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Always aim for a small, specific target for all offensive techniques.
Our primary frontal targets (nose, solar plexus, and groin) are along the midline of the body - where nerve systems are centralized, which make them
uniquely effective - and the midline is also easiest to hit during a moving, dynamic
fight.
These are much like the targets used at an archery or rifle range - you
always aim for the bull's-eye in the middle. (We don't always hit the
bull's-eye, but we always aim for it.) Also, even the human-shaped targets at
a firing range are of the torso with the "bull's-eye" in the center. I have
yet to see a target of a single arm or single leg.
That's also why we rarely use peripheral targets in karate - such as points
on the limbs or on the outside of the chest - because in addition to not being as effective in stopping our opponents as nose, solar plexus or groin,
It is also more difficult to hit peripheral points because of the nature of
the movements of the two participants of the fight.
Both are going left or right, while also moving forward or backward, leaning in or leaning out with
the upper body, and extending or withdrawing the particular limb.
Domo arigato gozaimasu,
David Baker