Introduction
Have you ever gotten a low blow?
It happened to me, and the pain was excruciating. For a moment, I couldn't breathe, and I knew I only had a minute or so to stop the attack before a lack of oxygen would impede my movement. (Keyword: low blows)
Low Blows in Martial Arts Tournaments
In tournaments, the judge would stop the fight if a low blow caused such pain. The affected part was instructed to jump up and land on his heels with straight legs. This natural reaction is for the body to try and retract the testicles. Jumping on your heels helps to get them back down. My style of Karate Do allowed Full Contact sparing tournament fights with body armour, Kendo Armour, and we even allowed cups, similar to how Hockey Goalies were protected. Some preferred a more realistic fight, and they dispensed with the cups. (Keyword: groin protection)
Low Blows in School and Sports
Yes, of course, we spar with people who have big egos, and they are not part of our school, so they don't have to see us again! I was hit in the lower ribs by the main teacher when I thought the fight was over because we were clearly out of bounds! Somehow, he forced me out of the ring, or I him. However, others see this differently. Low blows happen frequently in sports and martial arts, not just in MA activities. (Keyword: martial arts injuries)
Personal Experiences and Advice
I took quite a few low blows at school. There were several bullies who used it as their favoured way to physically humiliate. The worst times were when I was in a state of undress or in front of girls. The humiliation lasted longer than the soreness. (Keyword: groin protection)
Low blows are common in sports as well. Most are accidents, and you just shake it off and keep going. Don't be known as "that guy" who sits on the ground and cries if you take one in the nethers. (Keyword: groin protection)
Lifestyle and Health
Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges and hardships our way. Sometimes it feels like we've been dealt a low blow. One such experience was when I was pissing blood for a few days after an ex-Olympian's low back-kick. I broke my cup clean in half at age 16. Thank goodness I was wearing it, or I might not be able to have kids to this day. (Keyword: groin protection)
Personal Stories and Advice
Yes, it is very painful. Before I started to focus more on grappling and BJJ, I did striking arts for pretty much the first 20 or so years of my martial arts training. I did American Kickboxing in high school and Ishin-Ryu karate through most of my 20s. The worst low blow I ever took was when I wasn't wearing a cup. It was from a 15-year-old kid who was big enough to spar with adults. I took him lightly because he was a kid and I had forgotten my cup, but I thought, "What the hell, he's a kid." Well, because I was taking it so easy somehow, he managed to kick me square in the groin with a full shin. (Keyword: groin protection)
It felt like my testes shot into my stomach, and on top of the pain for some reason, I almost felt like throwing up. Groin shots are no joke when they land full-on and can end fights. Hobbyists like myself who are in combat sports should invest in a good cup. Pro-fighters usually wear a steel one. Even still, a shot that lands squarely will end a fight. For reference, see the main event of Bellator 215 where Matt Mitrione did just that to Sergei Kharitonov. The low blow would stop the fight and have it declared a 'no-contest.' (Keyword: groin protection)