Customer Reviews

Advanced Pressure Point Fighting of Ryukyu Kempo: Dillman Theory for All Systems Point Fighting

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is the second book in Mr. Dillman and Thomas' series on Pressure Point Fighting. It is much more in-depth than their first book, which the authors reference as laying the "foundations" of using Pressure Point Fighting techniques. This book covers significantly more material, and makes better use of charts and illustrations. Some of the theories presented by the authors on the basis of Pressure Point Strikes, as well as the reasons why Pressure Points work, are controversial within the Martial Arts and Medical community. The authors attempt to cover 78 of the 350+ classical Chinese acupoints (22 on the arms, 26 on the head, 13 on the torso, 10 on the legs and 7 on the back), and 7 "extra-ordinary" points (5 on the arms, one on the head, and one on the legs).

The authors have used a series of body photographs to illustrate the Traditional Chinese Medicine energy pathways and acupoint locations. While the illustrations are an improvement, in my opinion, over Mr. Dillman and Thomas' first book, there are a few problems too. Several of the photos have problems with incorrect lighting, occasional out of focus images and lack of detail in certain poses. As such, they are of varying degrees of usefulness. The authors have also elected to use a mixture of black dots and "bullseye" stickers, placed on the skin of the photo subject, to highlight pressure point locations.

The level of information given on each point is not consistently presented. In general, the authors give a description of the point location, and give what they believe is the anatomical structural association of the point (i.e., why it works in that area of the body). Then they usually (but not always) give a block of text marked "Method" in which they give some point activation instructions and occasionally discuss the results of the strike. This lack of discussion on the effects of the strike / rub / slap may leave some readers disappointed. For example, on page 98, they discuss hitting Small Intestine 16 (SI-16), by simply noting "...strike this point at about a 30 degree angle from the back to the front." No additional narrative is given regarding the martial effects of the strike, nor the effects to the body. This is concerning to me, since SI-16 is a very dangerous acupoint. If you strike straight into the point with sufficient force and intent, you can cause a knockout (KO). But there is also an extreme risk of producing emotional side effects. Additionally, with a slightly harder blow, this point has been known to be fatal! None of these issues or risks are discussed, nor are similar issues covered in the majority of the other points.

Many people just want to learn how to beat someone up. Mr Dillman shows the most efective and 'sometimes' humain methods of controling a situation. The book is mearly a tool in discovering the finer details of PP fighting. Having studied Acupuncture and Martial arts for a large portion of my life I feel strongley that the information given is of great importance to any martial artist. Having been KO'ed by some of these points I can Guarentee that these techniques DO work. The problem is not the techniques that are taught by Mr Dillman but by people having "Tunnel Vission" with regards their martial arts. A thoroughly enjoyable book and a recommended read for any one with an interest in martial arts and PP fighting, although it does help to have a bit of knowledge about how the body functions both in western medicine and in Chinese philosophy also. Well done Mr Dillman.

God knows I wouldn't claim my experience to be either exhaustive or authoritative, but of the two times I've knocked someone out, one was with a pressure point. I didn't know it at the time. I just knew that I had barely touched the guy with my kick, just inflicting a very light, barely noticeable on my end, "thump." But the location I hit him at was pretty clear, and imagine my surprise years later to learn that there is a knock-out point at that location. (The other time I knocked someone out was with a pugil stick during Marine Corps bayonet training.)

In addition, years ago I spent a few months--regrettably did not get to spend more--training with some Ryukyu Kempo people. I experienced the tuite techniques--many of which rely on the pressure points and hyperextension of the nerves for their effectiveness--and found them effective.

For those who suggest that cooperation is required on the part of the person getting the technique performed on them, no doubt that is what it looks like in a demonstration. It is a demonstration, after all, not a fight. And it is surely true that application of these techniques is more difficult in a fight than in a demonstration, but that is true of just about any technique, isn't it? The answer to that problem is the same as it has always been--practice.

As far as the lack of these techniques in the UFC proving their ineffectiveness, all I can say is that in the limited amount of UFC-watching that I have done, I didn't see any dangling eyeballs from eye gouges; I didn't see any crushed tracheas; I didn't see any snapped fingers, ripped-off ears, or any biting, or anyone pick up a bludgeon. Nor did I want to; the point is that poking eyes, jamming fingers into the windpipe, twisting or biting ears, or even use of weapons are all proven combat-effective techniques, and they appear to be absent from UFC competition.

God knows I wouldn't want to climb into the ring with one of those guys; they are all obviously much fitter and stronger than I am. But it is a mistake to conclude that because two big, strong, guys step into a ring to do some combined kickboxing and grappling that only their techniques are effective in ordinary self-defense situations.

This book has an excellent presentation of the nerve anatomy. Master Dillman clearly demonstrates the correct ways of striking these nerve areas along with explinations of effects and dangers. I picked up a autographed copy of this book in 1994 after attending one of his seminars. At that seminar I personaly experienced a pressure point knockout by the author. Durring the signing of the book I commented to Master Dillman that I was skeptical at first but now felt I had wasted 17 yrs. of martial arts training by not being exposed to pressure points. The book is an excellent start for any martial artist who wants to learn the pressure points and understand there applications. If your going to buy a book on pressure points, DO'NT PASS THIS ONE UP!......DAVID KNIESS 3rd Dan

This stuff doesn't work. Only the willing will it work on. The rest of us will be pounding your head in. Dillman is a charlatan and so are his cronies.
I went to one of the seminars and found out first hand that not even the 200 plus pound instructor could make any of this nonsense work on me. They thought my nerves were dead because I do Wing Chun. I don't know where they would get that idea. My student however sent the instructor flying when he put his hands on him. I was a little embarrassed by it but not more than the big sensei.

As a former Ryukyu Kempo practitioner, and a current student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I feel that a knowledge of neuroanatomy is fundamental to many martial arts, whether it is presented as such or not. Master Dillman's book presents this material in a very useful and comprehensible context. Overall, it has many excellent, very practical techniques. His theories and techniques are a useful adjunct to any system.

There is no doubt Dillman know his stuff. This book can be used as a reference source for finding pressure points. Yet he just scratches the surface. Every book demonstrating pressure points to destroy an opponent should also demostrate how to revive an opponent (not say "read my first book", truth is the first book didn't have much either). Spend some time stressing the damage and responsibility that comes along with the use of pressure points. Be wary the over-hyping of this book. It seems many American authors on Karate books are set on proving their ego and flashing their colorful gis. Take what you can from the book then laugh at his series of useless "publicity bragging" photos at the beginning of tahe book.

It has been said that "Nothing is EVERYTHING but everything is SOMETHING". This book is another piece in the puzzle of understanding martial technique.

I have trained with Mr. Dillman on numerous occasions. I was initially very skeptical of his technique and his flamboyant personality did little to allay my suspicions. My first impression was that his technique was unlikely to be effective. I have since been dazed or knocked out by him on several occasions. I can attest that many of his pressure point techniques are extremely effective.

I do not think that pressure point fighting should be the core aspect of a system, but it certainly helps improve the effectiveness of technique.

I have seen and used his pressure point techniques. They knock some people out cold and others seem unaffected at all. I have experimented with using students who have no idea I am about to do a pressure point technique. The power of suggestion or "willingness to be knocked out" does not seem to be a big factor on whether or not a move works.

Simply stated, it works on some people but not on everyone. I am not going to make pressure point fighting the foundation of my fighting system, but it is certainly going to be one of the building blocks.

This book suffers the same shortcomings as almost all martial art instruction books. Video is really a better media for such information. Still, I would recommend all serious martial artists examine Dilman's contributions to the martial arts community.

I think his greatest service to the world of martial arts is that he has made many people aware that many arts have lost key combat applications of traditional technique.

The contents of the book is accurate as far as I can tell. I am also a follower of pressure point fighting, BUT I felt that this book contained a lot of practically irrelevant pressure points.
The book can help you to advance your technique and to add some points into your list of targets, but you need to read selectively. Example: The upper lip "is not a hit point. Rather it is a rub-point". I would not bother to rub an upper lip if I can turn the nose into bloody mud. This book advocates a soft style of fighting, which depending on where you expect to fight, might not be the most effective way. The other issue is, that an attacker will hardly wait and pause to allow you to hit his pressure point accurately. Most of these points are farily small areas and difficult to hit.
Therefore, I think the contents is accurate, but only a small portion might be useable.

The reviewer below is an uninformed moron. I have attended several of Mr. Dillman's seminars and have had many of the knockouts described in the book performed on me personally. I am a trained scientist and biologist who is not fooled by hocus-pocus mystical nonsense. Anyone who is a doubter need only attend one of Mr. Dillman's seminars. NO ONE goes home an unbeliever. The methods outlined in this book DO work. This book is THE book to get on pressure point karate!! I have gone back to it so many times my copy is almost worn out.