| BASIC KNIFE DEFENSE |
| By Master Earl Weiss Published in the Taekwon-Do Times 1995 |
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| Page 2 |
| WHAT TO EXPECT Knife fighting styles are of two basic types. These are the strong side forward (if right handed this is your right side forward with the knife in that hand and vise versa), or strong side to the rear. Some esoteric styles may shift the knife from hand to hand. The two basic types are each divided into two categories: knife held in saber grip, or knife held in ice pick grip. To learn the pros and cons of each type or category, use a point sparing format. For each drill, follow these safety rules: 1. USE RUBBER KNIVES. Never use real knives. Sometimes water-soluble markers are used. 2. No techniques allowed above the shoulders. Even safety goggles won’t provide adequate protection because the blade can slip underneath, or they can come off. Students may wish to experiment with full-face motorcycle helmets having securely fastened face shields. 3. Use hand, foot and head protective sparring gear for added protection. 4. Execute all exercises with caution and under adequate supervision. FORMAT # 1 Any touch with the knife to any part of the partner’s body wins. If your partner touches you first, you must acknowledge the point. You can the continue for the next encounter using this format. Experiment with this format by having each partner use one of the fighting types and categories mentioned above. Experiment by using identical types and categories against each other, and then different ones against each other. FORMAT # 2 Explore the various combinations of types and categories, but this time you can win if you give up one secondary target to score on a primary target. You can modify the rules to give up two secondary targets, etc., but it would not be realistic to give up ten secondary targets. FORMAT # 3 Use both formats number one and two, but now use kicks, punches and various other martial arts techniques. Try to avoid, counter, grab and control the knife or knife hand. FORMAT # 4 Experiment with empty hand techniques verses the various knife fighting styles after becoming acquainted with various types and categories. FORMAT # 5 Have the opponent execute a knife blitz and do your best to sidestep, parry, evade, control and counterattack the knife. |
| REMEMBER . . . It is easy to be slashed in a knife fight! Strong side forward saber grip is effectively used for a reach advantage and to slice secondary targets on any incoming attack. Strong side back saber grips keep the knife away from the opponent’s kicks and blocks. The lead hand can be used to give up the secondary target to create an opening in the opponent’s primary target. Strong side forward with the ice pick grip, while used in many Filipino arts for slashing and hooking, does not use the reach advantage of the saber grip. When faced with someone using this method, you should realize that they either don’t know what they are doing, they are crazy, or they’re very good. Strong side back ice pick grip is the least efficient, but the navive opponent may use this for a blitz. USING THE ENVIRONMENT Using the environment is somewhat difficult to practice in the dojang. To do so, the instructor needs to provide various items such as a broom or chair to neutralize the reach advantage and strike at the incoming knife or arm. Explore the use of other common items. For example, remove your belt and swing the buckle at the hand holding the knife or wrap your hand and arm in our jacket to block or parry the knife. CONCLUSION There is no 100% guarantee that any martial art knife defense will work in any given situation. But the more you learn and practice, the greater your chances for survival. |
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