Seaver

For inexperienced who dont know what they're doing very difficult, but with just a little bit of training its amazing what you can do.

I took lessons from a Marine Force-Recon friend of mine (co-trained with SEALs as well), as well as took Judo and Jeet Kun Do. There will be probably 4 pages of people throwing in this and that, but since you are new I'll try to keep it simple.

To knock someone out (non strangle) you really have to do one of two things.

1) Blow to side of head. The skull has a lot of inner lining cushins at the front and at the back of the skull, this is why people can headbut people and not get knocked out. But there is very little cushin along the side. Boxers always cover the sides if you ever pay attention, one blow to the right spot will drop you like a freshman on $2 pitcher night.

2) Blow to the neck. Can't explain well over this, but the "judo-chop" that you see in movies is real, just doesnt look anything like in the movies. Because I can't explain it well, and it is VERY easily done incorrectly I'm going to skip it.

There are hundreds of fighting styles out there, each situated to different surroundings, physical agility, strength, etc. Instead of asking over this do some research on it.

I personally dont suggest Karate, never should you use kicks in any sort of combat aside from kicking out a guys knee or as finishing move in a combat chain. Judo is good if you want to do mainly defensive, it is mostly choke holds and submission. Jeet Kun Do is mostly upper-body work, with legs mainly used to kick out opponents legs or kick down and dislocate their knees (developed by Bruce Lee believe it or not).

Basically instead of asking on here where you'll get many answers, most ending up only half-correct just look up different styles. Each martial art is based off of the person and time it was created by, so it wouldn't be wise for you to take Hap-Ki-Do. Hap-Ki-Do was created by a martial artist who found himself weaker/smaller than his opponents so used their force against them. You might look at Jeet Kun Do being we probably have the same build (was a linebacker in HS). This is in no way pushing you to take a martial arts course, but if you are interested it will aid you much more than anything people will say on this.