A groin attack is a deliberate strike to the

groin In human anatomy, the groin (the adjective is ''inguinal'', as in inguinal canal) is the junctional area (also known as the inguinal region) between the abdomen and the thigh on either side of the pubic bone. This is also known as the medial comp ...

area of one's opponent. The technique can be quickly debilitating due to the sensitivity of the groin area and

genitalia A sex organ (or reproductive organ) is any part of an animal or plant that is involved in sexual reproduction. The reproductive organs together constitute the reproductive system. In animals, the testis in the male, and the ovary in the female, a ...

, and is sometimes used as a

self-defense Self-defense (self-defence primarily in Commonwealth English) is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force ...

technique. The technique is often banned in sports. Groin attacks have been popularized as a

comedic device Comedic device refers to a kind of device used to make a statement more humorous. In layman's terms, it is what makes things funny. List of comedic devices Repetition Repetition is the essential comedic device and is often used in combination with ...

in various forms of media.

In sports

An attack to the groin in sports is considered to be a " low blow," not only in the literal sense, but is the origin of the metaphor as well. In a playful attack, or attack in the framework of a sport, a low blow is seen as unfair or improper and is often considered dishonorable. Strikes to the groin have been forbidden in

boxing Boxing (also known as "Western boxing" or "pugilism") is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermine ...

as far back as the Marquess of Queensberry Rules, and they are almost universally forbidden in martial arts competitions including

kickboxing Kickboxing is a combat sports, combat sport focused on kicking and punch (strike), punching. The combat takes place in a boxing ring, normally with boxing gloves, mouthguards, shorts, and bare feet to favour the use of kicks. Kickboxing is pract ...

, and

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

. UFC rules dictate that a groin strike is a foul in both male and female matches, with the competitor who has received such a strike given up to five minutes to recover. The rules require male competitors to wear groin protection, but prohibit female competitors from doing so. Groin attacks were allowed until the 1980s in international

Muay Thai Muay Thai ( th, มวยไทย, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, is a combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the "art of eight limbs", as it is characterised ...

boxing and are still permitted in Thailand itself, though male boxers wear cups to lessen the impact. Direct strikes to the groin are generally considered illegal in

professional wrestling Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring o ...

as well, and unofficial rings may consider it shameful. However, in certain "hardcore" matches the rules are relaxed, and such attacks are allowed by mutual consent.

In self-defense

Groin attacks are sometimes used as a

technique. The attack can allow a combatant to temporarily disable an assailant, making it easy for them to escape. When an opponent is at close range, a knee strike to the groin is easy to execute and difficult to defend against. It is often, but not always, effective. Some martial arts include instruction in , healing techniques to recover from incapacitating attacks including groin attacks.

In BDSM

Groin attacks are viewed as erotic in the context of some sexual activities, including

cock and ball torture A chastity device designed to cause pain to the penis if it becomes erect. Cock and ball torture (CBT), occasionally known as penis torture, dick torture, or male genitorture/male genital torture, is a sexual activity involving the applicati ...

and

pussy torture Pussy torture (also known as vagina torture, cunt torture or female genitorture) is a BDSM or sexual activity involving the application of pain or pressure to a vulva or vagina, typically in the context of sadomasochism. It is sometimes conside ...

In popular culture

Groin attacks on men are the most widely known, and have been popularized as a comedic device in popular culture. In media, groin attacks are sometimes depicted as causing men to speak in a falsetto or

soprano A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...

Groan Paralanguage, also known as vocalics, is a component of meta-communication that may modify meaning, give nuanced meaning, or convey emotion, by using techniques such as prosody, pitch, volume, intonation, etc. It is sometimes defined as relatin ...

Moan Paralanguage, also known as vocalics, is a component of meta-communication that may modify meaning, give nuanced meaning, or convey emotion, by using techniques such as prosody, pitch, volume, intonation, etc. It is sometimes defined as relati ...

. Groin attacks on men are also the subject of an

Internet meme An Internet meme, commonly known simply as a meme ( ), is an idea, behavior, style, or image that is spread via the Internet, often through social media platforms. What is considered a meme may vary across different communities on the Internet ...

where they are commonly called " nutshots." They have been featured in practical joke videos uploaded to websites such as

YouTube YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...

. The meme sometimes also involves an accidental and comedic injury to the groin, usually as a result of falling or struck by an object. Groin attacks on women are depicted less often in media, and are often depicted as having the same effect as a hit to anywhere else (or occasionally no effect at all). They are sometimes called " cunt-punts."

Effects

The testicles lack anatomical protection and are highly sensitive to impact. The pain resulting from impact to the testicles travels through the

spermatic The spermatic plexus (or testicular plexus) is derived from the renal plexus, receiving branches from the aortic plexus. It accompanies the internal spermatic artery to the testis A testicle or testis (plural testes) is the male reproductive ...

plexus into the abdomen. In extreme cases, a blow to the testicle can cause one or both of the testicles to rupture, potentially resulting in sterility. The skin of the vulva and the clitoris are highly sensitive, making laceration injuries especially painful. A sufficiently powerful blow to the groin could potentially fracture the pubic bone, resulting in further physical disability.

References