Is it kill or be killed?

Friday Knight News

"Avoid instead of containing. Contain, instead of damaging. Damage, instead of mutilating. Mutilate, instead of killing." Gichin Funakoshi


The Knockout Game, is it a kill or be killed situation? It often comes down to just staying aware. I know people in the martial arts and out of the martial arts that maintain they would finish any combative encounter by "kicking them in the nuts."  I have also heard the same argument used with the idea of stopping the aggressor with a jab to the eye, or the ever popular throat punch.

All of these approaches fall into the category the old karate adage of using the one punch on kill. In Japanese it was called, Ikken Hissatsu. I believe it actually means, “kill with one strike”, but it has been translated to mean “one punch kill.” Is this ability even real, can it be done, and should it be done.

My sensei was a armed and unarmed self-defense and tactics instructor for three of the five districts in the state. He held black belts in karate, jujutsu, aikijujutsu, judo and was certified in tai chi chuan. He taught law enforcement agencies across the state both shooting and gun retention skills.  He also taught a host of other skills ranging from cuffing techniques, pepper spray and tactics such as rappelling off of water towers but when he wasn't working for the state he was teaching martial arts. Before he began teaching for the state he had been a maximum-security prison guard in several of the state's penitentiaries.  This was where he first came to the realization that a jab to the eye, the kick to the groin or a chop to the throat is not always sufficient.  He found that by utilizing his skills for off balancing that are prevalent in judo, jujutsu, aikijujutsu and tai chi chuan he could greatly enhance his ability to survive.

"When you're talking about fighting, as it is, with no rules, well then, baby you'd better train every part of your body!" Bruce Lee The Lost Interview (1971)



Sensei taught us that in a high percentage of situations officers were injured or killed primarily by their own weapon.  We also learned that body armor might impede penetration from a bullet but it was not enough to stop the transfer of force from impact.  This being said the same is true with punches, kicks and other strikes as well, a vest does not negate the power of the blow.  While training with other law enforcement officers I have on several occasions broken, or fractured officers ribs that ended up sending them to the ER.  They had their vest on but it was not enough to cushion the impact of the strikes. I am not referring to the stereotypical donut eating cop but active martial artist, ex military, weight lifter etc.

I've been told that it only takes a little over 650 pounds of force to break a 8 x 16" 1 1/2 thick concrete slab. Most black belt can break three un-spaced slabs with a little practice, and it takes far less to cause a cardiac arrest.  On three occasions it was necessary to perform CPR on individuals that I had struck, that is to restart both breathing and heartbeat.  Only two of these occasions were with criminals in a street encounter and the third one was the last time I had performed sport sparring.  I understand the mortality rate in such situations is about 65% and often needs a defibrillator to reverse the outcome, but even this does not guarantee success. So I do believe the  Ikken Hissatsu is possible after all I have broken hundreds if not thousands of rocks and concrete slabs over the years with a host of techniques both left and right handed.

If you want to know how to calculate how much force you generate with any given strike followed the link below and it will inform you how to measure your force.

Striking Power

Karate master Mas Oyama was famous for his ability to kill bulls with one blow, even though several times it had taken a second or third strike.  Most of the single strike kills that I am aware of that happened in the street are not caused from the impact of the blow, but from impact with the pavement.  I have two friends who lost their son to a single blow after coming home after watching a UFC event in Columbus, Ohio.  It was the impact with the ground that killed him. I've also heard of other similar stories that involved impact with the sidewalk, curb or pavement that cause the death. This is why the knock game is so deadly.

In a unrelated event to the knock out game a man and England recently received a sentence of 4 1/2 years in prison for manslaughter after a single punch that resulted in death. So we have to ask what is reasonable in a given circumstance.  In the eyes of a law and basic human morality we have to consider the situation and the circumstances for what is the least amount of force necessary to protect ourselves and others. If you injury your primary striking technique do you have another technique or skill to fall back on. Throw and chokes can stop an attacker in under a second with some practice. The warriors tool chest must contain enough tools to protect themselves not only in the street but in the courtroom as well. My kindle books "Principle Based Warriors Arts", "The Path", and "Enlightenment Kicking and Screaming (The Paradox of Martial Art Training), address these issues more than my other books. My Book Chopstick and Applesauce some first step to Acquiring an Unfettered Mind in paperback touch upon this as well.

My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)

Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past. 

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)

The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.


Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)

Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.

Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)

Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.


Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)

Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.

Jace Lee and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.