Vital Point Strikes: The Art & Science of Striking Vital Targets for Self-Defense and Combat Sports

This book caught my attention due to having begun practicing the internal exercises of Nei Gong for health reasons. The better instructional books on the subject always emphasized the importance of the meridians. The meridians I'd heard about for many years but had always considered them to be an esoteric rationale for the practice of Qi Gong or acupuncture. Gradually I came to see the relationship between pressure points and the meridians. Pressure points could be used to heal or to harm and it was the former that interested me. To me the greatest unarmed combat skill was a raised awareness enabling avoidance of situations leading to it. So studying this book began with examining the the sections on the meridians and their related pressure points. Since the author has a thorough grounding in both Western neuroscience and Asian practical applications related to the nervous system, the book brought about understanding that the meridians were not simply mystic philosophy. Already I knew that concentration and accumulation of chi was a real physical phenomenon so this book served to deepen my understanding of it in accessible terms.Deeper into the book were combat applications of this knowledge based upon the ganglia and ther effects upon parts of the body sometimes distant from their locations, The efficiency of pressure applied to various points achieving reactions in excess of force used seemed a preferable means of getting out of a fix than some brute force techniques that often did as much damage to defender as assailant.Also encountered were techniques I'd known for many years but refrained from using due to their often fatal effects. They weren't ones to be practiced while roughhousing with rowdy friends. The author wisely cautions the reader about this when presenting some of the most effective techniques. You don't (at least I don't) want to leave some oaf dead or permanently paralyzed for coarsely characterizing your mama or dietary habits.The photo illustrations often clarify the points made better than simply the text alone. The author also gives alternative solutions to the same situation stating these are simply suggestions since reality seldom sticks to the script and Murphy never sleeps. Everything read so far is strictly to the point without wasted excursions into theory and philosophy. No book can ever substitute for real life instruction from an experienced teacher but this one comes close for an autodidact residing far from urbane population centers. The information is dense packed and encyclopedic, thus reinforcing and internalizing it makes for slow reading to maximize the benefits. However, this book rates high recommendation to those interested in the subject.

This book is much better than I had expected. First of all this is a large and thick book. I expected a regular paperback sized book with some pictures included. This is a comprehensive manual on the arts of self defense via pain and pressure centers. It includes very well done diagrams and comprehensive photos.I found that some of the attack points that I thought were safe are potentially deadly. I won't use those. I actually bought this book to find pain centers for my walking cane self defense regimen. There is much more than a list of pain and pressure points in this manual.The author explains and demonstrates through photos and descriptions how these points are used. The in depth discussion of these include points of view including the classic Chi meridians and the modern medical nervous system.This book is more in depth than I expected or require, but if you want to learn how to access these points in real life situations this is the book for you. Not a light read, but well worth the effort. This book belongs in the library of every martial artist. There is much to be learned here for all.Well worth the price.

Thorough and comprehensive manual on painful pressure points.Very detailed-full of charts and diagrams.Some complain about the resolution of the photos, not being in colour. But I didn't find this to be the case.I thought it just fine.2 thumbs up. I'd give it three if I had a third arm.

Wow. So many vital points, so little time. Kim throws down the challenge to all hose who think they know it all on vital striking points. He can hold his own there. The problem, however, is the plethora of striking points. Many are simply in spots that require far too deft a touch than could be expected to be applied in an actual street attack--not without years of deliberate and high tempo practice. Still, the book is informative and well-packaged. It is a good reference and one of the better works on striking points out there. Ample illustrations and discussion. THIS IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS or the recreational, sport-type martial artist. It is geared more for the serious martialist...there is a difference. There are warnings throughout the book and they should be heeded. Please do not buy this book for a budding karate or kung-fu student--that would be a mistake.

Dr. Sang H. Kim is quite simply brilliant. All of his writing is easily understandable and backed by a huge amount of research and care. You can tell that when you read his work. This book is important to read if you are doing ANY training in martial arts. The simple reason for that is: You never want to hurt someone carelessly after you learn such things. Martial Arts are a precision based science like any other sort of science! I am no sort of expert, for every single person that is different! I am sure of that. Dr. Kim is is a brilliant author. I am happy to have read any of his work in my lifetime. Before you venture toward learning anything in martial arts. Learn the mindset first: Do not hurt anyone; life is not about hurting other people. It is about helping them where you can; it is about lending a caring hand. The open palm is always greater than the closed fist.A++A tremendous thank you to Dr. Kim!

Excellent book, great in depth knowledgein background and application. I bought this to help refresh my existing knowledge from 40 years ago.

Los contenidos son bastante interesantes y va al punto, no como otros libros que divagan mucho. Es un buen libro de referencia.

This is an excellent volume with large black & white photo's plus clear diagrams. A lot of work, research went into making this book. Techniques are shown which are drawn from actual experience. As a basic text it is great and has finer detail for the advanced student of martial Arts. One drawback is a few, but not all, of the images are muddy. That is some of the pictures lack contrast and are hard to view clearly. Many interesting comparisons between western and eastern thoughts on body systems. There is room to write notes and questions in the margins. A good book to have in your pressure Point library. I still take it out and re-read sections to solidify my understand of this broad subject. It is impossible to absorb the data in this book in a few sittings.

Das Thema Vitalpunkte ist außerordentlich wichtig in den verschiedenen Kampfsportarten, aber es gibt dennoch sehr wenig ausführliche Literatur dazu. Dieses Buch füllt diese wichtige Lücke indem es Erkenntnisse der östlichen und westlichen Medizin zusammenträgt und diese im Hinblick auf Effektivität im Kampfsport vereint. Dazu kommen gute Hinweise zum Verhalten in Kampfsituationen und wie die Vitalpunkte beim Gegner erreicht werden können.Das Wissen um Vitalpunkte ist eigentlich keine Ergänzung sondern theoretisches Fundament für jeden Kampfsport und viele Techniken machen erst Sinn wenn man sie in diesem Kontext betrachtet.Das Buch ist in gutem Englisch (mit koreanischen Begriffen) geschrieben, was für mich kein Problem ist, aber anderen möglicherweise zu schaffen machen könnte. Anatomische Vorkenntnisse sind hilfreich aber nicht notwendig.

Posso dire che questo libro è il più completo compendio sui punti vitali che attualmente si possa trovare in giro!E' completo, preciso e dettagliato: i punti spiegati comprendono sia quelli più noti che quelli mwno accessibili ma non per questo meno importanti.Molto interessante anche la parte riguardante la spiegazione sui cicli, la comparazione tra la teoria orientale e quella occidentale e le tecniche di tattica.Io, come cintura nera di Kempo, lo raccomanderei senz'altro a chi vuole avere un "must" nella propria biblioteca.