The Vulcan nerve pinch is an offensive combat tactic featured in the Star Trek mythos. It was first seen in the season one episode of the original Star Trek series entitled "The Enemy Within". Demonstrated primarily through the character of Mister Spock, it has since become known as the "Famous Spock Nerve Pinch" or FSNP for short. It is a technique employed by members of the Vulcan extraterrestrial race in which finger pressures is applied to certain nerves at the base of an opponent's neck, instantly rendering the individual unconscious. Although the technique may be used on nearly any humanoid species, few non-Vulcans have been able to master the finesse required to properly execute the maneuver.
Examples[]
Spock once tried to teach the Vulcan nerve pinch to his commanding officer James T. Kirk, but was unsuccesful. [1]
Spock was force to use the nerve pinch to incapacitate a computer technician on Starbase 11. [2]
During a time travel incident back to the year 1986, Spock executed the Vulcan nerve pinch on an angry punker on a bus who had just given Admiral Kirk the middle finger. [3]
An older ambassador Spock showed the nerve pinch to the android Lt. Commander Data, who succeeded in mastering it. [4]
Notes & Trivia[]
Actor Leonard Nimoy developed the idea of the Vulcan nerve pinch because he believed Spock would not condescend to using more conventional fighting techiniques to stop an opponent. [5]
The Vulcan nerve pinch is parodied in the 1987 Mel Brooks comedy Spaceballs. In the film, the protagonist Lone Starr attempts to knock out a Spaceball guard with the nerve pinch. Rather than fight against it, the guard corrects him on his technique and shows him the proper way to execute the manuever. Afterward, Lone Starr successfully incapacitates him.
See also[]
Media
The World of Star Trek
Star Trek miscellaneous
External Links[]
References[]