Is there a possible way of knocking someone unconsious with just gripping their shoudler?

Question

And yes, I've looked up the Vulcan nerve pinch, but that's impossible to do.

Is there some way you can knock someone out by gripping their shoulder?

Answer 1

Impossible only because you are not a Vulcan

Answer 2

Erm, no. Now placing both hands around the throat and squeezing very hard? ;-)

Answer 3

Yep, just grip and hold them out the window, then let go.  

They'll be out for sure when they hit the pavement.

Answer 4

Actually, yes, and I've done it!

There are four pressure points, one including the carotid artery, which (when pressed at the same time) cause intense pain, then a kind of euphoria, then unconsciousness and finally death. However, unlike Mr. Spock's one-handed grip, the pressure points on most people require 2 hands, and almost 5 minutes of constant pressure (hard to accomplish on an unwilling subject, by the way).

It's much easier to simply cut off air and blood with a choke hold, but yes: it's both possible and demonstrable.

Fainting from shock... yes, I saw that happen with this hold, but even that was over 30 seconds long.

Answer 5

The Vulcan Nerve Pinch is impossible to do because it doesn't exists.  It was just a "plot device" that Leonard Nimoy came up with while filming the Star Trek TV shows.

Now, pinching the NECK is another question.  If you can impede the flow of blood to the brain (like a "choke hold") someone can passout in just a few seconds.  But your arms  have to be placed just right to put the pressure on the arteries in the neck without crushing their windpipe.  Very difficult, unless you're a trained assassin.

And if you do it wrong, they are very likely to bring their heel into your groin, causing YOU to pass out from pain!

But by gripping shoulders -- no.