Every so often, someone starts saying that pressure points do not work, usually because they tried them with no idea what they were doing. Because they could not make them work, they decided nobody can. This longer video lesson is my answer. It is for anyone who doubts pressure points, and anyone who has tried them and been disappointed.

In it we show lots of principles that make pressure points work, then show how to make them not work, and the simple correction needed. These principles must be in place. When they are, everything starts to work for you.

Why Pressure Points Fail for Some People

Pressure points are not magic. If you touch a spot on a person who is standing square, balanced and tense, and expect them to fall over, you will be disappointed. That is not a fault of the point. It is a fault of the method.

The usual reasons they fail are:

  • The person is still balanced and braced
  • The angle and direction of the strike are wrong
  • The strike is tense and stops at the surface
  • The point is used on its own, with no set-up
  • It has only been tried in a demonstration, not trained properly

The Principles That Make Them Work

The principles I teach are what turn a point from a theory into something reliable. Take the balance first, because a point is far easier to hit and far more effective on someone who is falling. Strike with relaxed power that travels through the target, what I call a waveform. Get the angle and direction right, not just the location. Set the point up with a distraction or a first strike, so the person cannot brace for it.

And never bet everything on one point. If it works, the situation is over quickly. If it does not, you have still landed a well-aimed strike and you carry on.

Train With Control

Pressure points can hurt, and some can knock a person out. Always train with a cooperative partner, at low power, and never strike the head or neck hard in practice. Learn the location and the angle first, then add speed, then resistance, building up gradually.

Test It Yourself

Do not take my word, or the critics' word, for it. Learn the principles properly, apply them with a trusted partner, and test them. Then compare that with doing the same point without them. The difference is usually obvious.

Take It Further

If you are new to this, start with the FREE Pressure Point Fighting Mini-Course. For the complete system of balance points, pressure points and waveforms, take the Pressure Point Fighting Course.