Brian Vickery

Not to side-track this topic, but there is another apsect of teaching 'finishing moves' that an instructor must consider. There are legal ramifications for instructors who teach their students to 'finish' their attackers ...by this, I mean, inflicting additional physical damage on an attacker AFTER you have defeated the attack and have control over the attacker.

Here's a very good article that touches on this very subject: Self Defense Law and the Martial Artist by Peter Hobart, Esq.
http://www.koryubudo.com/articles/general-4.htm

Under the heading of: "Martial arts teachers' liability", the author/lawyer explains the concept of 'Agency':

"Under the Theory of Agency, the principal is liable for unlawful acts which he causes to be done through an agent. There are three possible ways in which a martial arts instructor might be held liable as the principal for the unlawful acts of his students, as agents. First, if the instructor appears to ratify or approve of unlawful conduct, he may be held liable for the commission of such acts. Thus, a dojo which encourages the use of excessive force, or lethal force in inappropriate situations may be seen to ratify and approve of unlawful conduct. Similarly, an instructor who continues to teach a student who has abused his knowledge may be held responsible, if not liable, for subsequent torts.

Second, an instructor may be held liable for having entrusted a student with ‘an extremely dangerous instrumentality'. "[w]hen an instrumentality passes from the control of a person, his responsibility for injuries inflicted by it ceases. However, when an injury is caused by an exceptionally dangerous instrumentality, or one which may be dangerous if improperly used, a former owner or possessor may ... be charged with responsibility for [its] use...." The implications for instructors who teach potentially lethal techniques is clear."

...if you want to read the entire article, please go to the web site listed above.

...just some food for thought!