Mainly used in combat sports such as boxing and kickboxing, below the belt refers to all the area of the body that lies below the line of the opponent's navel, including the genital area, legs, and crotch. In these sports, as in many others, punches must not be struck below the opponent's navel, as it is deemed unfair and contrary to sportsmanship.
The expression is also used figuratively in to describe anything which is considered abusive, excessively hurtful, or plainly unfair.
Below the belt is a term in combat sports.
Below the Belt may also refer to:
Below the Belt was the debut album by Boxer, released on the Virgin label in January 1976. The album attracted less attention for its music than for its cover art. Photographed by Alex Henderson with graphics by Richard Evans, the cover featured model Stephanie Marrian spreadeagled and naked but for a pair of shoes, with a man's arm reaching up between her legs and his boxing-gloved hand hiding her genitalia. The back cover at first showed Stephanie in complete full-frontal nudity, but later pressings covered her up with the band's belt-styled logo. The cover was completely re-designed for the US market using the band photo from the inside of the UK gatefold cover. The lineup on this album is a live show quartet with keyboardist Chris Stainton brought in during the recording sessions.