What has footwear got to do with Kyusho?

As a seemingly unrelated topic, lets take a more modern phenomenon in the arts, that is the wearing of footwear in training Kyusho.

Actually this is excellent practice if done in moderation as we would most likely be wearing footwear in an attack on the street.  By knowing the limitations and changes needed to accomplish safe (for you) and effective use of this trained skill with the footwear, we will be better prepared in that circumstance.

However this does not mean it should be the constant, for several reasons.  First it does not condition the foot and or nerve, blood, muscle or connective structures fully as the footwear inhibits or negates many physiological aspects of conditioning, development of balance and transitional action.

Next what would happen if you were attacked while not wearing footwear as on a beach?  If it was not trained the weakened foot structure would be more susceptible to damage from fast sharp turns, steps or even use as a weapon.

The foot is our platform in which all Kyusho bases, with faltering balance we cannot gain the maximum result in a Kyusho strike, grab or kick.  All energy (Kinetic) that we try to inject into our opponent stems from the inertia generated in our feet... so strength, control and sensitivity must be trained in them. But the dual training is imperative so as to be fully prepared and trained.

Two other things to consider:

One is that in many jurisdictions the footwear constitutes a weapon (called the "shod foot")... and illegal... so maybe it is not the best answer for you (however in a life or death situation rules sometimes may not be the best restriction.

Another is that the attacks are different with a shoe on and to be accurate, training is needed to select and work specific targets possible.  Then you must consider the footwear you are using, is it a rubber sole with great traction or is it leather sole for far less traction.  This could mean that pivots or stepping may be more difficult according to your surface.  Luckily with Kyusho less force is required to incapacitate an opponent, making the footing less of a challenge than conventional arts.

Training gear must always be used in moderation as we must experience any state we may be in under an attack... even the new Kyusho Training Gloves have a duality and must be used occasionally not continuously.  They are perfect for reducing arm bruising, split lips and allows you to train harder without fear of damage, yet they also (like footwear), do not fully work to condition the hands.  We must also work at good intensity barehanded, using the gloves sporadically to train our adrenaline and stress training regimes.

So we see that the best answer is to train both ways.  So it should also be in training not only the mechanics of attack delivery, but also it's effect in destination in regard to the opponents anatomical support and functionality components.

-ep