.

Scenario 2

 You’re hands are occupied (phone, wallet, keys, drinks) and some guy comes from nowhere and gets in close. He pushes you and winds up a punch. You stepped your dominant leg back and let a lead hand straight elbow straight into his nose without dropping anything. He’s stunned and hurt giving you time to decide your next move safely.

Hand to Groin Strike

Everybody knows that humans are sensitive in the areas around the groin. But the groin area itself is larger than you think. Let’s explore the less utilised and extremely effective places in the groin to target

What it is

Not a strike to a sensitive organ in the groin area but a strike to target the inside of a leg, male or female that can immobilise them in less than 60 seconds.

How to throw it

Can you punch? Can you slap? Can you move your arms with some force? Good you can target the groin. Look at your own leg. Find the top of your hip on one side and see how your leg and hip muscles travel all the way up and down the inside of your leg. Now the area you want to hit (it is fairly big) is the inside of the leg and as close to the start of the hips as possible. A good practice is to place as many of your knuckles (including those on your wrist if using an open hand) onto that area with as much force as you can repeatedly.

Why it’s so good

The muscles in the groin area are more sensitive than most and many aren’t very big. A few effective strikes to them and they start to seize up or ‘cork’ if you will. They are also important for stabilising and moving the leg so when they are out of action so is the leg and by extension a large part of an opponent.

It is more common to see a groin strike in the ring than in a self-defence situation as the organs in the groin make for much easier targets.

Scenario 1

You’re in the ring grappling. You have one arm free and it’s near your opponents hips. You can’t strike between the legs but you can strike the groin. You go to town on the inside of their leg. Thirty seconds later their legs isn’t working properly and you have control.

Scenario 2

You were in an altercation and it’s ended on the ground. It’s dark and your legs and arms are tangled. This is a self-defence situation and anything goes. Still, you’ve practiced groin strikes and you are aware of where their leg is. You apply some strikes to the groin and after some seconds they slow down and you have time to stand up and access safely.

There you have it. The three best striking techniques you never use, explained and given the love they deserve.

Practice safely!

• Gerald @ BTC