Tap on the Head: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:tap-on-the-head_tintin_870.png|link=Tintin (Comic Book)|right]]
[[File:tap-on-the-head_tintin_870.png|link=Tintin|right]]


{{quote|''"Knocking people out... by hitting them on the head... that's movie stuff!"''|'''Mike Thorton''' (who has just been beaned with a lamp), ''[[Alpha Protocol]]''}}
{{quote|''"Knocking people out... by hitting them on the head... that's movie stuff!"''|'''Mike Thorton''' (who has just been beaned with a lamp), ''[[Alpha Protocol]]''}}
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Another variant is instant knockout caused by shattering either a vase or lamp over someone's head or even just on their back.
Another variant is instant knockout caused by shattering either a vase or lamp over someone's head or even just on their back.


See also [[Back Stab]], [[Choke Holds]], [[We Need a Distraction]], [[Stun Guns]], [[Pressure Point]], [[Instant Sedation]] and [[Blinded By the Light]]. Contrast [[Death By Falling Over]]. Often leads to [[Waking Up Elsewhere]]. [[Pistol-Whipping]] is a [[Sub-Trope]].
See also [[Back Stab]], [[Choke Holds]], [[We Need a Distraction]], [[Stun Guns]], [[Pressure Point]], [[Instant Sedation]] and [[Blinded by the Light]]. Contrast [[Death by Falling Over]]. Often leads to [[Waking Up Elsewhere]]. [[Pistol-Whipping]] is a [[Sub-Trope]].


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== Anime & Manga ==
== Anime & Manga ==
* The "karate chop to the neck" is still used constantly in shonen anime, but even with its credibility can have some ridiculous effects, particularly in ''[[Dragonball]]'', where characters can shrug off blasts and blows powerful enough to pulverize mountains, planets, and ''solar systems'', but one little tap on the back of the head and they're down for the count, usually coming to when it sits well with the plot, or rather whatever fight is going on.
* The "karate chop to the neck" is still used constantly in shonen anime, but even with its credibility can have some ridiculous effects, particularly in ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', where characters can shrug off blasts and blows powerful enough to pulverize mountains, planets, and ''solar systems'', but one little tap on the back of the head and they're down for the count, usually coming to when it sits well with the plot, or rather whatever fight is going on.
** Used rather absurdly in ''[[Hunter X Hunter]]'', although with nods to its dangerousness. Killua uses it to quickly advance through a tournament, but says he has to hold back to avoid killing his opponents. Chrollo uses one faster than the human eye can perceive in order to make it look like a girl fainted next to him. Someone watching a frame by frame video recording of it notes that it's surprising that he didn't chop her head off.
** Used rather absurdly in ''[[Hunter X Hunter]]'', although with nods to its dangerousness. Killua uses it to quickly advance through a tournament, but says he has to hold back to avoid killing his opponents. Chrollo uses one faster than the human eye can perceive in order to make it look like a girl fainted next to him. Someone watching a frame by frame video recording of it notes that it's surprising that he didn't chop her head off.
* In ''[[Inuyasha]]'', the "sharp shot to the solar plexus" move was once used by Miroku to subdue a peasant girl whom he was trying to move to safety.
* In ''[[Inuyasha]]'', the "sharp shot to the solar plexus" move was once used by Miroku to subdue a peasant girl whom he was trying to move to safety.
* ''[[Mazinger Z (Anime)|Mazinger Z]]'': Boss used the "low blow to the solar plexus" variant with {{spoiler|Kouji}} to try to avoid he {{spoiler|fought against the Mykene Warrior Monsters in the last episode.}} Maybe it was used in a more realistic way than usual, though, since when {{spoiler|Kouji}} regained consciousness a while after, he seemed being in pain.
* ''[[Mazinger Z]]'': Boss used the "low blow to the solar plexus" variant with {{spoiler|Kouji}} to try to avoid he {{spoiler|fought against the Mykene Warrior Monsters in the last episode.}} Maybe it was used in a more realistic way than usual, though, since when {{spoiler|Kouji}} regained consciousness a while after, he seemed being in pain.
* Used inconsistently in the ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma 1/2]]'' manga and anime. ''Not'' counting the comedy [[Hammerspace]] hammers, or the ubiquitous [[Megaton Punch]], there are many instances where these martial arts masters are knocked out with serious, deliberate blows to the head. Since these are people who have withstood the equivalent of exploding tank shells, mountains collapsing on top of them, and accumulative damage from prolonged duels, the ease with which they can be incapacitated with an elbow (or kick) to the skull is mind-boggling.
* Used inconsistently in the ''[[Ranma One Half|Ranma 1/2]]'' manga and anime. ''Not'' counting the comedy [[Hammerspace]] hammers, or the ubiquitous [[Megaton Punch]], there are many instances where these martial arts masters are knocked out with serious, deliberate blows to the head. Since these are people who have withstood the equivalent of exploding tank shells, mountains collapsing on top of them, and accumulative damage from prolonged duels, the ease with which they can be incapacitated with an elbow (or kick) to the skull is mind-boggling.
* In ''[[Naruto]]'', Sasuke knocks Sakura out with a blow to the back of the head before leaving Konoha. When she got up, it was pretty much exactly like she just fell asleep.
* In ''[[Naruto]]'', Sasuke knocks Sakura out with a blow to the back of the head before leaving Konoha. When she got up, it was pretty much exactly like she just fell asleep.
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'''Tamahome''': (gets his face smacked into his food)<br />
'''Tamahome''': (gets his face smacked into his food)<br />
'''Nuriko''': (smiles innocently) That's funny! I just meant to give you a little tap on the head! }}
'''Nuriko''': (smiles innocently) That's funny! I just meant to give you a little tap on the head! }}
* Subverted in ''[[Le Chevalier Deon]]'' in the scene where Robin tries to [[Pistol Whip]] a guard unconscious. He only succeeds in hurting the guard, and has to resort to a more vigorous attack to bring him down.
* Subverted in ''[[Le Chevalier d'Eon]]'' in the scene where Robin tries to [[Pistol Whip]] a guard unconscious. He only succeeds in hurting the guard, and has to resort to a more vigorous attack to bring him down.
* On December 18, year unknown, [[Suzumiya Haruhi|Kyon and the SOS Brigade]] finish a meeting and walk down the stairs. Everybody's at the bottom, and Kyon starts coming down. Somebody gives him a [[Tap On the Head]]. He rolls down the stairs painfully and falls in a coma for 3 days. Turns out in an alternate universe ([[It Makes Sense in Context|don't ask]]), Kyon got stabbed in the abdomen and his friends from the original universe come and save him and to restore time and... You know what, it'll all make sense in ''Vanishment''.
* On December 18, year unknown, [[Suzumiya Haruhi|Kyon and the SOS Brigade]] finish a meeting and walk down the stairs. Everybody's at the bottom, and Kyon starts coming down. Somebody gives him a [[Tap on the Head]]. He rolls down the stairs painfully and falls in a coma for 3 days. Turns out in an alternate universe ([[It Makes Sense in Context|don't ask]]), Kyon got stabbed in the abdomen and his friends from the original universe come and save him and to restore time and... You know what, it'll all make sense in ''Vanishment''.
* Played ''[[Break the Cutie|very]]'' seriously in ''[[Angel Beats (Anime)|Angel Beats]]!'': {{spoiler|When Iwasawa was alive, her father smashed a bottle over her head when she was trying to stop one of his and her mother's fights. She was mostly alright until the next day, when she collapsed at work due to a cerebral contusion caused by the hit. When she woke up in the hospital, she couldn't use her voice, and died soon afterward.}}
* Played ''[[Break the Cutie|very]]'' seriously in ''[[Angel Beats]]!'': {{spoiler|When Iwasawa was alive, her father smashed a bottle over her head when she was trying to stop one of his and her mother's fights. She was mostly alright until the next day, when she collapsed at work due to a cerebral contusion caused by the hit. When she woke up in the hospital, she couldn't use her voice, and died soon afterward.}}
* In ''[[Elfen Lied]]'', Nyu is a result of Lucy getting her helmet shot off by what looks to be an anti-materiel rifle, making that what constitutes as a tap on the head for a Diclonus.
* In ''[[Elfen Lied]]'', Nyu is a result of Lucy getting her helmet shot off by what looks to be an anti-materiel rifle, making that what constitutes as a tap on the head for a Diclonus.
* In ''[[Princess Mononoke]]'', Ashitaka uses the "stiff shot to the solar plexus" variant to knock out San and Lady Eboshi, thereby ending the fight between the two women.
* In ''[[Princess Mononoke]]'', Ashitaka uses the "stiff shot to the solar plexus" variant to knock out San and Lady Eboshi, thereby ending the fight between the two women.
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** Anime episode 43 has two examples. When a Soul Reaper is suspicious of Uryu and Orihime, another Soul Reaper knocks him out with a piece of wood to the back of the head. There's also a fairly ridiculous example where Orihime gets a chop to the neck by a guy that just wanted her to shut up.
** Anime episode 43 has two examples. When a Soul Reaper is suspicious of Uryu and Orihime, another Soul Reaper knocks him out with a piece of wood to the back of the head. There's also a fairly ridiculous example where Orihime gets a chop to the neck by a guy that just wanted her to shut up.
* Paired up with [[Instant Sedation]] in ''[[Valkyria Chronicles]]'' as the "solar plexus" variation in a [[Incredibly Lame Pun|one-two punch]] of outdated knockout tropes. Almost immediately after {{spoiler|Princess Cordelia}} is put out via chloroform rag, {{spoiler|Alicia}} stumbles across the guilty party making off with her, earning a particularly vicious-looking fist in the gut and a [[Damsel in Distress|spot next to the former kidnapped party.]]
* Paired up with [[Instant Sedation]] in ''[[Valkyria Chronicles]]'' as the "solar plexus" variation in a [[Incredibly Lame Pun|one-two punch]] of outdated knockout tropes. Almost immediately after {{spoiler|Princess Cordelia}} is put out via chloroform rag, {{spoiler|Alicia}} stumbles across the guilty party making off with her, earning a particularly vicious-looking fist in the gut and a [[Damsel in Distress|spot next to the former kidnapped party.]]
* ''[[Hanaukyo Maid Tai (Anime)|Hanaukyo Maid Tai]]'' ''La Verite'' episode 2. While Ryuuka and Mariel are in a contest Ryuuka is hit on the head by a falling heavy metal basin and knocked unconscious. It turns out she was supposed to catch it.
* ''[[Hanaukyo Maid Tai]]'' ''La Verite'' episode 2. While Ryuuka and Mariel are in a contest Ryuuka is hit on the head by a falling heavy metal basin and knocked unconscious. It turns out she was supposed to catch it.
* In ''[[Gundam Wing]] Endless Waltz'', there's a scene where Heero, Duo, and Trowa (the later posing as a member of the enemy forces) are cornered in a room. Heero asks Duo, completely out of left field, to punch him. Duo complies, and his right hook is "rewarded" with a shot to the solar plexus ("W-why?" "One for one; we're even now."). The idea was to knock Duo out so he could affect his own escape later, while Heero pretended to be KO'd and made a break for it when the soldiers were distracted by talking to Trowa, who pretended he captured the pair.
* In ''[[Gundam Wing]] Endless Waltz'', there's a scene where Heero, Duo, and Trowa (the later posing as a member of the enemy forces) are cornered in a room. Heero asks Duo, completely out of left field, to punch him. Duo complies, and his right hook is "rewarded" with a shot to the solar plexus ("W-why?" "One for one; we're even now."). The idea was to knock Duo out so he could affect his own escape later, while Heero pretended to be KO'd and made a break for it when the soldiers were distracted by talking to Trowa, who pretended he captured the pair.
* ''[[Sengoku Basara]]'' has Kojuro hit Masamune in the shoulder/neck area with the blunt edge of his sword, knocking him out. It causes no lasting damage but another character calls him out on the risk.
* ''[[Sengoku Basara]]'' has Kojuro hit Masamune in the shoulder/neck area with the blunt edge of his sword, knocking him out. It causes no lasting damage but another character calls him out on the risk.
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* Although "tap" is sort of a mild way of putting it, [[Asterix]], Obélix and company frequently employ this against Roman legionaries, bandits, and other foes.
* Although "tap" is sort of a mild way of putting it, [[Asterix]], Obélix and company frequently employ this against Roman legionaries, bandits, and other foes.
** In ''Astérix and the Big Fight'', Obélix accidentally flattens Getafix the Druid with a menhir (causing the latter to develop temporary [[Identity Amnesia]]); he then describes it to others as "just a tap on the head".
** In ''Astérix and the Big Fight'', Obélix accidentally flattens Getafix the Druid with a menhir (causing the latter to develop temporary [[Identity Amnesia]]); he then describes it to others as "just a tap on the head".
* The Belgian comic book character [[Tintin (Comic Book)]] falls prey to this so often that one suspects he has a fainting button on his head.
* The Belgian comic book character [[Tintin]] falls prey to this so often that one suspects he has a fainting button on his head.
** In fact, in a joke section of a medical journal dealing with brain injuries it was once speculated that Tintin's perpetually youthful appearance was due to the repeated blows to the head damaging his pituitary gland and stunting his growth.
** In fact, in a joke section of a medical journal dealing with brain injuries it was once speculated that Tintin's perpetually youthful appearance was due to the repeated blows to the head damaging his pituitary gland and stunting his growth.
* [[Action Girl]] [[Yoko Tsuno]], the main character of Roger Leloup's comic book of the same name, is an Aikido expert who uses the "chop to the neck" movement (which is named ''yokomen'' in Aikido) regularly on her rivals. Yoko herself frequently faints after being chopped on the neck, her enemies all seem aware of Yoko's vunerability in this area, almost as if Yoko has something on her neck that says hit me here to make me faint.
* [[Action Girl]] [[Yoko Tsuno]], the main character of Roger Leloup's comic book of the same name, is an Aikido expert who uses the "chop to the neck" movement (which is named ''yokomen'' in Aikido) regularly on her rivals. Yoko herself frequently faints after being chopped on the neck, her enemies all seem aware of Yoko's vunerability in this area, almost as if Yoko has something on her neck that says hit me here to make me faint.
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* In the film version of ''[[Johnny Mnemonic]]'', Ralfi is being held against the wall by Johnny. Johnny is then promptly cold-cocked in the back of the head by one of Ralfi's bodyguards, and collapses like a sack of potatoes. It is some consolation, however, that Ralfi is worried that it may have caused damage to his head {{spoiler|because the Yakuza thugs want Johnny's head intact}}.
* In the film version of ''[[Johnny Mnemonic]]'', Ralfi is being held against the wall by Johnny. Johnny is then promptly cold-cocked in the back of the head by one of Ralfi's bodyguards, and collapses like a sack of potatoes. It is some consolation, however, that Ralfi is worried that it may have caused damage to his head {{spoiler|because the Yakuza thugs want Johnny's head intact}}.
* Subverted in ''[[The Gamers]]''; one of the PCs asks to be knocked out. Two characters hit him, to no avail. The third knocks him ''very'' much out, so much that he's killed. Obviously, the rules of their game don't allow for non-lethal damage.
* Subverted in ''[[The Gamers]]''; one of the PCs asks to be knocked out. Two characters hit him, to no avail. The third knocks him ''very'' much out, so much that he's killed. Obviously, the rules of their game don't allow for non-lethal damage.
* This has happened to [[James Bond (Film)|James Bond]] (and others in his movies) repeatedly.
* This has happened to [[James Bond (film)|James Bond]] (and others in his movies) repeatedly.
** In ''[[You Only Live Twice (Film)|You Only Live Twice]]'', ''[[The Man With the Golden Gun (Film)|The Man With the Golden Gun]]'', ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (Film)|Diamonds Are Forever]]'' and ''[[Moonraker (Film)|Moonraker]]'' he was knocked out but was fine afterward. Oddly enough, each time it was performed by a nameless [[Mook]], not [[The Dragon]] or the [[Big Bad]].
** In ''[[You Only Live Twice]]'', ''[[The Man with the Golden Gun]]'', ''[[Diamonds Are Forever]]'' and ''[[Moonraker]]'' he was knocked out but was fine afterward. Oddly enough, each time it was performed by a nameless [[Mook]], not [[The Dragon]] or the [[Big Bad]].
** In ''[[Goldfinger (Film)|Goldfinger]]'' he was knocked out by [[The Dragon]] Oddjob and later took out a guard by kicking him in the head.
** In ''[[Goldfinger]]'' he was knocked out by [[The Dragon]] Oddjob and later took out a guard by kicking him in the head.
** In ''[[Moonraker (Film)|Moonraker]]'' a tram operator was knocked out by being hit on the back of a head with a wrench and two Drax employees were KOed by a punch and a metal container.
** In ''[[Moonraker]]'' a tram operator was knocked out by being hit on the back of a head with a wrench and two Drax employees were KOed by a punch and a metal container.
** In ''[[Live and Let Die (Film)|Live and Let Die]]'' Bond was knocked out by Tee Hee, and Bond knocked out a number of [[Mooks]] with punches to the jaw.
** In ''[[Live and Let Die (film)|Live and Let Die]]'' Bond was knocked out by Tee Hee, and Bond knocked out a number of [[Mooks]] with punches to the jaw.
** In ''[[You Only Live Twice (Film)|You Only Live Twice]]'' Bond and some captured astronauts take out several SPECTRE guards with punches.
** In ''[[You Only Live Twice]]'' Bond and some captured astronauts take out several SPECTRE guards with punches.
** '''''But''''' it is certain that most of the times Bond knocks someone out it is certain that he doesn't particularly care about his victims' well-beings. He just aims for silencing them ASAP.
** '''''But''''' it is certain that most of the times Bond knocks someone out it is certain that he doesn't particularly care about his victims' well-beings. He just aims for silencing them ASAP.
* Multiple examples in ''[[Undercover Brother]]''
* Multiple examples in ''[[Undercover Brother]]''
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** Sistah Girl and White She Devil knock out a large number of [[Mooks]] during the fight in the island fortress Communications Room.
** Sistah Girl and White She Devil knock out a large number of [[Mooks]] during the fight in the island fortress Communications Room.
* Happens every five minutes in ''[[Midnight Run]]''.
* Happens every five minutes in ''[[Midnight Run]]''.
* In ''[[Conspiracy Theory (Film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'' Mel Gibson's character goes around doing this to a few people, they go out like a light, and they never suffer anything more than a headache afterward.
* In ''[[Conspiracy Theory (film)|Conspiracy Theory]]'' Mel Gibson's character goes around doing this to a few people, they go out like a light, and they never suffer anything more than a headache afterward.
* Averted in ''Miller'sCrossing'', in which Tom is kicked in the head and knocked unconscious, but when he wakes up he is informed that he wasn't out for more than a few seconds.
* Averted in ''Miller'sCrossing'', in which Tom is kicked in the head and knocked unconscious, but when he wakes up he is informed that he wasn't out for more than a few seconds.
* ''[[The Princess Bride (Film)|The Princess Bride]]''.
* ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]''.
** The Dread Pirate Roberts knocks out Inigo with his swordhilt.
** The Dread Pirate Roberts knocks out Inigo with his swordhilt.
** Count Rugen knocks out Westley with his sword hilt as well.
** Count Rugen knocks out Westley with his sword hilt as well.
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** Fezzik knocks out a Shrieking Eel and accidentally kills the albino with a clout on the skull.
** Fezzik knocks out a Shrieking Eel and accidentally kills the albino with a clout on the skull.
* In ''[[Sneakers]]'', Buddy Wallace clocks Bishop several times with a handgun to the face. The later [[Choke Hold]] is comparatively merciful in contrast.
* In ''[[Sneakers]]'', Buddy Wallace clocks Bishop several times with a handgun to the face. The later [[Choke Hold]] is comparatively merciful in contrast.
* ''[[The Avengers 1998 (Film)|The Avengers 1998]]'':
* ''[[The Avengers (1998 film)|The Avengers 1998]]'':
** Bailey knocks out Ministry agent Alice with a blow on the back of the head.
** Bailey knocks out Ministry agent Alice with a blow on the back of the head.
** Mrs. Peel's clone knocks Steed unconscious with one punch.
** Mrs. Peel's clone knocks Steed unconscious with one punch.
* ''[[Wild Wild West (Film)|Wild Wild West]]''
* ''[[Wild Wild West (film)|Wild Wild West]]''
** Jim West knocks General "Bloodbath" McGrath unconscious with one punch. McGrath wakes up a few seconds later with no side effects.
** Jim West knocks General "Bloodbath" McGrath unconscious with one punch. McGrath wakes up a few seconds later with no side effects.
** West knocks out a guard at the Sons of the South dance with a punch.
** West knocks out a guard at the Sons of the South dance with a punch.
* In ''[[Fatal Instinct]]'', Laura Lincolnberry knocks out her ex-husband by hitting him on the head with a [[Frying Pan of Doom]].
* In ''[[Fatal Instinct]]'', Laura Lincolnberry knocks out her ex-husband by hitting him on the head with a [[Frying Pan of Doom]].
* Happens twice in Disney's ''[[Aladdin (Disney)|Aladdin]]''.
* Happens twice in Disney's ''[[Aladdin (Disney film)|Aladdin]]''.
** When Jafar has the city guards kidnap Aladdin, one of the guards knocks Aladdin out with a truncheon-like device.
** When Jafar has the city guards kidnap Aladdin, one of the guards knocks Aladdin out with a truncheon-like device.
** During the fight between Aladdin and Snake!Jafar near the end of the movie, Abu hits Iago over the head with what looks like a dish cover, making his head ring like a gong and knocking him out.
** During the fight between Aladdin and Snake!Jafar near the end of the movie, Abu hits Iago over the head with what looks like a dish cover, making his head ring like a gong and knocking him out.
* In ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'', Roger is bopped over the head with a frying pan and dragged out of the way. {{spoiler|Later, Jessica reveals that she did it: she didn't want Roger to get hurt. In fairness, it's impossible to permanently injure a toon via this method.}}
* In ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit?]]'', Roger is bopped over the head with a frying pan and dragged out of the way. {{spoiler|Later, Jessica reveals that she did it: she didn't want Roger to get hurt. In fairness, it's impossible to permanently injure a toon via this method.}}
* ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]''. Wang and Eddie take out some female guards with judo chops and karate kicks to the head, and Wang knocks out multiple Wing Kong guards with punches and kicks to the head. Amusingly, Jack Burton knocks himself out by shooting the ceiling and dropping masonry on his head.
* ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]''. Wang and Eddie take out some female guards with judo chops and karate kicks to the head, and Wang knocks out multiple Wing Kong guards with punches and kicks to the head. Amusingly, Jack Burton knocks himself out by shooting the ceiling and dropping masonry on his head.
* In ''[[Arsenic and Old Lace]]'', [[Ax Crazy]] Jonathan is knocked out in this manner by the police, and the trope itself is brilliantly [[Lampshaded]] by the [[Genre Savvy]] protagonist, Mortimer.
* In ''[[Arsenic and Old Lace]]'', [[Ax Crazy]] Jonathan is knocked out in this manner by the police, and the trope itself is brilliantly [[Lampshaded]] by the [[Genre Savvy]] protagonist, Mortimer.
{{quote| '''Mortimer:''' (watching the fight). "Oh, don't do that. It never works." (Jonathan collapses) "What do you know? it worked!"}}
{{quote| '''Mortimer:''' (watching the fight). "Oh, don't do that. It never works." (Jonathan collapses) "What do you know? it worked!"}}
* In ''[[From Dusk Till Dawn]]'', sick of Richie's psychotic behavior when the family whom they've held hostage's van hits a bump, Seth uses this opportunity to punch him out.
* In ''[[From Dusk till Dawn]]'', sick of Richie's psychotic behavior when the family whom they've held hostage's van hits a bump, Seth uses this opportunity to punch him out.
* ''[[Star Trek Generations]]''. While in the Amargosa Observatory, Dr. Soren knocks out Geordi LaForge with a punch to the face.
* ''[[Star Trek Generations]]''. While in the Amargosa Observatory, Dr. Soren knocks out Geordi LaForge with a punch to the face.
* ''[[Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer]]''. Yukon Cornelius drops a rock on the Bumble's head and KO's him temporarily.
* ''[[Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer]]''. Yukon Cornelius drops a rock on the Bumble's head and KO's him temporarily.
* This is not done once, but twice to Captain Jack Sparrow in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]: Curse of the Black Pearl'' - First, humiliatingly by Will Turner's drunken blacksmith and then by Turner himself while spying on his mutinous crew in Isla de Muerta after Will figures out that Jack wishes to use him as "leverage" to get his ship back.
* This is not done once, but twice to Captain Jack Sparrow in ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean]]: Curse of the Black Pearl'' - First, humiliatingly by Will Turner's drunken blacksmith and then by Turner himself while spying on his mutinous crew in Isla de Muerta after Will figures out that Jack wishes to use him as "leverage" to get his ship back.
** During the Black Pearl's attack on Port Royal, Turner himself gets knocked out during his fight with the undead pirates and wakes up dazed the next morning.
** During the Black Pearl's attack on Port Royal, Turner himself gets knocked out during his fight with the undead pirates and wakes up dazed the next morning.
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*** Two with punches to the face.
*** Two with punches to the face.
*** One by slamming a door in his face.
*** One by slamming a door in his face.
* ''[[Flash Gordon (Film)|Flash Gordon]]''. Voltan hits several of Ming's goon squad members over the head with his mace during the "football game", and Hans Zarkov knocks out Flash accidentally by throwing a hollow metal "football" at him.
* ''[[Flash Gordon (film)|Flash Gordon]]''. Voltan hits several of Ming's goon squad members over the head with his mace during the "football game", and Hans Zarkov knocks out Flash accidentally by throwing a hollow metal "football" at him.
* ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]''. One of Maitland's [[Mooks]] knocks out Axel Foley with a blow to the head before Mikey is killed.
* ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]''. One of Maitland's [[Mooks]] knocks out Axel Foley with a blow to the head before Mikey is killed.
* A [[Running Gag]] in ''[[Men With Brooms (Film)|Men With Brooms]]'', as Cutter ends up repeatedly having to hit the Loan Shark in the head with a curling stone. The loan shark is a giant who is [[Made of Iron]], so he shrugs it off [[Rule of Funny|because it's funny]].
* A [[Running Gag]] in ''[[Men with Brooms]]'', as Cutter ends up repeatedly having to hit the Loan Shark in the head with a curling stone. The loan shark is a giant who is [[Made of Iron]], so he shrugs it off [[Rule of Funny|because it's funny]].
* In ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark (Film)|Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' Marion Ravenwood does it three times and Indy does it twice.
* In ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' Marion Ravenwood does it three times and Indy does it twice.
** She takes out a [[Mook]] with a burning log to the back of the head during the bar fight in Nepal.
** She takes out a [[Mook]] with a burning log to the back of the head during the bar fight in Nepal.
** In Cairo she's pursued into a building by a [[Mook]] and knocks him out (off camera) with a frying pan.
** In Cairo she's pursued into a building by a [[Mook]] and knocks him out (off camera) with a frying pan.
** While Indy is fighting the Nazis around the flying wing, she KO's the pilot with the plane's wheel chocks.
** While Indy is fighting the Nazis around the flying wing, she KO's the pilot with the plane's wheel chocks.
** Indy knocks out two Nazi guards with the "punch to the jaw" technique to [[Mugged for Disguise|steal their uniforms]] so he can perform [[Dressing As the Enemy]].
** Indy knocks out two Nazi guards with the "punch to the jaw" technique to [[Mugged for Disguise|steal their uniforms]] so he can perform [[Dressing as the Enemy]].
*** In the second of these, there are two clearly audible blows after Dr. Jones hauls the guard over the pile of boxes, so it's "Taps".
*** In the second of these, there are two clearly audible blows after Dr. Jones hauls the guard over the pile of boxes, so it's "Taps".
* ''[[Red Cliff]]'' - Shangxiang displays her excellent knowledge of pressure points by knocking out an uppity official's horse when he snarks about a woman being on the battlefield; later, when being introduced to Liu Bei, she expresses her unhappiness about being presented as a possible marriage prospect by doing the same on him. (Cue looks of [[Oh Crap]] on Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu's faces as they realize what she's up to, but are too late to do anything...)
* ''[[Red Cliff]]'' - Shangxiang displays her excellent knowledge of pressure points by knocking out an uppity official's horse when he snarks about a woman being on the battlefield; later, when being introduced to Liu Bei, she expresses her unhappiness about being presented as a possible marriage prospect by doing the same on him. (Cue looks of [[Oh Crap]] on Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu's faces as they realize what she's up to, but are too late to do anything...)
* ''[[Constantine (Film)|Constantine]]''. Constantine knocks the bouncer in Papa Midnite's bar unconscious with one punch.
* ''[[Constantine]]''. Constantine knocks the bouncer in Papa Midnite's bar unconscious with one punch.
* Subverted in ''High Risk'' (1981) when the heroes encounter a servant while sneaking into the drug lord's mansion. The servant just clutches his head and screams, alerting the guards.
* Subverted in ''High Risk'' (1981) when the heroes encounter a servant while sneaking into the drug lord's mansion. The servant just clutches his head and screams, alerting the guards.
* Disney's ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]''. Two of the German commandos are knocked unconscious by the animated suits of armor: one by a punch and one by a literal "boot to the head" - a swung iron boot, that is.
* Disney's ''[[Bedknobs and Broomsticks]]''. Two of the German commandos are knocked unconscious by the animated suits of armor: one by a punch and one by a literal "boot to the head" - a swung iron boot, that is.
* In Howard Hawkes' ''[[El Dorado]]'', John Wayne is taken prisoner when the Dragon sneaks up behind Mississippi and "give me a headache."
* In Howard Hawkes' ''[[El Dorado]]'', John Wayne is taken prisoner when the Dragon sneaks up behind Mississippi and "give me a headache."
* ''[[Cowboys and Aliens (Film)|Cowboys and Aliens]]''. Jake is knocked out by getting [[Pistol-Whipping|pistol whipped]] on the back of the head and wakes up an unspecified amount of time later with no lasting damage.
* ''[[Cowboys and Aliens (film)|Cowboys and Aliens]]''. Jake is knocked out by getting [[Pistol-Whipping|pistol whipped]] on the back of the head and wakes up an unspecified amount of time later with no lasting damage.
* [[Played for Laughs]] in ''[[In Bruges]]''. Ray uses the neck chop variant, while high on cocaine, on a dwarf.
* [[Played for Laughs]] in ''[[In Bruges]]''. Ray uses the neck chop variant, while high on cocaine, on a dwarf.
* ''[[I'm Gonna Git You Sucka]]''.
* ''[[I'm Gonna Git You Sucka]]''.
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** Several Red Lectroids knock out humans with punches to the head near the Black Lectroid thermopod.
** Several Red Lectroids knock out humans with punches to the head near the Black Lectroid thermopod.
** While John Parker is infiltrating Buckaroo's estate, one of Buckaroo's Blue Blaze Irregulars takes him out by hitting him on the back of the head.
** While John Parker is infiltrating Buckaroo's estate, one of Buckaroo's Blue Blaze Irregulars takes him out by hitting him on the back of the head.
* In ''[[Harry Potter (Film)|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1]]'', {{spoiler|Wormtail}} is apparently [[Spared By the Adaptation]] by one of these. However, he does not appear after this scene, so it's possible the blow really did kill him (or Voldemort did in an offscreen [[You Have Failed Me]] moment).
* In ''[[Harry Potter (film)|Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1]]'', {{spoiler|Wormtail}} is apparently [[Spared by the Adaptation]] by one of these. However, he does not appear after this scene, so it's possible the blow really did kill him (or Voldemort did in an offscreen [[You Have Failed Me]] moment).
* ''[[Judge Dredd (Film)|Judge Dredd]]''. When Dredd and Ferguson are in the Judges' locker room, Fergie distracts a Judge and Dredd knocks the Judge unconscious with one punch.
* ''[[Judge Dredd (film)|Judge Dredd]]''. When Dredd and Ferguson are in the Judges' locker room, Fergie distracts a Judge and Dredd knocks the Judge unconscious with one punch.
* Subverted in ''[[Funny Farm]]''. When one of the locals gets a fishing hook stuck on his face, Andy wants to knock him out so he can easily take out the hook. After several blows, the man is not knocked out, just pissed off, and one of his friends wonders if Andy is just beating him up.
* Subverted in ''[[Funny Farm]]''. When one of the locals gets a fishing hook stuck on his face, Andy wants to knock him out so he can easily take out the hook. After several blows, the man is not knocked out, just pissed off, and one of his friends wonders if Andy is just beating him up.
* ''[[Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (Film)|Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade]]''.
* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]''.
** After he enters Castle Brunwald, Indy knocks the butler unconscious with a punch to the face.
** After he enters Castle Brunwald, Indy knocks the butler unconscious with a punch to the face.
** Averted when Indy's father tries to knock out Indy by breaking a vase over his head. Indy stays conscious and is annoyed with his dad.
** Averted when Indy's father tries to knock out Indy by breaking a vase over his head. Indy stays conscious and is annoyed with his dad.
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*** A German soldier is knocked out when a periscope handle hits him on the back of the head.
*** A German soldier is knocked out when a periscope handle hits him on the back of the head.
*** Another soldier is rendered unconscious when Marcus Brody hits him over the head with an object.
*** Another soldier is rendered unconscious when Marcus Brody hits him over the head with an object.
* ''[[The Adventures of Tintin (Film)|The Adventures of Tintin]]'' naturally plays this straight to the point of exuberance.
* ''[[Tintin (film)|The Adventures of Tintin]]'' naturally plays this straight to the point of exuberance.
* In [[Jean Claude Van Damme]] film ''[[Cyborg (Film)|Cyborg]]'', Van Damme's [[Faux Action Girl]] sidekick gets knocked out 3 or 4 times in the movie. Van Damme's character gets KO'd once or twice as well. No one seems to have any problems because of it.
* In [[Jean Claude Van Damme]] film ''[[Cyborg (film)|Cyborg]]'', Van Damme's [[Faux Action Girl]] sidekick gets knocked out 3 or 4 times in the movie. Van Damme's character gets KO'd once or twice as well. No one seems to have any problems because of it.




== Literature ==
== Literature ==
* [[Terry Pratchett]]'s ''[[Discworld]]'' novels:
* [[Terry Pratchett]]'s ''[[Discworld]]'' novels:
** In ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Thief of Time|Thief of Time]]'', it is mentioned that some trainees in the Thieves' Guild cause serious injuries with their inability to knock a victim unconscious with a single blow. Likewise in ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Monstrous Regiment|Monstrous Regiment]]'', one character is about to knock a guard unconscious when [[The Igor]] points out that blows to the head can be fatal and takes over, as Igors have extensive knowledge of human anatomy. So extensive, in fact, the Igor knows just how hard and where to hit to knock the guy out for ''exactly'' 20 minutes.
** In ''[[Discworld/Thief of Time|Thief of Time]]'', it is mentioned that some trainees in the Thieves' Guild cause serious injuries with their inability to knock a victim unconscious with a single blow. Likewise in ''[[Discworld/Monstrous Regiment|Monstrous Regiment]]'', one character is about to knock a guard unconscious when [[The Igor]] points out that blows to the head can be fatal and takes over, as Igors have extensive knowledge of human anatomy. So extensive, in fact, the Igor knows just how hard and where to hit to knock the guy out for ''exactly'' 20 minutes.
** Additionally in ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Men At Arms|Men at Arms]]'' someone is accidentally killed by an attempt to knock them unconscious.
** Additionally in ''[[Discworld/Men At Arms|Men at Arms]]'' someone is accidentally killed by an attempt to knock them unconscious.
** Not seen, but referenced in ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Night Watch|Night Watch]]'', when it's mentioned the rebel barricades have a doorway built into them, with all refugees coming through at just the right height for "a gentle [[Tap On the Head]] if they turned out to be a soldier."
** Not seen, but referenced in ''[[Discworld/Night Watch|Night Watch]]'', when it's mentioned the rebel barricades have a doorway built into them, with all refugees coming through at just the right height for "a gentle [[Tap on the Head]] if they turned out to be a soldier."
** Vimes in particular plays this trope quite straight.
** Vimes in particular plays this trope quite straight.
** In ''[[Discworld (Literature)/Interesting Times|Interesting Times]]'', a briefly deranged Rincewind is used in an impromptu demonstration when a Thief's Guild apprentice tries and fails to knock him out. So the tutor steps out of the nearby alley to show him the ''right'' way ("Ow."), ''then'' what the trainee did ("Ow! Hahaha!" "So, can anyone spot the difference?"). It isn't until he regains his senses that he succumbs.
** In ''[[Discworld/Interesting Times|Interesting Times]]'', a briefly deranged Rincewind is used in an impromptu demonstration when a Thief's Guild apprentice tries and fails to knock him out. So the tutor steps out of the nearby alley to show him the ''right'' way ("Ow."), ''then'' what the trainee did ("Ow! Hahaha!" "So, can anyone spot the difference?"). It isn't until he regains his senses that he succumbs.
* In Stephen King's [[IT]], staff of the Juniper Hill mental institution use rolls of quarters as improvised saps in order to subdue (and, in some cases, simply abuse) recalcitrant patients. One patient is said to have suffered severe brain damage as a result of such treatment and is barely functional as a result.
* In Stephen King's [[IT]], staff of the Juniper Hill mental institution use rolls of quarters as improvised saps in order to subdue (and, in some cases, simply abuse) recalcitrant patients. One patient is said to have suffered severe brain damage as a result of such treatment and is barely functional as a result.
* Mentioned in the novel ''[[Lensman|First Lensman]]''. A thug of wide experience claims to be "an artist with the black jack". His boast is that he can knock out anyone within ten feet by throwing it, and can precisely time how long they stay unconscious.
* Mentioned in the novel ''[[Lensman|First Lensman]]''. A thug of wide experience claims to be "an artist with the black jack". His boast is that he can knock out anyone within ten feet by throwing it, and can precisely time how long they stay unconscious.
* Subverted in [[John C Wright|John C. Wright]]'s ''[[The Golden Oecumene (Literature)|Fugitives of Chaos]]''. Amelia is able to work out, from the fact that she is not suffering plausibly from a blow to the solar plexus, that magic is at work.
* Subverted in [[John C. Wright]]'s ''[[The Golden Oecumene|Fugitives of Chaos]]''. Amelia is able to work out, from the fact that she is not suffering plausibly from a blow to the solar plexus, that magic is at work.
** Earlier, she tries hitting someone with a rock to escape custody. It doesn't work because: a) she was too squeamish to hit hard, b) a rock is ''not'' going to stop a [[Physical God]].
** Earlier, she tries hitting someone with a rock to escape custody. It doesn't work because: a) she was too squeamish to hit hard, b) a rock is ''not'' going to stop a [[Physical God]].
* ''[[Burke]]'' gives a bit of a [[Character Filibuster]] once about how hitting someone on the head does not always knock them out in real life, and how many would-be criminals have gotten into trouble that way.
* ''[[Burke]]'' gives a bit of a [[Character Filibuster]] once about how hitting someone on the head does not always knock them out in real life, and how many would-be criminals have gotten into trouble that way.
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* In the [[Forgotten Realms]] novel ''Ghostwalker'' a knight knocks out a drunken rogue in a bar fight using a mace. Not a club, ''a flanged metal mace''.
* In the [[Forgotten Realms]] novel ''Ghostwalker'' a knight knocks out a drunken rogue in a bar fight using a mace. Not a club, ''a flanged metal mace''.
* [[Averted Trope|Averted]] in ''[[Neuropath]]''. Tom Bible notes that it's not like in the movies, and that the guard he and Mia knocked out will need medical help quickly.
* [[Averted Trope|Averted]] in ''[[Neuropath]]''. Tom Bible notes that it's not like in the movies, and that the guard he and Mia knocked out will need medical help quickly.
* The Vulcan Neck Pinch chapter of [[The Action Heros Handbook (Literature)|The Action Heros Handbook]] outlines several of the knockout methods mentioned above and makes clear what the risks are.
* The Vulcan Neck Pinch chapter of [[The Action Hero's Handbook|The Action Heros Handbook]] outlines several of the knockout methods mentioned above and makes clear what the risks are.
* Jiaan in the [[Farsala Trilogy]]. It's somewhat [[Subverted Trope|subverted]] in that he mentions he might have a broken collarbone as well.
* Jiaan in the [[Farsala Trilogy]]. It's somewhat [[Subverted Trope|subverted]] in that he mentions he might have a broken collarbone as well.
* When they need to avoid their usual, lethal methods, the protagonists of ''[[The Belgariad]]'' employ this trope frequently to render bad guys unconscious. It's usually played completely straight, except where [[Hard Head]] is subverted by [[Rule of Funny]] or the needs of the plot.
* When they need to avoid their usual, lethal methods, the protagonists of ''[[The Belgariad]]'' employ this trope frequently to render bad guys unconscious. It's usually played completely straight, except where [[Hard Head]] is subverted by [[Rule of Funny]] or the needs of the plot.
** On one memorable occasion, after Garion knocks out a Grolim (who has some useful information), Belgarath tells him to "use an axe or a club" the next time: Garion's fist had almost killed the guy.
** On one memorable occasion, after Garion knocks out a Grolim (who has some useful information), Belgarath tells him to "use an axe or a club" the next time: Garion's fist had almost killed the guy.
* Averted in the [[Sword of Truth]] series, when Kahlan is trying to decide the best way to make her way past a D'Haran guard. There is a long inner monologue about how a rap on the head is notoriously unreliable: the guard may come up screaming, several blows may be necessary to induce unconsciousness, and permanent damage may result. Additionally, this is one of her ''own'' guards, so she'd really rather avoid hitting him at all in the first place. Later on in the series, she shows a little girl she is held captive with her preferred way of silent subduing: A knife to the kidney. Where a blow to the head is unreliable and cutting the throat can be too messy and loud, a knife to the kidney puts the victim in so much pain that they can't even scream.
* Averted in the [[Sword of Truth]] series, when Kahlan is trying to decide the best way to make her way past a D'Haran guard. There is a long inner monologue about how a rap on the head is notoriously unreliable: the guard may come up screaming, several blows may be necessary to induce unconsciousness, and permanent damage may result. Additionally, this is one of her ''own'' guards, so she'd really rather avoid hitting him at all in the first place. Later on in the series, she shows a little girl she is held captive with her preferred way of silent subduing: A knife to the kidney. Where a blow to the head is unreliable and cutting the throat can be too messy and loud, a knife to the kidney puts the victim in so much pain that they can't even scream.
* This is practically the [[Signature Move]] of [[Winnetou (Literature)|Karl May]]'s [[Author Avatar]] Old Shatterhand/Kara ben Nemsi, ostensibly justified by a combination of nigh superhuman strength and a special trick he's discovered himself. It's rather convenient, too, because as a good (if sometimes, especially in the later works, a bit preachy) Christian the character doesn't actually like to shed human blood when he can at all avoid it.
* This is practically the [[Signature Move]] of [[Winnetou|Karl May]]'s [[Author Avatar]] Old Shatterhand/Kara ben Nemsi, ostensibly justified by a combination of nigh superhuman strength and a special trick he's discovered himself. It's rather convenient, too, because as a good (if sometimes, especially in the later works, a bit preachy) Christian the character doesn't actually like to shed human blood when he can at all avoid it.
* [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshaded]] in [[The Dresden Files]] when one of Harry's internal monolgues mentions that someone must have done one of those adamantium upgrades on his skull.
* [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshaded]] in [[The Dresden Files]] when one of Harry's internal monolgues mentions that someone must have done one of those adamantium upgrades on his skull.
* Averted in Martin Caidin's ''Cyborg'' novels. Considerably violent than [[The Six Million Dollar Man|the TV series they inspired]], due to Steve Austin's bionic arm being described as a bludgeon, and strong hits to the head or chops to the neck are instantly fatal to the recipient. In fact he does this so often (sometimes cold-bloodedly to disabled enemies) that fans of the TV series are prone to go into [[What the Hell,Hero?]] mode when reading them.
* Averted in Martin Caidin's ''Cyborg'' novels. Considerably violent than [[The Six Million Dollar Man|the TV series they inspired]], due to Steve Austin's bionic arm being described as a bludgeon, and strong hits to the head or chops to the neck are instantly fatal to the recipient. In fact he does this so often (sometimes cold-bloodedly to disabled enemies) that fans of the TV series are prone to go into [[What the Hell,Hero?]] mode when reading them.
* In ''Death at the President's Lodging'' by [[Michael Innes]], the detective investigating the aforesaid mystery is knocked out by a blow to the head. One of the suspects, an author of detective novels, says that he'd never have done it, because he knows how dangerous such a blow could be.
* In ''Death at the President's Lodging'' by [[Michael Innes]], the detective investigating the aforesaid mystery is knocked out by a blow to the head. One of the suspects, an author of detective novels, says that he'd never have done it, because he knows how dangerous such a blow could be.
* In the [[Time Scout (Literature)|Time Scout]] book, ''Wagers of Sin'', Skeeter gets knocked out from behind and spends several days recovering, with nausea, dizziness, and continuing headaches.
* In the [[Time Scout]] book, ''Wagers of Sin'', Skeeter gets knocked out from behind and spends several days recovering, with nausea, dizziness, and continuing headaches.
* In [[John C Wright]]'s ''[[Hermetic Millenium (Literature)|Count to a Trillion]]'', Menelaus takes out two guards, but the third gets him with this.
* In [[John C. Wright]]'s ''[[Hermetic Millenium|Count to a Trillion]]'', Menelaus takes out two guards, but the third gets him with this.
* In [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]]'s ''[[The Monster Men (Literature)|The Monster Men]]'', Professor Maxon is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. Its only effect is to cause him to recover from being [[Mad Scientist]] -- that is, to take up [[What Measure Is a Non-Human?]].
* In [[Edgar Rice Burroughs]]'s ''[[The Monster Men]]'', Professor Maxon is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head. Its only effect is to cause him to recover from being [[Mad Scientist]] -- that is, to take up [[What Measure Is a Non-Human?]].
* Completely averted in [[Vernor Vinge]]'s ''[[The Children of the Sky (Literature)|The Children of the Sky]]''. The blow that knocks out {{spoiler|Ravna}} is treated completely realistically, with various debilitating aftereffects until she gets advanced medical treatment.
* Completely averted in [[Vernor Vinge]]'s ''[[Zones of Thought|The Children of the Sky]]''. The blow that knocks out {{spoiler|Ravna}} is treated completely realistically, with various debilitating aftereffects until she gets advanced medical treatment.
* [[The Hardy Boys]]: Frank & Joe Hardy have both been knocked out by getting hit in the head so often that, in real life, the two should be vegetables in permanent coma in the hospital.
* [[The Hardy Boys]]: Frank & Joe Hardy have both been knocked out by getting hit in the head so often that, in real life, the two should be vegetables in permanent coma in the hospital.
* In [[Michael Flynn]]'s ''[[Spiral Arm (Literature)|The January Dancer]]'', {{spoiler|the Fudir}} uses this on {{spoiler|Hugh}} to evade him. He does think that it's a trick business, but it's treated as if it were really harmless.
* In [[Michael Flynn]]'s ''[[Spiral Arm|The January Dancer]]'', {{spoiler|the Fudir}} uses this on {{spoiler|Hugh}} to evade him. He does think that it's a trick business, but it's treated as if it were really harmless.




== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
* ''[[Lost]]'' has used this a few times, though the preferred method of knocking someone unconscious is [[Pistol-Whipping]]. In "Hearts and Minds," Locke hits Boone to knock him out, ties him up, and sends him on a [[Vision Quest]] by "treating" the wound with a hallucinogen.
* ''[[Lost]]'' has used this a few times, though the preferred method of knocking someone unconscious is [[Pistol-Whipping]]. In "Hearts and Minds," Locke hits Boone to knock him out, ties him up, and sends him on a [[Vision Quest]] by "treating" the wound with a hallucinogen.
** More realistic effects of a [[Tap On the Head]] are shown in "The Other 48 Days," in which Eko kills two Others with a rock.
** More realistic effects of a [[Tap on the Head]] are shown in "The Other 48 Days," in which Eko kills two Others with a rock.
** The series is actually quite guilty of this, as characters would be knocked out with a tap every other episode but only when it would fit the plot. All the fighting scenes feature much harder blows then those who render them unconscious. Almost every major character took a beating at some point with a lot of hits on the head but we rarely see one fainting.
** The series is actually quite guilty of this, as characters would be knocked out with a tap every other episode but only when it would fit the plot. All the fighting scenes feature much harder blows then those who render them unconscious. Almost every major character took a beating at some point with a lot of hits on the head but we rarely see one fainting.
* In the ''[[MacGyver]]'' episode "Last Stand", Mac is holding some piece of equipment that he's supposedly going to use to fix up a plane so the bad guys can escape. When asked by his guard what the item is, he replies "Lateral... cranial... impact... enhancer", and smacks the guard across the head with it.
* In the ''[[MacGyver]]'' episode "Last Stand", Mac is holding some piece of equipment that he's supposedly going to use to fix up a plane so the bad guys can escape. When asked by his guard what the item is, he replies "Lateral... cranial... impact... enhancer", and smacks the guard across the head with it.
** This happens all the time in [[MacGyver]], what with his no-guns policy. The likelihood of knocking a bad guy out with a single blow is inversely proportional to his position on the bad guy ladder.
** This happens all the time in [[MacGyver]], what with his no-guns policy. The likelihood of knocking a bad guy out with a single blow is inversely proportional to his position on the bad guy ladder.
* Legendary subversion: in the first season of ''[[Star Trek the Original Series]]'', Mr. Spock was scripted to incapacitate a maddened Kirk by rapping him in the back of the head with the butt of a phaser pistol. Leonard Nimoy thought that uncivilized, so he and the director came up with a more "civilized" alternative: the [[Pressure Point|Vulcan nerve pinch]] (AKA neck pinch).
* Legendary subversion: in the first season of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'', Mr. Spock was scripted to incapacitate a maddened Kirk by rapping him in the back of the head with the butt of a phaser pistol. Leonard Nimoy thought that uncivilized, so he and the director came up with a more "civilized" alternative: the [[Pressure Point|Vulcan nerve pinch]] (AKA neck pinch).
** Spock repeatedly used the nerve pinch in subsequent episodes. In one of them ("Mudd's Planet"), the pinch failed because he was using it on an android.
** Spock repeatedly used the nerve pinch in subsequent episodes. In one of them ("Mudd's Planet"), the pinch failed because he was using it on an android.
** "Obsession". Ensign Garrovick tries to knock out Captain Kirk with a karate chop so [[More Expendable Than You|he can be the one]] to lure the vampire cloud to the antimatter bomb.
** "Obsession". Ensign Garrovick tries to knock out Captain Kirk with a karate chop so [[More Expendable Than You|he can be the one]] to lure the vampire cloud to the antimatter bomb.
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** A truer subversion is seen in the episode "Mirror, Mirror," in which mirror!Spock is knocked out this way and Dr. McCoy declares that he'll die without immediate treatment. It may have averted the trope too far, though, considering the deadly object was a skull so fragile that it completely shattered after hitting Spock. It's difficult to imagine it would even knock him out in the first place.
** A truer subversion is seen in the episode "Mirror, Mirror," in which mirror!Spock is knocked out this way and Dr. McCoy declares that he'll die without immediate treatment. It may have averted the trope too far, though, considering the deadly object was a skull so fragile that it completely shattered after hitting Spock. It's difficult to imagine it would even knock him out in the first place.
*** That or the skull was so hard that it took a ''lot'' of blunt force to break it.
*** That or the skull was so hard that it took a ''lot'' of blunt force to break it.
* Subverted in an episode of ''[[Red Dwarf (TV)|Red Dwarf]]'': Kryten has to render the rest of the crew unconscious, but Rimmer is a "hard-light" hologram and thus "unknockoutable" despite Rimmer's assistance and Kryten's most enthusiastic efforts.
* Subverted in an episode of ''[[Red Dwarf]]'': Kryten has to render the rest of the crew unconscious, but Rimmer is a "hard-light" hologram and thus "unknockoutable" despite Rimmer's assistance and Kryten's most enthusiastic efforts.
* Dramatically subverted in an episode of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. Warren's ex-girlfriend, Katrina, is escaping the Trio's lair after their mind-whammy wore off and plans to tell the police about their rape attempt. Warren clocks her on the head with a bottle, trying to knock her out - and she dies.
* Dramatically subverted in an episode of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]''. Warren's ex-girlfriend, Katrina, is escaping the Trio's lair after their mind-whammy wore off and plans to tell the police about their rape attempt. Warren clocks her on the head with a bottle, trying to knock her out - and she dies.
** That was a more or less one time occurrence though. Every other instance of somebody being beaten over the head (mostly Giles), they're simply knocked and wake up fine in a bit.
** That was a more or less one time occurrence though. Every other instance of somebody being beaten over the head (mostly Giles), they're simply knocked and wake up fine in a bit.
*** Although Giles getting hit on the head becomes a running joke, there's at least one instance where he gets hospitalized because of it.
*** Although Giles getting hit on the head becomes a running joke, there's at least one instance where he gets hospitalized because of it.
** The jaw-punch version occurs in "Prophecy Girl", the final episode of season 1. Buffy and Giles disagree on which of them will go to fight the Master. Buffy settles the matter by punching Giles in the jaw, putting him to sleep just long enough for her to be off on the mission. Later Giles is seen nursing a bruise, but it seems no dental attention was required.
** The jaw-punch version occurs in "Prophecy Girl", the final episode of season 1. Buffy and Giles disagree on which of them will go to fight the Master. Buffy settles the matter by punching Giles in the jaw, putting him to sleep just long enough for her to be off on the mission. Later Giles is seen nursing a bruise, but it seems no dental attention was required.
* Later played mostly straight in ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'', when Gunn has been turned misogynist by a demon. Realizing what's happening to him, he warns Fred to knock him out, but her first attempt fails. He yells at her for this, but it isn't really a subversion like the above example; Fred's not terribly strong. Her second attempt succeeds.
* Later played mostly straight in ''[[Angel]]'', when Gunn has been turned misogynist by a demon. Realizing what's happening to him, he warns Fred to knock him out, but her first attempt fails. He yells at her for this, but it isn't really a subversion like the above example; Fred's not terribly strong. Her second attempt succeeds.
* Happens to the hero more or less [[Once an Episode]] in ''[[The Rockford Files]]''.
* Happens to the hero more or less [[Once an Episode]] in ''[[The Rockford Files]]''.
* Happens to the title character more or less [[Once an Episode]] in ''Mannix''.
* Happens to the title character more or less [[Once an Episode]] in ''Mannix''.
* ''[[Heroes (TV)|Heroes]]'' uses it so much - for both comic and dramatic effect - that the show's Wiki [http://heroeswiki.com/One_punch_knockout has a page dedicated to it]. Once, Claude saved New York (at least for the moment) with this trope and a good right hook.
* ''[[Heroes (TV series)|Heroes]]'' uses it so much - for both comic and dramatic effect - that the show's Wiki [http://heroeswiki.com/One_punch_knockout has a page dedicated to it]. Once, Claude saved New York (at least for the moment) with this trope and a good right hook.
* The karate chop to the neck variant is one of the three ways people tend to be non-fatally incapacitated in the 60s spy series ''[[The Man From UNCLE]]''. (The other two are [[Pistol-Whipping]] and [[Instant Sedation]] via tranquilizer darts or knockout gas.)
* The karate chop to the neck variant is one of the three ways people tend to be non-fatally incapacitated in the 60s spy series ''[[The Man from U.N.C.L.E.]]''. (The other two are [[Pistol-Whipping]] and [[Instant Sedation]] via tranquilizer darts or knockout gas.)
* Subverted in ''[[NCIS]]'', when McGee sees a witness to a murder get attacked from across the street. He heads over to her apartment, only to find her door open. While he's seeing if she's alive, the assailant pops out of one of the rooms-which McGee didn't check-and smacks him over the head with a lamp. Despite getting hit hard enough for the lamp to break, McGee is still clear enough to unholster his gun and take a few shots at the fleeing perp, missing by inches.
* Subverted in ''[[NCIS]]'', when McGee sees a witness to a murder get attacked from across the street. He heads over to her apartment, only to find her door open. While he's seeing if she's alive, the assailant pops out of one of the rooms-which McGee didn't check-and smacks him over the head with a lamp. Despite getting hit hard enough for the lamp to break, McGee is still clear enough to unholster his gun and take a few shots at the fleeing perp, missing by inches.
** Another painful subversion was when it was determined a man confessing to the murder of his fellow marine had actually [[Pistol Whip|Pistol Whipped]] him so he'd stop screaming after being wounded on a battlefield. The blow had cracked the skull and killed the man, his best friend, and the guilt had eaten at him for years.
** Another painful subversion was when it was determined a man confessing to the murder of his fellow marine had actually [[Pistol Whip|Pistol Whipped]] him so he'd stop screaming after being wounded on a battlefield. The blow had cracked the skull and killed the man, his best friend, and the guilt had eaten at him for years.
* In ''[[Buck Rogers]] in the 25th Century'', Buck could take out a whole swarm of Draconian guards with a single sidekick. They fell like a stack of dominoes.
* In ''[[Buck Rogers]] in the 25th Century'', Buck could take out a whole swarm of Draconian guards with a single sidekick. They fell like a stack of dominoes.
* ''[[Get Smart (TV)|Get Smart]]'', being at its core a Bond parody, did this constantly. While Max was an accomplished martial artist, his preferred method of attack was a karate chop to the back of the neck, either by waiting for somebody to enter the room, distracting them, or sneaking up on them. At one point, he ambushes five KAOS agents in a row as they enter a room. Unfortunately, the sixth person is a CONTROL operative.
* ''[[Get Smart]]'', being at its core a Bond parody, did this constantly. While Max was an accomplished martial artist, his preferred method of attack was a karate chop to the back of the neck, either by waiting for somebody to enter the room, distracting them, or sneaking up on them. At one point, he ambushes five KAOS agents in a row as they enter a room. Unfortunately, the sixth person is a CONTROL operative.
* ''[[Doctor Who]]''. The Third Doctor used 'Venusian Aikido' to immobilise someone, which seemed to involve John Pertwee jabbing two fingers into someone's chest and shouting "Hai!"
* ''[[Doctor Who]]''. The Third Doctor used 'Venusian Aikido' to immobilise someone, which seemed to involve John Pertwee jabbing two fingers into someone's chest and shouting "Hai!"
** This is a preferred technique of classic Doctor Who baddies; a nondescript karate chop to the shoulder which had a 50/50 chance of knocking people out or killing them outright.
** This is a preferred technique of classic Doctor Who baddies; a nondescript karate chop to the shoulder which had a 50/50 chance of knocking people out or killing them outright.
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* Subversion: In one first-season ''[[Sledge Hammer]]!'' episode, Sledge jumps a Mook from behind, and hits him over the head with the butt of his gun. The Mook's reaction is to cry "Owww," but not to go down. Sledge tries again, with similar results. After several attempts, he is unable to knock the mook out by hitting him on the head. Alan Spencer, creator of ''[[Sledge Hammer]]!'', in his voice-over commentary for the episode, states that this was the entire purpose of the scene -- to take the Mickey out of this trope.
* Subversion: In one first-season ''[[Sledge Hammer]]!'' episode, Sledge jumps a Mook from behind, and hits him over the head with the butt of his gun. The Mook's reaction is to cry "Owww," but not to go down. Sledge tries again, with similar results. After several attempts, he is unable to knock the mook out by hitting him on the head. Alan Spencer, creator of ''[[Sledge Hammer]]!'', in his voice-over commentary for the episode, states that this was the entire purpose of the scene -- to take the Mickey out of this trope.
* Subverted and parodied in one episode of ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'', in which [[Know-Nothing Know-It-All|Colonel Crittendon]] claims to know an instantly-lethal form of martial arts known as "Killer Judo". He sneaks up on a guard and delievers a chop to the back of the neck... [[No Sell|which has no effect whatsoever.]]
* Subverted and parodied in one episode of ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'', in which [[Know-Nothing Know-It-All|Colonel Crittendon]] claims to know an instantly-lethal form of martial arts known as "Killer Judo". He sneaks up on a guard and delievers a chop to the back of the neck... [[No Sell|which has no effect whatsoever.]]
* In ''[[Relic Hunter (TV)|Relic Hunter]]'' ("Etched in Stone"), Sydney smacks some bad guys in the head with a freakin' rock ([[Special Effects Failure|an obviously Papier-mâché rock]], but still) the size of a turkey. They are fine.
* In ''[[Relic Hunter]]'' ("Etched in Stone"), Sydney smacks some bad guys in the head with a freakin' rock ([[Special Effects Failure|an obviously Papier-mâché rock]], but still) the size of a turkey. They are fine.
* Mostly averted in ''[[Burn Notice]]'', where mooks are heroes alike are usually shown as being stunned and in serious pain rather as a result of hand-to-hand scuffles, and are rarely KO'd by fisticuffs.
* Mostly averted in ''[[Burn Notice]]'', where mooks are heroes alike are usually shown as being stunned and in serious pain rather as a result of hand-to-hand scuffles, and are rarely KO'd by fisticuffs.
* ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]''. During the Blancmange sketch the scientist knocks out his female assistant with a blow on the head.
* ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]''. During the Blancmange sketch the scientist knocks out his female assistant with a blow on the head.
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* In ''[[Firefly]],'' Mal delivers one to {{spoiler|Jayne}} with a wrench.
* In ''[[Firefly]],'' Mal delivers one to {{spoiler|Jayne}} with a wrench.
** He's only out for a couple seconds, though; and "unconscious" wasn't the specific intent, just a bonus.
** He's only out for a couple seconds, though; and "unconscious" wasn't the specific intent, just a bonus.
* Data in [[Star Trek the Next Generation]] has a convenient on/off switch under his shoulderblade.
* Data in [[Star Trek: The Next Generation]] has a convenient on/off switch under his shoulderblade.
** ''That's'' where it is!? The shot is an extreme close-up, so [[I Thought It Meant|I thought it was]] [[Accidental Innuendo|his inner thigh...]]
** ''That's'' where it is!? The shot is an extreme close-up, so [[I Thought It Meant|I thought it was]] [[Accidental Innuendo|his inner thigh...]]
** Picard has been known to dole out a few back-of-the-head hits...but he tends to receive them more than he gives them.
** Picard has been known to dole out a few back-of-the-head hits...but he tends to receive them more than he gives them.
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* On ''[[Republic of Doyle]]'' Jake gets hit on the head so much every epeisode that he should be dead or suffering massive brain damage. In one episode he got hit in the back of the head by a crowbar and later by a wine bottle.
* On ''[[Republic of Doyle]]'' Jake gets hit on the head so much every epeisode that he should be dead or suffering massive brain damage. In one episode he got hit in the back of the head by a crowbar and later by a wine bottle.
* Averted in the original ''[[I Spy]]'' television series. In one episode Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby) attacks a guard with several karate chops to the neck and goes out of his way to explain to the person he'd just rescued that the guard was now dead.
* Averted in the original ''[[I Spy]]'' television series. In one episode Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby) attacks a guard with several karate chops to the neck and goes out of his way to explain to the person he'd just rescued that the guard was now dead.
* 1960's ''[[Batman (TV)|Batman]]'' series episodes.
* 1960's ''[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]'' series episodes.
** "King Tut's Coup". While Tut and his henchmen are stealing a sarcophagus, one of the henchmen knocks out a security guard with a single blow on the back of the head with a club.
** "King Tut's Coup". While Tut and his henchmen are stealing a sarcophagus, one of the henchmen knocks out a security guard with a single blow on the back of the head with a club.
** "The Unkindest Tut Of All". While Batgirl is confronting King Tut, his henchwoman Shirley sneaks up behind her and knocks her out by hitting her on the back of the head with a vase.
** "The Unkindest Tut Of All". While Batgirl is confronting King Tut, his henchwoman Shirley sneaks up behind her and knocks her out by hitting her on the back of the head with a vase.
** "Deep Freeze". When Mr. Freeze sends his henchman Frosty up to the roof to fix the TV antenna, Batman knocks Frosty out by hitting him on the top of his head.
** "Deep Freeze". When Mr. Freeze sends his henchman Frosty up to the roof to fix the TV antenna, Batman knocks Frosty out by hitting him on the top of his head.
** "That Darn Catwoman". The title character's [[Mooks]] take out Pat Pending and his valet with blackjacks.
** "That Darn Catwoman". The title character's [[Mooks]] take out Pat Pending and his valet with blackjacks.
* Angels on ''[[Supernatural (TV)|Supernatural]]'' can do this by literally just touching the target.
* Angels on ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'' can do this by literally just touching the target.
* In ''[[Dollhouse]]'', Topher Brink uses the jaw-punch version to prevent Bennet Halverson {{spoiler|from killing Echo}}.
* In ''[[Dollhouse]]'', Topher Brink uses the jaw-punch version to prevent Bennet Halverson {{spoiler|from killing Echo}}.
* ''[[Danger 5 (TV)|Danger 5]]'' spoofed this with Tucker declaring he was going to knock out a sentry for an hour, adjusting an [[Super Wrist Gadget|egg timer on his wrist]] for that amount of time, then judo chopping the sentry.
* ''[[Danger 5]]'' spoofed this with Tucker declaring he was going to knock out a sentry for an hour, adjusting an [[Super Wrist Gadget|egg timer on his wrist]] for that amount of time, then judo chopping the sentry.
* Subverted on an episode of ''[[The Lone Ranger]]'', where the Ranger knocks out Butch Cavendish with a punch to the jaw, but realizes he's faking when he examines him. He uses it as a way to set a trap and doesn't tell the guys with him Cavendish is faking until later, when they're away from him.
* Subverted on an episode of ''[[The Lone Ranger]]'', where the Ranger knocks out Butch Cavendish with a punch to the jaw, but realizes he's faking when he examines him. He uses it as a way to set a trap and doesn't tell the guys with him Cavendish is faking until later, when they're away from him.


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== Music ==
== Music ==
* In [[Jaga Jazzist (Music)|Jaga Jazzist]]'s "Airborne" music video, an attempted murder is foiled when the gunman is knocked unconscious by a flying champagne cork.
* In [[Jaga Jazzist]]'s "Airborne" music video, an attempted murder is foiled when the gunman is knocked unconscious by a flying champagne cork.




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*** However, in Halo ODST, the Rookie is unconscious for a whole six hours (by the impact of a very high altitude low opening crash) and then happily runs around New Mombassa. Perhaps his inability to speak is in fact resultant brain damage.
*** However, in Halo ODST, the Rookie is unconscious for a whole six hours (by the impact of a very high altitude low opening crash) and then happily runs around New Mombassa. Perhaps his inability to speak is in fact resultant brain damage.
**** Or one mother of a headache brought on by a concussion.
**** Or one mother of a headache brought on by a concussion.
* ''[[Deus Ex (Video Game)|Deus Ex]]'' made stunning attacks on unaware targets vastly more effective than those on alert ones. Hitting someone from behind with a baton or riot prod would knock them out quickly and quietly.
* ''[[Deus Ex]]'' made stunning attacks on unaware targets vastly more effective than those on alert ones. Hitting someone from behind with a baton or riot prod would knock them out quickly and quietly.
** Trivia: Ionstorm Austin, the makers of Deus Ex, employed some of the Looking Glass Studios staff (who made ''[[Thief]]'') when Looking Glass folded.
** Trivia: Ionstorm Austin, the makers of Deus Ex, employed some of the Looking Glass Studios staff (who made ''[[Thief]]'') when Looking Glass folded.
** In the ''Deus Ex: Human Revolution'' [[Tap On the Head]] plays an important role as Adam Jensen can use his augmented strength to perform various non-lethal takedowns with punches to the head, chokeholds, or striking an enemy's head against a hard object (or striking the heads of two enemies together).
** In the ''Deus Ex: Human Revolution'' [[Tap on the Head]] plays an important role as Adam Jensen can use his augmented strength to perform various non-lethal takedowns with punches to the head, chokeholds, or striking an enemy's head against a hard object (or striking the heads of two enemies together).
* ''[[Splinter Cell]]''. From ''Chaos Theory'' onward, Sam commonly uses the sleeper hold. He also uses punches to the back of the head and palm-strikes to the solar plexus.
* ''[[Splinter Cell]]''. From ''Chaos Theory'' onward, Sam commonly uses the sleeper hold. He also uses punches to the back of the head and palm-strikes to the solar plexus.
* In ''[[Dark Cloud (Video Game)|Dark Cloud]] 2'', [[Action Girl]] / [[Black Magician Girl]] [[Royals Who Actually Do Something|Monica]] [[Everything's Better With Princesses|Raybrandt]] is knocked out by [[Arch Nemesis|her nemesis]], [[The Dragon|Gaspard]], using the "sharp punch to the solar plexus" variety. To be fair, she was distracted at the time, what with her partner Max shooting down the airship she and Gaspard were on...
* In ''[[Dark Cloud]] 2'', [[Action Girl]] / [[Black Magician Girl]] [[Royals Who Actually Do Something|Monica]] [[Everything's Better with Princesses|Raybrandt]] is knocked out by [[Arch Nemesis|her nemesis]], [[The Dragon|Gaspard]], using the "sharp punch to the solar plexus" variety. To be fair, she was distracted at the time, what with her partner Max shooting down the airship she and Gaspard were on...
* ''[[Avalon Code]]'' ends Chapter 3 with Anwar using the "solar plexus" variant on your character. Heath uses the same variant at the end of Chapter 5 to keep you from getting the book out of a hijacked Valdo's hands.
* ''[[Avalon Code]]'' ends Chapter 3 with Anwar using the "solar plexus" variant on your character. Heath uses the same variant at the end of Chapter 5 to keep you from getting the book out of a hijacked Valdo's hands.
* The ''[[Shadowrun]] Genesis'' game uses the "solar plexus blow" variant as a distraction in which your character will stealthily pull it off then claim they had a heart attack to sneak into corporations as flavor text. This always works regardless of the unarmed combat and social capabilities of the main character.
* The ''[[Shadowrun]] Genesis'' game uses the "solar plexus blow" variant as a distraction in which your character will stealthily pull it off then claim they had a heart attack to sneak into corporations as flavor text. This always works regardless of the unarmed combat and social capabilities of the main character.
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* How [[Twilight Princess|Link]] was rendered unconcious, so the Bulblins could take Ilia. It's never explained ''why'' they do this though.
* How [[Twilight Princess|Link]] was rendered unconcious, so the Bulblins could take Ilia. It's never explained ''why'' they do this though.
* ''[[Quest for Glory V]]'' introduces the blackjack as a Thieves-only item which lets them perform non-fatal sneak attacks.
* ''[[Quest for Glory V]]'' introduces the blackjack as a Thieves-only item which lets them perform non-fatal sneak attacks.
* Played straight in ''[[Batman Arkham Asylum]]'' and ''[[Batman Arkham City]]''. Almost averted when Batman uses a blood-choke to silent take-down enemies, which as stated previously does have a low risk of permanent damage -- but his opponents stay out for a very long time. His other method of 'knocking out' thugs involves no-holds-barred beat-downs where he snaps bones and most certainly gives severe concussions.
* Played straight in ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum]]'' and ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]''. Almost averted when Batman uses a blood-choke to silent take-down enemies, which as stated previously does have a low risk of permanent damage -- but his opponents stay out for a very long time. His other method of 'knocking out' thugs involves no-holds-barred beat-downs where he snaps bones and most certainly gives severe concussions.
* In ''[[Ghost Trick]]'', the Guardian of the Park receives one {{spoiler|from a falling football}}. This is a particularly [[TV Tropes Drinking Game|egregio]]-- er, [[Subverted Trope|extreme]] example, as going by the [[Time Travel|time said tap occurs]], he was left unconscious for ''five hours''.
* In ''[[Ghost Trick]]'', the Guardian of the Park receives one {{spoiler|from a falling football}}. This is a particularly [[TV Tropes Drinking Game|egregio]]-- er, [[Subverted Trope|extreme]] example, as going by the [[Time Travel|time said tap occurs]], he was left unconscious for ''five hours''.
* Apparently averted in the [[Resident Evil 1|first Resident Evil game]], of all things. {{spoiler|One ending variation has [[The Big Guy|Barry Burton]] sneak up behind an unsuspecting [[Big Bad|Wesker]] and whack him on the back of the head with his magnum. This would have to kill Wesker for him to be able to transform into his undead, G-Virus self, present in the rest of the series.}}
* Apparently averted in the [[Resident Evil 1|first Resident Evil game]], of all things. {{spoiler|One ending variation has [[The Big Guy|Barry Burton]] sneak up behind an unsuspecting [[Big Bad|Wesker]] and whack him on the back of the head with his magnum. This would have to kill Wesker for him to be able to transform into his undead, G-Virus self, present in the rest of the series.}}
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== Webcomics ==
== Webcomics ==
* [[Lampshade Hanging]] in [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-08-14 this] ''[[El Goonish Shive (Webcomic)|El Goonish Shive]]'' strip. Elliot is of course completely fine after having been knocked out, but he flips out about silly things like "brain damage" and "concussions."
* [[Lampshade Hanging]] in [http://www.egscomics.com/?date=2002-08-14 this] ''[[El Goonish Shive]]'' strip. Elliot is of course completely fine after having been knocked out, but he flips out about silly things like "brain damage" and "concussions."
* Subverted in ''[[Narbonic]]''. Mell clonks Titus Misanthropie with the butt of her gun... and he yells "Ow!" He then proceeds to give her advice:
* Subverted in ''[[Narbonic]]''. Mell clonks Titus Misanthropie with the butt of her gun... and he yells "Ow!" He then proceeds to give her advice:
{{quote| '''Titus:''' Miss, you want to strike closer to the base of the skull. What is this, your first cold-cocking?<br />
{{quote| '''Titus:''' Miss, you want to strike closer to the base of the skull. What is this, your first cold-cocking?<br />
'''Mell:''' Usually I just kill.<br />
'''Mell:''' Usually I just kill.<br />
'''Helen:''' Sorry, Titus. She's an intern. }}
'''Helen:''' Sorry, Titus. She's an intern. }}
* This becomes a running gag during a ''[[Dan and Mabs Furry Adventures|DMFA]]'' arc, nicknamed "head-clunking." Then Aliyka [http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_896.php tries it] on Dan...
* This becomes a running gag during a ''[[Dan and Mab's Furry Adventures|DMFA]]'' arc, nicknamed "head-clunking." Then Aliyka [http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_896.php tries it] on Dan...
* Done [[Reality Ensues|realistically]] in [http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=207 this] [[VG Cats]] strip. Yes kids, ''that'' is what you are going for when hitting someone hard on the head.
* Done [[Reality Ensues|realistically]] in [http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=207 this] [[VG Cats]] strip. Yes kids, ''that'' is what you are going for when hitting someone hard on the head.
* In ''[[Girl Genius]]'', Oggie cures Lars' panic attack with a brick to the head. Of course, Og is a Jager and they are superhumanly tough, so by his lights this might be an acceptable form of discipline.
* In ''[[Girl Genius]]'', Oggie cures Lars' panic attack with a brick to the head. Of course, Og is a Jager and they are superhumanly tough, so by his lights this might be an acceptable form of discipline.
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{{quote| '''Dragoon:''' What is this, an episode of ~Gilligan's Island~? Everybody gets hit once and they are instantly unconscious?<br />
{{quote| '''Dragoon:''' What is this, an episode of ~Gilligan's Island~? Everybody gets hit once and they are instantly unconscious?<br />
'''Red Mantle:''' Good one. Six bucks says he has [[Easy Amnesia|amnesia]] when he wakes up. }}
'''Red Mantle:''' Good one. Six bucks says he has [[Easy Amnesia|amnesia]] when he wakes up. }}
* One episode of ''[[Spongebob SquarePants]]'' featured a health inspector getting knocked out in various ways over the course of the episode.
* One episode of ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' featured a health inspector getting knocked out in various ways over the course of the episode.
* In the ''[[Star Wars the Clone Wars]]'' episode ''Cloak of Darkness'', the [[Badass Normal]] and [[The Mole]] single each other out. The Badass Normal knocks The Mole out cold with one right hook. Then, two seconds later, the [[Dirty Coward|prisoner]] knocks out Badass Normal from behind with a butt-stroke from a blaster rifle. (A butt-stroke is a hit with the back end of a rifle. Not what you think.)
* In the ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' episode ''Cloak of Darkness'', the [[Badass Normal]] and [[The Mole]] single each other out. The Badass Normal knocks The Mole out cold with one right hook. Then, two seconds later, the [[Dirty Coward|prisoner]] knocks out Badass Normal from behind with a butt-stroke from a blaster rifle. (A butt-stroke is a hit with the back end of a rifle. Not what you think.)
* Subverted in the ''[[American Dad (Animation)|American Dad]]'' episode, "Stan's Night Out". Several people are hit on the head with bottles; they collapse, but don't lose consciousness, and they need to be taken to a hospital.
* Subverted in the ''[[American Dad]]'' episode, "Stan's Night Out". Several people are hit on the head with bottles; they collapse, but don't lose consciousness, and they need to be taken to a hospital.
* ''[[Jonny Quest]]'' TOS episodes:
* ''[[Jonny Quest]]'' TOS episodes:
** "Mystery of the Lizard Men". The title opponents are knocked out as follows: Race Bannon (1 punch, 1 judo chop), Jonny (1 by air vent grill, 1 by swinging pulley, 2 by oar, 1 by facemask).
** "Mystery of the Lizard Men". The title opponents are knocked out as follows: Race Bannon (1 punch, 1 judo chop), Jonny (1 by air vent grill, 1 by swinging pulley, 2 by oar, 1 by facemask).
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** "Monster in the Monastery". Hadji to a yeti with a club, Jonny to two yetis with thrown pots, Hadji to a yeti with a crate and a yeti to ''himself'' with a thrown rock.
** "Monster in the Monastery". Hadji to a yeti with a club, Jonny to two yetis with thrown pots, Hadji to a yeti with a crate and a yeti to ''himself'' with a thrown rock.
** "The Devil's Tower". Race knocks out a sleepy caveman with his own club.
** "The Devil's Tower". Race knocks out a sleepy caveman with his own club.
* In his [[Show Within a Show]], ''[[Bolt (Disney)|Bolt]]'' disables a [[Mook]] with a karate chop to the neck. Outside the show, however, is another matter.
* In his [[Show Within a Show]], ''[[Bolt]]'' disables a [[Mook]] with a karate chop to the neck. Outside the show, however, is another matter.
* In ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', Sokka knocks someone out by hitting him with his boomerang.
* In ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', Sokka knocks someone out by hitting him with his boomerang.
** Similarly, Zuko (while masquerading as the Blue Spirit) gets knocked out for what seems to be several hours when he gets shot in the forehead by an arrow, protected only by his mask.
** Similarly, Zuko (while masquerading as the Blue Spirit) gets knocked out for what seems to be several hours when he gets shot in the forehead by an arrow, protected only by his mask.