I hope you’re ready for more game-changing insights into self-defense. Over the past few weeks, we've given you several ways to defend against an attack. Here's another tip to add to your empty hand arsenal to neutralize any attack quickly: Attacking High Value Targets.

What Are High Value Targets?

High Value Targets (HVTs) are the key areas on an attacker's body that, when targeted, can be a major game-changer for you. The High Value Targets are the eyes, ears, throat, and groin. When faced with an attack you want to do as much damage as possible at every opportunity to the HVTs to neutralize the threat efficiently. Let’s check out the why and how of attacking these HVTs:

1. Eyes:

• Why? Attackers rely on vision. They can’t attack what they can’t see.

• How? Techniques like raking or open-hand strikes to the eyes can do significant damage.

2. Ears:

• Why? Attacking the ears disorients

• How? Strike or cup the ears

3. Groin:

• Why? A highly sensitive and vulnerable area.

• How? Pain delivery techniques to the groin with fists or knees.

4. Throat:

• Why? Targeting the throat affects breathing.

• How? Striking the throat with open hand, hammer fist, or elbow

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Soft Parts on Hard Parts

Imagine aiming for someone's eyes or other hard areas. You don't want to injure yourself while delivering a precise strike, right? That's where soft parts come in. Whether it's an open-hand strike or a strategic move, using soft parts of your body on hard parts of theirs minimizes the risk of self-injury.

Hard Parts on Soft Parts

Now, when you're dealing with areas like the ears or throat, you want to use hard parts to maximize impact. This can be a fist, elbow, or knee. This makes your defensive tactics more effective. It's like bringing out heavy artillery when needed, so you can deliver great violence of action, without compromising your own safety.

In a nutshell, it's all about strategy. Knowing when to go soft and when to go hard makes your self-defense moves not just powerful but smart.

Conclusion

Focusing on the High Value Targets is your key to shutting down any attack swiftly. Whether it's blinding an attacker by targeting the eyes, disorienting them by striking the ears, incapacitating with pain delivery to the groin, or affecting their breathing by hitting the throat, these HVTs are the game-changers in empty hand combat and will get you back home.

At Intuitive Self Protection, we understand the importance of these strategies. That's why we offer specialized training in empty hand combat, where we focus on High Value Target tactics. Check out our classes and if you like what you see, join us, sharpen your skills, and empower yourself to face any threat that comes your way.

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About The Author

Hank Hayes is a Combat Arts Hall of Famer and inventor of the No Lie Blade. He is the founder and CEO of both Intuitive Self Protection and NLB Tactical and creator of the ISP/NLB viscous fighting system. Since 1998, he has trained well over 30,000 Military and Law Enforcement personnel via Government contract mainly at the elite special teams level and continues to train both civilians and MIL/LE how to come home safe.