I'm not sure what exactly is going on.

[Smitty]

The wind is getting knocked out of me. It's mostly in the middle of the stomach, but it's very sharp and lasts for a few minutes, then it disappears. It's really only after a solid shot. I realize theres a separation of my abs in the center, but it never really bothered me before. I've been sparring full contact since day one.

I guess I'll just have to have people punch me in the stomache more.

This, Smitty, sounds like a shot in the solar plexus to me. There is not much muscle protection in that area, so the layer of fat may have protecteed it before you started loosing it. The only real good protection for this is a good block!

Is that what the area immediately beneath the sternum is called?

I always just thought of it as part of the abs.

Edited February 8, 2006 by Smitty

[Red J]

Yes!

Mystery solved. Good work Hurricane!

There is not much you can do if someone hits you in the solar plexus as it temporarily affects your diaphragm and ability to breath. The best advice is to block and protect that area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_plexus

[hurricane]

Yes!

Mystery solved. Good work Hurricane!

There is not much you can do if someone hits you in the solar plexus as it temporarily affects your diaphragm and ability to breath. The best advice is to block and protect that area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_plexus

Yup! And there is no better incentive to learn how to block this than to get the wind knocked out of you a couple of times. Good luck Smitty!