Knee KO

Targets of the Monkey (Bubishi) part 1 of 3

What are the mechanics behind a Kyusho KO well that has been discussed for the past 13 years here in Budo, but what is the working parts, where are these targets and why do they work on the leg is our topic for this edition ?

There could be so many factors and moving parts to any KO, that it is difficult to pin it down to a single or simple factor or set of factors. It will depend on the area of attack such as the head, arm, body or even the leg. But as the area and physical anatomical structure changes, so to must the method of attack.

As example when you hit the head has the shallowest nerve access and an added benefit for the practitioner of being backed up by the hard skull. The hard backing will help send a neurological spike as the hard knuckles pinch the nerve on the hard bone, there is no play or deep soft tissue to absorb the shock. These nerves are also covered thinly by the skin, fascia and sometimes thin muscle, there is no real thick, strong or extra padding that could also absorb some of the attack.

The neck has deeper set nerves with greater muscle mass surrounding them and therefore will need a more precise weapon such as a knuckle, to penetrate between these surrounding muscles. But the nerves are still easily reached so not much power transfer is needed with these targets as well. Even though the power needed is substantially less than on the rest of the body, more energetic stimulation (power transfer) will be needed.

On the body the access is far more difficult as we now must contend with bone (Ribs, Sternum, pine, etc.), but it also more densely covered with muscle, fat layers, fascia and skin making the force needed greater as well as the weapon more penetrating. Depending on the area, you also have some that are soft backing unlike the head with a solid backing. The targets may be embedded in muscle, between muscles, between muscle and bone, with any more variables. You must train well to be accustomed to these targets and the weaponry and or force needed to take advantage of them.

The Legs are more muscle massed than any other part of the body, and they are the strongest muscles from the weight support as well as work they are called on throughout the day. Therefore you need specific weapons to actualize the Kyusho at these specified targets… and specific trajectories.

We need these variations in trajectory that differ from other parts of the body due to the lay and networking of the nerves and or the blood vessels in relation to the heart. If we strike on any target that has underlying blood vessels of size (not just capillaries or smaller vessels) that can affect the blood pressure we should also look at the proximity or location from the heart and baro receptors.

What? Where? Why?

The back of the knee is our first leg target and lay that we will explain a bit. So the what as in; what is it we are hitting at the back of the knee that could cause a neurological or vascular KO? The where would be; where, exactly are we targeting for this to KO an opponent? And the Why is; why would this actually work?

Nerve, Blood Vessels and Tendon is what and why.... well to drop and alter the state of consciousness in an opponent. So let's get into the exact structures of this mostly overlooked target and see how it can benefit every practitioner.

Disclaimer: If you are still stuck in the "Pressure Point” Paradigm, (we changed years ago to real structure attack), well take your time here and really read, use and digest what is being stated so that you can really learn... along with first understanding that anatomy studies the form, while physiology looks at the function - anatomy looks at what it is, while physiology looks at what it does.

Anatomy:

This area is laden with several weaker anatomical structures and with one shot you can adversely affect the numerous Muscles and Tendons overlaying the more sensitive and vital: Common Fibular Nerve, the Tibial Nerve, Lateral Sural Cutaneous Nerve, Popliteal Artery and Vein as well as the Saphenous Vein.

Physiology:

Now the muscles and tendons will work separately to either cause a constriction (to protect the more vital structures with strength and mass) or a weakening to induce a withdrawal of the target area in reflex action. The nerve structures mentioned above are next in line in the protection as when struck they will cause the body to drop for avoidance and or recovery. We must remember the purposes of the nerves is not only to feel, but also to send electrical stimulus to the leg muscles to maintain the body upright and to move as well. This serves as a protection as when they are attacked the pain instigates escape or failure to draw the deeper vascular structures away from the cause of that pain. The vascular structures are also required to maintain the expansion and contraction of each muscle. When the blood flow is impeded many affects will be felt.

Functionality:

Now when the muscles or tendons are affected, the legs will buckle or pull away leaving the user unable to move or cause them to fall. This is also true to a greater extent of the nerves as they will automatically change the position response and potentials of movement or collapse. If the vascular tissue is impacted, then you will cause the blood pressure to drop rapidly, which in turn will cause fainting to collapse and protect the body. Knowing this information will enable you to strategize as well as restore (if that is your intent), the affected recipient.

The benefits of this level of understanding these varying realities will take you far beyond any pressure point or related theoretical models. They also serve to remove actual need for "Pin Point" accuracy as you are not aiming at a specific point but rather a much larger area. So instead of thinking a point the size of a coin, you now are looking at a target the size of a hand... yes this is far more feasible and probable in a high stress self-protection situation.

Targets of the Monkey (Bubishi) part 1 - 3

Part 1: http://www.kyusho.com/knee-ko/

Part 2: http://www.kyusho.com/leg-kos/

Part 3: http://www.kyusho.com/ankle-ko/

And or the full 3 hours of video and all 36 targets of the Bubishi, please visit this webpage: http://www.kyusho.com/bubishi-36/

-ep