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Kubotan Self Defense Techniques

The Kubotan is a simple yet highly effective martial arts weapon. Its utility, however, can easily be discovered by people with little to no formal experience in the martial arts. Kubotans are about the size of a large pen or wooden dowel and are designed to attach to a normal key chain. In a fight scenario, it can be used to deliver painful jabs to fleshy parts of the body---form joint or bone locks, or as a striking weapon using its pointed edge or the keys themselves.

  1. Locks

    • A primary use for the Kubotan lies in locks. The lock is formed by holding on to each end of the weapon, placing it over an exposed bone, and joining the other ends of the hands together to form a tight grip. The Kubotan is then pressed into the bone with the remaining strength of the hands forcing the grip closed. This is incredibly painful. One of the most prominent techniques of this kind is a radial lock that manipulates the lower arm. In one scenario, the attacker may grab at your arm or torso, leaving their radial bone open for the lock. The Kubotan is placed on top of the exposed bone and forced down against the grip.

    Jabs or Stikes

    • The Kubotan, whether it is of a spiked design or not, is highly effective for jabbing techniques. There are an endless number of locations on the body where these strikes will produce considerable pain and perhaps even internal injury. Some of the critical spots will be in between bones such as on the hand, arm or between the ribs. Other vulnerable points can be found in the pectoral muscles, spine and throat. The Kubotan, therefore, can be easily directed toward soft body tissue, pressure points or connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons.

    Flailing

    • One of the essential design qualities of the Kubotan is its attachment to your key chain. If you are holding the weapon by the Kubotan, the keys are free to be swung in a flailing attack against your opponent. One of the most vulnerable sites on your opponent will be the face. If they are able to get you in a hold and you escape from the hold, you may want to employ a flailing strike against the head or face in conjunction with other kicks or punches. The keys, due to shape and speed, will be painful in their own right.

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