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When performing a straigh punch (left or right) to the head what is the better target for maximise the chance of knockout ?

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A knockout occurs when the brain bounces around the braincase. This movement causes injury which will lead to unconsciousness.

In order to have a high chance of knocking the person out, the best place to target is the chin. This is both a relatively soft target, compared to other parts of the skull, and is relatively easy to get to. Impact there creates a lever effect that creates a lot of brain movement, which means a high chance for knockout.

There is a reason that boxers refer to easily knocked out people as having "a glass jaw".

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In the case of an uppercut I figure out the leverage effect when you hit the chin. But for a straight punch are you sure there is any leverage effect ? I would think that doing a straight punch to the chin you will have a lot of chance to broke it but not a lot of chance to knockout. – aberration May 27 '12 at 16:37
By "lever effect" I was referring to the fact that you could envision the skull as a sort of lever, with the braincase on one end, the chin on the other, and the place where the spine attaches to the skull as the fulcrum. It's easier to get movement from striking the chin as opposed to the top of the skull (and a little less prone to injuries on the part of the striker). Of course it depends on the position of the head and angle of the strike, too. If someone's chin is tucked in, it'd be much less effective than if they stuck it out. – Ben Richards May 29 '12 at 20:33
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A "knock-out" is loss of consciousness due to the brain making contact with the skull. The brain is surrounded by fluid and, normally, does not make contact with the skull. That contact is a traumatic event and the body can shut down.

The easiest way to cause this response is to "hook" the side of the chin, making the skull turn faster than the brain can follow.

With a straight punch, and with the assumption that you are facing an opponent who has his hands down and is just waiting for you to hit them, I really can't think of a good knock-out target.

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I agree that not that not look the best punch for make a knockout but it look like the more easy punch, especially if you have long arm. Also you may want to not get to close to your opponent for some reason. – aberration May 28 '12 at 15:35
The fist is made of lots of small bones. The head is made of a few very big, very strong bones. Hitting someone's head is a good way to break your wrist. It is not recommended. If you don't want to get close to someone, use the legs. – Trevoke May 28 '12 at 17:55
You can do a palm hell punch for avoid breaking your finger. For the leg depend of your ability, you need to be very good for hit the head or you will finish on the ground. Well depend of what you are practicing . – aberration May 28 '12 at 18:05
We're off the topic of your question now. – Trevoke May 28 '12 at 18:17
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I'm not too fond of this question, you should never want to knock someone out. Not even with boxing gloves. Knocking someone out is always tricky, as a K.O. is a result from brains bouncing back and forth (or extreme pain, but then it'd be rather called 'passing out').

Be especially careful with the temple. It's known to be a good knock-out hitting spot, but hitting someone's temple can actually kill the person. Don't EVER hit it!

As a sidenote, this site is about martial arts. The thing about any martial art, is that it has some thought, philosophy and morals behind it, and one of those morals is that you don't do brutal things like deliberately K.O.'ing someone.

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-1 I want to knock someone out if I'm competing in boxing, kickboxing or MMA, or if I'm defending myself. Both scenarios are totally ethical. – Dave Liepmann Jun 11 '12 at 13:29
I just explained why it's harmful, and you still want to do it with any opponent in a match??! Goddam. – poepje Jun 11 '12 at 13:51
Maybe this answer will alleviate some of your fears. Repeated KOs over years is no bueno, and there are freak accidents, but a knockout or two is generally not enormously harmful. – Dave Liepmann Jun 11 '12 at 13:55
Of course it won't immediately kill or seriously injure you, no. But where many ko's can cause severe damage, one causes a little damage still. You may not immediately be able to tell the difference but it's not good. I wouln't want to be any bit responisble for that... – poepje Jun 11 '12 at 13:58
My answer that I linked to addresses that. But I think it's ethical, particularly in a scenario where A) you and your opponent are healthy and have agreed to those terms, or B) your assailant is trying to do physical harm, perhaps severe, to you. – Dave Liepmann Jun 11 '12 at 14:04
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