The rabbit punch is a dangerous technique banned by almost all martial arts tournaments and schools. The rabbit punch is a punch to the back of the head, near the neck. For information on other punches and hand strikes (i.e. spinning back fist), please visit Black Belt Wiki’s main Punches & Strikes section.
This technique is very dangerous because the rabbit punch can damage the spine cord and/or cause the brain to detach from the brain stem. This punch should not be practiced against a partner because it can potentially severely injure your training partner.
The name rabbit punch comes from an old-fashioned method that was used by trappers to kill a rabbit without ruining the rabbit’s fur (and thus keep the fur in better condition for sale). They used a club to strike the back of the rabbit’s neck in order to sever its spinal cord.
Martial arts punches & strikes and all other martial arts techniques should only be practiced under the supervision of a trained martial arts instructor in order to prevent injuries and to ensure the proper technique is utilized.
Video of the Rabbit Punch