Self-Defense and Personal Protection - When Disaster Strikes - page 273

Figure 10-7. Knee strike to the groin.
4. Knees. When a person is standing with his full weight on a straight, or nearly straightened leg,
his knee may be severely damaged by a crippling kick, aimed at either the side or the front, that
is well within the physical capabilities of most people. When your assailant is behind you, use
what is commonly known as a “bicycle kick” ( fig. 10-8 ) . Bend and raise your knee to “cock” it
before launching explosively backwards to dislocate and tear your opponent's knee joint, striking
the knee from either the front or the side.
You do not have to be an athlete to do this, but you must be determined and not hold back. As
with all strikes, always hit or kick through your target. It is not the surface that you are attacking,
but what is beyond. Follow through. The side of the knee will buckle quite easily. Not only will
the knee be damaged by these techniques but the assailant will be taken to the ground. This will
give you the option of escape or further aggressive action. If you are facing toward your attacker, a
classic karate “side kick” will deal a crippling blow to either the kneecap or the side of the knee. It
will take a heavier blow to buckle the knee from the front, than from the side, but you will have to
settle for whatever direction you have access to. For either the side kick or the bicycle kick, launch
as much of your body's force and momentum through the heel of your extended leg with as much
explosive power as you can muster. The knee, like many other joints (elbow, etc.) is susceptible
to hyperextension, and permanent damage will be incurred. Unlike your toes, which break fairly
easily, the heel of your foot can both take and deliver a severe pounding without damage to the