Get FREE Instant Access
To your online Video Fighting Course.
Click Here For FREE Instant Access.

One Strike Knockout…For Real!

The Brachial Stun

While an agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) I went through a defensive tactics instructor course that taught me a devastating blow that totally changed my perspective on one punch knockouts. The strike I am speaking of is called a “Brachial Stun” which is without a doubt the most effective and reliable stunning technique within the special agent combative system.

Brachial stuns were designed to replace the necessity of hand strikes to the head, which could easily lead to a broken hand. In my course I advocate not hitting someone in the head with your fist. This technique can be delivered with the back of the hand, the inside of the hand, the inside of the forearm, or the outside of the forearm making it a very versatile strike you can use from any direction.

Why Is It So Effective?

The brachial stun it delivered to the Brachial Plexus Origin. Not only is the brachial plexus origin one of my favorite pressure points to strike, it is also statistically the number one most effective pressure point in the human body.

When I was an instructor at the AFOSI academy, I was also the defensive tactics instructor. Each class of new special agents would have about 30 students. I made it a point to strike every student, man and woman, with this strike to demonstrate its effectiveness.

From small men and women to 290-pound ex-football players, this strike never failed to put them on their asses.

Pressure to the brachial plexus origin can be applied by touch pressure, repeated touch pressure or by striking, each application having a different effect on the person I apply it to. I recommend striking the area as it is much easier and much more effective.

Military Training

A version of the Army Field Manual on combatives (FM 21-150) describes the brachial stun this way:

“A sharp blow to the side of the neck causes unconsciousness by shock to the carotid artery, jugular vein, and vagus nerve. For maximum result, the blow should be focused below and slightly in front of the ear. A less powerful blow causes involuntary muscle spasms and intense pain. The side of the neck is one of the best targets to use to drop an opponent immediately or to disable him temporarily to finish him later.”

Generally, in my special agent combatives course, we use the brachial plexus as a target of opportunity. If it is there I take it, and from just about any angle. I have executed this technique from several types of strikes; ridgehand, hammerfist, knuckle punch, regular punch, forearm, elbow, and even with a knee strike. It works very well from any of these.

Wrapping Up

When I catch my opponent with the brachial stun is has been known to cause weakness, numbness, loss of sensation, loss of movement (temporary paralysis), and pain. My opponent usually falls down after being struck. Statistically 70% of people are rendered unconscious when receiving a brachial plexus stun and the remaining percentage are usually still stunned on some level.

Having been hit with it myself, I also know that it causes a jarring motion to the brain. Understanding this potent attack and its best use in a self-defense situation is a must for those who take their self-defense training seriously.

Twitter
Google+
Facebook

Leave A Reply:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

59 thoughts on “One Strike Knockout…For Real!”

  1. Hello everyone…I look forward to your comments. This is a GREAT technique that I have used many times in real combat. It won’t fail you.

    Reply

  3. Just Thinking,,,, and You know how Dangerous that is.
    I wonder why we don’t see that used in MMA or Boxing?

    Reply

  4. Hey Guy’s,
    Thanks heaps for you help, advice and teachings. I am taking these lessons and info on board and believe I feel more confident and safer when out and about in this unpredictable world we live in. A friend of mine was severely bashed about a while back. I have recommended to him that he check out fightfast.
    Cheer’s
    Andy

    Reply

  7. First learned this in Air Force training prior to heading to VietNam. Very effective manuver. Thanks for sharing. Going to teach this to my grandchildren under 20 yrs old.

    Reply

  11. I employed this many times as a Corrections officer. (25 yrs). Always worked. (using the side of the left or right forearm. On unruly Inmates did not know what hit them. Respectfully, Anthony P Enjoyed your site & info.

    Reply

  13. GOOD STUFF… I LEARNED THAT (PRESSURE POINT) WHEN I GOT INVOLVED W/ THE WRESTLING PROGRAM BACK IN MY “JUNIOR H.S. DAYS” MANY,MANY,MOONS AGO. BOTH OF OUR COACHES WERE “BLACK BELTS” IN VARIOUS FORMS OF “MARTIAL ARTS” & WRESTLING REGIONAL,SEC.& STATE CHAMPS WHILE THEY WERE IN BOTH,SCHOOL & COLLEGE. THEY BOTH WARNED ALL OF “US” NOT TO USE ANY OF THE”EXTRA” TECHNIQUES ON THE MATS EVER EXCEPT @ PRACTICE. THOSE “EXTRAS” WERE AWESOME THEN & EVEN MORE SO TODAY.I’VE TAUGHT BOTH MY KIDS A LOT OF WHAT I LEARNED BACK THEN & SET TO TEACH THE “GRANDKIDS”. MY POINTIS THAT EVERY TIME I SEE A TIP,ARTICLE,VID, OR “WHAT NOT” BRINGS BACK SOME GREAT MEMORIES. THX FOR THE REMINDERS & THE MEMORIES,GOOD ONES,THAT IS!!!
    BEST OF LUCK & HEALTH,
    RICK

    Reply

  14. Nice,ive used this before by accident,not knowing it’s name,but do find it very effective.Much like a shot to the trachea it takes the fight out of perp.

    Reply

  16. As former Marine I am familiar with this technique and have used it in the past in some pretty ugly barfights,properly executed it will bring most people to their knees or worse, Just be careful it can inflict some pretty bad side effects and in today’s cryass c,sue crazy world,it could possibly get you into more trouble than out of..but as a very wise combat veteran told me long ago”better judged by 12 than carried by 6″,, you decide,,Semper Fi
    .

    Reply

  18. You guys at and all fight fast crew are as cool ass the other side of the pillow, thank you for all my stuff I have ordered from your kick ass group over there

    Reply

  20. As usual Bob; excellent! Easy to ingest and e,scute if necessary. Thanks for sharing another great tip. 410ken

    Reply

  22. Thanks!!! At 78 going on 79 this October I REALLY need to know this since my strength and endurance are poor AND running is not an action I can perform!

    Reply

  24. Great advice. A strike here does not have the appearance of intending to be terribly damaging. ( such as a strike to the head), and is very effective .

    Reply

  25. Maybe Derek Smith is now employed by the US Government to identify all the people who are interested in filthy vicious bloody lethal fighting techniques, with a view to locking them up if they go round starting fights.

    Reply

  27. Very good to know…I’m 70 yrs.old can’t fite very well anymore…thank you. Hope I don’t have to use it…

    Reply

  30. I advanced to brown belt in Shotokan Karate years back and found the strike you show here works as you show. Now at over 81 y.o. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this technique defensively.

    Reply

  32. This is a effective strike. As the writer stated it can be delivered from different means with varying effectiveness. As a 25+ year LEO I can tell you It Works! Practice slow motion drills with a partner to get your technique it place for delivery. After becoming comfortable with the moves run yourself tough speed drills with a virtual dummy so when show time hits you won’t be slow motioning your move.

    Reply

  36. My friends, allow me to confirm the Brachial Stun blow. It works like a charm. Unfortunatately it was me who got hit first. Lights out and I was a rag doll for at least 10 secs. Real bad day.

    Paul
    Disabled
    Veteran

    Reply

  37. I love the fightfast tips and products. Ive always called this is strike ‘the off-switch’, as it can drop an adversary like a sack of potatoes. Thank you for the reminders of using other body parts to hit with, as the hands should be protected. An elbow or knee are great options, depending on the position you choose to strike from. And ending an encounter quickly (not playing with your food) is actually safer for the advisary also by eliminating possible broken and dislocated bones or weapon wound. You will have to fein to get inside, so remember Kathy Long and her distraction techniques, and speed.Like the Chicken Wing, its a beautiful thing to see. Knock em out and 32 skidoo kiddo!!

    Reply

  40. This technique has the ability to instantly utilize protective spinal reflexes against your attacker. While the physiology is different the results are the same as with the liver knockout. Both are incredibly effective and with a surprisingly little effort.

    Reply

  41. Earl Morgan, it is nice to hear a doctors opinion. I have used this technique a number of times in real situations and it has never failed me. As you stated, it works.

    Reply

  42. Hi Fred, a hooded Jacket would not matter. The effects of this blow come from the jarring motion it causes and the hood alone would not prevent that. Unlike a punch where I am using the surface of my fist. I am moving his entire head or with the pushing force of the blow.

    Reply

  43. it is Tom. I hope you don’t have to be involved in an altercation, but if so, give this a try. Be careful, should this work for you, the attacker may fall and strike his head causing more damage.

    Reply

  44. V Davis, you make good points here, you may need to distract the opponent so that you can land the strike correctly. Keep What V. Davis said in mind.

    Reply

  45. Paul L. Drake, I hate that this happened to you, but I am glad you can confirm for the others that this surely is a knockout blow.

    Reply

  46. Ed McMunn, I learned it in my law enforcement training and taught it to my military investigators. I only teach what really works.

    Reply

  47. Very good pointers OleHand. Thanks for offering your knowledge and confirming that this works. It should be in everyone’s tool box.

    Reply

  48. Wow Raoul. 81 and still at it. That will be me one day I hope. The best thing about this strike is that it takes little skill and little power to pull off. Great for older folk and women to take down the big guys, as well as anyone else.

    Reply

  49. Hi David davis, you can get to my training DVDs by following the link in the article that says, “Click here for more self-defense instruction from Derek Smith.” There are several of them…and here is the good news, there are more coming soon so get ready folks for some more really good and useful stuff from me.

    Reply

  50. Rick, thanks for the comments and I am glad I can “BRINGS BACK SOME GREAT MEMORIES.” One thing you said was spot on. I take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and I am often able to sneak in “extras” like these during my tussles on the matt. It is nice to have a few tricks up my sleeves.

    Reply