fax (000) 000-0000
toll-free (000) 000-0000
Knife Defense: Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists
Books 1
through 5 of the Knife
Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series
focused on getting to know and use the knife. Now that you have
gained some understanding of knife offense, let’s continue by
studying what you might do if faced empty handed with a
knife-wielding assailant.
If you have experience in a contact martial
art, you know that one good strike or kick, even though it may be
painful, is not likely to kill you or even end the fight. This bit
of knowledge gives you confidence in your survival ability.
Participating in contact martial arts training, wearing gloves and
other protective gear, is good physical conditioning. It also builds
confidence in your ability to take strikes and kicks. But let’s
assume now that your opponent is armed with a knife, and that a
faulty move on your part will likely mean severe injury or death.
Will you be more cautious about the techniques you execute, the
distance you keep between you and your adversary, or your timing?
Even though nothing else has changed, you will approach the
situation more cautiously when you know that your safety or life is
at stake. Training in knife defense, using a dull training blade and
acknowledging each time it touches you, will make you more aware of
the dangers involved.
Defending empty handed against the knife is one
of the most difficult and dangerous situations you will encounter.
When setting up realistic scenarios and training at realistic speed,
you will learn that it’s not as simple as sidestepping and
intercepting the attack, or placing your opponent in a joint lock
that neutralizes the threat. You will likely miss the attacker’s
hand when trying to intercept it and get cut in the process. When
facing a knife-wielding attacker, even a cut to a non-lethal area
such as your arm can cause shock. If you fail to react with offense
after your defensive move, the fight will likely end to your
opponent’s advantage. When facing a knife-wielding attacker, you
must have a keen sense of distance. The fighting range that applies
when sparring empty handed in the training hall will likely not be
workable against the knife. You must either be far away or very
close. If outside of the knife’s effective range, you must either
distance yourself permanently or find an opportunity to move to
close range. You must then control your opponent’s offensive
capabilities by unbalancing him, harming him through a strike or
kick to a vulnerable area, or pinning or controlling his
knife-wielding hand.
What are your choices? You can attempt to
control the knife, control the arm that holds the knife, or control
the person. Untrained people have a tendency to fixate on the knife.
But since the knife is at the extension of the arm, it is capable of
tremendous speed and is difficult to intercept and control. Focusing
on the arm rather than the knife gives you a slightly better chance
of achieving control of the weapon without getting cut. Consider,
too, the possibility of controlling your opponent’s whole body while
ignoring the knife initially, through an unbalancing move for
instance. Balance loss and damage to your opponent’s arms or body
may prevent him from gripping or using the knife against you.
As explained in Book 1, the
Knife Training Methods and
Techniques for Martial Artists series 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.
Remember that it is your responsibility to know and comply with all
federal and local laws regarding the possession and carry of edged
weapons.
Although some
people will argue that the techniques you learn in the martial arts
training hall are much too complicated for a real situation
involving a knife, this is not necessarily true. Remember that many
Asian martial arts are built upon surprise tactics. They were
developed to give you an advantage over a bigger or stronger
adversary. Consider how ancient Chinese military strategist Sun-tzu,
for example, advocated surprise and “dirty” fighting; for example,
that you should appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you
are weak. There is nothing that says that you must use a clean block
or clean intercept technique when defending against a knife. Rather,
you should find a way to weaken your adversary before engaging him
for a disarming technique. Weakening him can involve a distraction
such as spitting at his face, or it can involve a strike to a
sensitive area such as the eyes.
