Is Karate an Effective Form of Self-Defense?
Probably the best variety of self-defense is not being in the wrong place at the wrong time, which certainly includes places with the trifecta: pretty girls, lots of alcohol, and pool tables (as a source of sticks). The second best variety of self-defense is probably Nike-do, or covering them with heel dust.
A distant third is fighting, of any sort.
Now, karate specializes in percussive techniques.
So does boxing.
Both boxing and karate use the knuckles of the fists in an effort to set up a vibration in the lower part of the brain, which results from strikes to the chin and jaw (there are other targets for knockouts, of course).
This video demonstrates that punches delivered to the chin and jaw can result in a knockout.
When someone is asleep, they are unlikely to harm you extensively.
But not being there, and running, are both better choices.
If you have choices.
