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Self Defense Tactic: Target the Nose

Overview

The nose is a little overused as a target in fighting (and targeting it is even a little cliché), but it is a very effective self-defense target if you know how to use it. I’m not talking about a right cross to the nose. That is what your opponent is expecting and it is too easy to block or avoid.

However, the nose can be an effective target if you use a different technique (which I’ll get into next week). For now I’m going to explain exactly why the nose is such a vulnerable target.

Why the Nose?

The nose is extremely sensitive because the end of the nose is made of cartilage and not bone. So, it is not hard enough to resist force, but is also not soft enough to absorb force easily (like a poke to the cheek).

Try it yourself

  • Make a fist and hit yourself in the cheek bone a couple times.
  • Now use the same force on your nose

It hurts more. Now, just imagine applying a whole lot more pressure.

Yeah it’s going to hurt a lot, that’s what makes the nose such a great target for self-defense.

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An Easily Accessible Target

The nose is also a good target because it sticks out, making it easy to grab hold of.

In fact, one of the best uses of this target is as a control lever for an attackers head. It’s especially vulnerable when you strike or torque it in an upward motion, bending it back on itself.

This is very painful because the cartilage is bending back and smashing up against the nose bone, yet another reason why it should be a part of your self defense arsenal!

This is especially useful in a self-defense situation where you are up close and personal with an attacker. The nose is often open if you are grappling or on the ground with an attacker.

Quick To Bleed

Lastly, the nose bleeds easily. It has a ton of small blood vessels in it and they rupture easily. This will often distract your opponent long enough for you to escape. The bottom line is that the nose is a weak and vulnerable target which you should always have in mind when you find yourself in a self-defense situation.

Tune in for the next post where I will show you exactly how to use a nose strike to devastate an opponent.

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245 thoughts on “Self Defense Tactic: Target the Nose”

  1. A strike upwards to the nose could have fatal devastating affect if done properly by sending upper bone into the brain.

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  6. In the movie, History of Violence, Vigo takes his open hand a strikes his opponents nose in a back and upward movement. I know, it’s just a movie but it had devastating consequences.

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  9. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

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  10. I know from experience how that feels. I’ve had my nose broken a couple of times. It’s true, nothing like a boken nose.

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  11. Thank you for this information. I am visually impaired and scared to use a gun to knife bad guy could take it away and use it on me

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  12. Can’t wait to see the technique for the Nose and how to puniness the appointed. To grab, push the nose or strike the nose forcing to bend backward with a great deal of pressure will cause a great deal of pain. That’s what we want so we both can buy-out of danger. Peace

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  13. The nose is a great target!! I have used quite a few times over the years !! It causes both eyes to tearup and if struck just right will also cause swell shut giving the impression that he’s been racooned!! All of his sumbag buddies will make fun of him for a long time!!

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  15. Yes and thanks for reminding of something that I already know. YES often one can even head butt a nose while grappling with another both holding each others arms. Having had to defend my life more than twice I know that the “most” important things are 1. instant reaction 2. go for a kill from the start 3. avoid when possible

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  17. Thanks Bob. I’m imagining the variety of impact methods. This could be a life saving strike in close. For example on public transit. The follow up decision after this chess move will be as interesting as your next post

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  18. No matter what the strike or where the strike lands should never be confused with a single “knock out ” blow . No matter what ,anticipation of the reaction from said blow a second and third strike must always follow in a fluid motion to completely incompacitate and immobilize your adversary. The first blow should always be followed by a second or third until with out a doubt they’ve been damaged enough to either flee or continue the kill, because always assume someone brought to such violence will not stop until you are the same

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  19. I am very interested in the articles you send, and I have my survival bag and the toys to keep me an my family safe.

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  22. My nose knows all about this. It has been through this a few times and it can verify that it really hurts and my eyes don’t like it either because they start watering up.

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  25. LOL! One of my favorite pieces of advice when teaching takedowns to anyone, “The body follows the head, the head follows the nose!”! Palm heal to the bridge of the nose, “Priceless”. Take it from a 5’3″ tall female cop from San Bernardino, California, this stuff works!

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  28. The nose is very good good Target I’ve used it a few times in my past and we’ll still use it I just avoid the upward Sprite to the bottom of the part portion of the nose because don’t want to kill him unless it’s absolutely necessary this is a very good technique and definitely gives you a chance to get the hell out of Dodge afterwards

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  29. You can also rip it out very easily doesn’t take much pressure believe me I’ve done it causes great pain you can get out of there fast do it with your bare hands just got in the how i’m 4 foot 9 and lived in Detroit trust me you do what it takes

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  33. A gentle bump on the nose can make your eyes water so it does make a lot of sense to target the nose in a time of need

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  34. Interesting as I recall the myth or misguided fact that the one could execute an open palm strike and using the edge of the hand as in what is commonly called a “karate chop” to break the soft cartilage and then follow with an upward strike to drive the nose into the brain.

    It was claimed to be a technique used by special forces, commando types, karate masters or specially trained personal to kill someone quietly and quickly. The mistake or fallacy is that while the cartilage is easier to break than bone, you can’t drive or penetrate the harder bone of the skull as that would be a contradiction like trying to push a banana thru a watermelon.

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  35. Thankyou so much for the info! Wish I had known this when I was married and I was getting the crap beat out me. I would have loved to grab the crotch then the throat when they bent over. I think it would have kept their fist, hands and feet off of me. I’ve been single 22yrs.The best way to keep the brains gone, but if I need to to in going to try the crotch and throat move cause I’m so short. Thank you.

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  37. If you do an upward hand chop to the nose, with a good amount of force, it will send the bone in the nose straight up into the brain. Therefore, you must be absolutely careful when striking the nose. Always try to strike the nose head on.

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  39. I like your thinking and the ideas you present. I’m 83 years old, and in fairly good shape. But, I live alone with my Golden Retriever, who is good at barking but not much else. I feel very vulnerable, although I live in a nice neighborhood with great neighbors. I grew up in the country and my dad taught me to shoot and hunt when I was in high school. I’m really a pretty good shot, unafraid of causing injury to an animal or someone threatening me. I just don’t know a thing about defending myself without a gun. I still have my Ithaca .16 gauge shotgun, but I lost my .22 Colt pistol in a messy divorce. (I’m still upset about that!) I’m thinking about buying a new hand gun, but haven’t done it yet. My young daughter was in the Army, and her older sister was a Navy Corpsman. I’ve learned a few things from them, but not enough to really defend myself. I think, too, that reading about something is good, but it needs to be practiced to become part of your mindset. Sort of like practicing the piano. Keep me in mind for your blog. You do seem to write for men, defending the family etc. but there’s no man in my life, I’m it.

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  40. There are many fallacies on here that if you strike the nose the ‘bone’ will go into the brain.There is no bone,only cartlidge.The BEST nose strike is between the nose and the upper lip,where they meet,which is a pressure point.I have 22 years experience as a Shotokan student,then instructor.

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  43. I like th “SING” method. The nose was my first guess even before I saw yours. Thanks for the info. Looking forward to seeing more.

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  44. Sure do appreciate the blogs!
    Im an elderly veteran (70) and work night.
    Your tactics are little treasures for a very effective deterrent.

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  47. Great advice! Remember any attacker can only block/protect 2 out of the many vulnerable “soft target” (spots) on the human body, that will induce incredible amounts of pain & will disabled the attacker long enough to continue to attack & Tottaly disable Your attacker, or to run away yelling for help. More often then not You will have to strike Your attacker more then 1ce, so learn to strike & gouge: eyes, ears, behind the ears, sternum, groin, knees, “adams apple” & other places. So keep learning, practicing & buying what You can from the Head Honcho. Mr. Pierce provides many, many “tools” to defend Yourself & others. Please practice what You learn very often, on whatever You have to practice on, because You Need to know what “it” feels like, before You need to use “it”. Their are evil people all over, do Not become a victim! Thank You Mr. Pierce for all You have done & are doing. May peace & happiness Always be with You & All You Love & care about.

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  49. It’s easy to train oneself to almost instinctively hit any target that you see. We do the same when driving a car: see a ball coming from between parked cars? Probably a child will be chasing it so hit the brakes. If we visualize ourselves reacting by going for the brakes in that situation we will actually do it without thinking should it ever happen in reality. Knowing all the soft targets ahead of time is just something we want to know, visualizing hitting them is an easy exercise we can do. Keep the good info coming about all the soft targets! And thanks much…

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  50. Good advice! Pasting them in the old snot locker with a stiff punch is a sure fire winner. One needs to be mindful to be careful not to drive the heel of one’s hand upward with great force which will drive that nose bone into the brain and cause death.

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