This move is the fastest way to cause an attacker pain. The eyes are vulnerable to attack and never get any tougher no matter how big or strong the attacker is. Also even if you miss, anything coming at the face or eyes usually causes them to flinch or blink, which is a perfect set up for another move (the eyes and groin are too far apart to defend them both at the same time).

It is very important NOT to go straight in with your fingers!

This could lead to jamming or even breaking your finger, plus it’s hard to poke accurately when you’re full of adrenaline. Instead, this should be done with all fingers together, and with a scraping motion. Bending your arm at the elbow, scrape your fingers across their eyes from the bridge of their nose, outward toward their temple. Not only is this safer for you, but you are more likely to hit the eye.

Because you don’t need to use a lot of force this move can be done very quickly, especially from the victim-to-victor stance.