Spear Finger Strike or Reinforced Finger Poke - Martial Arts Punches & Strikes

This page provides details on how to do a Spear Finger Strike. This technique is also known as Reinforced Finger Poke, Saber Hand Strike, etc.

This strike is used during self-defense situations in order to target small vital points such as the suprasternal notch/jugular notch (the soft hole/notch below your Adam's Apple and above your sternum and between the two collarbones). According to Wikipedia, when targeting the suprasternal notch, this "maneuver induces choking and/or unconsciousness through blockage/crushing of the windpipe." However with a two finger strike this is not often the case. To induce unconsciousness and crush the trachea a more solid grip and pressure with the thumb is needed.

A prime example of using the two finger strike to the jugular notch would be in defense against a frontal choke by an opponent. Putting the first two fingers into the jugular notch pushes on the unprotected portion of the trachea. This induces temporary choking and a reasonably high level of discomfort causing the attacker to lose concentration and strength on their choking attack. If there is an issue of the defender having significantly shorter arms than their attacker and/or for added power to the strike it is advised to turn the body. For example, if striking with the right arm the user would turn to the left to further extend the arm.

For more punches & strikes, visit our main Punches & Strikes page.

Picture of a Spear Finger Strike

Illustration of this Vital Point Strike

References

1. Old School Martial Arts Academy, Te Waza, http://www.osmartialarts.com/te-waza.html, Added - 05/12/14
2. Wikipedia, Suprasternal Notch, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suprasternal_notch, Added - 05/12/14
3. Picture of Suprasternal Notch/Jugular Notch Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons, Added - 05/12/14
4. Illustration courtesy of Christopher Adamcheck, Pinterest page - https://www.pinterest.com/gojuchrisa/karat%C3%A9-%2B/, Added - 04/09/15