How to Knock Someone Out

Co-authored by Ross Cascio

Last Updated: December 19, 2024 Approved

Nowadays, knowing a little self-defense is a good idea. Most of the easiest self-defense moves focus on throwing your attacker off and providing yourself a chance to escape through punches and kicks. That said, there are also a few that can actually knock your attacker out if done right. Keep reading to learn how to perform some of these different moves.

Steps

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1
Grab the attacker by the shirt. Use both hands to grab the attacker by the shirt, at the center of the chest just below the collar or neckline.
- The most effective way to headbutt someone is to draw them into a whiplash motion. In order to accomplish this, you need to push and pull the attacker away by the shirt.
- Avoid grabbing the attacker behind the neck. Natural instinct is to grab the attacker behind the neck and draw the head down for a headbutt, but the problem with this is that the neck and shoulder muscles naturally tense when grabbed behind the neck, making it much more difficult to pull the person forward.
2
Push the attacker away. Use your full body weight to push forward into the attacker until their upper body leans back.
- This movement causes the attacker to lose balance and cause their shoulders to disengage.
- Since this movement is also likely to be unexpected, you will also have the element of surprise on your side.
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3
Quickly pull the attacker toward you. As soon as the attacker's shoulders disengage, use your arms to pull the attacker back toward your head.
- With the shoulders disengaged in this manner, the attacker's arms will naturally swing open, preventing them from using the arms to block the headbutt.
4
Swiftly strike with the right or left of the crown of your head, if you use the middle chances are you might crack your head. As you draw the attacker toward you, bring your head down so that the top of your head meets with the attacker's nose as their nose drops down.
- Strike with the top of your head. Do not use your forehead.
- The nose is a sensitive pressure point, and striking it with enough force will allow you to knock the other person out.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Upper-Cut ^{[1]
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1
Position yourself along the centerline of your attacker. Stand directly in front of the attacker so that the vertical center of your body lines up with the vertical center of your attacker's body.
- When performing an upper-cut, you will need to bring your arm up along this center line until you reach the attacker's chin. As such, you will need to be in a position where you have access to the center line of your attacker's body.
2
Draw the eye with your non-dominant hand. Use your non-dominant hand to block and swipe at your attacker's block. Keep the hand near eye level so that it draws attention.
- Keeping this hand free allows you to defend yourself against your attacker's strikes and also causes your attacker to shift their attention away from your dominant hand.
3
Swiftly bring an open hand up to the attacker's chin. Swing your dominant arm up along your attacker's center line with your fingers slightly bent, exposing the heel of your palm. The palm should face your attacker's face.
- Do not make a fist.
- The heel of your hand is located just above the wrist and should be aimed at your attacker's chin.
4
Strike with the palm heel of your hand. Strike just below the chin of your attacker, snapping their head back and knocking them out.
- Striking the attacker here throws the head back and pinches the nerves at the top of the spinal column, causing the attacker to black out.
- Using the palm of your hand gives you a greater surface area to work with in bare-handed fighting . It also protects your fingers, thereby saving your hand and preventing damage to the one "weapon" you have access to in the fight.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Strike to the Nose

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1
Assess the best way to strike depending on your position. You can strike the nose of your attacker if they are in front of you or behind you, but the movement you use will vary depending on your starting position. ^{[2]
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- If your attacker is in front of you, you will need to move in a forward direction.
- If your attacker is behind you, you will need to attack as you turn to face them.
2
Strike with the heel of your palm from the front. When standing face-to-face with your attacker, open your hand and strike straight forward, hitting the base of the nose and shoving it back.
- Throw your weight into the attack in order to apply the most force.
- This move causes your attacker's head to snap back, pinching the nerves of the upper spinal column and, if done with enough force, causing the opponent to black out.
3
Strike with your elbow if the attacker is behind you. If the attacker is behind you, bend and lift your arm so that your elbow points toward the attacker's face. Rotate your upper body enough to throw your elbow into the side of the attacker's nose.
- The center side of the nose, on either side, is another pressure point of the body. If you strike hard enough, you can cause the nose to break and the attacker to fall unconscious.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Strike to the Neck

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1
Align your side with your attacker's center line. This technique works especially well when your attacker comes from the side, but if your attacker is coming from a different angle, you will need to rotate your stance until your shoulder roughly lines up with the vertical center of your attacker's body. ^{[3]
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- Note that you can use either side of your body for this attack, but you may be able to apply more force if you turn your body so that your dominant side faces your attacker.
2
Step forward and shift your weight as your attacker approaches. Once your attacker comes toward you, take a step forward with the foot nearest them, causing your full body weight to shift forward onto that foot.
- You need to step into your assailant's attack, not draw back from it.
- This move only works if your attacker is on the offensive and actively coming toward you. It uses the force of the attacker's forward motion to inflict damage.
3
Aim your elbow toward the Adam's apple. Lift your elbow up as you step into your opponent's attack, causing the elbow to meet the inside of the Adam's apple on either side.
- If you strike the inside of the Adam's apple from a 45 degree angle, you should be able to cause your attacker to collapse.
- Even if you do not successfully strike the pressure point, the force from the impact of your elbow should be enough to throw your attacker off.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Knee to Head

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1
Begin in a protective stance. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Your non-dominant foot should be slightly in front of your dominant foot, and your hands should be up and ready to move. ^{[4]
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- Standing in this manner keeps your center of gravity at the center of your stance, thereby allowing you to maintain perfect balance .
- Note that this move can still be performed even if you are not in a protective, balanced stance, but you will have greater odds of succeeding in a knockout if you start from this stance.
2
Analyze your position in relation to the attacker. The attacker should be crouched down and no greater than half a leg's length away.
- You can bring your attacker down by delivering a kick to the groin or to the shin.
- This move generally works best of your attacker is already doubled-over and off-guard. It works less well if they are already facing you and attempting to rise.
3
Force your attacker's shoulders down. Press down on both of your attacker's shoulders with the heel of your palms.
- Throw your entire upper body weight into the gesture so that you can apply maximum force.
- Keep your legs in the same stance to maintain your balance as you prepare to deliver the knockout blow.
4
Swiftly bring your knee up as you draw your attacker down. While holding your attacker's shoulders down, bring your dominant knee forward so that it strikes your attacker in the nose or chin. ^{[5]
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- Work quickly . The force of being pushed down will automatically cause the attacker to tighten his or her shoulder muscles, making it harder to keep the attacker down.
- Aim for either the nose or the chin to inflict the most damage and cause a black out.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you end a fight fast?

Ross Cascio
Self Defense Trainer
Ross Cascio is a Krav Maga Worldwide self-defense, fitness, and fight instructor. He has been training and teaching Krav Maga self-defense, fitness, and fight classes at the Krav Maga Worldwide HQ Training Centers in Los Angeles, CA for over 15 years. He helps people become stronger, safer, and healthier through Krav Maga Worldwide training.

Ross Cascio

Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

Honestly, there’s not one technique or “move”that can be dubbed the “best” way to end a fight. Each situation is different. The best way to end a fight is whatever technique, or combination of technique and physical conditioning that is needed in that particular situation. Consistent self defense training can help you develop your instincts and skills, though.

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Question

If the attacker and I are holding each other's shirts, how can I remove his hands quickly enough for me to headbutt or knee the attacker's face?

Community Answer

Release your grip and immediately place your arms in L shapes (clenched fist) parallel to each other, inside of both of his arms, and force outward. Pushing his grip in opposite ways will unbalance him.

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Question

If I punch someone in the Adam's apple as hard as I can, will it kill them?

Community Answer

It's possible, yes.

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Tips

First, use the self defense technique and try to make your attacker be scared of you before you try to knock them out, because when your opponent is not having any fear of you, then that raises the chances of you getting knocked out in the fight.

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Focus on speed. The mass or strength of your arms does lend power to the force of your blows, but speed lends an even greater amount of power and is especially important if you are facing off against an attacker who is stronger than you.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Throw your attacker off balance by pushing an open palm to their forehead. While they're disoriented, throw a hook to their jaw.
Keep your defenses up by maintaining eye contact with your attacker and never turning your back on them.

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Warnings

Obviously, attempting to knock someone out for any reason other than lawful self-defense can lead to felony charges. DO NOT risk the consequences. If proven guilty, you will go to prison, you will lose your voting rights, and you will have great difficulty in finding a job.

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Do not use these moves without having a good reason to do so. Every knockout results in the loss of brain cells, ^{[6]
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Research source} even when performed in a “safe” context like boxing. Ideally, the above-mentioned moves should only be used for self-defense. If you wish to practice before using them, do so with an inanimate dummy or with the guidance of a professional self-defense trainer or coach.

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The ability to get away from an attacker will change depending on what sort of attack they initiate. The level of your own training and abilities will also dictate how much of a chance you actually have to execute defensive tactics. If you have no training whatsoever, you are going to be at a big disadvantage.

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If you get into a fight, someone is going to get hurt. Whether it’s you or the other person. It’s always best to walk away from a fight if you can.

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How to Knock Someone Out