As a follow up to the last video, here is an example of two "experts" showing an irresponsible technique.
I'm not into trashing individual styles, as quite often it's the practitioner or instructor that makes the style, not the style itself. However, I will address this particular technique sequence. Notice that this is done with absolutely zero intensity or realism. The attack slowly lunges forward and then freezes. Why would he do this? He doesn't with draw his hand and try to stab again (reality) which would in effect cancel the following up joint manipulation into the hammerlock. I also seriously doubt he'd be able to stab his assailant in the back, or strip the knife so easily.
This is why we MUST train with intensity and energy! I don't know who these two gentlemen are, but I'm sure they think they're doing the right thing and teaching quality self defence. But quite simply, trying this will get someone killed! This is one of the reasons why the entire Progressive Defence team, as well as all of our recommended trainers, pressure test every technique before teaching it to anyone else. We need to be sure it works.
Please keep this in mind next time you think you're learning an awesome technique that is sure to impress your friends. Often it's the unimpressive techniques that work.
I agree about the lack of intensity, however in itself it's not a bad technique only it's performed inadequately: while I would never try an X-block against a knife (an experienced guy will nail you with his other hand or trap both your hands) it can be done against a novice provided you drive forward with high intensity (this prevents him from stabbing again) and it should be followed immediately by a knee to the groin. What my sensei taught us to do is block with hand and strike with the other at his biceps while driving forward and kneeing him in the process.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing: this isn't 'Isreali martial arts', it's a technique from ju-jutsu. This whole set-up reeks of a mcdojo to me and you're right: doing it in this manner will get you killed but don't knock the entire technique because of some bozo's who don't know what they're doing and leaving out important elements.
Hi Zara. Thanks for your comment. I agree that, in principle, the key to knife defence is intensity and commitment. A forward drive is often very effective. Staying outside or dancing away from the knife over and over is only going to end in tears. Eventually you need to get in there and control the thing. I'm not a fan of perscribing specific technique sequences in the method of "if he does this, you do this" as I find there are far too many variables for this kind of pattern formation to ever work in the real world. Also, trying to strike at a moving target like someone's bicep, while they're trying to gut you with a knife, would be a very difficult task. It sounds like your sensei's on the right track with trapping and driving though. You should play with this principle against someone really trying to stab you prison-style using a marker pen. It can be a great drill.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the group I chose to show in the video were not super-reputable, hence why I didn't have an issue using them as an example of what not to do. However, I won't say they're not legitimate "Israeli Martial Arts" as I'm far from an authority in the field. Also, once you've been around the traps, everything in everything looks like something in jujitsu, and everything in jujitsu looks like something in Kabbadi, and everything in Kabbadi looks like something in Pankration... there's only so many ways the human body can move. At the end of the day we're all trying to achieve the same thing.
Thanks for your readership and your comment. :)
Thanks again for your lengthy reply, Zara. It makes for interesting reading.
ReplyDeleteI think we mostly agree in principle on this issue. One thing I've learned regarding knife defence from doing hundreds of live drills and training with the likes of Ray Floro, is that it is imperative that you get some kind of control over the knife hand. Now, whether you choose to do this by controlling the wrist or by crashing into some kind of overhook or underhook (potentially very dangerous), if you don't get control over that limb you're just going to keep getting stabbed - unless you're fortunate enough to knock him out with your first shot. That's my main objection to the simultaneous block and strike method.
As for what we teach, I've found the most effective method for myself and my students in no-compliance drills is to engage the knife, control the hand/arm and then "destroy the computer" by shredding, headbutting, elbowing... really whatever presents itself. The idea is we want to control the threat and then eliminate it as quickly as possible.
To be clear, I'm not saying that the silmultaneous hit and block is without merit or that it won't work for anyone - just that I haven't made it work for me reliably in pressure drills. A silmultaneous catch/latch and strike, however, is a different method which I've found to be more succcessful for myself and my students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that taking on a trained knife fighter is just about suicide. Chances are if the person knows what they're doing, you'll be dead without ever seeing the knife. Thankfully that is an extreme rarity, at least in our culture.