Fear the Blade! Defense Against Knife Attack

It is amazing that, while most who are attacked with an edged weapon survive, it is still the one violent attack that tends to scare people the most.  There are several possible reasons for this…among them: amount of VISIBLE injury (i.e. slasher film effect), close range of the attack (personal space is instinctive) or viciousness of attacker.  But, in spite of this almost visceral reaction, it is even more surprising that most traditional karate (or most martial arts for that matter) schools lack any REALISTIC form of defense training in this area.  I included some clips to illustrate:

Seperating Martial Tradition from Traditional Dogma

What are the odds that any knife attack would be carried out like any one of these was?  Virtually nill!  All of these defenses were developed in otherwise very effective traditional budo.  And, obviously they were all in line with their core principles.  The 1st (for example) uses Aikido’s central ideas of circular motion, force redirection and resisting without resistance.  But, without reliable and (most importantly) practical results, it is little more than an excellent competition demonstration…and, here, asthetics do NOT matter.  With my belief in “traditional” karate being a matter of record, it probably seems strange for me to say this.  But, the true heart of martial tradition is combat effectiveness.  This is not to say that the old ways should be scrapped en mass…but, constant change is the key to consistent effectiveness.  And, that is glaringly evident in this arena.

Don’t worry…this is not the beginning of another “how to” on the subject.  Here IS where the karate-ka must take responsibility for his/her own training by asking: “Why did I begin training in the first place?”  If the answer is personal defense realted at all, it is their responsibility to constantly evaluate what they are being taught against common sense knowledge of real-world dangers.  Then, if their chosen budo is found lacking in any area(assuming they are otherwise confident), seeking supplimentary training in that area is up to them.  And, if they truly want to claim the art as their own one day, applying what they have learned from ALL sources to what they will one day teach.      

Sorting Martial Myth from Combat Fact

What to look for in this supplimentary training is the biggest question of all.  I will give you the best advice I can, but I am not an expert “knife-fighter” anymore than anyone else.  First, because there most likely will be little to no warning of the attack,  quick and correct reactions (I would say) are paramount.  So, a system of easily learned techniques that work well with your natural, instinctive movements would be a good place to start.  Also, simplicity is key.  Complicated movements that require pinpoint accuracy and/or timing are a sure recipe for failure under stress and panic.  And, finally, (in my experience) distance saves injury/lives as often as anything else might.  A system that encourages working from the outside and keeping space between you and the attacker (unless VERY sure of yourself) is almost always preferable.  On this foundation you can build an arsenal of “traditional-type” techniques to defend against a possible knife attack. 

Once again, this is not an area of your personal defense strategy that you can afford to take lightly.  There is a great deal of damge that can be done by the least experienced attackers…let alone anyone who has had training.

 

It’s Not About Fighting…It’s About Staying Alive

There are a few distance, reaction and timing drills you can practice and intergrate into your martial training to increase your survivability in a knife attack.  But, acceptance will be your greatest psychological asset in preparing for the possibility.  Accepting that: (just like unarmed self defense) there is NO 100% reliable method, if attacked you WILL be cut/slashed and accept that it is NOT a fight.  A fight implies the idea that there will be a winner…and NOBODY wins against this type of attack (they can only survive).  I know this sounds pesimistic…but, to believe anything else would lead to the worst mistake of all…a false sense of security.  If you think you will “beat down” an attacker armed with a knife (even if you have one too), then you are your own worst enemy.  While the idea of a “knife fight” being won by the better trained/tougher man sounds cool and attracts students to schools, it is a false idea.

Escape is what you want…and your training should be geared toward that!  Just remember…General Custer and his 7th Cavalry attacked with better weapons, better training and great confidence.  What did it get them?

Marc G.