Go So Kempo - A Percussion Art Played on People

Large Intestine 10/LI10 or Shousanli (Arm Tree Li)

This weeks point is Large Intestine 10, or LI10 for short. Its on a Metal meridian and is of a Yang polarity according to TCM theory. It is located slightly down from the elbow here.

LI10 is actually one of the 36 Vital points listed in the Bubushi. This should serve as an example of the effectiveness of this point and why it is used so much in Kata.

Striking

I have found that there are two angles of attack for this point. If you strike in with a sharp hit in at a 90 degree angle straight into the muscle it will instantly numb the entire lower arm. The head will be jerked forward, but I find that the 90 degree angle is best for more limb destroying style attacks.

The other way of attacking this point is by using a cutting strike. Cutting in towards the wrist will jerk the head violently forwards in a whiplash fashion.

As a set up technique I prefer the second method. Although the arm isn't numbed as much as it is with the first, it just seems to open out the points of the neck better.

The first method I like to use to completely paralyze the lower arm. This sort of strike can easily be adapted for a standard parrying style of movement.

Which ever method you use you must always be aware of the opponents head. With it jerking forward so quickly, it would easy to be caught by an unintended head butt. Although this jerking action can be used to your advantage by impaling them on a follow up strike!

This point can also be activated by pressing. Although I seriously doubt the combat effectiveness of this. It would require a lot of hand strength and accuracy, which under the effects of Adrenaline, I don't think would be feasible.

Applications

Obviously the ways in which this point could be struck are endless. The following applications are not exhaustive, they are simply presented to stimulate thought and provide possible applications.

First off a parrying style motion. Lets say the opponent throws a big lunging straight punch and you come down to meet it with your hand. Instead of meeting it with a nice friendly parry use the heel of the palm to crash down into LI10. If you use pointy boney outer edge of the wrist you can really hurt the arm. This causes the head to jerk forwards. A nice palm heel or punch to the face off your other hand can be very effective.

Off a single handed lapel grab, firstly get your hands up and protect against a head butt or punch from the other hand. As soon as that grab goes on, palm them to face twisting their head away from the grabbing hand. So if they grab with their right hand, smash their face round to the left, and vice versa for the left. This will take their attention away from the grabbing arm, and also straighten it out to expose the point more. Using the hand that you palmed their face with (securing the grabbing hand with your other) crash down into LI10 using your preferred weapon. This will jerk the head forwards and open out the points of the neck. Still using the arm you smashed LI10 with, smash up into the neck with a head block (Jodan Uke), Stomach 9 is a great target and will stun the living hell out of them!