A knockout is a dramatic ending to a kickboxing match. A punch catches the tip of the jaw, the fighter's head snaps back and he drops in his tracks. The match is over, and the crowd cheers. A kickboxing knockout is not, however, as simple as it looks. It requires skill and a high physical price is paid by the kickboxer stretched out on the canvas.
Rules
According to the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, knockouts come in two types: the knockout and the technical knockout. A knockdown -- otherwise known as the fighter being "on the floor" -- is called when some part of the fighter other than his feet are touching the floor. Even if the fighter isn't on the floor, a knockdown can be called if the fighter is hanging on the ropes, or is either unconscious or semiconscious. The referee begins a 10 count with a second between each number. If the fighter hasn't risen by the count of 10, a KO is called. A TKO is called if a fighter is knocked down three times during a match even if the fighter can still rise. In the event of a KO or a TKO, the knocked out fighter loses the match.
Techniques
The most effective targets for causing a KO are the temple and the jaw line. A hook of some kind, either a punch or a kick, can catch the jaw and cause the head to rock violently to the side, causing knockout. The point of the chin is a particularly effective target. When the point of the chin is hit with an uppercut, the head snaps back, causing the knockout. A strike to the temple causes knockout both because it causes the head to snap and because of the neural connection between the temple and the brain.
What Happens During a Knockout
A knockout is a symptom of a major injury, or several minor injuries, to the brain. When the head rocks, the brain accelerates within the head. When the head stops, the brain crashes into the inside of the skull. The collision damages nerves and other tissue. The brain needs extra blood flow to effect repairs. If the extent of injury is significant, the demand for blood is higher than the supply. The brain shuts down all nonessential systems, including consciousness, so it can shunt resources to repair.
Long-term Effects
According to Dr. Brian Levine of the Rotman Research Institute, every time a kickboxer receives a blow to the head, it causes a chemical reaction that leads to cell death, even if the fighter isn't completely knocked out. The longer a fighter is knocked out, the greater the damage to the brain tissue. Loss of brain tissue leads to connectivity problems in the brain. The result, when the damage reaches a certain threshold, is memory loss, mood changes, confusion and sluggishness of thought. The end product of too many knockouts is a "punch drunk" fighter, one who suffers from dementia pugilistica, an incurable form of dementia. Even recreational fighters, however, will inevitably have some brain damage if they receive blows to the head.
Posted in: Kickboxing