This is a longer one, nearly half an hour, where I answer some of the typical questions I get asked about how to learn pressure points, how to train them, and a few other aspects of training. It is well worth having a good listen, especially if you are just getting started or you feel stuck.

It is for martial artists, self-defence students and anyone curious about pressure point fighting who wants to know where to start and how to make real progress.

Learning Pressure Points the Right Way

The question I get asked more than any other is some version of "how do I learn this?" People expect the answer to be a chart of points. It is not. Charts are fine for reference, but knowing where a point is does not mean you can hit it on a moving, resisting person.

What matters is how you get to the point. Take the balance first, use the right angle, and strike in a relaxed way that travels through the target. If you learn those principles, a handful of points will do far more for you than memorising hundreds.

How to Train Them

Training pressure points is not the same as training to hit a bag. You need a partner, and you need to be sensible. A few basics:

  • Learn the location and the angle slowly before adding speed
  • Work at low power and build up gradually
  • Never strike the head or neck hard in practice
  • Train with a cooperative partner you trust and keep control at all times

Once the location and angle are reliable, add movement, then add a little resistance. That is how a technique moves from the dojo to something you can actually use.

Getting More From Your Training

A Q&A like this is useful because the questions come from real people with real problems. You will probably hear your own question in here somewhere. Listen for the principles behind each answer, not just the answer itself, because the principles apply to far more than the one example.

Take It Further

If you are new to pressure points, the FREE Pressure Point Fighting Mini-Course is the best place to start. For the full background, read Pressure Point Fighting: The Complete Guide, and when you are ready for the complete system, the Pressure Point Fighting Course takes you through it step by step.