Which area is a target for upper body strikes when face strikes are not justified?

• A. Solar plexus or upper chest area
• B. Groin
• C. Back of neck
• D. Knees

Answer: (A)

When face strikes aren’t justified, the goal is to create a quick, controllable interruption to the attack and open space to disengage. The solar plexus or upper chest area is a practical upper-torso target because a strike there can disrupt breathing and balance without forcing you to strike the head or neck. It’s central, accessible, and efficient for producing a brief incapacitating effect that buys time to escape.

The other options either shift the focus away from the upper body or involve more dangerous or less appropriate targets. The groin is a lower-area target and not in the upper torso. The back of the neck is a high-risk area with a strong potential for serious injury and legal concerns. Knees are part of the lower body and wouldn’t meet the criterion of targeting the upper body.

So, targeting the solar plexus or upper chest aligns with creating space quickly and safely when upper-body strikes are acceptable and face strikes are not.