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Knife Offense: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists
The purpose of the
Knife Training Methods and
Techniques for Martial Artists series is to emphasize how
tradition and culture have affected our views of the martial arts
and bring increased understanding of the knife as a weapon of
offense and defense, while simultaneously strengthening the
empty-hand skills of the martial artist.
Traditional martial arts take a philosophical as
well as a combat approach to resolving issues of violence. As a
result we study self-defense. Offense is looked upon as a
last resort when all else fails, and the value of training in knife
offense can prove controversial. However, two concepts should not be
confused: First, no respectable strategist says no thanks to
knowledge. Learning all you can about yourself, your opponent, and
your weapons (whether knives or empty hands), makes you a wiser
martial artist, combatant, or defender of self and others. Second,
education, clear-sightedness, and ownership of your abilities with
edged weapons does in no way imply that you are aggressive, macho,
cruel, careless, or out looking for a fight. Learning about knife
offense does not detract from the traditional martial art mindset of
defending against assault by walking away or doing the least amount
of harm possible.
The typical idea of a knife fight is of two people pitted against each other in an enclosed area, street corner, alley, bar, or in the jungles of warfare, knife against knife, attempting stabs and cuts at each other until one person emerges victorious. This type of scenario is a rare occurrence. There is really no such thing as knife fighting per se. There are defenses against knife attacks and muggings; there are uses of the knife to dispose of an opponent quickly or as an equalizer in an assault; and there are times when the knife is deployed as a threat; for example, in a hostage situation or to coerce the victim into giving something up. The person armed with a knife has a definite objective in mind: He or she wants your life or your body, or some other thing of value. But he is not interested in “sparring” with the knife. No two people in their right minds would go knife against knife, because the odds are that only one can survive the fight, and that the survivor will at best be severely injured.
According to the National Crime Victimization
Survey, 1993-2001, conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice,
“While victimizations involving knives comprised 6% of all violent
crimes resulting in an injury, these victimizations accounted for
about 24% of all serious injuries experienced by crime victims.” By
contrast, victimizations involving firearms comprised 10% of all
violent crimes resulting in an injury, but only accounted for 13% of
all serious injuries experienced by crime victims. In other words,
approximately twice as many people were seriously injured in an
assault involving a knife than in an assault involving a firearm,
despite the fact that only about half as many assaults involved a
knife. Since edged weapons attacks often comprise multiple stabs or
slashes, the victim is also more likely to die from the attack than
from a gunshot wound, and in many cases never sees the knife and
therefore has little opportunity defending against it. This should
give you some idea as to the dangers of the knife. This series of
books is therefore more about knife education than about knife
fighting. With that said, let’s look at the knife from the
traditional martial arts viewpoint.
An ancient warrior principle states: “No method,
whatever its merit, has any value unless it helps develop a man’s
character in a manner which would make him master of himself.” Great
power lies in knowing that you can, but won’t. The martial arts are
an expression of combat; they teach us how a dangerous situation
might unfold and the options we have available. Chances are the
average citizen can avoid getting into a situation involving a knife
just by being observant and careful with the places he or she
frequents, and by recognizing the breeding grounds for domestic
violence before reaching the point of no return. However, the
possibility still exists that sometime in your life you will need to
come to another person’s assistance, or find yourself face-to-face
with a knife-wielding assailant. The key to confidence in
self-defense is education along with the knowledge that you have
what it takes. The intent of this series of books is to give the
martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance
of the knife as a combat weapon, to inspire the reader about the
benefits of knife training, and to provide detailed step-by-step
instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with
speed, proficiency, and confidence. Studying the knife is also
valuable to the person who seeks an education for no other reason
than a personal interest in combat history.
The series of books has three
objectives: The first few books focus on getting to know the knife,
its strengths and weaknesses, and on manipulating and using it. The
next few books focus on defending against knife attacks. The last
few books focus on implementing empty-hand martial arts skills into
your knife training, and include scenario-based exercises intended
to bring your knowledge into perspective and give you a solid
understanding of your strengths and weaknesses when faced with a
knife-wielding assailant. Each book starts with an introduction. You
are then given the lesson objectives, along with detailed
information and a number of training exercises aimed at making you
physically and emotionally ready to participate in traditional
martial arts demonstrations involving a knife or, if fate will have
it, in a real encounter.
As you go through the training
exercises, remember that almost any martial art, traditional or
modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing
the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively
small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement
patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to
your knife techniques, and vice versa. Knife training enhances your
traditional skills by teaching you spontaneity and precision. Since
the knife requires so little force to operate, it is also a useful
alternative in a self-defense situation that has you physically and
mentally weakened, for example, through an injury or as a result of
physical exhaustion. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife
training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and
mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and
target precision.
When you have learned the basic moves and techniques, you will train under stressful conditions and experience many of the emotions of a real scenario. These include fear, freezing, loss of fine motor skills, shortness of breath, and tunnel vision. Performing under stress teaches you to become more decisive and gives you a better sense of the swiftness with which you must respond to an attack. Studying failure under stress is an important element of learning. When you miss on your defenses, you gain insight that allows you to identify and correct flawed techniques. Knife training therefore gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Practicing with the knife and exploring a variety of scenarios sharpens your mind and physical prowess, gives you confidence in your ability to protect your safety, and serves as a deterrent to a potential threat even if you never intend to carry a knife as a weapon.
