Kickboxing knockout targets

The best targets to aim for if you want to knock someone out..

KO Your Opponent - Where To Hit To Finish Your Opponent.

Every fighter goes into a fight hoping for a spectacular knockout. A) To finish the fight early and B) Because nothing feels and makes you look better than a K.O.

How to knock your opponent out - A scientific approach

Best targets to knock out your opponent (K.O)

Here are the legal targets as used by the WAKO. (Please note that rules do differ depending on the kickboxing association holding the event).

1) Temples (Side of head)

The temples are one of the more commonly known targets. A direct hit to the temple can daze and easily knockout your opponent. Recommended techniques are the hook (punch), round house kick and hook kick.

2) Lower jaw

A heavy 'hook' to the lower jaw is a very effective way to knock out an opponent. By hooking your opponents jaw you will rattle his or her head head sideways causing their brain to smash against their skull, causing trauma. This is especially effective if your opponents jaw is open. The best weapons to use would be a front or rear hook or hook kick.

3) Tip of the chin

A heavy blow to the chin can cause serious unconsciousness forcing your opponent to fall from his feet. This is because the chin has nerve endings. The best way to knock your opponent out is with an uppercut directly to the underside of the chin. You can also use a straight punch, however you won't quite get the same angle as an uppercut.

4) Solar plexus

The solar plexus is located just above your abdominal's. A direct heavy blow can cause breathlessness and leave your opponent dazed. It's unlikely you will finish the fight with a shot to the solar plexus, however due to the affect of a good blow, it allows you to finish the fight with other knock out punches. Any straight punch or a side kick is works well.

Best targets to win by technical knock-out (T.K.O)

1) Eye area and cheekbones

Hard blows to the eyes and cheekbones will cause swelling which will eventually affect your opponents vision and/or cause a serious cut, evidently finishing the fight. The best weapons to use would be a jab (fast and snappy), straight blast, straight rear cross the side kick.

2) Lower ribs

Blows to the lower ribs can cause agonizing pain and breathlessness. A good shot to the lower ribs won't knock your opponent out but it will force them to end the fight. Uppercuts, hooks and especially roundhouse kicks are great weapons to attack the ribs.

3) Stomach

Shots to the stomach can cause agonizing pain, nausea and breathlessness. These affects can all add up to your opponent 'giving up the fight' until the referee stops in. This is especially affective on an opponent that has neglected conditioning their or abdominal training.

4) Thigh kicks

It's extremely common to see a guy 'stumble' immediately after a hard kick to their outer thigh muscles. Being on the receiving end of these thigh kicks isn't fun and can cause serious pain, and short term paralysis, essentially flooring your opponent.