TACTICAL SELF-DEFENSE Press the Points, Part 2 By Grandmaster Tom Patire Application Like in all training, applying the right technique at the right time is the key to success. Also, applying it in real-world conditions is what makes you invaluable to your client, as well as your team. What I have found in my training is that many people that fail at pressure point techniques fail not because of the technique itself, but because of the missed application. See, a pressure point has to be “cleared” before you apply it. For example, you attempt to apply a point to, let’s say, in the region of the clavicle, where there are numerous, very effective points that can immobilize an aggressor in seconds. Where this point, and many like them, goes wrong is when the applicator tries to apply it directly through the clothing. When that happens, the clothing jams the point and creates a buffer so that the aggressor never feels the full effect of the point, allowing him to resist or, in some cases, break out of the technique. Some helpful advice when applying a point to the clavicle region is to slide your finger down along the neck so that it goes under the shirt or jacket, and once directly on the targeted point, use another finger to activate the pressure point. This technique is called “clearing” and works most of the time in most situations. Body Types Body type often dictates the effect of a pressure point. For example, a person with less body density (fat and/or muscle), in most cases, is easiest to apply. That does not mean that the other body types can’t be targets with pressure points. What it means is that you need to read a body and apply the best point that shows itself during the altercation/situation. In a situation where a person is irate and swinging his hands violently, many seasoned professionals I work with like to target facial points or points that lie in the arms like the radial nerve. If a person is on the attack and an agent enters from his rear, many favor points in the neck, back, or lower legs. What it really comes down to is what is accessible at the time. In many cases, you take what is given to you instead of trying to go after a point that may not be accessible at the time. At the end of the day, the training you choose is your choice, but the law dictates what we can do and what we can’t. Make sure you are skilled in all aspects of use of force, and when you have the choice, make sure you use less force instead of more. Less means fewer problems and fewer headaches, especially if it involves any type of civil and criminal repercussions. GRANDMASTER TOM PATIRE, is known as “America’s Leading Personal Safety Expert” and has appeared on Good Morning America, The CBS Morning Show, The Colbert Report, Montel, plus in mainstream publications such as Family Circle, Redbook, Fortune <strong>Magazine</strong>, and The Wall Street Journal. He has written several books and has personal safety programs that can be incorporated into your martial arts school, available at TomPatire.com. 78 MARTIAL ARTS WORLD NEWS VOLUME <strong>22</strong> | ISSUE 3
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