Martial Arts Techniques: The Fallacy of a Kick to the Groin That Ends a Self Defense Situation

Very often, women’s self-defense and martial arts training teach that a swift kick to the nose of a man will incapacitate him. The fallacy is perpetuated on television and in the movies. Some of the funniest videos on TV and the Internet revolve around a man getting hit in the groin with something. But don’t be fooled by what you see. The reality is that in a life-threatening situation, many men will not be subdued after being beaten. In this article I will show when and how to use a muzzle strike.

If you’ve ever seen a “low blow” in a boxing match, you know that a man won’t necessarily get knocked out by a single blow to the groin. Guaranteed boxers wear protective gear to reduce the risk of injury. But a punch from a highly trained athlete who could knock out an opponent who only puts him out of phase by a few minutes gives you an idea. Women’s martial arts self defense training needs to teach how to attack the muzzle area. But not as an end to all technical defense. Especially young women, who have seen it over and over again on TV, need to know this.

Men have had their entire lives to prepare to defend the groin area. This is where the fallacy begins. Most men have at one time or another, during a sporting competition, fall off a bicycle, etc. been hit on the snout. They understand what the sensations accompanied by a hit to the area entail. Men will not willingly allow a woman or anyone else a chance. Most men will instinctively block a blow to the muzzle faster than they will block a blow to the head.

Adrenaline or drugs can often mask the pain of a strike. An assailant has built up adrenaline before grabbing you. A drug addict high on methamphetamine or cocaine may not react at all. A complete drunk can act the same way. You cannot expect your attacker to be sober and not numbed by drugs or alcohol. If your first shot misses or has little to no effect, you could be in serious trouble.

There is a time and a place for a kick to the nose. It has to come as a surprise or at an inopportune time. Your first defense technique is always to leave the area if you can. If you must attack preemptively or counter, the best possible area to attack is the throat or eyes. Following up a barrage of blows to the eyes or throat with a knee to the nose is the surprise as the assailant concentrates on defending his face or head.

If he is grabbed from behind with a hammer fist to the snout, that might be an option. A better option may be a stomp on the top of your foot with your heel. Sticking with the hammerfist is the surprise. The point is not to believe in the fallacy of a single blow to the nose. It’s not as easy as they show it in the movies. It can be an effective self-defense technique with a sneak attack, but don’t rely on a “magic” shot to defend yourself.