Ok, this is first "Point of the Week". If you guys find this interesting, I'll try and do one every week....till we run out!

As usual as with all Martial Arts techniques make sure that you only practice them under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Also make sure that you are fully aware of the revoery techniques for Pressure Point K.O's. I *WILL NOT* cover these here, you need to learn them from an instructor. If you don't know the recovery procedures you have no business messing around with PP's!

Now without further a do, lets get on with the show......

Gall Bladder 20/GB20 or Feng Chi (Pool Of Wind)

This weeks point is Gall Bladder 20, or GB20 for short. It is a Wood Meridian and is of a Yang polarity according to TCM theory. It is located at the based of the Skull here!

Striking

GB20 needs to be struck at a 45 degree upwards into the skull towards the opposite side of the skull. It responds best to a sharp heavy trauma style of strike, such as ridgehand, knifehand and palm heel.

A moderate powered strike to GB20 will instantly stun an opponent and will probably cause them to momentarily blackout for a second or two. In the "Pressure Point Atlas" by Master Mike Patrick, he states that a strike here will lower the blood pressure, I can't confirm this as I've never tested it. A hard strike here will cause an easy KO and is common KO point used in demonstrations. A full power strike to this point is likely to cause death. I've seen WWII Comando manuals that have listed this area of attack.

Applications

Obviously the ways in which this point could be struck are endless, I'll list some ways in which I teach to strike it to prompt discussion for further applications.

Firstly from a clinch. If you have your hands on the outside and the opponents head is quite high and the back of the neck is exposed, you can strike this point with a short hooking ridgehand. It is tricky to get the power and accuracy from this position but it is possible. You can use you opponents hair (if they have some!) to expose the point better.

Another application is after a groin strike causing the opponent to lurch over and expose the point. A quick whack with a knife hand works wonders from this position.

Another is splipping to the outside of big lunging punch so that you end up behind your opponent and using a vertical fist or palm heel in works nicely.

For LEO's and Doormen, approaching from behind delivering a subtle palm heel when entering on someone can stun them very easily. Obviously not an offical technique but doesn't show up easily on CCTV and doesn't leave a mark on them. NOTE - Mod's I'll remove this one if asked.

Obviously applications are purely subjective, but hopefully we can have a sensiable discussion now on the realistic apllication of this target!

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Was that of any interest to anyone? Would you like a Point of the Week post every week????

To give a real life expierience, recently another student hit me a little 'hard' on GB20 with a downward knife hand (I was bent over so the angle was into my headand upwards).

I felt disorientated, a little feint and sick - perhaps indication of lowering blood pressure?

I have no doubts that a well targeted, penetrating stike to this area would floor someone (and proberly alot more), particulary if it has been 'set up' from another stike to distract and position.

I have found this also to be within the lower block(gedan barai) movement, picture grabbing the ear with the blocking hand, twisting and turning, driving down - stike GB20 with the hikite hand on the out movement. This works as a three technique combination from Pinan Nidan kata, first three moves.

I can see the benefit for doorman with the approach from behind tactic.

I will behave................

I like this post Gavin, pleasepost more stuff like this when it's most convenient to you. Also is there anyway you can actually illustrate a 45 degree angle towards the point. This is one of the most important things in pressure point fighting. MADE as you probably already know.

Thank you,
Jango.

Well, I was randomly browsing and I found this site of a School in the UK. Just looking around I found this wonderfully good looking Martial Artist performing a knife hand to GB20. You can see it here its picture number 3. BTW, if anyone know's who this dashing man is please let me know, I don't usually swing that way, but for a guy like that.....well!

That strike shows roughly the direction of the strike. Its kind of hard to show you without actually putting on you. Think of chopping someones head off (stay with me! ), you taking the sword and slicing up from right starting at the back of the skull (GB20) and cutting up at a 45 degree angle with your sword leaving the skull just above the outside edge of the left eye. Thats want angle you should strike at!

Anyone got any better explanations, not involving swords and blood???

I think this is a great idea. I'd love to see more topics and information like this. GB 20 is one of my favorites. My first ever KO used it. It is reliable. It is also in a target rich environment. If uke doesn't turn quite the way you thought he would, there is plenty of other good targets there to exploit. I have explored more this year, with getting the point while standing in front of uke striking it or them with the inside of the wrist low thumb area. The objective is not for the KO but to force uke's head forward and off balance. It is very effective used this way too.

Cool glad everyone likes the idea. Schedule permitting I'll try and make it a regular feature!

With regards to the Blood Pressure, I've got hold of a blood pressure monitor. For the sake of Martial research I'm gonna take a whap and record the effects. I'm not doing this till next week, I want to do with a colleague who knows how to bring me back round if I go out! But, I'll post the results next week!

Gav

Hi to evrybody,
If you want to obtain more results when you strike GB-20 you have to channel the metal element, HOW? Putting your arm in a manner to put your LI meridian in a straight line.
you can channel the arm that you use to strike or also the other arm. This operation move your chi to became more "metallic". Use the wrist to strike.
This is a KIAI-JITSU principle and work for each meridian and consequently for each element putting the meridian in a straight line position. I have also other good operations to change instantly your chi type.
I don't know if I am sharing informations that isn't good to share on internet... If somebody think that these informations are to dangerous to be shared not privately, I will delete this post.

Cheers for the input. I've got question about this which I'll email you privately.

With regards to putting Daniels input into a bit more of a combative light. Off a punch, slip to the inside, attack to the groin which will cause the body to lurch forward, pulling the punching hand in with the hikite hand will straighten the arm out in the manner I think Daniel is describing, lining GB20 up for a nice shot with a Shuto. Sound about right Daniel?

There's probably some great ways to set this up energetically, but I think thats a little too much information for an open forum like this.

Hi all,


Good Basic info on GB20.

Which is useful in street situations which are close in.

However I have a friend who is resistent to it so beware.

Gavin the guy in the pic sequence is hitting B10 not GB20.

He misses both in the video clip too, he skims off GB20 no good for A+D.

B10 is also the one taught to the millitary not GB20.

Some of the applications in the original post will be far better targetting B10 than GB20.

As GB20 is at the quadrangal of the neck not the back?

It is hard enough as it is to get behind an oponent in a

real go without going to arms length distance but good luck

anyway.

Take care

KG

Yeah Gavin,
But only if you mean for shuto the zone near the thumb where LI meridian flow. (Because I don't remember which is shuto and wich is aito). So you put your metal energy into your opponent wood point.

Bye

Daniele Nosella