Knife fighting
I did a 'google' search on knife fighting and found what I thought was an interesting read re: knife fighting lies. It is kind of a lengthy read but written in a way that it doesn't seem that way. It is from Marc "Animal" MacYoung.
http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/knifelies.html
After reading it, what he said registered with me as a no BS honest, logical evaluation of knife fights and knife fighting systems.
Then, because I had never heard of him, I did another 'google' search with his name. And come to find out, Patrick Parker of Mokuren Dojo had done an interview with him on March 10, 2009. Below is the link for that, again, an interesting read.
http://www.mokurendojo.com/2009/03/moku ... young.html
Anybody have any thoughts?
I read one of his books a few years ago.
The written part was good and it seemed like he knew what he was talking about. At the time I wondered if it was someone from our group who wrote it. Then I looked at the pictures of the man demonstrating fighting postures etc, there was a big disconnect.
I don't think the writer is the same person in the pictures.
David
Marc writes some very good stuff. His website is definitely worth visiting. There's a LOT of reading to do on some very good subjects. It's very large, and things are interwoven pretty heavily. After a few hours of reading, I felt like I was starting to understand the man and his views.
I think one thing that really sticks out is in point #13: "Weapons take it out of the arena of fighting and put it in the realm of combat."
Since you're asking for thoughts, here's my $0.02:
To me, any unsolicited physical attack brings the situation into the realm of combat. Whether armed or unarmed, inside the dojo or not. In the dojo, bowing to each other signifies that we come to each other with good intentions, to safely train with each other, in a prescribed fashion and to look out for each other's welfare. If you come onto the floor with anything other than pure intentions, you are escalating the practice into unsafe territory. "You can't do that to me," sort of ideas apply, as well as those lovely, "How would you respond if I... followed by an unannounced kick or punch." One of my teachers once said of his time in Japan that failing to bow to your partner signalled a fight was about to commence. Bowing is a pretty serious deal, and for good reason.
In the dojo, we practice budo: aikido, judo, etc. The -do forms are for the betterment of ourselves, our partners, and by extension society as a whole. It's about becoming a better human being, and allowing that positive change to flow forth into the world. It's caring about my partner in a big way -- I'm 100% responsible for my partner and his safety. I want my partner to learn better technique, to become a better martial artist which will in-turn help me to improve. It's about watching my partner after I've thrown him, to ensure he is safe and remains safe from anyone stepping on him or landing on him.
Unprovoked attacks demand we make our safety and welfare the #1 priority. After all, the attacker isn't really interested in his victim's welfare. Under this circumstances, our relationship drastically changes.
When things change to combat... well, that's where the jutsu forms exist. We do judo in the dojo, but in the real world, when you have to defend yourself, it becomes jujutsu simply because of the context in which the encounter occurs. Our safety and survival are the #1 priority. Period. We don't practice jutsu forms because of safety -- when you aren't particularly concerned about your partner's welfare, bad things have been known to happen.
From the website: "All that separates what we do in the dojo from mere violence is a thin veil of good will and good manners. "
Before I went to Afghanistan we did some knife on knife training. I think the points I came away with from that is that it was going to be a very violent confrontation, that going in for more than a simple wrist cut would probably end in your own death quickly, and you would probably not come out of it without getting cut yourself. The idea was to whittle your opponent down literally. I liked the fact that the curricullum was small, simple, and some of the techniques were not too far off from Aikido especially shomen ate.
Jason Junkens wrote:...I think the points I came away with from that is that it was going to be a very violent confrontation, that going in for more than a simple wrist cut would probably end in your own death quickly, and you would probably not come out of it without getting cut yourself...
Enter the sales pitch for Rory Miller's
Meditations on Violence. It's been reviewed by a couple of us
here on the forum.
I don't think any of us, save those who have been there & done that, have any real idea how up close & personal real violence is. Miller does a very good job discussing it. His background as a prison corrections officer really provides a nice background.
Simple is good, especially when fine motor controls go out the window as adrenaline enters the bloodstream in a large dose. When I was shooting competitively, it was amazing to watch guys who could drive tacks suddenly not be able to hit the broad side of a barn simply because of the stress induced by being timed, and how others might perceive them and/or their abilities based on shooting the stage.
Couldn't agree more, in fact I was fairly lucky. The counterpart on my team was a prision c.o. as well and he said when those guys go to shank each other it is like throwing your body in front of a sewing machine. Makes sense too cause when you go to save some one, if Airway, Breathing, and Circulation are good doesn't really matter if you don't stop the bleeding and that is hard to do when you got 20-30 holes to patch.
I'll submit the rules of knife fighting Mr. Glover taught me.
#1. Don't get into knife fights.
#2. Don't get into knife fights. There are plenty of examples where the "winner" of a knife fight bled out and died a few minutes after he killed his opponent.
#3. Let them come to you. Anything you extend is a target.
#4. If you can't avoid a knife fight -- no mercy, no quarter, no pity.
In a totally unrelated search I managed to stumble on to this article. I thought it was interesting. Any thoughts? --- There are several other close quarters combat blogs there that were good reads too.
Here is the link:
http://military-fitness.military.com/20 ... ttack.html
June 15, 2009 by Jeff Anderson
There is no "bluffing" in a knife fight!
When the knife comes out, you have to assume that it's "go" time.
But how your attacker HOLDS his knife can give you insight into his mind...and how to plan your attack!
First, understand that this is NOT a "be all - end all" assumption of how an edged weapon attack goes down. There's no such thing as a scientific response to any attack and especially so when it comes to defending against a knife.
But after reviewing hours of real street fight edged weapon attacks, I've discovered some common characteristics in HOW men attack based simply upon how they're holding the knife.
I break these down into 3 different categories:
1. The "Show-er" - This knife grip, where it's held with the point up or facing out with the thumb forward, is the common grip of the street punk who wants to "show" the weapon and threated, but typically isn't looking for blood.
The hope is that just by showing you the knife, you'll comply with his wishes and hand over your wallet. Do so and keep your distance.
2. The "Hider" - This grip can either be with the point up or down but is most often held close to the body as a way of hiding the weapon, both from you (maybe) or bystanders (definitely).
This is a more dangerous position because this most often reveals that he's ready to attack if needed, but it's more of a "wait and see" mode. Your reaction may determine whether or not he attacks.
Diffuse the situation as best as possible and be even more ready to defend yourself should he attack and not accept your apology or submission.
Finall, there's the most dangerous...
3. The "Psycho" - This is the grip where the point of the knife is facing down as the hand is held out in front...the typical overhead stab position!
The only reason for this grip is to draw blood and as humans, we instinctively know this yields us the most force and hits the most vital targets: the head and neck.
If someone is holding the knife like this, be fully prepared to not be able to talk your way out of it.
Look for an "equalizer" such as a chair, branch, etc. that will allow you to keep them at bay and plan your escape!
Jeff Anderson is a 10 year veteran of the U.S. Army, a Master Fitness Trainer, and Master Instructor of Close Quarters Combat self defense. A full time fitness and self defense author, Jeff has trained thousands of men and women in the practical application of advanced military fitness methods as well as close combat tactics for "real life" self defense.From my limited experience in New York with having survived and witnessed knife fights/attacks I have learned several concepts
1 don't stand square in front of a knife...run run run....be a live chicken not a dead hero...I have buried 2 close friends/heroes {tough guys great fighters now just great memories}
2 don't stand square in front of a knife stand sideways if you must
3 ALWAYS assume there is a knife in your attackers hand in a street situation: keep your distance don't let them close in on you!!!!In most knife attacks you will not realize there was a knife until the fight's over and you are bleeding
4 NEVER grapple in the street..while you are placing that arm bar they are plunging into you with a knife! or their friend is soccer kicking your melon...
5 if taken to the ground get up as quickly as possible don't stay there....
6 always assume there is more than one attacker....criminals are cowards and usually attack as a group
7 strike with total body power and strike to targets that will debilitate and stop your attacker {prime targets} ...run the first chance you get....
8 any deflections are done with palms facing your body...protect your arteries
9 very likely you will get cut
10 do not throw high kicks...your femoral artery bleeds out your life in several minutes...
11 if you get control of an arm your hands must be in opposite opposing grabs to control the arm {two hands better than one}
12 control an arm with at least one arm above the elbow{arm bar like} so the attacker can't pivot and slither the knife into you
13 keep moving.. attack attack attack and run run run the first chance you get...
14 if you have a jacket wrap it around your hand...use it to deflect the knife...use a chair,or anything in the environment to create distance...