I have been researching the liver shot - a strike just below the floating ribs to the liver. If delivered correctly, it can be a KO punch or kick. At the least, it will hurt very badly. A hook to the body is a great way to connect.

Does anyone have any experience throwing these or sucking them up?

Hello, Great topic you have brought up. The strikes to the liver is consider one of the three major knock-out points for alot of fighting arts.

For boxers this is a major tarket beside the temple.

Glad you brought this up..............Aloha

I have never really had a chance to mess with it. It is delivered just below the ribs? I may have to work on this one with my Combat Hapkido training.

I believe it's done about 3-5 inches below the floating rib, just in front of the person's side. There are various reasons explained for why it knocks you out, such as the liver contacting the rib or spine, or the brain instantly shutting off blood flow to the brain to protect it against a sudden increase in blood pressure. I have no experience with the liver shot, either throwing it or receiving it. It looks like a great tool if you can get a clear shot. It's also a legal punch, whereas a kidney punch is not.

Thanks for the explanation, Baron. I will mess with it today in Hapkido.

I'm pretty up on anatomy and physiology so here's my best guess:

the liver is innervated by the vagus nerve. When then vagus nerve is stimulated it causes the heart to slow down and drops blood pressure. If the liver receives a sudden impact and causes a strong stimulus on the vagus nerve, your blood pressure may drop enough to cause you to pass out/KOed.

also 5" below the floating ribs is too far to down to be targeting. Your liver is mostly contained under your ribs. On most people only a small part extends below the ribs.

So you'll want to aim just under the ribs and drive upwards for the best effect.

they HURT. I have thrown them and been hit with them. To see it in action, watch julio caesar chavez. He is known for dropping people with them.

I've never used it in sparring, but we practice it frequently with a low hook just as you mentioned.

Yeh, in fact when my fiance bruised his ribs, they did a cat scan and x-rays to make sure that there weren't any rib fragments that had chipped off, because if they lacerate your liver it can result in a mild case of dead.

Yeh, in fact when my fiance bruised his ribs, they did a cat scan and x-rays to make sure that there weren't any rib fragments that had chipped off, because if they lacerate your liver it can result in a mild case of dead.

Mild case of dead...I like that one.