Rabbit Punch | |
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Martial art | Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) |
A rabbit punch is a blow delivered to the back of the head or to the base of the skull, notorious for its potential to cause severe and irreversible injuries, including spinal cord injury or even instant death.
The term "rabbit punch" dates back to the early 20th century, [1] which derives from a hunting technique where a quick, sharp strike to the back of a rabbit's head was used to ensure a swift kill without damaging the fur, considered a humane method for killing injured or trapped rabbits. [2]
Rabbit punches are illegal across all major combat sports, including boxing, [3] MMA, [4] and other combat sports [5] that involve striking due to the significant risk they pose to the spinal cord and brain stem. Such strikes can lead to catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, severe brain damage, or death, due to the vulnerability of the back of the head and neck area. The only exceptions are no-holds-barred events such as the International Vale Tudo Championship (prior to rule changes in mid-2012). [6]
Several high-profile incidents have underscored the dangers of rabbit punches:
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verification. (February 2024) |
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it. (February 2024) |
The consequences of delivering a rabbit punch are taken very seriously within the realm of combat sports, reflecting the significant danger these strikes pose to the health and safety of athletes. The enforcement of penalties for rabbit punches is governed by the specific rules of the sporting organisation overseeing the event, which may include boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing, and other martial arts competitions.
Intentional rabbit punches are considered severe violations of the rules due to their potential to cause critical injury to the spinal cord or brain stem. Athletes that are found guilty of intentionally delivering such strikes can face a range of penalties, including:
Unintentional rabbit punches, while still dangerous, are recognised as accidental in nature and are typically met with less severe penalties, such as:
Rabbit Punch | |
---|---|
Martial art | Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) |
A rabbit punch is a blow delivered to the back of the head or to the base of the skull, notorious for its potential to cause severe and irreversible injuries, including spinal cord injury or even instant death.
The term "rabbit punch" dates back to the early 20th century, [1] which derives from a hunting technique where a quick, sharp strike to the back of a rabbit's head was used to ensure a swift kill without damaging the fur, considered a humane method for killing injured or trapped rabbits. [2]
Rabbit punches are illegal across all major combat sports, including boxing, [3] MMA, [4] and other combat sports [5] that involve striking due to the significant risk they pose to the spinal cord and brain stem. Such strikes can lead to catastrophic injuries, including paralysis, severe brain damage, or death, due to the vulnerability of the back of the head and neck area. The only exceptions are no-holds-barred events such as the International Vale Tudo Championship (prior to rule changes in mid-2012). [6]
Several high-profile incidents have underscored the dangers of rabbit punches:
This section needs additional citations for
verification. (February 2024) |
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it. (February 2024) |
The consequences of delivering a rabbit punch are taken very seriously within the realm of combat sports, reflecting the significant danger these strikes pose to the health and safety of athletes. The enforcement of penalties for rabbit punches is governed by the specific rules of the sporting organisation overseeing the event, which may include boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing, and other martial arts competitions.
Intentional rabbit punches are considered severe violations of the rules due to their potential to cause critical injury to the spinal cord or brain stem. Athletes that are found guilty of intentionally delivering such strikes can face a range of penalties, including:
Unintentional rabbit punches, while still dangerous, are recognised as accidental in nature and are typically met with less severe penalties, such as: