>> Put very simply, Sensei White put pressure on certain nerve clusters. <<
Exactly. There is some discussion of how that works in the links on pressure points in karate and other martial arts.
>> We poor plebes can experience something similar - ever had a hand/foot start to go numb? That's because you're putting pressure on a nerve somewhere. <<
There are actually a number of different things that make for a vulnerable point. Mostly it has to do with nerves; the map of the nervous system and the map of the chi points correspond very closely. But there are also major blood vessels, sensitive spots on bones or joints, places where hitting a muscle will disable it, etc. Some of the vulnerable points stack more than one of those weaknesses, which makes them preferred targets if you want to really hurt someone.
>> A martial artist of sufficient skill can do that better and faster. No punching required, so it's harder to notice it happening. <<
The really great thing is that there are multiple ways to apply the knowledge. You can mask it with an attack; some of the best pressure point targets are in the forearm and thus easily smacked while blocking. You get a minor weakness from that, but it sets up for a much more disabling strike elsewhere if you wish. A hard poke in the right spot can disable a whole limb. But the points can also be used very subtly, with light pressure. (There's a scene in "Hide and Seek" where Phil does something similar with Steve while sparring together.) What makes it a master's move is that it both requires detailed knowledge and skill to apply. Anyone with basic awareness of anatomy can hit big obvious targets like a larynx or solar plexus. The martial art points are tiny, and the more dramatic effects require hitting several in a precise sequence to interfere with the nerve signals.
>> With his nerves out of commission, Phil couldn't get to his feet because he couldn't really feel them, and/or White got his arm nerves too, which would mean Phil couldn't push up with his arms. <<
Yep. Also there are some points that, instead of disabling the body, affect the mind -- hence the grip on the back of the neck. It's possible to leave someone too dazed to figure a way out.
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dancing_serpent
Yes...
Date: 2014-07-11 08:58 am (UTC)Exactly. There is some discussion of how that works in the links on pressure points in karate and other martial arts.
>> We poor plebes can experience something similar - ever had a hand/foot start to go numb? That's because you're putting pressure on a nerve somewhere. <<
There are actually a number of different things that make for a vulnerable point. Mostly it has to do with nerves; the map of the nervous system and the map of the chi points correspond very closely. But there are also major blood vessels, sensitive spots on bones or joints, places where hitting a muscle will disable it, etc. Some of the vulnerable points stack more than one of those weaknesses, which makes them preferred targets if you want to really hurt someone.
>> A martial artist of sufficient skill can do that better and faster. No punching required, so it's harder to notice it happening. <<
The really great thing is that there are multiple ways to apply the knowledge. You can mask it with an attack; some of the best pressure point targets are in the forearm and thus easily smacked while blocking. You get a minor weakness from that, but it sets up for a much more disabling strike elsewhere if you wish. A hard poke in the right spot can disable a whole limb. But the points can also be used very subtly, with light pressure. (There's a scene in "Hide and Seek" where Phil does something similar with Steve while sparring together.) What makes it a master's move is that it both requires detailed knowledge and skill to apply. Anyone with basic awareness of anatomy can hit big obvious targets like a larynx or solar plexus. The martial art points are tiny, and the more dramatic effects require hitting several in a precise sequence to interfere with the nerve signals.
>> With his nerves out of commission, Phil couldn't get to his feet because he couldn't really feel them, and/or White got his arm nerves too, which would mean Phil couldn't push up with his arms. <<
Yep. Also there are some points that, instead of disabling the body, affect the mind -- hence the grip on the back of the neck. It's possible to leave someone too dazed to figure a way out.