Location, Location, Location..

  Not every Pressure Point Location will result in the same type of reaction (from it's utilization). Very often the result will vary (from the same location) because of the manner of that point's activation. This can also be a result of/from the direction which that point was activated from or towards.

    

  There are several similar theories regarding Pressure Point (PP) “types”. The majority of those theories attempts to “categorize” each location into a specific type of location (who's use, creates a specific response). One would presume this to be acceptable, except that the majority of Point locations can be utilized in several (different) manners dependent upon the activation method used upon them.

   

  Equally confusing, can be the categorization of Atemi and Kyusho, Both of which, are regularly mixed in/up with Tuite. Though each could be used in unison with one or both of the other two (or any of which, individually). They (actually) are 3 separate categories.

   

  Tuite is/are limb manipulation techniques, Atemi are general striking locations including those made for distraction. Kyusho are specific locations, that cause/create serious (if not dangerous/life threatening) physical results.

   

  I've read attempts to place each PP location into a specific “category”, the problem with that attempt, is that dependent upon how that location is utilized, it would change the category it would be in! (meaning many locations would be found in multiple category’s). 

     

  What we do with our students, is to teach them “Pressure Point Locations” by/according to their anatomical location (Arm's, Leg's, Neck, Body). The manipulation of each body area, is shown with (and without) the use of PP's to accomplish those results.

   

  Though multiple locations (over the entire body) are learned almost at the offset of beginning one's study, we don't emphasize the memorization of locations until (around) 5^th kyu. That study commonly begins with locations upon the arms. I've written several posts over the striking of locations upon the arms (and their benefit). Taika has always encouraged debilitating an aggressor’s arms, as people tend to not wish to strike something (you) with an injured limb (their arm, that you just hurt). 

     

  In RyuTe, these strikes, are the equivalent of learning “blocks” in other systems (which RyuTe doesn't teach students to do). Taika has stated that westerner's (us..) have misinterpreted the maxim of “there is no first attack in Te”. This means there is no first offensive strike in Te, That does not equate to “no first defensive strike”.

     

  Those that Poo-Poo the strikes instead of blocks principle would obviously have a difficult time in our classes (until it's illustrated to them in actual execution/use). I've been involved with numerous discussions/debates over the subject, and many individual's have equally (negative) opinionated views in their regard.

     

  The most common disregard for them, is from individual's who have participated in some manor (of which there are several) of practice that involves a continuous striking upon the arms. Their interpretation of this, is that they've been hit all over their arms, and from multiple angles yet have never experienced anything beyond a minor (annoying) discomfort. And I believe them (or at least their statement).

    

  But, is this not the same as saying “I've been stabbed numerous times, and I've never been killed” ? (therefor, being stabbed, though uncomfortable, and messy, isn't dangerous?). But I guess that's different. Because these people would instantly recognize something that they know nothing about....like a debilitating arm point.

    

 The ability to accurately strike a point on a moving arm requires a great deal of practice. To be honest, this is more practice than the average "martial arts" student is willing to expend. There's a reason why individual's like Taika are rare, and it's not that difficult to figure out why that is.