If attacked, one must know what they will do to stop the encounter. The more time an attacker has before being subdued, the more a victim could be injured, or worse. The seven most vulnerable parts of the body are the eyes, the nose, the throat, the groin, the knees, the shins and the highest of the foot. Striking any of those areas with force could cause an attacker immense pain or nervous system responses. This may give the victim time to flee.
Striking the nose will cause the eyes to water. Poking one eye with a finger will cause the opposite to shut. These are sympathetic nervous responses. The assailant has no control over these responses. Airflow could be cut off with a strike to the throat. A strike to the groin can render a male attacker helpless. Knees, whether striking from the front, back or sides can put an attacker on the bottom. A kick to the shin, which comprises many nerves and never much to guard them, may be very painful. A stomp on the highest foot can break bones very easily.
Most martial arts practitioners know these vulnerable areas as well. They’re taught to make use of probably the most force possible during a life-threatening scenario. The faster an assailant is rendered harmless the faster the victim can escape. The necessary thing to recollect is don’t be timid when striking. The attacker could turn into more dangerous in the event that they feel one is weak and never in a position to defend themselves.