Yes they are effective. A strike to the wrist with a baton will make you lose 95% of your grip even a FOAM covered baton. The key is striking areas like the forearm and wrist (inside), side of the knee and thigh. along with the Inside of the thigh. As others have said don't strike to the head unless lethal force would be appropriate. If its a grey area you can strike to the side of the neck (warning it CAN be lethal if enough force is used) A strike to the neck is a lot more of a suck fest then a strike to the head (bare handed) I know from various sparring sessions. It causes cramping and intense pain, its a lot like a kick to the testicles. Try to be an aggressor when u cant even straighten your head as your ear feels like its glued to your shoulder
