Something I noticed that can be associated with hand-hand combat is any simple labor. Like sweeping or heavy lifting and etc.
Oddly enough, I think I know what martial arts masters were up to when it comes to assigning such tasks to students. Physical training and technique while getting things done.
Anyway; what I noticed when doing any kind of work, or even moving around, and it always bothers me when I watch people fight; You really don't need to move around much to cause alot of harm to someone. Given an opportunity, I can knock someone out at point blank without warning, without it being a sucker punch. You don't need a reel back in order to do harm. It's wasted time and energy that can be spent on defense or dodging or aiming.
Like stated, a well placed shot, as well as enough pressure in a given spot can just about incapacitate anyone, provided what you intend to shock for a short time. It's all about pressure points and providing the right pressure at the right point.
Consider something like this; back when most of my family were living in the same house; my older brother would sometimes surprise attack us (sometimes as a surprise greeting) by by pushing his knee at the base of our spine, next thing you know, you can't move your legs, and you're on the ground immediately without resistance. However, it's only as long as pressure is on the spot. Enough for practical jokes; and a pretty decent method to subdue someone unaware of the technique. Of course, with enough knowing how it works, it helps to grow some muscles in the area to make it harder for the technique to work; just keep your posture up to prevent it (provided the right muscles are grown for protection; no guarantees though; plus not too upright either; there's a sweet spot where you're nigh-invulnerable to the method.).
I think similar can be executed, the finding the right column/tendon/vessel to press to fully subdue a person while keeping them conscious is a challenge, but not fantasy. It's just not on the shoulder as Spock would show. Much worse, when using such methods to subdue someone, it's like anesthesia sans the painlessness. No movement, still feeling.
If you are particularly cruel, duct tape a marble into a pressure point and keep them on the ground and deal with them later.