Civilian Edged Weapons Response provides the instructor and student a view of the strategy, tactics and context of the education and training needed for civilians to deal with one or more assailants armed with edged weapons. Contents include an overview of civilian EWR, the pre-attack phase, attack phase, post-attack phase, training tips, and recommended equipment. Please be aware of two things: 1) that this material does not come from any one particular martial art or instructor. There are elements from various Asian Archipelago martial arts, infighting systems, Reality Based Training (RBT) approaches, classical martial arts, military schools, Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) and hybrid martial arts systems. 2) No book or multi-media source is an adequate substitute for quality, in-person training. Whenever possible, the reader will be directed to teachers of excellent repute who provide excellence in a particular area.
Instructors deserving special thanks for their in-person contributions include the following: Mr. Marc MacYoung (Instructor and author), Mr. Jeff Quail, Inventor/Executive Director of ShocKnife, Guro Heather MonDee, Lead Instructor for CCA and Denver-Metro Academy of Martial Arts, Mr. David Halford and Mr. Richard Nance of WARTAC; Sensei Jon Matijavich of DanZan Ryu, Mr. Dave Decker: White Shadow Dojo, Author The Rhythm of One, Yagyu Shinkage Ryu.
Copyright by Michael Thau - a Denver, Colorado, USA martial arts Instructor who teaches civilian EWR.
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Civilian Edged Weapons Response Copyright: Michael Thau 2009
DISCLAIMER This is a book dealing with the subject of avoiding being crippled or killed by one or more edged weapon assailants. It strongly advocates a LEGAL RESPONSE towards such attacks. The primary author, material contributors, and publisher are not legally liable for the slightest misuse or abuse of the contents of this book. In fact, the reader is strongly recommended that he or she consult a local reputable criminal attorney specializing in assault to determine what the local laws are regarding self defense as well as how to properly respond to police and the criminal justice system.
TOTAL EWR writers and the publisher advocates the reader intimately knows and follows all laws in self-defense situations - including what happens before and after the assault. None of us individually or collectively are legally or morally responsible for any misuse of the contents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction (Posted)
2. Countering the Quick Draw (Posted)
3. Setups and Other Pre-Combat Strategies and Tactics (Posted)
4. The Attack
5. The Response
6. Training Tips
7. Resources
8. Conclusion
9. Author Information
INTRODUCTION
The weapons used to attack civilians in countries such as the United States tend to be firearms, edged weapons, impact enhancers (such as a roll of quarters inside a fist) and blunt instruments. Electrical discharge devices and OC sprays are also used but at the time of this writing, are significantly less common. The focus of Civilian Edged Weapons Response (CEWR) is to communicate what type of edged weapon training program for civilians is the most effective and sensible. This is important as Edged Weapons Response (EWR) experts agree that nearly all of the available edged weapons programs for civilians are utterly ineffective at best.
What Are Edged Weapons?
These refer to hand-held items that can rend flesh through 1) puncturing, 2) cutting, or 3) a combination of both methods. Puncture-only edged weapons have a point but no cutting edge. They may be a pencil, window punch, hypodermic needle, dart, sharpened screwdriver and so forth. These are generally used to stab although the point dragging across the skin can create a very shallow cut called a 'rip-cut'. Edge-only edged weapons may be a razor blade, box cutter, straight razor or shard of glass. These tend to be used more often with a slashing technique although stabbing motions are also possible. The combination edged weapon has both a point and a cutting edge such as the typical knife so it can be used effectively in both slashing as well as stabbing motions. Some larger combat knives are also 'impact weapons' as they can be used to shatter bone through impact with the back of the blade, the flat of the blade or the base of the handle. As short swords and longer edged weapons deal with a different range and body mechanics than shorter ones, this book will focus on those edged weapons, which are bowie-knife or smaller in length.
Poor & Incomplete Instruction
There are many reasons why the 'knife defense' classes taught at most martial arts studios, will not work or will work poorly on the street. The most important reason is that the studio training in most schools assumes that you will see the edged weapon attack coming from the front with plenty of time and space to deal with it whereas in real life, nearly all attacks are by surprise, not always from the front and the edged weapon is usually never seen. In one example, on May 26, 2005, CNN released a story of a woman who randomly stabbed a lady from behind on a downward-moving escalator in a Bethesda, Maryland, USA, Nordstrom department store. In another example, on May 27, 2006, a 17 year-old knife-wielding German went on a rampage in Berlin, wounding 25 civilians leaving a celebration.
What Needs to be Taught
If the goal is to learn and instinctively apply all responses that directly relate to surviving an edged weapon attack then an effective EWR program would be radically different than what is normally available. Every EWR expert including ex-cons, policemen, bodyguards, street-fighters, bouncers, MP's, security guards, etc., claim that nearly all physical attacks - particularly those with edged weapons - come by surprise to those who are poorly educated and trained in EWR. Since a single contact with an edged weapon can leave you crippled, killed, or unable to mount an effective response, it becomes imperative to learn how to drastically reduce the 'surprise element' before the attack. This can be accomplished by learning four things: 1) condition yellow habits, 2) street etiquette, 3) interview training, and 4) assassin grips. This brings us to the first EWR Principle - 'Living Aware'.
The First EWR Principle: Living Aware
One of the three most important EWR training principles is found in Ralph Mroz's book Tactical Defensive Training for Real-Life Encounters:
'You can neither fight nor avoid what you don't see coming. Developing awareness-living aware-is the skill with the most potential payoff.'
Essentially, those people who train civilians for combat (as opposed to predominantly tournaments and/or dojo sparring) universally agree that the development of proper awareness habits is of equal or greater importance than development of physical skills. The 'color code' system can be used to describe different states of awareness and combat readiness.
The Civilian Color Code System
Condition white is the state in which most people are in when in public. Their attention is focused on their internal mental chatter or in a conversation they are holding with minimal regard to what is going on around them. Warning signs of dangerous situations and of threats developing go completely unnoticed. Assailants will almost always choose potential victims in condition white as such individuals will always be surprised by the attack and thus offer minimal resistance before the attack is completed.
Condition yellow is a state of relaxed awareness1. The person in condition yellow is being attentive to all aspects of his or her surroundings without being stressed or anxious in any way. They are noticing the attributes and behavior of the people and environment nearby including their sixes and nines (rear and sides).
Condition orange is when there is awareness that there may be something wrong in your environment. It is not definite but an alarm has been triggered in your gut and caution sets in. Perhaps you feel that you are being followed or stared at in a way that may be a prelude to a fight. You decide upon a plan of action at this point.
In condition red, you have identified that something is wrong as well as what it is that's wrong. In addition, you have taken steps to deal with the situation short of combat. This may include proper positioning, grabbing your offensive and defensive weapons, verbal confrontation and so forth.
Condition black is when you are physically engaged in combat. If you escalated from condition yellow then there is no surprise factor and both your positioning and responses are optimized. If you jumped from condition white, you are physically and psychologically delayed in your response to an attack that has been launched and has already caused severe damage if an edged weapon was involved. This is only true about a cognitive response, a reflexive response is the fasted type of response as it occurs from the CNS. You are correct that if you have selected a pre-determined response before the assault (commonly called spinal tuning) you will respond faster. But, if you state only delayed in your response, instead of delayed in a cognitive response, it would be an incorrect statement.
This color code system comes from Massad Ayoob during an LFI-1 course attended by Ralph Mroz. It is similar to the military version except that red and black are separated in the civilian version. You can read more about the details of this color code system in Tactical Defensive Training for Real-Life Encounters.
Creating Condition Yellow Habits
Instructors need to assign ongoing homework and non-dojo drills to students as one way to develop the habit of always being in condition yellow. For example, students should walk around in an indoor mall while putting themselves in the mindset of the person in charge of overseeing mall security. Where would you position the moving and non-moving uniformed LEO (Law Enforcement Officers) and why? How would you position the undercover LEO? Which of the 'shoppers' in the major department stores are really regular people hired by the store to seemingly browse the merchandise while covertly watching the other shoppers for evidence of shoplifting? Once you automatically think like a law enforcement officer, you will be much more alert to your environment, trouble spots and suspicious individuals.
Former street-fighter and prolific author Mark "Animal" MacYoung mentions a particularly useful drill in one of his books. For at least one month, each EWR student gets into the mindset of an edged weapon attacker whenever they leave the house. The exercise is to constantly evaluate places and people for possible attack. Many locations have too many witnesses or cameras and would be rejected. Other places may not offer the element of surprise before the attack or necessary concealment while waiting. This exercise gets the students aware that some locations and situations are much more likely to conceal danger than others. Becoming aware of these 'situational cues' will begin to trigger increased alertness. While carrying a knife during this month would provide an even greater sense of this mindset, it could well lead certain students unmindful of local weapons laws into serious trouble. Perhaps carrying an innocuous, well-hidden, folding, training blade would be a compromise, as it could never be used as an actual edged weapon as it has no point or edge.
Another drill is whenever you are out in public to ask yourself how each person you see may be concealing weapons. Include the ladies and older kids. Is there some evidence of a cord necklace or are the clothes excessively large in size and worn loosely? Is the shirt or sweatshirt hanging over the beltline? Be very careful not to stare inappropriately. This analysis needs to be performed with a quick glance that will not create hostility or other unwanted signals. In a glance, you need to be able to provide a full assessment of a person's threat capability and hidden weapons probability before they get close to you. This should become an automatic process not based upon paranoia but rather on simply being aware of your surroundings.
Street Etiquette
Street etiquette refers to conforming to the unstated social norms regarding certain speech, body language, clothes, actions and attitudes in many environments. Essentially, there are many things that easily piss people off or mark you in their minds as an easy target when you go against such social norms. For example, a doddering old white man in a very expensive suit walking at night in a crime-ridden neighborhood looking nervous while constantly glancing at his shiny gold Rolex watch screams 'mug me' to the entire neighborhood. Practicing proper street etiquette drastically reduces your chances of being selected for attack whereas poor street etiquette almost certainly guarantees being attacked in many places.
Without having grown up on the streets, street etiquette is difficult for most middle and upper class people to learn. It is an instinctive sensitivity of the socio-cultural norms related to each street, business, person and group that one encounters. Immediate adaptation to such norms without appearing phony will reduce the likelihood of being attacked. For information regarding street etiquette, one can read the book Violence, Blunders and Fractured Jaws: Advanced Awareness Techniques and Street Etiquette, by Marc "Animal" MacYoung, Paladin Press.
The Interview
The 'interview' is the standardized process in which many-to-most assailants go about selecting their victims. They are determining if you are aware of your surroundings, your combat capability, how you defend your boundaries and your ability to spot and effectively respond to personal danger. While some interviews occur at a distance, other interview methods begin with conversation. The conversational approach allows the assailant to psychologically disarm the target while simultaneously positioning himself into Close Quarter Combat (CQC) range before launching the surprise attack.
Awareness of the interview process along with the proper responses eliminates many-to-most attacks from occurring but if the attack does occur, the unarmed civilian (the 'responder') now has various advantages that he would not have if he were ignorant of the interview process. First, he is psychologically and physically prepared for an attack so the 'surprise factor' is gone. Second, he can either preemptively strike (should the law allow it) or counter the attack in the early phases when the edged weapon assailant is significantly less dangerous. Third, he can do things that adjust the physical positioning of himself and the assailant(s) for his own strategic benefit. Fourth, he may have the time and ability to physically escape or grab something as a weapon or shield. Fifth, for the purposes of a possible court case, he may be able to 'create witnesses' through proper verbiage and body language that will later testify that he was the victim acting responsibly and the assailant was the 'bad guy'.
While some authors contend that nearly all attacks - except those by the mentally deranged - are preceded by an interview, there are periodic news stories of people stabbing and slashing other people at random, by accident, or during an altercation. Performing a search under the word 'stab' or the phrase 'double stabbing' in many news websites (including CNN.com) easily substantiates the claim that a small percentage of edged weapon attacks are not preceded by an interview. It is therefore imperative that in addition to developing proper interview awareness and response conditioning that you remain in condition yellow while paying attention to your sixes and nines (rear and side quadrants) for the random attacker.
Interviews and setup information can be found in several books available for civilians. The most detailed information regarding the interview process may be in the preface of the book Safe in the City by Marc "Animal" MacYoung and Chris Pfouts. Other books that discuss the interview include Real Fighting by Peyton Quinn, Streetwise by Peter Consterdine, Tactical Defensive Training for Real-Life Encounters by Ralph Mroz, Dead or Alive by Geoff Thompson and Attack Proof by John Perkins, Al Ridenhour and Matt Kovsky.
Assassin Grip Awareness
Part of not being surprised when the attack goes down is learning to spot what Marc "Animal" MacYoung calls the 'assassin grip'. This refers to the various ways people commonly hide an edged weapon in their hand for instant use. Both arms crossed in front of the chest, the hands held together low near the groin, arms down with one hand having fingers curled or held differently than the other, hand(s) in a pocket, a hand holding a newspaper, a hand below the table, and a hand hidden behind the back or thigh are some of the numerous telegraphs that should signal the possible presence of an edged or other weapon. It is not enough to simply talk about these signals but to practice spotting them during training simulations. For example, one person can simulate standing on the sidewalk waiting for a bus while students periodically walk by him in one's and two's. The person waiting for the bus has to casually spot the person walking up with the assassin grip and react appropriately. Many other training simulations such as in a simulated bar environment should also be practiced.
Assassin grips are not discussed much in civilian books and tapes. EWR experts Hock Hochheim in his EWR materials and Marc MacYoung in his book Knives, Knife Fighting & Related Hassles are recommended for further study in this topic.
Thus, if the responder is in condition yellow, practices proper street etiquette, is skilled in the interview process, and has periodically practiced watching people hold and walk with assassin grips then he is somewhat unlikely to be attacked. If however he is attacked - say by passing the interview, dealing with an altercation or a person attacking others at random - he is prepared to deal with the encounter and his odds of survival are much higher than otherwise. For example, the properly trained responder looks for the various telegraphs that the assailant is going for a weapon or already has one hidden in his hand and properly counters before the weapon is deployed (put into a position ready to strike).
Counters to the Draw and the Deployment
Most civilian EWR training programs assume that the assailant is in front of you in long range (he needs a step to reach you with the weapon), has brandished the weapon (displayed it for you to see) and is prepared for or already is attacking. Sadly, this neglects two phases of training that may save one's life in such encounters. The first phase is 'the draw' and it refers to the arm and hand motion of going for the edged weapon that is carried (stored) on the body or a nearby object such as in a newspaper, purse, backpack, etc. until the point right after the weapon is grabbed. Many draws have particular telegraphs - some of which really stand out. For example, a right-handed man grabbing a knife stored on or near his right hip will often momentarily have his right arm in a triangle with his right elbow sticking outward. This 'gunslinger draw' as Hock Hochheim calls it offers the opportunity for many potential physical counters when the other person recognizes it fast enough and quickly rushes in. Practicing rushing the gunslinger draw after a shove or during an interview is a very helpful exercise.
As there are many types of carry (methods of storing edged weapons for use), there subsequently are many types of draws. Edged weapons can come from any part of the body and clothing including razor blades attached to the circumference of a baseball cap's edge to the ubiquitous boot knife in an ankle sheath to a sheathed knife hanging between the shoulder blades. This is one reason why training EWR in martial arts clothing is not as effective as possible - the students do not get the visual expectation of edged weapons to come from anywhere except visibly along the belt line and hung from the neck.
Countering the draw training means that pre-fight training simulations need to be practiced. For example, escalating hostile dialogue can be followed by a torso rotation by the aggressor with the rear hand moving towards or already hidden behind the back along the belt-line. This is a telegraph that should trigger an immediate response. Another telegraph is when someone shoves you and immediately one of their hands goes to their chest or a pocket. These are the actions that need to be simulated in order to generate an instinctive response to rush in, escape, grab a nearby object, reposition yourself, etc.
After you rush in what do you do? It depends on many factors. Sometimes jamming the hand while simultaneously body-slamming the assailant into a bunch of empty tables may be the best (or only) option while other options may depend upon whether he has managed to grip the weapon, the presence of nearby people and other environmental conditions, etc. The best civilian training media I have seen on this topic is the book Unarmed Versus The Knife by Hock Hochheim.
The Deployment and its Counters
The period of time between when the edged weapon stored on the body is grabbed and when it has been moved into a position ready for attack is called the 'deployment phase.' Some Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) refer to this as the 'presentation'. If you are selected for attack and have missed your opportunity to counter during the draw then the next phase in which you can counter is thus the deployment. This is not nearly as safe as countering the draw as the weapon is now in the assailant's hand but it is not yet in an attacking motion or ready position.
Attacking the weapon hand through punching or back-fisting the back of the hand may serve to have the hand release the weapon, have the hand loosen the grip or to delay the deployment while the rest of the attack more safely takes place. With the edged weapon's point and edge not facing you, your ability to control the weapon-bearing limb without taking collateral damage is significantly greater than attempting the same during an attack. Control can be through a grab, press, check, trap or redirection. Therefore, combat arts that specialize in infighting and edged weapons (the Asian Archipelago martial arts, Ving Tsun, Jeet Kune Do, Ninjutsu, etc.) become important to master so that there is mastery in controlling a blade arm while avoiding the assailant's many other attacks and efforts to counter-attack during your counter.
Scenario training is also important for the deployment phase. If there is a verbal or physical altercation and someone reaches for an edged weapon and you rush in and miss the draw but are able to engage in the deployment phase then you can work with options for engagement. For example, many techniques are not practical due to the presence of one's wife and maybe even kid running around screaming next to you or perhaps the presence of a vehicle, table, person or wall determines what vectors you can move towards so one needs to realize that set techniques may not work and stand-up grappling (or perhaps kneeling or ground-fighting) with some struggle may take place. Street combat is not pretty like the dojo. Things rarely look efficient in real life so the trick is to learn to 'flow' with the situation and always choose the greatest options for survival.
Many Tactical Approaches
If one were to look at the civilian EWR instructional marketplace, there are many strategy and tactical approaches towards dealing with edged weapon attacks among even the top EWR experts. Grappler instructors tend to go straight for the lock and/or throw; strikers will focus on inflicting damage but be weak or unrealistic when controlling the weapon-bearing limb; kickers will tend to kick inappropriately; and many multi-range stylists may learn overly-elaborate and thus ineffective techniques. The EWR taught by many instructors thus reflects more the martial background of the instructor than what is proven most effective.
It turns out that the two most objective methods determining what is effective in real life is 1) data analysis of experience in facing edged weapon attacks and 2) experience in attack simulations with a highly motivated ('aggressive'), non-compliant, offensive edged weapon attacker. Only these two situations provide people with credible data as to what strategies, tactics and techniques are effective and appropriate.
Edged weapon attack analysis is difficult as few people have performed in-depth studies on the subject. Analysis performed by Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) such as by Police Trainer and combat instructor Darren Laur tend to reflect only those incidents reported and put into the law enforcement system - neglecting the many attacks that go unreported. One of the only people to perform edged weapon analysis that includes many unreported attacks is by former street-fighter James LaFond, who performed an analysis of over 250 edged weapon attacks predominantly in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA area. His results were compiled into a book called The Logic of Steel.
Discussions with ex-cons, street-fighters, bouncers, security guards, LEO, orderlies, bodyguards, along with scanning the available literature and news reports provides one with some awareness of how edged weapon attacks occur as well as what responses have been effective. For example, the controlled ferocity of the responder - sometimes called 'heart' - is often cited as what saved their life as opposed to applying some learned technique. Another aspect that becomes evident is that even trained martial artists rarely-if-ever see the edged weapon before it contacts the body. This is another reason why condition yellow and interview training skills are so important along with instinctively noticing and properly responding to telegraphs of the draw.
Attack simulations against trained, offensive, edged-weapons users that are non-cooperative are found in the various Filipino and Indonesian combat arts among certain other combat systems. In this way, the responder can get a very real sense of the ongoing danger and threat level when dealing with an edged weapon assailant. While civilians would greatly benefit by becoming expert in one of those systems, there are many civilians who are unwilling and/or unable to choose that path. Therefore, they need to perform training that will maximize the effectiveness in the minimum amount of time.
The Second EWR Principle: Training Should Simulate Reality
The second EWR principle is found in Loren Christensen's book Far Beyond Defensive Tactics:
'You should make training as real as you can get without getting anyone hurt. Since most fights occur in cramped and cluttered places that in no way resemble your training area, and because environment often affects how you apply your techniques, it only makes sense to try to create similar conditions in your training'.
New techniques should be learned in a safe environment such as a martial arts studio but once learned, they need to also be frequently practiced in cluttered rooms, alleyways, stairs, narrow hallways, and in a crowd (students can mill about the edged weapon attacker and unarmed responder). Even within the dojo, drills and techniques should often be practiced in the corners and along the walls to reduce the 'bright open space' effect. Using modern training tools such as the 'ShocKnife' training blade also simulates reality as the pain stimulus feels like a cut and evokes a stress response.
An example of this principle applied in real life is Darren Laur's Integrated Street Combatives program. At the time of this writing, a page on their website (personalprotectionsystems.ca) mentions that in making the training as real as possible they use strobe lights, a 4 speaker sound system, fog machine, wind fans, uneven floor space, 4 fixed video cameras and in addition to the environmental props, their student training regime may include 1) tying an arm to the body to replicate a broken or injured limb, 2) covering one or both eyes to deal with site deprivation and increase tactile sensitivity during Close Quarter Battle, 3) wearing goggles that are obscured to blur vision, 4) training out in the environment (during heavy rain, on hills, uneven ground, darkness, etc.), 5) providing video feedback training with 360 degree video coverage. Their goal is to get the students used to the many distractions and difficulties faced in real life combat that most instructors do not simulate or even mention.
Be aware that there are many fluids ranging from spit, alcohol, water, sweat, blood, etc. that frequently affect one's grip during real life tousles. During an edged weapon attack, you may be surprised to discover that your grip may be far looser than expected due to one or more of these fluids. Sammy Franco of Contemporary Fighting Arts has a drill where students practice grabbing the weapon bearing limb and then practice the same grab after heavily slicking their hands down with vasoline. When the assailant is non-complaint and attempts to immediately strongly yank his arm away, the simulated responder realizes how strong one's grip has to be in real life in order to truly be effective.
The Third EWR Principle: Fear Management
Shocknife Inventor and Defensive Tactics Instructor Jeff Quail states "Fear is wrongly thought of as being binary. Fear is not either on or off, it is more like a slide ruler. Panic, self doubt and surprise can push it to the high end of the ruler. In contrast, training, confidence and preparation can keep fear on the low end of the ruler. There will always be some type of arousal during a real attack, regardless of how much you train. Even Stress Inoculation Training has its limitations. This is why what ever system you train with, the techniques and tactics must function when an individual is experiencing acute stress."
The third EWR principle is that without learning to overcome adrenaline dumping, all of your physical skills and training becomes nearly useless in a real situation. Firearms legend John Farnam says: I have always found that without the requiem philosophical overlay, merely teaching people a series of psychomotor skills does little to enhance their survivability.
Civilians tend to be taught EWR techniques but rarely are they educated and practiced in 'fear management'. Fear will take the most capable sport fighter or martial arts combat instructor and cause them to freeze or respond poorly during a real life attack. For edged weapon attacks, this translates to being crippled or killed.
In his book Dead or Alive, Geoff Thompson writes: If I as a veteran of hundreds of fights, struggle with adrenaline, it goes without saying that people with less experience and knowledge of conflict will also struggle. Fear needs to be understood intellectually and overcome through training simulations that present the correct level of fear to the responder. Too little fear during training and in real life it becomes overwhelming. Too much fear during training and there is a sense of incapability developed in the student while student retention goes down in the class.
In his book Real Fighting, former bouncer and current combat instructor Peyton Quinn makes the following statements: Proper mind includes the ability to control and harness the positive effects of adrenal stress while suppressing the dysfunctional ones. This means recognizing the first precursor, the interview, and dealing with it effectively and immediately. The person who adrenalizes too quickly must fight right then to be able to use it best, because after that first peak adrenal response, any second adrenal reaction is not nearly as powerful or useful. This too-quick adrenalization also manifests itself as the freeze-up reaction in someone who is not adrenal stress conditioned. On the other hand, the person who is too slow to adrenalize may not get the full adrenal effect until he has already lost the fight or is impaired by injury.
Students must feel an appropriate amount of fear and discomfort during training until such stimuli is automatically overcome. For example, unexpectedly training with competent people that you do not know - say from another martial approach - brings some uncertainty and a little fear to many students. Another method is for each student to select those other students that they feel the most fear and/or discomfort towards and use them as training partners. When training simulations contain the same level of sudden verbal and physical violence and aggression as in real life and the students become 'conditioned' to properly respond to that simulation, they will be much more likely to respond effectively to fear during real life edged weapon encounters.
In the book Tactical Defensive Training for Real Life Encounters, Ralph Mroz points-out a flaw in the fear-simulation approach. He writes: In many real life encounters you will be in the severely debilitated state of SNS override. In force-on-force training, we are training people not to enter this undesirable state. Therefore, we cannot claim that because a technique holds up in force-on-force training that it will be reliable - or even possible - in a real-life encounter. In other words, simulations do not put you in genuine fear of your life so they do not accurately reflect what will happen. Also, the stress level of training simulations decreases over time so the stress benefit of such training become less effective after the first couple of sessions.
For education regarding how creating fear is used as a tactic by assailants as well as how to overcome the various adverse biological and psychological effects of fear, check out the books: Real Fighting, by Peyton Quinn; Dead or Alive, by Geoff Thompson; Contact Weapons, by Steve Tarani and Damon Fay; Strong on Defense by Sanford Strong; and Streetwise by Peter Constandine. Also valuable is to view Tony Blauer's Contact Sparring & Fear Control DVD. Personal experience is of course the best teacher. Attending workshops such as some of Tony Blauer's workshops in Canada or Bill Kipp's FAST Defense workshops here in the United States are also helpful.
The Fourth EWR Principle: Simulated Attackers Must Simulate Reality
From Burton Richardson's video Self Defense Vs. a Knife, he says: If you want to see the difference between a functional knife fighter or a functional knife fighting technique versus someone just practicing more the what some people call the art of it, I think the important thing is instead of looking at the person doing the techniques - look at the feeder. If you see a feeder who is feeding cooperatively, especially the type that holds their hand out and just waits or feeds this angle, waits a little bit for a couple of shots, again feeds the next angle then it's a pretty good idea that may not be the most functional thing. In a nutshell, if the feeder sucks then your response in real life under a real attack will suck as well.'
Compliant Feeders
In addition to attacking realistically in terms of attack movements, students also need to learn how to simulate non-compliant attackers. A quality EWR program has the simulated attackers (feeders) providing non-cooperative feeds (attacks). This may be through resistance or countering the parry or grab. It may be applying kicks, footwork and punching with the free hand during the counter by the responder (simulated unarmed person). The feeder may charge with the intention of taking the responder to the ground or simply flail like a madman. The goal is to teach the feeders during many drills to make about 1/3 of the attacks relatively easy to deal with, 1/3 very difficult to deal with and 1/3 slightly too difficult to deal with. In this way, the responder maximizes efficiency in his physical and psychological training.
It is a good idea to teach feeders that each attack, if not properly intercepted or avoided, will connect strongly with its intended target. This teaches responders to definitively and properly avoid, intercept or redirect. Attacks to vital areas such as eyes and throat should be the only ones that are pulled or not fully extended as even with protective gear, accidents can happen and students can be severely injured or killed when some vital areas are impacted with training weapons.
The Five Methods of Attack
In Burton Richardson's video Self Defense Vs a Knife, he displays how there are five methods of attack with a knife. The first is called Single Direct Attack (SDA). This is a single slash or stabbing motion in isolation. Attack By Combination (ABC) is a collection of either repeating SDA or of different individual attacks chained together one after another. 'Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA) involves a combination of attacks, which may or may not be set up with fakes or feints, where the first attack, and maybe not even the second attack is the real attack. Only the final attack is intended to score'2. Attack By Drawing (ABD) is when the knife is held but hidden behind a body part and the attacker gets the target close before presenting the weapon in an attack. Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA) is when the attacker uses his free hand to grab the target's clothes, body or both in order to immobilize him while the weapon hand is viciously attacking. All five of these methods of attack with various edged weapons needs to be taught to the students so that they instinctually learn how to best deal with each situation.
Technique Vs. Flow Training
Most martial arts studios simply teach techniques (a fixed sequence of movements responding to specific attacks) as the sum of their EWR program. This approach is heavily criticized by many offensive edged weapons instructors and people personally involved in street combat such as bouncers, patrolmen, security guards, and so forth. Such individuals promote the idea that the 'technique-only' approach doesn't work unless 1) the responder is aware that the attack is coming, 2) the technique is effective in real life situations (most taught are not), and 3) the responder is heavily trained to 'flow' into something else appropriate when the technique fails. Their position is that techniques have a very high failure rate on the street so when failure is noticed, the person applying the technique needs to instantly flow into something else that is based upon EWR principles. The failure rate of techniques in real life is due to 1) the failure of fine motor skills (adrenaline dumping), 2) the lack of space to apply the technique, 3) the presence of fluids and clothes changing the effectiveness of the technique (i.e. grabs become less effective when one's hands are covered with blood), and 4) the inappropriate excessive use of pain compliance actions over bio-mechanical leverage actions.
Another reason why techniques may fail is due to the Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA) mentioned previously where the initial attack includes fakes and deception. You extend your limbs expecting the weapon-bearing wrist or arm to maintain its course and it shreds your extended arm instead on its way to stabbing you through your lung and neck. Anyone with basic offensive edged weapon training adapts each motion at any point to counter the counter. That is a reason why robotic techniques have such a high failure rate in real life - they do not successfully handle Progressive Indirect Attacks (PIA - attacks with fakes, etc.).
There are times and circumstances when techniques are much more likely to succeed in real life. If the responder is in code yellow and both aware and prepared for the edged weapon attack, techniques used for countering the draw and deployment phase can have a high rate of success with less danger than techniques used in later phases. Disarms have a highly variable rate of success. If your goal from the onset is to disarm, the rate of success is significantly less than if a good disarm opportunity presents itself. Techniques used against Hand Immobilization Attacks (HIA) where the edged weapon assailant grabs you with one hand and threatens you with the edged weapon with the other hand may also be effective - if the technique is good and the responder applies it with sufficient skill. Lastly, the repetition and familiarity of EWR techniques as taught in certain combat systems that focus on the offensive use of edged weapons increase the likelihood for success.
Street Reality
Most people studying martial arts have zero 'street awareness' so their concepts and expectations regarding how confrontations start, flow and end tend to be modeled after TV and the movies. There are also many people who will tell you that "fights always start this way" or "people on the street will attack you with a knife this way..." The reality is that you have to train and be prepared for attack by any type of attacker in any position using any grip. Search CNN.com and your local news website with the words 'stab', 'stabbing', and 'double stabbing' for news stories will prove to you that edged weapon attackers use a wide variety of edged implements in a wide variety of ways.
You have to be careful not to develop expectations other than expecting that the seemingly unarmed potential and/or real assailant(s) is/are probably armed with at least two weapons and simply has not deployed one of them yet. In fact, because you in condition yellow and watching for it, you can rush him and counter the draw or deployment. Regarding the number of concealed weapons, if they carry one then they may well have another stashed away. What good is it to disarm someone, assume that they are now unarmed and thus relax a little bit, and then cry out in surprise right after they have stabbed your testicles? The streets are rough and full of nasty surprises. If you want to survive on them, you need to get out of playschool and start studying what the streets are really like. You can start by reading the following books for an intellectual overview: Dead or Alive, Gang Intelligence Manual, Gangbangers, The Gift of Fear, The Logic of Steel, Safe in the City, Streetwise, Strong on Defense, The Truth About Self Protection, and Violence, Blunders and Fractured Jaws. Make sure that you also watch the DVD Scarface 4 Life as it focuses on interviews with inmates at Riker's Island involved with edged weapon attacks.
Conclusion
In this introduction, the following points were made:
1. That learning and practicing for decades on techniques and drills against the knife doesn't mean shit if you never see the edged weapon attack coming. Since practically every civilian combat training center provides zero training in awareness techniques, surviving the interview process, building condition yellow habits, spotting assassin grips, looking for anomalies, overcoming adrenaline dumping, and so forth, this means that practically all civilian EWR training becomes useless in real life as nearly all edged weapon attacks are by surprise.
2. EWR should include instruction regarding physical counters to the draw and deployment phases. Practicing only in martial arts clothes does not allow simulated attackers to draw from most places that people carry edged weapons. Therefore, this requires the wearing of normal clothes and shoes by both parties. This is not to say that training in traditional martial arts clothes should be eliminated but rather to suggest that if the goal is to best train the students for real life encounters then extensive training in street clothes should complement traditional training approaches.
3. Training must simulate reality. While dojo training is fine for the recreational or sport martial artist, it provides bad habits and incorrect expectations for the person training in combat. Therefore, the use of props, sound, lighting and training in multiple locations on many different surfaces becomes necessary to eliminate the 'Oh Shit!' factors.
4. Adrenaline dumping will take an excellent studio fighter and turn him into shredded meat on the street. It therefore becomes critical to learn how to properly counter the adverse effects of adrenaline dumping.
5. Simulated attackers need to be taught how not to become 'compliant feeders'. If their attacks and ferocity sucks then so will you. They need to be taught how to properly attack so that the responder is always facing the correct level of challenge and difficulty for the most efficient and effective learning.
6. Simulated Attacks need to include all five methods of attack rather than single slashes and thrusts. In fact, the simulated attacker should vary the methods of attack used during an ongoing attack. As Tony Blauer says: "Be a good bad guy".
7. Don't focus on simply learning techniques for your EWR training. They are fine as a small component to one's learning experience - assuming that the technique is not one of the 98% being taught that are horrifyingly ineffective in real life - but focus more on how to make the technique flow into something else effective when it is countered or if it fails.
8. Realize that edged weapon attacks require you not to be surprised. Surprise often equals death. This means that your training simulations need to frequently cover you and the attacker being in every conceivable position (him standing, you kneeling on one leg, etc.); with the attacker in every conceivable stance using every conceivable type of edged weapon attack. It also means that there must be strong expertise in responding in all types of environments whether it be a stairwell, alley, on grass, sand, and especially in hallways. You must master and work with your environment!
1 Ralph Mroz, P. 38 2 Sifu Lamar M. Davis II P. 85
CHAPTER ONE: COUNTERING THE QUICK DRAW
The 'quick draw' refers to the action of reaching for an edged weapon and maneuvering it into play. EWR expert Hock Hochheim breaks the quick draw down into three phases; early, mid and late; where the weapon becomes increasingly ready for use and thus more dangerous. The knife or other edged weapon may be stored on one's person (openly or concealed); in or under a nearby accessory such as a briefcase, handbag or jacket; or laying on the ground such as a shard of broken glass. There are several sources that civilians can use to learn more about how assailant's store edged weapons for quick use. These include the following books: Unarmed Versus The Knife by Hock Hochheim; The Logic of Steel by James LaFond; and Knives, Knife Fighting and Related Hassles by Marc "Animal" MacYoung. The book Disguised Weapons by Meissner is a law enforcement guide to how weapons can be covertly hidden for easy access and use.
THE FOURTH EWR PRINCIPLE: Think Like a Predator
The Fourth EWR Principle is: To best counter an attack, you have to know how to perform the attack. Many students make the mistake of only learning the 'response' aspect of being attacked and not how to perform the offensive maneuvers. The problem with this 'response-only' approach is that you do not become as aware of the micro-movements and thought processes concurrent with an attack. For example, if you are taught a particular quick draw and you know that at certain points in the motion you can choose to flow into different attacks at different angles, then when you learn a particular counter, there is increased predictability in figuring out how a person will respond to such a counter.
Yes, this means that a TOTAL EWR program should include offensive knife combat instruction. Not only will you be a better training partner but you will better understand and predict what the assailant will do during a physical engagement. Teaching offensive knife combat is far beyond the scope of this book but there are numerous individuals throughout the United States and abroad who are excellent instructors in this area. I recommend training with several of the best instructors you can find in offensive edged weapons use.
Quick Draw Simulations
It is important that EWR students practice scenarios that start off with what appears to be an unarmed person that goes for the quick draw in many different circumstances. Realize that during summertime training, the assailant's clothes will be thinner, less, and different than those during winter so the physical locations where the edged weapon is stored may be the same in some cases but different in others based upon the season. The simulated assailant in the summer training may simply store his edged weapon in the front pocket of his shorts or hanging from a cord around his neck under his shirt as two of many possibilities. Thus, the scenario may start with the EWR students simulating getting into a verbal argument that escalates into a shove where the assailant goes for the weapon immediately after performing the shove or being its recipient. An alternate scenario is when the simulated assailant approaches the responder and asks for the time, a dollar, a light, or some similar reasonable request. When responding to the request, the simulated attacker pretends to sucker punch the responder in the face and draws the simulated edged weapon with his other hand.
The above scenarios are actually part of a scripted process that many assailants go through in order to assess the possible target in terms of its victim qualifications. Will they fight back and if so, how effectively? Can they be intimidated verbally? Do they have cash or other valuables on their person? And so forth. You need to study this 'interview process' thoroughly and practice interviews with partners. Interview information is available at: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/five_stages.html as well as in the book Safe in the City by Marc "Animal" MacYoung and Chris Pfouts. Interview practice not only may deselect you for attack but also will allow you to prepare for attack if you 'pass' the interview.
The Quick Draw and Counters
The quick draw can be obvious or subtle. Luckily there are both telegraphs and situational cues that indicate that a draw may be or is taking place. First and foremost, you need to always watch people's hands. The eyes can lie but the hands cannot lie. Anytime there is someone near you that is either interviewing you or is a possible threat, you need to be monitoring the actions of their hands. There are some illustrations of these telegraphs in the book Ending Violence Quickly by Marc "Animal" MacYoung in the 'Weapons' chapter as well as throughout the book Unarmed Versus the Knife by Hock Hochheim. For civilians, Hock Hochheim has the most presentable materials regarding the quick draw and its counters (see the book Unarmed versus the Knife). Excluding the material in brackets, the following terminology and concepts related to specific draws and their counters comes from Hochheim's Unarmed Versus The Knife, which you should study directly.
GUNSLINGER DRAW & COUNTERS Version 1: Ex. Right arm goes for weapon at right hip. The telegraph occurs when the arm forms a 'triangle' with the elbow pointed outward.
Version 2: The same as before except that the left hand pulls the left jacket panel forward, moving the right jacket panel back allowing the weapon to be cleared. The additional telegraph is a same side jacket pull forward.
Counter to the Gunslinger: 'Smash the hand as he opens his combat folder. When someone tries to open their folder, they do not obtain a normal and powerful grip on their knife. Their fingers are trying to access the opening mechanism. A powerful hand smash can jar the knife clean out of the opponent's hand, knock the partially open blade back into the handle, or worst of all-do nothing! Then you move to... Plan B.1'
Counter to the Gunslinger, Version 2: 'The Gunslinger Draw offers you The Triangle. Start looking for that triangle! Crash in and interrupt the Quick Draw. If possible, always ram your fingers into the eyes. Wrap the arm up in the common arm bar. Be violent about the wrap. Yank on the torso in the process. If you encounter a muscular and non-limber subject, rip some power shots to the side of the neck and then tornado drill the body to the ground. Drill him again as needed'.2 Note that eye strikes may stupidly be seen by a jury as excessive force in some locations and circumstances].
Counter to the Gunslinger, Version 3 (Irish Whip): 'Rush in and seize the hand holding the knife. Blast in with your legs! RUN! What looks tricky on paper can be done with explosive force. Shoulder ram the torso like a pro football player. Explode in using your whole body like a track runner, then turn suddenly and maneuver to stab the opponent in his side. Position your shoulder to break any resisting strength in his arm. Ram the bend of his arm with your shoulder. This breaks his protective isometric. Stab or twist the hand back for a takedown'.3 [Note that stabbing the opponent with his own knife may be seen by a jury as excessive force in some locations and circumstances].
CROSS DRAW & COUNTERS The Classic Cross Draw: The arm crosses the body to the beltline beneath the opposite armpit. The telegraph is a crossed-body arm position that is against the body.
The Classic Cross Draw Counter: Identify the cross draw, jam the drawing hand with both of yours and then while controlling the weapon limb with your lead hand, use the free hand to pommel the throat - repeating as needed - while watching the other hand. The punching arm drops into a wrap of the weapon bearing limb and you sledge hammer your lead forearm to the brachial stun zone assuming that he is an armed assailant and you are in fear of your life. Apply a takedown such as a kick to the rear of his knee followed by or simultaneous with an arm bar.
THE NECK KNIFE DRAW & COUNTER The Neck Knife (Napoleon) Draw: The shirt is raised with one hand while the other reaches above the stomach and grabs the knife handle. The telegraph is when one or both hands quickly move inward and upward along the centerline starting at the bottom of the shirt and dragging the shirt up with them.
Counter to the Neck Knife (Napoleon) Draw: Charge forward, trap (via a press) the knife grabbing hand with your same side hand and keep bashing his head with your free hand.
THE ANKLE (COBBLER) DRAW The Ankle (Cobbler) Draw: The person drops to one knee and reaches for his weapon at his ankle. The telegraph is the drop downward that may be a set-up such as tying a shoelace; dropping down after being hit in the face or shoved; or after being tripped or thrown. Counter to the Ankle (Cobbler) Draw: When the assailant drops to one leg and tries to get his knife out, side kick the front weapon-carrying leg, stomp the ankle and grab the weapon. Be aware that in the US, grabbing the weapon at that point may increase your safety at that time but also changes your legal responsibility and increases your risk of jail time (talk to a criminal attorney about this).
GYPSY QUICK DRAW The Gypsy Quick Draw: The hand goes to the back of the neck. When someone is wearing a backpack, this is a draw to watch out for.
Counter to the Gypsy Quick Draw: This is one situation where one can initiate and follow through with classical grappling techniques - assuming that you make contact early enough. Figure Four locks to takedown and so forth can be applied.
SMALL OF THE BACK DRAW Small of the Back Draw: The hand goes around the torso to the small of the back. The telegraph is this motion of the hand that may sometimes be accompanied by a torso rotation to hide the unusual motion of the hand and arm. Counter to the Small of the Back Draw: [Many assailants will slowly inch their hand towards the small of the back either in partial movements or continuously. This is practiced so as to not draw attention. As you are watching the hands beginning the movement, you can demand that they show you their hand (from Marc MacYoung) or simply rush them and take firm control of the weapon arm before it grabs the weapon. Follow-up depending upon the physical and legal situation.]
FOREARM RIG DRAW Forearm Rig Draw: One hand goes to the inside sleeve of the other hand. The telegraph is this unusual mutual hand positioning. Counter to the Forearm Rig Draw: [This can be difficult if not impossible to counter as a practiced assailant can make the move look natural and have the edged weapon out exceptionally quickly. If you spotted the forearm rig early due to a non-natural bulge in the forearm area (assuming that it is not covered by a coat over the long sleeve) then just maybe you can rush in and jam the grabbing arm and wrist of the assailant and press it into the torso. This is much more likely to work on an amateur who will be slower, less fluid and more obvious in the draw than an ex-con. Someone with training and/or street smarts is much more likely be able to get the blade out and pointed at you as you are rushing in so you need to have some awareness of how to best perform a linear attack against a weapon in the central line. Sang H. Kim briefly shows one approach to this difficult situation in his knife defense DVD's.
POCKET KNIFE AND STATIC CORD DRAW Pocket Knife & Static Cord Draw: The knife is either clipped to the front pocket or is buried in a front pocket with the sheath attached to the belt via a static cord. The possible telegraphs are the visible presence of lanyard string, cloth or chains in and around the belt and pocket areas.
Counter to the Pocket Knife & Static Cord Draw: [This can be a very fast draw and the practiced assailant may have his hand resting on his hip right above the pocket. If you physically counter before he goes for the draw then be aware that many places may see your action as illegal. The assailant will of course simply say to the police that he was simply putting his hand in his pocket or reaching for some change. If it is legal to counter given the circumstance (and only a criminal attorney should determine that for you in advance) then you can jam the reaching hand if it is still in the pocket. If it is out of the pocket holding the weapon but not yet in a position where it is ready to stab or slash then punching the hand holding it at the correct angle may get the assailant to 1) drop the weapon, 2) loosen the grip on the weapon, and/or 3) get the blade to close if it was in the process of opening. A strong grab and control of the weapon-bearing limb along with legal additional follow-up may also be appropriate.]
Other Quick Draws
The previously mentioned quick draws are only some of many types of draw possible. A person may have his hand in his front pocket and as he passes you, whip his hand out and stab you with a small push dagger and then reinsert his hand back into his pocket as he keeps walking. A blade can be inside a rolled-up newspaper, purse or even a wallet! You need to never assume that the edged weapon is located somewhere in particular as it can come from practically anywhere on or near a person.
'No Gi' Training is Necessary!
Countering the draw requires an understanding of how people carry edged weapons. You can't get this from a book or video - you actually have to practice many different types of carries and draws as well as repeatedly watch for it in training simulations in order to properly understand the telegraph motions. This means practicing with no Gi's or other martial arts uniforms! You must automatically be mentally triggered into a higher state of alert when seeing a shirt un-tucked in the front; and/or baggy pants; and/or a loose sweatshirt and so forth as they are likely hiding places for an edged (or projectile) weapon. You will not get this recognition when only training against people with Gi's. Learning to perform a very quick (it better be quick as that is not a place you want your eyes to linger) visual scan of the beltline and pockets of likely assailants near you teaches you the habit of looking for knife sheaths and lanyards. After a while, this becomes a habit that is part of your normal condition yellow observation process.
What Skills are Most Appropriate for Countering the Draw?
What combat skills are most important when countering the draw? Fast footwork and reaction time is the first skill as you need to rush towards the assailant as rapidly as possible. This should be an explosion of movement! Second, you need to have good stand-up grappling skills that include extensive practice in normal clothes while in tight spaces like hallways. This form of stand-up grappling is quite different than wearing Gi's on the mat in an open and bright room. Third, you need to be at least proficient and preferably expert at in-fighting. Most martial arts do not focus much on the trap-boxing and stand-up grappling range in terms of inflicting punishment. The use of knees, elbows, spitting, biting, shin scraping, stomping, tripping, headlocks, head butts, raking, poking, and so forth should be second nature. Think about how much punishment a heavy winter coat can absorb and work on making your in-fighting strikes far more powerful. Fourth, you need to know how to flow. Techniques often fail on the street - it is just a sad fact of life. When that happens, you cannot be standing there with your mouth open - you have to flow into something else that makes martial and legal sense.
CHAPTER ONE CONCLUSION
In this chapter, several important points were made. First, EWR practitioners need to learn some offensive knife combat in order to better understand and predict how a person carries and draws his weapon. Second, training simulations should often start with the assailant(s) appearing unarmed. They then go for the draw in different situations and the responder counters. In this way, students are not surprised when the 'unarmed' person is suddenly armed and attacking. Third, the edged weapon may come from numerous locations. While the clothing worn increases the probability of some locations over others, do not make fatal assumptions. Fourth, do not train EWR in Gi's. Sweats with sneakers is fine for some training but invest in extra pairs of street clothes and shoes of the type that you regularly wear and train in them in a hallway to simulate reality. In fact, you can wear street clothes over a simulation suit (full body armor) such as High Gear. Fifth, learn those physical combat skills that complement the ones you already know. Grapplers can learn in-fighting striking and biting arts along with kicking. Distance-fighters should learn grappling, in-fighting and ground-fighting. Everyone should learn how 1) the wearing of normal clothes and shoes; and 2) being in confined spaces such as a hallway, changes your fighting capability (mostly for the worse!). It is much better to engage in combat against the draw than when the edged weapon is fully deployed and either positioned for attack or already on its way to puncture and rend your flesh.
1. Hock Hochheim, Unarmed Versus The Knife, Page 106 2. Ibid, Page 106-108 3. Ibid, Page 109-110
CHAPTER TWO: SETUPS AND OTHER PRE-COMBAT STRATEGIES AND TACTICS
Introduction
The 'setup' refers to the pre-combat words, thoughts and actions of the assailant(s). Top threat assessment companies such as Gavin De Becker & Associates who were selected to develop threat assessment systems for the CIA, DIA, US Marshals, and many other government law enforcement agencies have performed extensive research on violence in all areas of American society. Data from all other areas of law enforcement and security personnel including patrolmen, bouncers, security guards, hospital orderlies, bodyguards, prison guards, and so forth have also been compiled with the result of certain patterns being noticed.
The most common pattern of violence in the US follows a pre-attack event called 'the interview'. The interview is a standardized method of determining one or more potential victim's suitability for being attacked. In The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker, the author writes: The criminal's process of victim selection, which I call "the interview," is similar to a shark circling potential prey. The predatory criminal of every variety is looking for someone, a vulnerable someone who will allow him to be in control, and just as he constantly gives signals, so does he read them. The assailant is trying to answer the following questions: Are they in condition white? Can they be verbally and/or physically intimidated? Are they displaying any fear, disorientation or discomfort? Will they be able and willing to fight back and if so, how effectively if attacked?
The patterns of violence discovered by law enforcement and security are broken down into two types; complex professional models used by law enforcement agencies (such as MOSAIC) and simpler models for bouncers, security personnel and civilians. People however need to realize that these models are not explicit solutions to all problems. As Gavin De Becker writes in The Gift of Fear: Though I am often asked for advice on how a person should respond to a robber or car-jacker for example, I cannot offer a checklist of what to do for each type of hazard you could encounter, as cookie-cutter approaches are dangerous.
Understanding the different types of setups - especially how to think, talk and act during them - determine whether you are selected as a victim, have time to escape, have the ability to grab a makeshift weapon, create witnesses, change your physical position to increase your advantage, fall for the sucker attack, and most importantly prepare yourself physically and mentally for battle. Understanding and responding to the setup thus affects strategy, tactics and environment in any ensuing physical confrontation with an edged weapon assailant. It is the lack of understanding how setups occur that is the main reason why expert martial artists frequently lose to the street-fighter. The second reason is the vicious intensity the street-fighter possesses that compensates for and often exceeds the benefits of technical skill. The third reason is that the tables often turn (say about 70% of the time in real life) right before the martial artist applies the finishing technique. The following material in this chapter deals with overcoming the 'surprise' factor. It comes from numerous people who have worked security and personally been involved in numerous physical altercations on the street along with top violence experts in the law enforcement community.
When discussing patterns of behavior leading to violence, it is important to not become too rigidly fixed in your thinking and expectations regarding how attacks will occur. Many people are going around saying that "Attacks always happen this way" or "A person with a knife will attack you this way". Peter Consterdine in his book Streetwise sums this issue up nicely by writing: My only reservation is the lack of pre-emption and the fact that the training and techniques apply without seeming adaptation to 'regional threats- in other words street attacks in the UK don't happen as they do in the states, as they do in the Phillipines, as they do in Moscow etc. Small country variations require often big adjustments to your thinking and force options. Therefore, view this chapter on 'Setups' simply as an incomplete yet useful framework.
There are four models of pre-attack violence patterns for the civilian we will present; 1) James LaFond's conclusions in The Logic of Steel, 2) Darren Laur's conclusions from his research, 3) Geoff Thompsons Four D's and 4) Marc MacYoung's Five Stages of Violent Crime.
James LaFond's Conclusions
James LaFond is a former street-fighter who performed a formal study into edged weapon attacks. More than 250 acts of violence involving an edged weapon were analyzed and the results were published in the book The Logic of Steel. What is interesting about the study is that it included various incidents not reported to law enforcement and details of the incident were broken down into specifics such as weapon type, use patterns, injury patterns and so forth.
LaFond writes: Your chances of avoiding a knife attack are very good if you recognize the knifer's approach posture and deny him the preconditions he needs to build the confidence to launch a successful attack. These preconditions are as follows:
- You are unaware of his presence or intent - You permit yourself to be isolated or cornered - You do not have a potential weapon in your hand - The knifer judges you to be incapable of beating him in an unarmed fight (applies primarily to rapes and murders).
Above all, remember the four keys to victory:
- Experience - Aggression - Athletic Ability - Training
LaFond's conclusions are a little counter-intuitive and also suggest that EWR training in the typical martial arts studio may need to be adjusted for better outcome. Essentially, he is saying that knifers attack by surprise; they position you for being trapped and having minimal-to-no maneuverability; and you have no makeshift weapons available. In addition, experience and aggression are posited as the main keys to victory and not technical skill! It turns out that this is supported by many former street-fighters as well as bouncers and other security personnel. Fights on the street are often won through who is the most experienced (in such encounters) and aggressive and not through technical skill. What this means is that EWR students need to frequently train against non-cooperative and highly aggressive simulated attackers and not just wussy fellow students day-dreaming of actuary tables while they stand in one place lobbing you easy slashes and thrusts.
Darren Laur
A full-time Police Officer (Sergeant); police trainer; and head of Personal Protection Systems, Inc., Darren Laur not only drew conclusions from existing law enforcement data but performed research of his own regarding edged weapon attacks. This research includes interviews with ex-cons as well as formal studies performed regarding videotaped attack simulations and response. His martial arts school may be setting the bar worldwide in the proper use of equipment and environment to simulate reality on the streets.
In his article Edged Weapons Tactics and Counter Tactics (http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca/safetyarticles.htm), Darren Laur states the following points:
- In most edged weapon attacks the victim received multiple knife wounds. The usual cause of death are usually the last few wounds of the overall attack
- Remember that most edged weapon assaults take place unexpectedly and so quickly that it is not unusual for the defender not to have time to realize that an edged weapon is involved. The attacker who possess an edged weapon usually does not want to convey in any way that he has one, and will usually conceal it until such time as he can deploy it quickly against you. Although a reality, it is a rarity that the attacker will produce his weapon in full view prior to an assault.
- It was difficult if not impossible for the defender to differentiate between an attack with an edged weapon or an attack using hands of feet. This was especially true when the defender was not aware from the start of the assault, that the attacker had a knife
Laur created a 1992 study where 85 police officers were attacked during a training simulation and right before the attack, the simulated assailant boldly flashed a training knife and verbally expressed his intention to kill them. The officers were not told beforehand about the presence of the training knife as part of the simulation. The results were as follows:
- 3/85 saw the knife prior to contact
- 10/85 realized that they were being stabbed repeatedly during the scenario
- 72/85 did not realize that they were being assaulted with a knife until the scenario was over, and the officers were advised to look at their uniforms to see the simulated thrusts and slices left behind by the chalked training knives
Regarding typical EWR training programs, Laur writes:
- Most assumed the defender knew that the attacker possessed an edged weapon. (what good is this assumption when we know that the majority of attacks with knives the defender did not know the attacker had a knife)
- Most techniques being taught were to complicated for people to remember (too many fine complex motor skills which we know do not translate when survival stress clicks in no matter how well trained)
- Most techniques neglected the not so frozen limbs, which the attacker still possessed and would use if not neutralized.
- Most techniques being taught concentrated on controlling the knife hand rather than the delivery system. (the hand moves faster than the eye in a spontaneous attack. As well if cut, blood is a very good lubricant and makes grabbing the knife hand, even with two hands, very difficult if not impossible. To replicate this, use some baby oil during your next edged weapon defensive tactics class)
- Most techniques being taught were designed to be used against a static (stemming) attack. (Real knife assaults are not static but fluid and dynamic in nature)
- Most techniques were designed to be used against what I call wide "Hollywood" motion attacks. (most knife assaults are short and multiple in nature)
- Most techniques were designed to be used under perfect conditions of the dojo or training studio. (most would not work if fighting/rolling around in the mud, the blood, and the beer of an "open" rather than "closed" environment
When we look at Laur's conclusions, we see again that surprise in the edged weapon attack is common; that even during the attack, a person trained and experienced in the street is likely to not realize that the attack includes an edged weapon; and that the studio version of attack and defense is absolutely unrealistic.
Geoff Thompson's Four D's
Former bouncer and prolific martial arts writer Geoff Thompson has been in hundreds of physical confrontations as a bouncer and witnessed many more. In his book Dead or Alive, Thompson writes: There are four techniques often used by attackers, especially muggers and rapists, in preparing victims for attack. Although these are nearly always overlooked by self-defence writers, the four D's - dialogue, deception, distraction, and destruction - are the most important element of self-protection to be aware of.
Dialogue is used to disarm and distract. The physical approach is non-threatening and the assailant will usually ask a question such as if they have directions, the time, a light, spare change, etc. The goal is to get the victim to think about the question and thus not notice the weapon being drawn or the assailant's partner sneaking up on you from the rear.
Deception is used to make the attacker appear harmless. A polite and ingratiating approach combined with dialogue brings the victim's guard down.
Distraction is the use of questions or certain language to 'distract' the victim immediately before the attack. One method is to attack when the victim is answering your question. Another is to say things like "I don't want to fight" right before the attack. "I don't want any trouble. Can we talk about it?" is a submissive approach Thompson also mentions. These methods of distraction preceding the sneak attack are often effective in knocking out experienced martial artists.
Destruction is the sudden and unexpected attack. Thompson makes the point that even highly trained martial artists frequently get suckered and knocked-out by the Four D's.
Thompson's Four D's Model emphasizes the pre-attack setup of using dialogue to lull the victim into a false sense of complacency. Meanwhile, the assailant and his partner if he has one, moves to CQC (Close Quarters Combat) range, stealthily draws the weapon and attacks. The counter is of course to raise one's alert status and expect attack when a stranger approaches with harmless dialogue. Constantly scanning one's blind spots and keeping distance from the 'talker' all contribute to reducing risk. Finally, getting in the habit of increasing alertness when confrontations appear to de-escalate is a healthy habit.
Marc "Animal" MacYoung's Five Stages of Crime
Marc "Animal" MacYoung is a former street-fighter, bouncer, security guard, director of a correctional institute, bodyguard, and prolific martial arts author. MacYoung combined his own extensive experience with violence to that of other researchers and he now presents a model called 'The Five Stages of Violent Crime'. This can be found on his website at: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/five_stages.html as well as in his book Safe in the City co-authored with Chris Pfouts. The five stages refer to:
Intent refers to a certain amount of desire to initiate a violent crime. With practice, one can easily spot these individuals before they initiate any form of verbal or physical conflict. Therefore, the EWR practitioner should learn to spot those people likely to cause trouble and either stay out of their way or leave the area they are in.
What Is the Interview?
The interview is a standardized method of determining one or more potential victims' suitability for being attacked. The assailant is trying to answer the following questions: Are they in condition white? Can they be verbally and/or physically intimidated? Are they displaying any fear, disorientation or discomfort? Will they be able and willing to fight back and if so, how effectively if attacked?
The Five Interviews & Their Counters
In the book Safe in the City and on his website at: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/five_stages.html, Marc "Animal" MacYoung presents five different types of interviews:
1) Regular 2) Hot 3) Escalating 4) Silent 5) Prolonged
Regular Interview This is the most common form. Someone on the street or in a bar or club approaches you and asks for a match, a light, the time or something highly innocuous. What is occurring is a psychological distraction to bring your guard down combined with a mutual socially acceptable agreement to physically come close to you. During all of this, you are being analyzed to determine your state of awareness that he is a threat as well as your willingness to defend yourself. Sometimes, the person in front will perform this interview to distract your attention while a hidden accomplice will come from the side or back and attack with a weapon. Other times, the person will continue to invade your space by stealthily moving closer and then spontaneously violently attack. The attack may be a roundhouse punch or heel palm to the face with one hand (to get your hands up and the torso arched forward) and a quick draw to a stab in the lower abdomen using the other hand. This is just one of many examples.
Counter to the Regular Interview Be in condition yellow and not white. Treat any stranger walking up to you with suspicion. Turn your body a little to the side to protect your vitals. If you choose to give the time when asked, do not look down at your watch but place your watch at a level where you can also see the person asking for the time. Let them know through your eyes and body posture that you are very alert, suspicious and ready for attack. If they physically get to close, never hesitate in demanding that they give you more space. This is not Grandma's 'milk and cookies politeness' but it may save you and your family's life. Never give a match, the time or anything to strangers asking for it when in a bad part of town or simply a location where crime is more likely to occur.
Hot Interview This is where some guy in the bar starts talking trash to you and/or challenging you out of the blue for no apparent reason. He may come up to you and say "What are you staring at? Want to take a fuckin picture?" These seek to intimidate other people and have little or no hesitation in erupting in physical violence.
Counter to the Hot Interview While there are a few people that can talk down these 'hotheads' you usually have to either immediately leave the environment or show your willingness to become extremely violent yourself. You do not want to appear confused and stunned. Some individuals will perform the hot interview and pretend to cool down slightly by starting to walk away or offer to shake your hand. Both of these may well lead to an attack as in each case, the victim will usually psychologically and physically let his guard down.
Escalating Interview This interview starts-off calm such as the context of a regular interview but after you agree to the interviewer's requests (a match, the time, a dollar, etc.) he makes more and more demands that increasingly push your boundaries. He is trying to determine how far you can be pushed. For example, after you give him a dollar, he asks for another - becoming more insistent in the process. This may lead to an attack. Date rapists often use the escalating interview.
Another version of this interview is when you walk past or into a gang of troublemakers and they start hassling you. They start-off playfully in their minds but it turns into a robbery or assault.
Counter to the Escalating Interview You need to firmly protect your boundaries at all times. If you initially assist the person asking for a favor and he then asks for something else then that is when you say no, mean it with every fiber of your being, and walk away.
Silent Interview A person may be in a doorway, stairwell, on a porch or someplace nearby where he can observe you. Stalking may also occur. He is trying to determine if you are in condition white or yellow; are aware of your surroundings; and are willing and able to fight back.
Counter to the Silent Interview Remain in condition yellow and when you spot this person interviewing you, take a decisive action that shows that you have spotted the interview and are preparing for battle. Grab a makeshift weapon (such as buying a bottle of alcohol in a nearby liquor store), take shelter, go to a safer, well-lit area, just do something that lets him know that you spotted him and are taking decisive steps to prepare for battle. Do not show fear.
Prolongued Interview This stalking form of interview may take weeks or longer and is often combined with other interviews. It may end in rape, a scam or an assault.
Counter to the Prolongued Interview Being in condition yellow may allow you to become aware that you are being stalked. Since the intention of this interviewer is not always obvious, you need to practice proper crime prevention. One quick and easy way of expressing these skills can be found at: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/pyramid.html. For obvious stalkers, you need to immediately not give then attention and take steps to protect yourself legally and physically. Read The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker to better learn how to deal with stalkers.
Positioning
During or after the interview, the criminal positions himself to attack you. This not only brings him closer to you but also adjusts the environment to his advantage. For example, he may choose to stand with you facing the bright sun or so that your back is to a table, car or corner. On his website at: http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/five_stages.html#criminal_positioning, MacYoung mentions five types of positioning:
Closing: The most basic form of positioning... walking up to the victim.
Cornering/Trapping: The most common is when his approach traps you in some way. He may be between you and an exit or you may be between him and a couch, car or the corner of a wall corner.
Surprise: The assailant jumps out of a bush or from behind a vehicle surprising you right before the attack.
Pincer: Professional criminals often use this approach in pairs. One distracts while the other attacks from the rear. They may face each other in a narrow walkway so that you have to pass between them. They may also be spread out so that as you pass one, he follows you and you end up between them. Be aware when a pair of people split up as they approach you.
Surrounding: Common for three or more assailants. One may distract while the others surround by swarming or casually drifting closer. Another situation is when a group is spaced along a wall and when you are halfway along the group, the ends fold in.
Positioning thus to a large extent determines your strategy and tactics. When you let someone take charge of the positioning during or after the interview, they are maximizing the environmental benefits for themselves and minimizing benefits for you. Escape is cut off, makeshift weapons are unavailable and the physical space between you and the assailant(s) becomes non-existent. Even if you do not move from the spot where you are standing, the direction that the assailant comes may make a tremendous difference in the ensuing combat.
What are your options? If you are practiced in the interview, aware when it is occurring, and understand the various types of positioning, you can physically change your position to a more advantageous location before the physical attack ensues. This may be as simple as taking a step to the right so that instead of having your back to a wall or chair two feet behind you, it is now to a hallway allowing you significantly more room to maneuver and/or escape. Or during the dialogue phase, you may casually circle so that the interviewer is facing bright lights or so that you are now placed where you can grab a bottle of beer in your hand to use as an impact weapon or object to throw while you escape or attack. In any case, simulating the interview with another person in non-dojo environments forces you to practice beneficial positioning during encounters that may lead to edged weapon violence.
Common Threads
James LaFond, Geoff Thompson, Darren Laur and Marc "Animal" MacYoung hail from three different countries (USA, Canada and England) yet their professional observations are nearly identical. LaFond mentions surprise and positioning but he also emphasizes that experience and aggression are the main factors that generate victory for the assailant - more so than athletic ability and technical skill. Laur also mentions surprise as a basic strategy but emphasizes how even the trained responder will almost always remain unaware that he is being attacked with an edged weapon before and during the assault. Thompson's Four D's model focuses on the non-ambush approach where the assailant will use various methods of surprise before launching the attack. MacYoung's model is both deep and broad but in addition to breaking the interview down into five types, he also discusses different types of positioning. Thus, there is little or no disagreement between these EWR experts regarding how assailants use setups to precede an edged weapon assault.
Please note that Marc MacYoung during a telephone call with this Author mentioned the fact that different ethnicities may tend to perform the interview process differently. For example, a drunk, middle class white guy may start-off with a hot interview and then escalates the conflict into a shoving match before launching the physical attack. This contrasts with a situation where a Caucasian walks into a Latino bar in a dangerous area and the only warning he may get is a voiced "Get Out" from one of the patrons immediately as he walk in. If he does not immediately turn around and walk out, physical violence may immediately erupt. This does not mean that middle class Caucasians will always take their time and get to violence slowly or that poor Latinos will always fight at a moment's notice but that there may be some general differences as to how the interview process plays out between class, race and ethnicity.
Common Setup Dialogue
The following are the type of 'first contact' interview statements commonly used by assailants in the US that often lead to violence. These are only a few of many possibilities but you get the idea.
"Got a light?" (Regular or escalating interview) "Got a match?" (Regular or escalating interview) "Can I have a dollar?" (Regular or escalating interview) "Excuse me but do you have the time?" (Regular or escalating interview) "Excuse me but do you know he directions to..." (Regular or escalating interview) "What the fuck you lookin at?" (Hot interview) "I don't like you." (Escalating or hot interview)
Whenever a stranger approaches you with harmless dialogue, you should 1) increase your alert status; 2) be exceptionally careful of the physical space between you two; 3) scan and keep scanning your sides and rear for an accomplice sneaking up on you; 4) give eye, voice and body language signals that you are alert for attack and prepared for battle, and 5) change your positioning if necessary.
Sometimes, there is set-up dialogue that occurs after words are spoken and the hot interviewer appears to be verbally and physically backing down. Be aware that the interview is not over and he is at his most dangerous at this point. He is attempting to lull you into a false sense of complacency and safety by appearing regretful, sorry or submissive. Some examples of this may be along the lines of:
"Sorry for my behavior. Let's shake and part ways." Before or during the handshake he may attack such as a head-but given during the handshake. Never shake hands, remain exceptionally wary and continue to assume that this is an interview. If you do shake hands, keep your chin down with your eyes continuing to watch him so that he would have to head-butt your forehead and not your face.
"I was out of line. I'll be leaving now." The hot interviewer turns away from you and takes three baby steps away, turns suddenly and throws an overhand sucker punch at your face. Stay on high alert status, expect the sucker punch and change your positioning after he turns so that your position and distance is different than he expects when he launches his attack. Assume that he may have drawn a weapon after he turned away so grabbing a chair or making your escape may be appropriate.
Common Setups
In this chapter, we have discussed the interview and positioning process with some examples. Now, various types of common setups are presented. By no stretch of the imagination is this a complete list nor does it cover every situation.
1. While shopping in a store, assailants put a slow leak in your tire. They then follow your car and stop to assist when your tire runs flat and you have pulled over. The attack then ensues.
2. Parking lots. A person may be leaning against your car waiting for you. As you are walking in a parking lot, a person may suddenly jump in front of you and occupy your attention while the accomplice slips up from behind and initiates the assault.
3. The street person approaches and asks for change, a match, the time, etc. When you attempt to assist, they slug you in the head and immediately follow with a stab to the gut.
4. The hothead in the bar starts giving you a hot interview. You appear to convince him that the confrontation is unnecessary and he appears to walk away but he takes three very short steps and on the third step he turns and performs an overhand strike. A variation is the head butt before walking away. Yet another variation is the assailant apologizing and offering to shake hands. During the handshake he slugs you with his free hand.
Non-Interview Attacks
At this point, one may get the impression that all attacks are preceded by the interview. While a majority of assaults do have an interview before them, there are certain situations that do not. The first relates to the schizophrenic or similarly mentally disturbed individual. This person tends to be a transient or occupant of a mental institution. They may be calm and fine for years and in the middle of a sentence they snap and freak out. In his book Far Beyond Defensive Tactics, Loren Christensen faced this situation as a police officer. He was speaking to a homeless person he had pleasantly known for years when all of a sudden during a conversation the guy whipped out a hypodermic needle and tried to stab Christensen with it.
The second type of non-interview attack is when someone becomes 'seriously emotionally disturbed' and goes out on a rampage. It may be workplace violence with a fired employee going postal or the occasional person who goes on a rampage in a shopping mall or outside a public gathering - indiscriminately stabbing and slashing everyone that they can reach.
The third type of non-interview assault relates to terrorism. While these bastards normally prefer to use bombs, the Al Qeida training manual does discuss how to kill with a knife. Should one or more ever go on a killing spree in a shopping mall or similar venue, they will be seeking targets of opportunity (whomever is available) rather than carefully setting certain people up.
The fourth type refers to 'moments of madness'. There have been several stories lately where a young child tired of his infant siblings cries goes to the kitchen, grabs a knife and stabs the infant in the chest. There is no interview - only rage and a single 'mad' action.
The fifth and last non-interview type of assault might be considered by some people as part of the silent interview. It refers to the surprise, pincer and surrounding types of positioning. In these situations, there can be minimal scanning and preparation. They will simply take whoever arrives into their space and assault them. When they are choosing their victim then it is part of the silent interview or an ambush but if they are simply taking whoever is present then there is no interview going on. It becomes an assault of opportunity.
The Ambush
Whenever you have an unpleasant encounter with someone and you part ways, the encounter and danger is not over. Let's say you had a hot interview in a bar and the bouncer came by and kicked the other guy out. Guess what? He may be waiting outside in the parking lot waiting to move past the interview - except this time, it may simply be the part where he springs out from alongside a car and stabs or whacks you. Therefore, after each altercation, you must be on great alert for the entire evening especially when you leave the place of the altercation and for several weeks after if he knows (or can find out) where you live, work or hang out.
Follow MacYoung's advice of practicing for several months constantly asking yourself where you would ambush someone. Whenever you are walking outside or at a different location, there are only going to be a few spots where people driving or walking by will not be able to see you skulking in the bushes. Many stores and malls (such as Walmart) have cameras monitoring the parking lots. Drivers may report people skulking in the bushes if they can be seen from the road. And so forth. After a while, you unconsciously become aware of those spots that are acceptable ambush spots and you can avoid them or at least go on strong alert when in close proximity.
Interview and Crime Prevention Sources
One of the most important things one can do to perform quality EWR is to develop proper interview training and crime prevention habits. The following sources will get one started: Attack Proof, by John Perkins, Al Ridenhour, and Matt Kovsky; Dead or Alive, by Geoff Thompson; The Gift of Fear, by Gavin De Becker; Safe in the City, by Marc "Animal" MacYoung and Chris Pfouts; Streetwise, by Peter Constandine; Strong on Defense, by Sanford Strong; The Truth About Self Protection, by Massad Ayoob; Up Close, Nothing Personal, by Lee Morrison; and Violence, Blunders and Fractured Jaws, by Marc "Animal" MacYoung.
Chapter Two Conclusion
In this chapter, we have looked at the conclusions from four different individuals who are not armchair violence theorists but who have frequently experienced violence on the street as well as performed extensive research. They all agree that assailants not using the ambush, terrorist and 'going postal' approaches use surprise in the form of the interview before the edged weapon attack. MacYoung also discusses the use of positioning by assailants. Laur, LaFond and other edged weapon specialists such as Graham Kuerschner of SDTactics in Australia emphasize that both before and during an assault, even most trained people fail to see that an edged weapon is being used as part of the attack.
What this means is that most-to-nearly-all edged weapon attacks can be avoided by studying the interview process and choosing the correct verbal, physical and attitudinal response. Even failing the interview, recognition that one is being interviewed can allow one to have the time to escape, grab a makeshift weapon, grab a makeshift shield, reposition oneself for greater combat benefit and watch for the draw so that it can be countered. Good interview skills will also stop one from being 'sucker-punched' at the end of some interviews. Positioning awareness means that one can spot attacks about to occur along with increasing your environmental advantages. Lastly, one can develop 'ambush awareness' habits that drastically reduce the odds of getting caught in one. Thus, setups are a tremendous advantage for the attacker that with proper training can be nullified in most cases.
CHAPTER THREE: THE ATTACK
In a Western country such as the United States, you can get a lot of variety in terms of the type of edged weapon used, the physical and emotional attributes of the assailant(s), and how the attack is physically carried out. This chapter's emphasis is on how street fighters or semi-proficient edged weapon assailants attack. The goal in education and training is to set the bar as high as possible - which would be the expert - but unarmed versus the expert is way too difficult to properly put into words. We therefore focus on the next highest threat level.
There is controversy in discussing how assailant's attack on the street. The way past it is to look at objective data. Some LEO such as Darren Laur have interviewed edged weapon assailants and collected data that way. Non-LEO researchers such as James LaFond have also performed interviews and he collected his research into a book called The Logic of Steel. Former street fighters and ex-cons have also published how they use edged weapons to attack. Lastly, numerous edged weapon assaults have been taped over the decades for later study. When one analyzes the data from all three sources, street fighter attacks can be categorized to some extent. What follows is how many edged weapon attacks go down in real life.
This chapter is divided into the following:
1. The amateur versus the street fighter 2. Static versus dynamic attacks 3. Grips and stance 4. Attacker types/energies 5. Edged weapon motions 6. Target Selection 7. Single Versus Multiple Assailants
The Amateur versus the Street Fighter When it comes to overall skill, edged weapon assailants can be thought of as belonging to three categories: amateur, street fighter and expert. The amateur is someone with no training regarding the offensive and defensive use of the blade. As a result, amateurs will tend to do the following:
- Select a carry that is difficult to quickly access such as deep in a pocket mixed with coins - Flash or brandish the edged weapon before attempting to use it. - Over-extend in thrusts - Engage in SDA: Single Direct Attacks (one attack at a time) - Use wide rather than tight slashes - Perform poor target selection: they may simply hack at center mass or the head as they are large areas - Their grip on the blade may weaken or fail when the blade meets resistance - Little or no use of the live hand and the legs for attack and defense - Little or no thought of positioning during the attack
The above are general tendencies but realize that even a complete amateur can pull a rabbit out of the hat and do something utterly unexpected or even highly competent.
The street fighter is semi-proficient to proficient in the offensive use of some edged weapons. The skills they are more likely to have include the following:
- Carries the edged weapon where it is rapidly accessible but partly concealed - Has a very quick draw and deployment. The draw, deployment and attack are one quick, practiced motion - Can easily and rapidly open and close folders with one hand - Have practiced surreptitiously drawing the weapon, alternating assassin grips, opening and closing the folder (if it is a folder) and putting it away all while concealing the weapon from the people around him. - Has practiced edged weapon attacks that are more deadly than Single Direct Attacks (SDA). These include Attack By Combination (ABC), Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA), Attack By Drawing (ABD) and Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA). More on these later. - May switch hands and grips during the attack - Positions himself for maximum advantage - Attacks by surprise - Uses his live hand and feet in attacks and defense - Uses aggression - May go after specific targets rather than simple targets of opportunity
The expert bladesman is like a rapidly moving blender that is always strategically and tactically several moves ahead of the unarmed responder. Everything that the responder can do has been trained against for many years until the response is instinct. Even if you are an expert in a martial art that teaches the offensive and defensive use of small blades as part of its core curriculum, when unarmed against the expert, you are pretty much fucked.
Dynamic Versus Static Attacks
Dynamic Attack Definition: The edged weapon is constantly positioned and moving in such a way so as to injure or kill the responder if possible.
There are six types of dynamic attack (the sixth being situational):
1. Single Direct Attack (SDA). This is a single slash or stabbing motion in isolation.
2. Attack By Combination (ABC) is a collection of either repeating SDA or of different individual attacks chained together one after another.
3. Progressive Indirect Attack (PIA) involves a combination of attacks, which may or may not be set up with fakes or feints, where the first attack, and maybe not even the second attack is the real attack. Only the final attack is intended to score'2.
4. Attack By Drawing (ABD) is when the knife is held but hidden behind a body part and the attacker gets the target close before presenting the weapon in an attack.
5. Hand Immobilization Attack (HIA) is when the attacker uses his free hand to grab the target's clothes, body or both in order to immobilize him while the weapon hand is viciously attacking.
6. Third-Party Situation is when the assailant is attacking someone nearby with an edged weapon and you are closing the gap to engage and intercept.
One through five (and its source) above was presented earlier in the book and comes from the Jeet Kune Do approach. Number six is an area that has had practically zero discussion in civilian instructional media. What do you do when the dynamic attack is not at you but someone else and you are legally and/or morally obligated to physically interfere? This will be discussed later in the response section.
Static Attack Definition: The edged weapon is positioned so that it is close to or touching the body and serves as a threat of possible future injury or death of the responder.
There are five types of static attack:
1. Standing without a grab. Only the edged weapon is near or touching the responder.
2. Standing with a grab or touch. The assailant's non-weapon hand and/or arm is wrapped around or otherwise restraining the assailant or his clothing while the edged weapon is touching or close to the responder's body.
3. The assailant is holding the edged weapon near the respondent but hidden from view of others - such as between the sheets of a folded newspaper. This situation involves additional objects that may require consideration when determining tactical response.
4. The assailant is holding the edged weapon against another person - such as a family member - in order to get your compliance or to generate fear and helplessness.
5. There are multiple assailants around you with at least one performing the static edged weapon attack. The response must take these additional people into account.
Some common, one-on-one, static attack maneuvers are as follows:
1. From behind, the point is against the assailant's lower or middle back - such as the kidney. This may be accompanied by a grab to the shoulder, neck or throat; or even the free arm wrapped around the assailant's throat.
2. From behind, the edge is against the assailant's neck with the crook of the weapon arm around the throat. This may be accompanied by the live hand grabbing the assailant's elbow or somewhere else.
3. From the front, the tip of the blade is pressed against the responder's throat, chest or stomach. The live hand may or may not be touching or grabbing the responder.
4. From the front, the edge of the blade may be against the responder's neck (either side), pressing up under the groin or against the face.
These are only some of the infinite variety one may encounter in real life.
Edged Weapon Grips There are many ways to grip an edged weapon. Experts argue back and forth over the pros and cons of the different grips and they can't agree on their names as well. In Total EWR, four grip categories will be presented: hammer, reverse, saber and palm. The hammer grip is like how one would grip the handle of a hammer. This is great for upward stabs and some slashes but it does not provide terrific range and some angles of attack are difficult at best to accomplish. The reverse grip is like how you would grab an ice pick or railroad spike. It is fine for downward thrusts, hacks and some slashes but like the hammer grip, it does not offer the greatest range and some angles of attack are uncomfortable. It does however offer concealment when the blade is behind the arm and it can be used for hooking during attacks. The saber grip is where the edged weapon lays diagonally across the palm so that the blade appears to be an extension of the arm. It is the most versatile of the grips so far and it offers the longest range but it is weaker than the hammer or reverse grips. The palm grip refers to some types of edged weapons that are short with their base resting against the palm and the blade extending between the four fingers, which are curled into a fist.
The street fighter or proficient edged weapon fighter will have some degree of ability to rapidly cycle between many different grips and to switch the weapon between the hands. For example, he may pause - letting the responder see the weapon and grip - then rapidly change his grip as he starts the attack. The responder may expect a sabre grip thrust and instead ends-up with a hammer grip slash. Switching hands and rotating grips are dangerous moments for the assailant. The weapon is loose and may be dropped if attacked at that fraction of a second. This is why grip and hand changes are often performed rapidly and with as little visibility as possible. Some street fighters create a distraction with their voice, other hand or body position to cover the switch or grip change whereas others simply rely upon speed.
The edged weapon shape partly determines the grip but you cannot count on what grip an assailant will be using. For example, let's assume there is a scuffle and the edge weapon is dropped. Both parties are scrambling for it while fighting and grappling with each other. One person manages to grab it despite the other person yanking at their legs. The person reaching the weapon is not going to take the time to spin it around on the floor so that they grab it in a hammer versus a reverse grip, and then make sure that the edge is facing outward. They are simply going to feel lucky that they got their hands on the damn thing, grab it before they lose their chance and start using it ASAP! They will worry about the grip and edge after they stop the other person from clawing their eyeball out of their socket or grinding their nuts into the asphalt. So, assume that the grip coming at you could be anything.
Edged Weapon Fighter Stances Experts argue over which stance is best. Some say that having the weapon in the forward hand is best as it maximizes one's reach (closest weapon to closest target) whereas others claim that having the weapon in the rear hand near the hip is best as it is safe from attack, is poorly seen and can emerge in a variety of ways. As with so many of these edged weapon debates, the real answer is that each side simply has it's own set of pros and cons.
Stances by the proficient and expert are not the Hollywood style where you are facing the responder in an almost 'bear-hug' position. The more expert you are with edged weapons, the less comfortable you are in exposing your arteries and organs in the front.
Don Pentecost is an ex-com from Folsom Prison. He wrote the book Put 'Em Down. Take 'Em Out detailing the offensive edged weapon stance, grip and attack methods that prisoners teach other prisoners there. In Folsom Prison, certain inmates teach each other to use the hammer grip, a bladed stance with the edged weapon in the rear hand, and the live hand in front being very live. You can download this book for free at:
or buy it cheap from various sources on the net. Amazon seems to want to sell it for an exorbitant amount.
One common stance is found mostly before the initial attack. The body is bladed in relation to the victim with one leg back. The rear arm holds the edged weapon with the blade down so that the blade is visually behind the rear thigh. In one motion, perhaps with a step, the arm is thrust forward and up - snapping the point into the victim's eye, throat or chest. It may also be a slash across the chest. When the knife is a folder, the folder may be closed or partly open with the hand behind the rear leg. As the folder is deployed, it is snapped open during the early part of the deployment phase.
Another stance used before the initial attack is the arms crossed across the chest. One hand holds a folder or fixed blade. If the weapon is held by the hand underneath the bicep then it may hold an open or closed folder or a fixed blade knife. The bicep blocks the weapon from view. If the weapon is in a hand on top of the opposite bicep then the entire weapon would need to be visually covered by the hand.
Learning offensive edged weapon fighting stances really needs to come from in-person training with a reputable bladesman. Each will have their own opinion and biases but they will be able to train you far better than any book.
Attacker Types/Energies
The overall edged weapon attack falls into one of many general categories. These categories (called 'energies') are distinguished by a set of distinct tactics that make the encounter unique from other tactical sets.
When dealing with Dynamic Attacks (where the assailant is active in trying to use the edged weapon to rip or puncture flesh), the attacker energies include:
1) The Draw 2) Trapping 3) Pushing 4) Hybrids/Misc.
The first attacker energy category is the draw.
The Draw: 'The weapon is draw, deployed and used to attack all in one fluid motion'. (definition by Jerry Wetzel, Centerline Gym). It is also to be noted that the assailant may be standing (separate or grappling), on one knee or on the ground. What makes this attack successful is that the draw is unexpected, fast and may occur as or after the responder is unexpectedly attacked. There are numerous types of draw attacks and some of the EWR instructors such as Hock Hochheim teach both the draw and its counters.
Two of the many types of attack from the draw include: 1) one-two attack, and 2) three-step-attack. These are attacks taught by inmates to inmates at Folsom Prison and detailed in the book Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out by former Folsom Prison inmate Don Pentecost.
The one-two attack is a rapid-fire frontal attack where first the lead, empty-hand performs an attack (or feint) such as a punch or preferably a palm-strike to the eyes (to generate vision interference and create an opening) and immediately following, the rear hand holding the edged weapon strikes.
The three-step attack (also called the 'deceptive lead') starts when you intentional feint with your knife when out of range, thus luring the opponent into a premature strike, which opens his defense. Then you apply the one-two attack.
The second attacker energy category refers to trapping. Trapping is when part or all of the responder is controlled or pinned by the assailant and/or the environment. Specific attacks in the trapping category include:1) the grab & stab, 2) against the wall, and 3) a variation of the one-two attack (see above).
The Grab & Stab: 'The assailant closes the gap and grabs the victim with their live hand and their weapon hand stabs repeatedly - often to the torso' (definition by Jerry Wetzel, Centerline Gym). This is a common attack. The grab may be to a limb, garment, back of the neck, headlock, or an arm threaded around the waist.
Against the Wall: In this scenario, the edged weapon assailant has pressed the victim against the wall with his free arm – perhaps the arm is horizontal across the victim's chest - and the edged weapon is either pressed against the victim or is stabbing (definition by Jerry Wetzel, Centerline Gym). It needn't be a wall - a car may do but this scenario uses the environment as a weapon used in the attack, which makes it different from some points of view as environment often dictates one's response options.
One-Two Attack Variant: When the one-two attack mentioned previously starts-off by grabbing and yanking the responder's lead arm so that the responder torques and/or spins showing more of his side and back and then the assailant follows with stabs to the armpit, kidney, etc., this falls under trapping. The initial grab can be an under-hook or basic grab from the top or side vectors.
The third attacker energy category refers to pushing. Specific attacks in the pushing category include: 1) the push and stab, and 2) 'prison yard rush'.
The Push and Stab: The assailant closes the gap and pushes the victim at upper chest level backwards with the palm of their live hand while maintaining contact. The weapon hand then stabs. In this energy, the attacker is actually driving in with their lead hand/arm in an effort to keep their weapon in their rear (dominant) hand and to avoid attempts to grab the weapon (definition by Jerry Wetzel, Centerline Gym). In this energy, the attacker is actually driving in with their lead hand/arm in an effort to keep their weapon in their rear (dominant) hand and to avoid attempts to grab the weapon. Note that the victim is pedaling backwards so countering may be difficult.
The Bull Rush/Prison Yard Rush/Swarmer: This is the 'charger' where the assailant rushes into you an attempt to overwhelm the victim. There is literally a physical collision with the victim and the assailant uses his body and live (empty) hand to press, overwhelm and perhaps move the victim backwards, while the weapon hand is used to stab repeatedly. The victim is being pressed backward, sometimes violently so that unless he has a stable base, he is being forced to rapidly backpedal backwards just to keep his balance. This drastically reduces the ability to counter-attack.
The fourth attacker energy category refers to hybrids and miscellaneous attacks. These are attacks that have qualities and characteristics that set them apart from the other categories of dynamic attack. Specific attacks in the hybrids/miscellaneous category include:
1) Smash and Slash; 2) The Jailyard 3) The Jacknife 4) The Slap and Tap 5) Bulldogging 6) The ambush (Red Zone Attack), 7) Multiple Assailant, 8) Assassin Grip Attacks.
Bob Kasper, editor for Tactical Knives magazine, has real world experience in knife combat. In the book Street Smarts, Firearms, & Personal Security by Jim Grover, five different hybrid edged weapon attacks described by Bob Kasper are as follows:
Smash and Slash: The knife is carried by the attacker either opened in the hand and hidden behind the leg or sheathed but accessible. The attacker approaches from the front and impedes the freedom of your movement. Using the off-hand, the attacker strikes down onto the groin. This strike is conducted without retraction of the hand, relying on hip drop and speed to deliver. Naturally, on impact the victim cranes forward and exposes his neck. The attacker takes a very natural quarter step to the rear and side and slashes the exposed neck. (description copied from Street Smarts, Firearms, & Personal Security
The Jailyard: The attacker approaches from the front, knife hidden in the hand or sheathed with quick access. A sharp finger-jab to the eyes with the off-hand causes the victim to raise his hands to his eyes and stumble or lean back, exposing the abdomen or groin. The knife is pumped repeatedly into the abdomen with forward pressure from the attacker, the whole time keeping the victim back on his heels. (description copied from Street Smarts, Firearms, & Personal Security by Jim Grover).
The Jacknife: You are attacked. You fight back and are winning. You have your attacker bent over and are pummeling him, thinking, "Hey, I’m kicking butt." Suddenly you feel the attacker grab one of your legs and pick it up off the ground, holding it close to him. He pushes you off balance. Reflexively, you reach behind to catch yourself and feel the knife as the hook thrusts it into your kidney. As you were pummeling him, he realized he was losing. He drew the knife and, while pushing you off balance, started to stab you in the back as you tried to regain balance. (description copied from Street Smarts, Firearms, & Personal Security by Jim Grover).
Slap and Tap: Your attacker either faces you or is slightly off center. His knife is either hidden in his hand or sheathed for quick access. In a really sloppy arcing motion he reaches across and slaps you hard against the side of the neck or head in order to daze you. He hooks his hand behind your neck and jerks you downward onto his knife, which is now drawn and pointing upwards at your heart, abdomen and diaphragm area. Before you realize what's happening, you're on the ground holding your stomach, spitting blood. He's gone. (description copied from Street Smarts, Firearms, & Personal Security by Jim Grover).
Bulldogging: The knife appears and your attacker rushes you, not trying to knock you over but keeping you in the retreat mode using constant forward pressure. His knife repeatedly pumps in to stab, makes short slashing motions, and back cuts on the way out. He is relentless-pushing you with his off-hand, striking at your eyes, grabbing you, and keeping you off balance. (description copied from Street Smarts, Firearms, & Personal Security by Jim Grover).
The Ambush (Red Zone Attack): A sudden unexpected attack that may include grabbing and attacking in the clinch zone (definition by Jerry Wetzel, Centerline Gym). This is a broad category of attack that may encompass the draw, trapping and/or pushing all in the same attack. It may start-off with both parties standing but then possibly evolve into ground-fighting and possibly back to standing again.
Multiple Assailant: The dynamics of multiple assailant attacks are such that the additional assailants may be offering different energies and tactics. The primary assailant may be aggressive and the secondary one off to the side may simply stab or slash when an opening presents itself.
Assassin Grip Attacks: An example of this is when persons 'A' and 'B' are having a heated verbal confrontation in a bar and person 'C' is standing close by with his arms crossed over his chest. Person 'C' has an edged weapon 'pocketed' in his hand so the draw has already taken place. He may unexpectedly launch forward and attack person 'A' with the weapon, as he is a friend of person 'B' or for some other reason. Essentially, assassin grip attacks differ from the draw as the draw has already taken place and thus such attacks are significantly harder to counter.
Static Attack Energies
Static attack energies have their distinct categories of attack as well. The static attack (where the weapon is not actively moving to puncture or rip flesh), has the edged weapon on or near the body. Static attack energies include:
1) Brandishing 2) Placement 3) Hostage.
Brandishing: The weapon is drawn and prominently displayed but the actual focus of the attacker is not known other than the fact that he is using the knife for intimidation so far (definition by Jerry Wetzel, Centerline Gym). Generally speaking, amateurs and those partly unwilling to use the weapon on another person brandish.
Placement: This is when the edged weapon is placed on or exceptionally close to the body with the imminent threat of puncture and/or ripping of flesh. Some of the factors that differentiate the different types of placement energy include whether or not the live hand is grabbing the responder, if the responder's base is relatively solid or disrupted and environmental factors such as nearby walls and people.
Hostage is when assailant 'A' has an edged weapon threatening a loved one in a static attack.
As you can see, there are many different ways in which edged weapon assailants can attack someone from an overall tactical perspective. One way to differentiate these attacks is whether or not the responder's base is solid and still or if it is being forced into an unbalanced position or uncomfortable motion. For example, placing the responder in a rear headlock where the responder's back is highly arched is different than simply applying the headlock without the strong backward pull. In the first case with the arched back, the responder has a poor base from which to select tactics. In another example, if the responder is unexpectedly body-slammed hard with the stabbing occurring simultaneously, the responder's base may be temporarily disrupted by bad foot placement and his ability to counter well may be inhibited or impossible. Thus, many of the so-called 'knife-defense' techniques being taught worldwide have limited or no effectiveness when the base is disrupted through many of the above attacker energies.
Five Types of Edged Weapon Fighters
The attacker energies mentioned previously are categorized by the method of controlling the responder (ie. The draw, trapping, pushing, hostage, etc.). Another way to categorize the attacker is in terms of his mix of offense vs. defense. Richard Ryan in the book Master of the Blade describes five types of edged weapon fighters:
The Blade Charger: Also known as the 'swarmer' the assailant will blitzkrieg the victim with a hurricane-like flurry of attacks. This assailant will literally try to run over you and will apply body slams, body and arm checks while constantly stabbing and slashing. Don Pendleton in his book Put 'Em Down, Take 'Em Out, writes about how prisoners in Folsom Prison are taught this method of edged weapon attack along with attack specifics. 'Knife defense' techniques that may work against other types of assailants will often not work against the charger as the responder's base and structure is either being threatened or destroyed.
The Blade Slugger: Very similar to the charger, the slugger is a hacker that keeps coming at you with full aggression but focuses upon applying extremely powerful hacking motions.
The Blade Blocker: This is the stylist or technical fighter with some degree of training or proficiency. They may purposefully utilize confusion and deception before and during the attack.
The Blade Runner: This is the person who stays back and attacks what he can that is close but only strikes deep when there is a safe opening. Highly mobile, he will stay out of reach, not over-commit, whittle away at your extended limbs, and be difficult to find.
There is actually a fifth type of edged weapon fighter that Ryan identifies: The Blade Synergist. This is the advanced knife fighter who under stress can instantly shift between the other four types as necessary.
Edged Weapon Motions The Stab: 'Stabs are puncture wounds created by the penetration of the tip of the blade followed by its length into the body. On the surface, a puncture wound may appear as a small slit, but stab wounds are more likely to be life threatening because they let fluid out and air in. The potentially lethal effect comes from what the knife does as it enters the body cavity. It can puncture internal organs or sever vital systems causing massive trauma with a single stroke. Depending on the location, a single deep puncture could be almost instantly lethal' (by Richard Ryan, Master of the Blade).
It is important to note that the trajectory of the stab can be straight, curved, or changing in height while following a straight or curved path. Stabs are generally considered to be the most lethal type of edged weapon motion and are used frequently by soldiers and hardened criminals.
Slashes: 'A slash uses the edge of the blade as it is drawn against and across a target. When steel meets human flesh, flesh loses and a slash can open up large wounds. This is because the skin is somewhat elastic and, when severed, the tissue separates around the wound. For a slash, the point of contact on the blade should be low, to ensure a drawing motion across the surface to be cut. This point is also the strongest point at which the hand and the blade meet, which helps to maintain control of the weapon during an exchange' (by Richard Ryan, Master of the Blade).
Hack: 'The hack is defined as a quick backhand and return or quick forehand and return. If you would, visualize a baseball bat swung really hard into a trampoline and it bouncing back from point of impact to the exact same position it started; this is an example of a hack' (by Tarani, The Naked Edge).
Dice Cuts: 'Dice cuts are rapid-fire short stroke slashes designed to inflict massive localized damage. They're usually used when someone has a hold of you, or to escape from a grappling situation using a knife. To execute, "slap and slide" the blade across the target as rapidly as possible, much like you would dice a stalk of celery. The result is a horrendous wound that slashes the flesh of a small area to ribbons. Although you could use the dice cutting concept anywhere, good targets are just about anywhere in the hand, arms or face (by Richard Ryan, Master of the Blade).
A variation of the dice cut is the 'snap cut' or 'flick'. ‘This attack is delivered by flicking the wrist and knife to extended limbs, inflicting numerous cuts. The flick is very distractive to the defender since he is bleeding from several cuts if the attacker is successful' (from FM21-150 Combatives). Some assailants will initiate their attack to the face with a razor blade using a snap-cut so as to distract and demoralize the responder and then switch to using fists and boots.
Rip-Cut: Sometimes called a 'Tear' this occurs when the edged weapon point is dragged along the skin - tearing it in the process.
Impact/Smack: Some edged weapons have the physical capabilities for hard surfaces on the weapon to be used to impact flesh. Possible surfaces in some edged weapons include the butt (bottom of the handle), flat of the blade and spine of the blade.
EWR Instructor Steve Tarani writes:
According to the Southeast Asian blade cultures in which the fighting arts of Eskrima, Arnis, Kali, Sabetan and others have perfected the use of a blade to a high degree, there are two primary groups or styles of cuts.
The first group is considered primary. Primary cuts include the slash, an example of which is O.J. Simpson's infamous ear-to-ear severing of Nicole's neck, Another primary type of cut is the hack, for which we have adequate examples in Jeffery Dahlmer's victims. Then there is the thrust, which many inner-city gangs favor for highly effective screw-driver stabs. Shank stabbings in prison are all thrusts.
Just for the record, the majority of lethal cuts recorded on police blotters over the past decade were thrusts. The thrust is the most lethal of the primary cuts.
The second group is considered ancillary, or "backup cutting." These include scraping or skinning, which are much like an ice-scraper against ice on a windshield. Hunters are quite familiar with this technique.
Another secondary cut is the tear, common to various West Japanese edged-weapon systems which involve hooking the flesh with barbs notched along the edge of certain fighting knives. This technique is specifically applied to the trachea in hand-to-hand combat.
Coring is similar to the move you apply to an apple core. Puncturing is used in certain Filipino knife fighting techniques that involve knife handling designed to puncture the kidney or bladder. This technique is similar to a can opener applied to a can of juice.
There are yet other types of cuts, but they are traditionally reserved for dedicated, long-term students of the bladed arts. However, for our purposes, the foregoing study should suffice to illustrate that there is more than one type of "cut" available. Receiving of any one or all of the above cuts could result in either a nonlethal or fatal outcome.
The previous in italics is reprinted from an article in American Handgunner titled Blood of the Cut: The Mental Aspects of Knife Fighting by Steve Tarani.
The above represent rather basic motions of an edged weapon but many more attack motions exist. For example, twirling the weapon when the weapon wrist or arm is grabbed and using the edge slice a limb when the weapon is being pulled back towards the assailant are two of many others. Proficient edged weapons practitioners learn how to combine the basic motions along with fakes in unpredictable and poorly observable ways so that their effectiveness is maximized.
The 5 Angles of Attack Many blade arts - particularly those from the Asian Archipelago - have a common description of five particular vectors in which an edged weapon can travel. Some limit the system to five angles and others have these five but add more.
Angle 1 An inward and downward slash from the high right corner Angle 2 A back-handed, inward and downward slash from the high left corner Angle 3 An inward, horizontal slash from a low hip-height right corner Angle 4 A back-handed, horizontal slash from a low hip-height left corner Angle 5 A low centerline stab
While training in the air, a person may focus on for example angle one targeting the neck but in real life, it can have many possible targets. If an arm or leg is extended, it may receive an angle 1 slash. It is the vector or path travelled that determines the angle - not the point of impact.
The 12 Angles of Attack Hock Hochheim's (HH) 12 angles of attack are from the assailant's point-of view and is described as using the right hand.
Angle 1 An inward and downward slash from the high right corner Angle 2 A back-handed, inward and downward slash from the high left corner Angle 3 An inward, horizontal slash from a low hip-height right corner Angle 4 A back-handed, horizontal slash from a low hip-height left corner Angle 5 A low centerline stab Angle 6 A high harpoon-like stab (high right) Angle 7 A high stab from the left Angle 8 A backhanded low slash upward and inward Angle 9 A low upward and inward slash Angle 10 A high hooking stab from the high right tighter than angle 6 Angle 11 A high hooking stab from the high left tighter than angle 7 Angle 12 A downward overhead slash (12:00)
Some people add an Angle 13, which is a 6:00 upward stab to the groin
The advantage of using more than five angles of attack is that it teaches the 'bad guys' more specific types of attacks while providing the responder opportunities to become proficient in dealing with more specific angles. This is not to say that a five angle of attack approach will not have these but rather that offensive edged weapon novices not having quality instruction may not sufficiently utilize all of these angle attacks.
9 Angles of Thrusts
This drill with photos is found in the book Bloody Brazilian Knife Fightin' Techniques by Uncle Fester. The blade is in the right hand using a hammer grip and the perspective is from the attacker. The live hand guards during each thrust.
#1: Diagonal downward forehand to the side of the head #2: Diagonal downward backhand to the side of the head #3: Right forehand horizontal stab (Three O' Clock) to torso #4: Left backhand horizontal stab (Nine O' Clock) to torso #5: Diagonal forehand right upward and inward (4:30) to thigh #6: Diagonal forehand left upward and inward (7:30) to thigh #7: Central upward stab to groin, chin, etc. (6:00) #8: Central downward stab (12:00) #9: Straight stab just under Xiphoid process
One variation of this is for #4 to also be on the right side and to the torso but diagonally upward and inward; with #5 being a horizontal backhand to the torso, and #6 being an inward and upward backhand to the torso.
The 'C' Cut is when after a stab enters the body, the blade is rotated so that the entry wound forms a 'C' shape. This inflicts far more damage while reducing the chance that the blade will be stuck in the flesh.
The student needs to practice many different offensive patterns. Slashes, stabs and hacks can be mixed together along with making sure that stabs end with C cuts. The goal is to work both sides of the body at all levels from all positions (standing, kneeling, etc.) so that all attack combinations are instinctual and so that combinations make anatomical targeting sense. Be aware that the various attacks require proper footwork and body posture. Learning this via in-person instruction is obviously preferred but if that is not possible, the DVD's are a better source than the books for this topic.
Target Selection The more expert you become, the more carefully you select specific targets to attack. The amateur tends to focus simply on targets of opportunity - such as arms in the front - and especially center mass (head and torso). The expert - practically an anatomy expert - sees practically all of the body as a target with the knowledge and practice of how to appropriately puncture or shred each point. Somewhere in-between is the ex-con and street fighter. They understand the value of certain targets either to cause fear and pain or to injure and kill.
At the time of this writing, perhaps the best book discussing target selection is Contemporary Knife Targeting by Christopher Grosz and Michael D. Janich. Targets are categorized in this approach as distraction targets, vascular targets, nervous system targets, structural targets, organ targets and muscular targets. Distraction targets are those that simply cause the victim to become distracted. A forehead cut may drip blood into the eye and a cheek cut may cause psychological discomfort with many victims. Vascular targets attack the arteries and veins. The goal is to cause blood loss leading to death or at least to weaken and confuse the victim. Nervous system targets cut nerves, which can lead to the lack of use of a limb. The victim in various cases may become stunned, unconscious or even dead when this attack is performed properly. Structural targets attack the bones, joints and connective tissue. The victim will have less or no ability to stand, move, defend or attack. Organ targets include the eyes, kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, stomach, intestines and genitalia. The spleen is also part of this group even though it is a less critical organ. Muscular targets relate to key muscles and tendons needed for defense, offense and movement. The authors point out that some locations, such as the inside of the wrist, are combination targets; in this example the inside of the wrist is a nervous system, vascular and structural target.
Single Versus Multiple Assailants There are no formal statistics but there is some evidence that a noticeable percentage of attacks are by assailant's working together as a team. Even if there is no formal plan to cooperate, it occasionally happens that one or more people on the sidelines may jump-in the assault acting as an ally of the assailant. They may be friends of the attacker, not like you or are simply bored. Thus, edged weapon attacks may begin with one assailant and rapidly grow into there being several.
Conclusion
This chapter discussed the differences between the amateur and the street fighter; static versus dynamic attacks; different grips and stances; various attacker types and energies; different edged weapon motions, and target selection. The reader now knows that ex-cons and street fighters may attack far more effectively than the amateur and that most EWR training is inadequate towards effectively dealing with these assailants. You need to train for the worst case scenario rather than the best so effectively facing the proficient ex-con in your scenario training should be the minimum level you should be shooting for.
One of the major areas to study is the different attacker types and energies. Knowing your enemy's strategies and tactics is a fundamental precept for any true warrior. Unless you and your ego think that you're tactically wiser than Sun Tzu and Musashi Miyamoto, you have to spend a lot of time learning the true nature of the threat. Only then can you know what an effective response is.
Here's the threat - the proficient ex-con will likely try to set-you up, attack by surprise or create fear before the attack, not brandish the blade, may fight with the blade front or behind, may rapidly rotate between grips, may alternate between slashes, stabs and hacks; will actively use the live hand, will strike at specific targets rather than only targets of opportunity, and may use Single Direct Attacks (SDA), Attack By Combination (ABC), Progressive Indirect Attacks (PIA), Attack By Drawing (ABD) and Hand Immobilization Attacks (HIA). The level of aggression may be high and he may be pain immune. He may approach and attack from any direction and he may have one or more allies waiting to pounce at any moment.
This chapter simply provides some guidelines. Things change. For example, there is an increase in the number of criminals using body armor. There are more edged weapons available that can pass through a metal detector. Assailants on the street are becoming more skilled. Take what you can from this chapter as a starting point and assume that things are worse out there than what is being presented. Remember, you train for the worst possible scenarios - not the best.
CHAPTER FOUR: THE RESPONSE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter begins with a look at the methods of
evaluate civilian EWR through evidence-based approaches. This will be followed
by 1) fantasy responses, 2) different EWR principles promoted within the
industry, 3) a discussion of tactics (this section is perhaps 1% of the content in the book, which will go into significantly greater detail and include images.
The first evidence based category is first person
testimony. For example, if a Silat expert in Indonesia fights several edged
weapon assailants in a street confrontation and later discusses his tactics,
what worked well and what worked less well, then he is providing his perception
as to what worked in that instance.
There have been numerous cases where soldiers, LEO (Law Enforcement Officers),
prison guards, doormen, bouncers, bodyguards, orderlies, martial arts
instructors (real life assaults only) and civilians were attacked by one or
more assailants with edged weapons; they lived and later discussed in
chronological detail exactly what happened throughout the assault. Thus,
everything is from the responder's perspective. The information may be
presented during a police interrogation, court trial and/or presented in books
and DVD's.
The second category of evidence refers to the first
person testimony of edged weapon assailants. It turns out that soldiers and LEO
have interrogated a very large number of these individuals and have over many
decades collected a lot of data from their testimonies. How they selected their
victims, how many weapons they carried and what type; why they initiated the
attack in the way that they did, where they carried and how they held their
edged weapons; what types of edged weapon attack seems to work best for them,
and so forth. Law enforcement personnel are those who generally have the best
access to this information although individuals with access to court records
may be able to access the court transcripts.
The third category of evidence relates to the use of
properly designed training simulation using feedback tools. These feedback tools include a
1) video recorders documenting the combat from the side or above, 2) helmet
cams, 3) the ShocKnife and 4) a marking blade. The video recorder is a way to visually
review and analyze the training simulation from the side, top or three-quarters
perspective. Helmet cams offer a way to analyze the simulation from the
assailant's and responder's perspectives. The ShocKnife is an electrified drone
(training blade) that provides real-time feedback (along with fear and stress)
to the responder when the tip or edge of the ShocKnife makes contact. Marking
blades are drones that leave a red lipstick or green chalk mark where the tip
or edge make contact. Many reports show that the use of these feedback tools
generates significantly faster and better tactical skill when learning civilian
EWR.
The fourth category of evidence relates to
researching and then performing statistical analysis of EWR encounters. Groups
like the FBI, various LEO agencies and so forth have hoards of data regarding
EWR encounters. Some of these organizations actually publish some of the data
and conclusions. In other cases, certain individuals have actually sorted
through it themselves and have been able to make some conclusions. The downside
is that although LEO is good at collecting data, an unknown but potentially
large percentage of people involved in edged weapon attacks do not report the
attacks so the LEO `data is incomplete.
The fifth category of evidence refers to video
recording and analysis of actual attacks. Many parking lots, stores, buildings,
concert halls, prisons, subway stations and numerous other areas have over time
recorded many actual edged weapon assaults. This approach yields the maximum
benefit when one can analyze surveillance video coming from many different
geographical locations and time periods.
The sixth category relates to news reports. When
thousands of stories related to stabbing and knife attacks are collected and
analyzed, the evidence shows that in some cases, people are stabbed or slashed
numerous times and survived. Thus, this approach when used wisely can yield
important information regarding how some edged weapon assaults occur along with
assailant tactics.
Fantasy Responses
A 'fantasy response' is a tactic that when applied under
real life conditions, has a low or non-existent rate of success. People often
believe in the effectiveness of fantasy responses as 1) they seem to work fine
in the dojo, 2) they may work well against unarmed people or against certain
non-edged weapons, and 3) they may be effective against the amateur under ideal
battlefield conditions. Are you willing to bet your life that you will only
face an amateur under ideal battle conditions?
FANTASY RESPONSE: INAPPROPRIATE
BLOCKING METHODS
The first area of discussion has to do with blocking. In
this discussion, we are defining a block as something
that completely stops the direction of motion; as opposed to a deflection
or redirection, which are things that
change the path of the motion. Offensive edged weapon experts have
extremely strong beliefs (based upon experience) about when it is OK to use
defensive blocks along with how to safely use them.
Knife fighting instructor John McCurry explains in The
Journal of Asian Martial Arts (volume 15, Number 4, 2006) that the five
basic responses to a knife fighter to a block are: pressing, pulling, passing,
cutting the line, and going around the line. The following five counters to the
block are quoted from that article.
Pressing
A block executed
with restrained energy by the defender can be countered by the attacker' pressing the defender's blocking arm, above the elbow, back towards the
defender's body, freeing the attacker's knife-wielding hand to continue its
attacking movement to cut the attacker.
Pulling
A block of a knife
attack executed by a defender with forward energy directed against the attacker
can readily be countered by the attacker grabbing the defender's blocking hand
and pulling it forward, thus leaving the attacker's knife wielding hand free to
continue its attacking movement to cut the defender.
Passing
Another counter to a
block is for the attacker to slap the defender’s blocking hand in the same
direction as the defender’s blocking energy is directed, freeing the attacker’s
knife-wielding hand to continue its attacking motion to cut the defender.
Cutting the Line
An immediate counter
to a block is for the attacker to slide the blocked arm in a downward motion
across the defender’s blocking arm and continue that movement with the blade of
the knife, cutting the defender’s arm. This can be followed up with an
immediate slash or thrust to a vital area.
Going Around the
Line
The attacker can
disengage his knife-wielding arm from the defender’s block and go around the
block to slash and/or stab at the opening the block creates. A high attack
which draws a high block can be followed by a low attack at the low opening
created by the high block and vice versa.
The above are some of the methods the proficient,
offensive edged weapon assailant will use to respond to the block. Even if the responder’s
block manages to succeed, three other problems exist: 1) flying weapon, 2)
single arm block safety and 3) double arm block (X block) safety.
Flying Weapon
Some one arm, hard style blocks (inward, outward and upper)
may cause a disarm where the edged weapon goes flying. Disarms are good right? Sometimes,
a disarm can have both positive and negative aspects. The impact of a
traditional, hard style, inside block against an angle 3 attack when making
hard contact may cause the edged weapon to fly right into the side of the
responder’s torso. This is easily proved by trying it out using a rubber knife
and wearing protective gear on the torso. Sometimes, it makes a direct impact,
sometimes it skims the side and back of the torso and flies by, and sometimes,
it will miss completely. The contact is dependent upon the size, shape and
physical positioning of the people along with several other factors such as the
weapon size, weight, etc.
The edged weapon may also be disarmed and fly off when
impacting against certain classical outside and upper blocks. Obviously,
different people and styles perform these blocks differently so where the
weapon flies may vary. The concern is not only that the weapon may fly into
your head or torso and then drop on your foot when applying a classical upper
block but that it may fly into a nearby civilian such as your wife or
three-year-old daughter. Thus, a strong, traditional hard style block may
generate a flying weapon, which could seriously hurt someone (you, a family
member or a civilian).
Single Arm Block Safety
When applying a traditional block to the weapon bearing
limb, one problem that occurs is that in some cases, the weapon arm can bounce
or slide past the responders fist or elbow into an attack on a vital target. For
example, many single arm upper blocks have the forearm slanted upward rather
than horizontal so that the arm will not collapse during the impact. Against
the unarmed person, this forearm slant is not a problem as once the energy is
spent during impact, the attacking arm becomes significantly less dangerous. The
assailant usually needs to pull the hand back before striking again. When it is
an edged, weapon-bearing forearm or wrist that is striking the upraised arm,
the situation is different. The weapon-bearing limb may slide or bounce after
impact past the blocking elbow and then flow into a head, neck, throat or torso
stab/slash. This may occur even without the assistance of the live hand. Similar
problems exist for the single arm, traditional, inside, outside and down
blocks. The attack and defense paths of
the weapon-bearing limb are different than those of the empty hand. This is
partly why the maxim of ‘treat the weapon arm the same as the unarmed arm’
doesn’t work and will lead to being crippled or killed.
Double Arm Block (X Block) Safety
Traditional arts often promote the use of the upper, side
and downward X block where the forearms are crossed and touching so that the forearms
form an X shape. The upper X block is used against the downward psycho stab,
the side X against an angle 5 thrust and the downward X is used against the low
angle 5. When performed correctly under optimal battle conditions against the
amateur, this is a powerful block that can lead into grabs, joint-locks, throws
and kicks.
Offensive edged weapon instructors however are not highly impressed
with the X block as a defense. Frankly, they see it as a suicide move. For the
upper X, a simultaneous front kick to the solar plexus or a scoop kick to the
groin are options. So is using the live hand at the responder’s elbow to twirl
both the responder’s arms down, trapping them while the blade is withdrawn and
then rapidly used. There are many, many effective counters to the traditional
upper X block and the proficient edged weapon assailant is likely to know at
least one of them.
The side X block is nice in that the responder shifts
sideways out of the LOA (Line of Attack). Unfortunately, this 1) requires that
one early on notices a lunging, high angle 5 from far away, 2) requires the
physical space to move to the side and not stop up short against a wall, table,
person, etc., and 3) creates bad body positioning relative to the attacker for
a moment during the initial block as the responder is not facing the attacker.
The down X block is also seen as having strong
disadvantages. First, your head and torso are unprotected. Second, it is easy
for both arms to be trapped as they are crossed and touching. Third, it is easy
to suddenly yank the edged weapon out and continue attacking.
The above criticism does not mean that traditional,
one-arm and X blocks will never work in real life. There probably have been
some instances where they have worked well without causing harm to the
responder or nearby civilians. In fact, the above criticisms over-simplify what
a competent responder may do during and after impact. It is just that offensive
edged weapon instructors know that there are safer methods of blocking. Some safer
blocking methods even look quite similar to classical, hard style blocking
methods but with some critical differences. Safer blocking methods will be
discussed later in the ‘tactics’ section.
FANTASY RESPONSE: DISARMING
VIA A KICK
Some instructors in certain kick-centric martial arts
teach the tactic of using kicks to generate an edged weapon disarm.
Specifically, they often promote using an inside crescent kick to the back or
inside of the assailant’s weapon-bearing hand or wrist.
Offensive edged weapon instructors and street fighters see
this as pure suicide instruction. Sure, against the lethargic, drunk, amateur,
an extremely fast kicker ‘may’ be able to pull it off under optimal battle
conditions. A small number of the infinite problems with this approach will be
listed but limited in number due to reasons of space:
1. Proficient edged weapon assailants do not have their
weapon dangling helplessly in the air in front of them. The edged weapon may be
near a hip, moving, hidden, etc.
2. The inside, mid-level, crescent kick (snapping or
deadweight methods) is arguably the slowest kick as well as exceptionally difficult
to rapidly change midstream. It exposes the Achilles tendon (cripple target),
femoral artery (kill target), groin (cripple and perhaps kill target), and
lower abdomen (serious injury, cripple or kill). The crescent kick eliminates
mobility during the kick as well. All EWR experts promote rapid mobility as one
of the most important qualities to have during EWR.
3. There is a fundamental EWR rule in that you never seek
a disarm; you simply take it when an excellent opportunity presents itself.
4. If the disarm is successful, it may mean the edged
weapon goes flying some distance away into a crowd of people. Imagine
responding to an attack with a successful inside crescent kick and you cripple
or kill someone’s little girl standing nearby. Ultra-lame!
There is a time and context for the use of kicking in
civilian EWR. Using it as a disarm is certainly not one of them!
FANTASY RESPONSE: TREATING
THE ASSAILANT AS AN ATHLETE WHO RESPONDS TO PAIN
Hospital orderlies, doormen, bouncers, police officers, jail
guards and others who have experience in street combat learn that a percentage
of real life assailants are partially or fully immune to pain. This may be due
to alcohol, drugs and/or a severe mental state. This is a problem for martial
artists as a notable percentage of the strikes, kicks and joint manipulations
taught in many-to-most martial arts work through pain-induction or
pain-compliance. The upshot is that against the pain immune assailant, most
tactics used by most martial artists are utterly ineffective. They do not
respond or react as the finely-tuned athlete you spar with in the dojo.
The solution is to train-to-instinct tactical patterns that
do not rely upon pain in order to affect the assailant. There are a number of
structural attacks – usually but not always at the joints and neck – along with
the eyes (vision), solar plexus (wind) and sometimes the groin (water) that
work fine. Many joint manipulations exist that are not pain-compliant but use
bio-mechanical leverage. As of now, no instructor is publishing
non-pain-compliant flow patterns that include strikes, kicks and joint manipulations.
Does this mean one should eliminate pain-induction strikes,
kicks and joint manipulations in your flow pattern? Some of them may still be
useful. A fast, low kick to the shin may allow you to determine if the
assailant is pain-resistant or pain-immune. A front thrust kick to the stomach
or ribs may be used to create space (open the gap) allowing you to change
position, escape or grab a makeshift weapon. An elbow to the head may not cause
pain but it may turn the assailant’s head; allowing another more effective
tactic to be used. Flow patterns against a real life edged weapon assailant
must be intelligent, adaptable and useful against the pain-resistant and
pain-immune attacker or else you are pissing against a hurricane.
FANTASY RESPONSE: USING
FINE MOTOR SKILL TECHNIQUES
Put simply, fine motor skills are physical motions that are complex
(difficult to execute). They require finesse, skill and precision; and as a
result, they take much longer to become instinctual. Gross motor skills are natural
motions requiring little or no finesse. They are naturally, instinctive,
physical responses.
It has been repeatedly proven in studies that when under
high stress and/or fear, a person is generally unable to perform fine motor
skill actions. Practice under high stress and/or fear scenarios can – in some
cases – improve the ability to use fine motor skills but unlike certain LEO and
military training, almost no martial arts approaches practice training
regularly under high levels of stress and fear. A few RBT approaches do so
along with certified ShocKnife instructors but usually, it is partnering up
with a buddy you have known for years in a ‘safe’ environment. Modern martial
arts training is very watered down due to reasons of insurance, a focus on tournaments,
student retention and many other factors.
Certain Asian Archipelago martial arts disagree. They claim
that if your training begins with weapons training (stick and knife) and is
replete with fine motor skill tactics that are constantly drilled so that they
become part of muscle memory, then after 20 years of practice, the practitioner
will be able to perform somewhat more fine motor skill techniques under high
stress and pressure than other martial arts. The claim is that constant
practice and drilling with bladed and stick weapons reduces the fear factor in
real life assaults due to extreme familiarity with the attack along with
experience in utilizing various counters. One must understand that these
martial arts constantly drill against stick and bladed weapons so their
argument is not objectively proven but does carry some weight.
So what should the typical civilian do? Focus on practicing
the gross motor disarms, passes, strikes, kicks and joint manipulations rather
than those that require fine motor skills. Fancy usually equals dead.
FANTASY RESPONSE: INAPPROPRIATE
GRABBING OF THE WEAPON BEARING LIMB
Grabbing the weapon-bearing limb is easily one of the most
controversial topics in EWR. There are many martial arts instructors with
little or no instruction in the offensive use of small bladed weapons teaching
the classical wrist and arm grabbing methods found in well-known grabbing arts
against the weapon-bearing limb. Against the amateur or slow drunk, such
tactics may have a degree of success; however against the ex-con, street
fighter or proficient knife fighter, this approach is doomed to failure.
What are some of the many things that make a grab fail in
real life? First, the presence of fluids (sweat, blood, spit, vomit, urine,
etc.) can make the grab very slippery and difficult to hold. Second, the
presence of certain sleeves (shirt or coat) that are loose or of certain
fabrics; and accessories such as a watch can make the grip fail. Third, such
factors as the assailant twirling his wrist, the lack of mobility, a second
assailant slamming into you, a flying bottle hitting your head, the assailant
violently jerking his weapon-bearing limb and many other possibilities may lead
to grip failure.
Does this mean that any and all grabbing the
weapon-bearing limb is ineffective? Not at all. There are appropriate contexts
and methods for effective grabbing. For example, some assailants may be too
fast and deadly at the beginning of the confrontation to risk a grab; but
later, they may be injured, tired or have some internal processes that reduce
their combat capabilities where it becomes much safer to go for the grab. How
you grab also matters. A properly performed C clamp at the elbow, an effective wrist
grab after a pass, or a two hand V grab (positive and negative) can be much
safer than many of the grabs taught against the unarmed assailant. In addition,
grabbing the weapon-bearing limb may be safer and more effective in the proper
context such as after an effective pass, check, structural attack, poke to the
eyes and so forth.
Later on, safe and effective grabbing will be presented. There
is a science to this. In the meantime, do not grab indiscriminately as numerous
teachers promote. Extending your arms is a risky tactic against the edged
weapon assailant. Only do so when you are absolutely sure it is effective and
safe.
FANTASY RESPONSE: ASSUMING
THAT THERE IS ONLY ONE ASSAILANT.
Some assailants in real life attack solo whereas others
attack in groups of two-to-six. During some group attacks, one person will
confront the responder whereas the other(s) may be lying in wait at the
responder’s sixes and nines or may silently approach from these vectors and
ambush. In other cases, bystanders can suddenly switch from being neutral to
joining the fight and becoming an assailant. Thus, the assumption that there is
only one attacker – even if you only see one – may get you crippled or killed.
Larry Wick of SSS Knife Defense has been a vocal critic of
this fantasy. He makes the point that you have a very limited amount of time to
deal with the edged weapon assailant you see before his allies physically
attack you. Thus, EWR needs to have lots of practice in scenarios where one
edged weapon assailant engages and then seconds later, one or more of the
assailant’s allies engages.
FANTASY RESPONSE: CREATING
A DISARM
There are many, many, edged weapon disarms taught. One of
the very few areas that nearly all expert offensive and defensive edged weapons
experts agree upon is that you do not ‘try to create a disarm but if a
relatively safe opportunity presents itself, then you may choose to effect a
disarm.’ Why? In short, shit happens. If the disarm tactic is not performed
when it is safe, then it can be countered. The counter may likely include maiming,
crippling or death. Thus, the disarm should occur after an effective and solid
bio-mechanical leveraged joint manipulation; although some people believe that
right after a solid finger-poke to the eyes is also a good time. There are
additional moments and contexts but a very qualified instructor needs to
demonstrate them to you in person along with discussing the dangers of each.
FANTASY RESPONSE: PULLING
YOUR WEAPON WITHOUT STRONG WEAPONS TRAINING
The ex-con pulls his edged weapon and presents it – keeping
it low and tight at his hip. You have plenty of time to draw and present your
Swiss army or Buck knife (snicker) thinking that it will even the odds or scare
him off. Unfortunately, you have little or no training in how to use it. Guess
what? You have now made your situation worse. Knife dueling is a complex art
requiring significant training under a qualified expert. Only carry and pull a
weapon if you are very well trained in how to use it for defense against the
unarmed as well as those armed with a variety of weapons. If not, your weapon
hand becomes a liability during the battle and your legal position goes to
shit.
FANTASY RESPONSE: ASSUMING
THE ASSAILANT’S GRIP IS ONE PARTICULAR WAY
There are many ‘experts’ who like to go around saying that ‘the
proficient or expert knife fighter will always use this grip.’ Guess what? If
your expert is wrong and that is all you train against, you are almost
certainly maimed, crippled or killed. Instructors inexpert in the offensive use
of small, bladed weapons tend to promote the expectation of a single, frontal,
edged weapon assailant using the hammer grip. They will sometimes throw-in the
vertically, downward psycho stab (from the shoulder), which uses the reverse
grip. The upshot is that nearly all EWR students expect the hammer grip along
with the angles of attack most suitable for that grip. If an ex-con attacks
with proficiency using the saber grip or a reverse grip, the typical EWR
student will be in trouble.
Another problem with the ‘this is the grip they will use’
approach is that sometimes in the course of an altercation, the edged weapon
will be dropped (or is already present on the ground) and there will be a rapid
movement to seize it. The sudden grab of the weapon may not end up being the assailant’s
preferred grip but he may concentrate on using it in the new grip so as to
maximize his advantage. He may not delay the quarter second after grabbing the
weapon to change its grip before focusing on gutting you.
So, practice against all three grips. Do not assume that the
assailant will use only the hammer grip except for the reverse grip for the
downward psycho stab. Proficient ex-cons or people from other countries and
backgrounds may focus on using the saber or reverse grip.
FANTASY RESPONSES CONCLUSION
There are many, many fantasy responses and the above is only
a small sampling. It is the author’s hope that the above will catalyze the
reader to err on the side of caution rather than having your life end due to inaccurate
expectations or perceptions. Becoming expert in the offensive use of small bladed
weapons, becoming an RBT trainer, studying how street fighters actually attack
and respond during real life assaults, and training using cutting edge RBT
methods is the best way to determine what is fantasy and what is not.
Different EWR Principles Promoted Within the
Industry
A ‘principle’ is
a rule or a code of conduct. Many prominent EWR experts have created a number
of principles for the unarmed person facing the edged weapon assailant. Some of
the principles are specifically for the soldier on the battlefield. Others are
specific to the Law Enforcement Officer (LEO). After eliminating those
principles, many still remain.
EWR instructors
in the United States have strong disagreements regarding certain principles. This
is because these instructors differ in: 1) offensive, small blade expertise, 2)
depth and breadth of unarmed combat strategies and tactics, 3) practical EWR
experience, 4) education and training in how actual assailants attack using
edged weapons, 5) education in and training in overcoming fear, stress and pain
before, during and after an assault, 6) assumptions over the skill level of the
edged weapon assailant, 7) making intelligent assumptions about the combat
environment, participant attributes and number of assailants, and 8) responding
when damaged, bleeding and/or sick.
Instructors
desiring to improve their EWR instructional approach need to analyze each
principle both in theory and in practice to determine its merits. The following
are some civilian, unarmed, EWR principles that seem to have the largest
agreement and positive commentary among prominent EWR instructors.
1. Escape
whenever possible when you have no loved ones to protect.
The benefits of
escape are enormous; you avoid death, being crippled, maimed or severely
damaged. The edged weapon is significantly more dangerous – even in the hands
of an amateur – than most EWR instructors communicate. You can get AID’s or various
other diseases from a simple touch of the blade or hypodermic needle. With
great effect, some edged weapons can be thrown and others can be used to smash
(pommel and flat of the blade). It is silent so the absence of a gunshot means
that the police (and ambulance) are significantly less likely to be called if
you are wounded or dying. With no training and very little force, an assailant
can easily cripple or kill a person. If you do not have a loved one to protect
you’ve got to run. The late comedian Richard Pryor strongly emphasized this
point: ‘You’ve got to ruuuun!
2. Manage your
cuts.
This means that
you maximize protection towards your vital organs and cripple/kill targets so
that if something gets through, it does the least amount of damage. This is
done through body positioning, arm and hand positioning and body/arm movements
(macro and micro). Using the ShocKnife and marking blades significantly helps
you discover which angles and combinations get through along with how severe
the injury would be. Many believe that it is best that if you do get stabbed or
cut, that they be on the outside of your forearms.
3. Avoid tunnel
vision
Assume that
there are always at least two additional assailants about to spring out at you
from your sixes and nines RIGHT NOW! Look and assess every single chance you
can get for 1) exits, 2) makeshift weapons, 3) allies, 4) possible and actual
enemies, 5) makeshift shields, and 6) terrain issues. Drills for developing
this are in the training section.
4. If possible
and appropriate, get out of the Line Of Attack (LOA)
The LOA is the
path of the edged weapon. Advance warning, rapid mobility and an environment
that permits movement in the preferred directions (walls, furniture, people,
urinals, trees, curbs, additional assailants, sloping or uneven terrain etc.
stop movement in certain directions) may allow you to rapidly reposition. This
repositioning can allow for a safer counter-attack, escape, form a degree of
control as the assailant is responding to your movements, bring you closer to a
makeshift weapon or shield; or simply adjust the sun, street light, or
headlights so that it is in the assailant’s eyes.
This principle
needs to be qualified; in some cases, moving out of the LOA is not advisable.
Leaping from a sidewalk into moving traffic is rarely a good thing. Nor is
moving into an assailant’s ally. If your reposition eliminates any possible avenues
for escape then that is usually very bad. Learning how to best respond when in
the LOA is a necessary complement to effectively moving out of it.
5. Do not seek
the disarm; if a good opportunity presents itself, then you may take it.
In the fraction
of a second, you may shift strategies from 1) repositioning with a
counter-attack, 2) attempt to escape, and 3) adjust range. You should always
and only go with what is probably the most effective (under the law) tactic
with the least amount of damage for that particular fraction of a second rather
than force a particular situation. The stakes are significantly higher than
those in an unarmed altercation so you always and only play the best odds.
6. If it is safe
to do so, grab and use a makeshift weapon or shield.
Having no
weapons or shields puts you strongly ‘behind the curve’ as others phrase it. If
you can access a makeshift weapon and/or shield, the odds of your survival and
after-altercation health have just increased. This may be a jacket, folding
table, liquor bottle, hardcover book, chair, or anything that may save your
ass.
7. If possible
and appropriate, move from the inside position to the outside position.
The inside position
quite frankly blows. The assailant has maximum advantage as all of his limbs
can be used for attack and defense. The outside position is significantly
better; you only have the weapon-bearing limb and one leg to worry about. Good
footwork, a safe block, a good pass, a deflection or decent stand-up grappling
skills in a clinch (ones that are proven to work against the edged weapon
assailant) are some possible methods for making this transition.
When is it not
appropriate to move to the outside? If it means that you shift into
cripple/kill range from a second assailant, step into traffic, leave your
daughter to take a cripple/kill shot, or change the combat environment so
dramatically that the odds are now worse for you than before then you may want
to re-think this.
8. Assume that
the assailant(s) are pain resistant or pain-immune and use strategies and
tactics accordingly.
Real life
assailants tend to be more aggressive and less affected by pain as compared to
your lawyer buddy ‘Ernie Johnson’ in the dojo. Despite this well-known fact,
most martial arts instructors inexplicably continue to churn out tactical
sequences and combinations that rely mostly or fully upon pain to be effective.
EWR students (and instructors) serious about unarmed and EWR self defense need
to revise their tactical sequences to emphasize strikes, kicks and joint locks
that use biomechanical leverage rather than pain induction. Not doing so is an
indicator of being stuck in the deadly illusion that people in real life will react
similarly to lawyer Ernie in the dojo or whatever weekend warrior athletes are
in the class.
9. Adapt when a
tactic fails
While some
instructors tout the idea that ‘when performed properly, this technique will
not fail’ others are wise enough to know that techniques sometimes fail in real
life. Rather than sit around and scratch their balls, the competent instructors
immediately flow into the next most effective and appropriate tactic. For
example, the outside arm bar fails due to the assailant rolling his elbow or
the environment not allowing you to apply leverage in the proper way. You
immediately reverse the direction and flow into a figure four lock. If that
fails, you kick to collapse the knee closest to you (structural attack) and
then reapply a bio-mechanical leverage joint lock.
10. Use
effective gross motor tactics
Even among
highly experienced martial artists, fear is common during real life street
altercations; especially when facing a firearm or edged weapon. Fear makes fine
motor skills vanish like the job market and profitability when President Obama
applies his Keynesian economic prescriptions. Yeah… that fast and furious! The
point is that you need to have a strong, solid repertoire of gross motor
tactics in all areas. These are what need to be used in the street rather than
the 12 step fancy moves you do to impress the hot MILF’s bringing Johnny and
Stephen in for class so that they can earn their pretty belts and patches. Fine
motor skill tactics – most likely to fail! Gross motor skill tactics – most
likely to succeed. It’s a simple equation.
The next two principles
have more debate and controversy surrounding them. The most controversial of
all EWR principles will be presented first:
11. If and when
possible and appropriate, control the weapon-bearing limb
The idea being
touted is that the weapon-bearing limb can be controlled through some sort of a
grab and then be safely contained or put into a joint lock. Conditions where
the odds of this being successful in real life will be presented followed by
those conditions that would make this unlikely or impossible.
Conditions
that increase the odds of success for making this principle work:
• The responder
is an expert in an in-fighting art such as an Asian Archipelago martial art,
Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Chin Na, etc.
• The responder
is an expert in the offensive and defensive use of small bladed weapons
• The responder
is an expert in certain tactical areas such as passing, de-fanging the snake, checking,
trapping and joint-locking.
• The responder
is an expert in the science of how to grab the weapon-bearing limb such as the
V-Grip, C-clamp (palm up and palm down), etc.
• The responder
is an expert in knowing when a grab is less dangerous such as after a
successful pass, modified block, balance attack or disruptive strike (such as a
fingertip poke to the eyes).
• When the
assailant is an amateur telegraphing and attacking from a distance. The
lighting is good, the combat environment allows for mobility and the assailant
is not very aggressive. There are also no fluids present on the responder’s
hands or the assailant’s wrists and elbows.
• The assailant
is injured or disoriented
Conditions
that decrease the odds of success for making this principle work:
• The assailant
is an expert in the offensive use of small bladed weapons
• There are
fluids (liquor, blood, urine, etc.) on the responder’s hands and/or on the
assailant’s hands and/or elbow
• The responder
treats the grab as if he is grabbing a bare wrist or the gi of his buddy at the
dojo instead of what is required to firmly grab a struggling 250 pound angry
man wearing a thick leather jacket or oversized sleeve that moves and/or tears.
• The responder
is poorly trained in the science of the grab along with the tactical set-ups
necessary to precede the grab.
• The responder
treats the weapon-bearing limb just like an unarmed limb
• The combat
environment sucks such as bad lighting, a non-secure floor, poor mobility, etc.
• The responder
is injured (eye, leg, etc.) so grabbing becomes even more dangerous than before
Thus, the more
likely this principle is likely to succeed is based upon 1) the number of
conditions present favoring the responder, 2) how powerful are the conditions
favoring the responder, and 3) how few and powerful the conditions are favoring
the assailant(s). It is not a matter of the principle being all bad or all good
but of the battle environment, personal attributes and so forth. The result is
that some EWR principles have a context; ex. they may be an effective rule when
certain conditions are met. As most civilian martial artists are ‘technique-based’,
this creates a danger during real life edged weapon attacks where context
determines life and death.
11. Treat the
armed limb just like the unarmed one
This is one of
those principles that is expressed as a universal truth without exceptions and
context. The deepest meaning is generally true; that fundamental principles
governing one’s relationship to the unarmed limb and the armed one is the same.
The physiology of the limbs remain the same so they both react to joint-locks,
impacts and controls in the same way.
However, the
principle is expressed as a universal truth without exceptions or context. The
edged weapon is a ‘game changer’. It alters many important things including
range, lethality, counter-attack capability, appropriate vectors for making and
maintaining a grab; appropriate follow-ups, the legal use-of-force continuum,
amount of fear and stress present; presence of fluids which may affect the
grab; and so forth. Therefore, the principle really should be re-written as
follows:
The basic principles of the unarmed limb
are the same for the armed one but important allowances must be made for the
weapon.
Now that is a
principle, which is much less likely to get you killed!
The following
principles are some that are bandied about.
•Everyone
may be armed
• Everyone
may become armed
•Use
the environment. Quality RBT training will teach you this one best
•Fight
offensively: this is a fight for your life
• Be
mobile
• Stick
to low kicks when kicking
Selected EWR Expert
Strategies From Public Materials
In this section, the strategy and tactics of various EWR
instructors as presented in their public instructional training materials
(books, videos, DVD’s, correspondence courses, public seminars, etc.) will be
presented and examined. Realize that not only is this a limited snapshot of
what they may teach in real life, their teaching may have evolved since the
material was publicly presented. In addition, one instructor of a particular
martial art may teach or stress different strategy and tactics to some extent
than another teacher of the same art. Lastly, any errors in accuracy in
bringing that material to this book are strictly the Author’s fault.
HOCK HOCHHEIM
Hock Hochheim is a modern EWR specialist. As some of the
material being presented comes from his training, his EWR principles need to be
mentioned.
Hock Hochheim's Basic Principles:
1.Control
and Contain the Weapon Limb
2.Balance
Disruption
3. Diminish
(physical destruction of the attacker)
4.Take
Him Down and Out
•IMPORTANT
POINT: Numbers 2 through 4 are not necessarily in order but can occur
simultaneously. Number 1 is primary for him.
DARREN LAUR
Darren Laur is a Canadian policeman who not only instructs
EWR but also has done research regarding many types of violent encounters. He
has written many articles regarding combat and EWR.
Darren Laur's Five EWR Principles:
1. Respect
the blade. The person who attacks with an edged weapon has two incredible
advantages.
*PSYCHOLOGICAL:
has chosen to use the weapon ruthlessly
*PHYSICAL:
usually has first strike advantage
Again
remember, it is the desperation factor and not the technical skill alone that
makes a person armed with an edged weapon so dangerous
2. Expect
to get cut. You will likely get cut, bleed, may or may not feel pain. A program
that teaches students not to expect this fact is NEGLIGENT. Your goal is to
WIN. Notice I use the word WIN and not SURVIVE. Words are very powerful. The
word SURVIVE is no different than the word TRY. Both of these words to the
subconscious mind mean FAILURE. Our goal is to WIN, survival is a by-product of
winning.
3. Neutralize
the line of attack. In any kind of combatives it is important to get you body
of the line of attack. Remember in a knife fight you will get cut and stuck,
the secret is to limit the amount/degree of this damage. Unlike a fistfight,
you cannot stand there and take multiple blows with a knife
4. Control
the delivery system. In the system of Pat Wrap and Attack we do not play the
knife hand but rather the delivery system (arm/elbow) In hockey do you play the
puck or do you play the man. You play the man why, the puck moves to quick. In
a knife fight don’t visually lock onto the knife hand it moves far to fast when
compared to the arm/elbow. We also do not attempt to grab the knife hand in a
dynamic situation for the reasons that I mentioned earlier.Small target, slippery when blood is
present Remember than most edged weapon deaths are associated with serious
multiple blows. Why, person failed to control the delivery system. The delivery
system is the arm (lever); if we can control the lever we control the blade.
The only exception to this rule is in a static knife hold up where the knife
hand is not moving and can easily be controlled with two hands.
5. Attack
the attack. I believe that so long as the attacker has the opportunity to
continue his attack, he has a strong tactical advantage, with a strong psychological
advantage as well. Both of these advantages must be neutralized as soon as
possible by throwing the attacker on the defensive.
Marc
"Animal" MacYoung
Marc "Animal" MacYoung's Four EWR Principles:
These principles are listed in order of effectiveness from
most-to-least:
1.Run
like hell
2.Do
an immediate effective response that prevents further attack
3.Avoid
the attack, buy distance, then deploy and use a longer-range weapon
4.Go
ape shit on the guy hoping that somewhere in there is an effective response
Many years have passed since I survived dozens of missions
as a special agent while serving in the Korean military. Many missions involved
combat, both with weapons and with fists. A few members of my elite 202 unit
survived, many never made it.
Looking
back, I find something valuable for my friends who couldn’t make it at the
time. In the Academy for Special Agents at Jeong-Neung, Korea, my combat
instructor T.K. Kim used to scream at us during the grueling knife-fighting
training sessions, "Do not run away from your opponent, get closer to
him!" Dissolve the knife in your head! I remember that most of my comrades
who tried to run away from their enemies got killed. Those who got injured by
choosing to stay closer, by following T.K. Kim's instruction, survived.
The cardinal rule of combat, whether against a knife or an
empty-handed adversary is Stay close to your opponent! Especially when your
opponent is armed with a knife, there is often no way out but to stay close and
fight. The keys for surviving in close quarters combat against a knife are:
First, read the intent of your enemy. In combat, the enemy
has only one motive, to eliminate you and obtain his objective. This often made
the first assessment for me simple - there was not option to escape or placate
my attackers. In civilian life, however, you must read your attackers
intentions. Assess what he wants from you: your money, your car, your pride,
your honor, your life - assailants have many motives for attacking their
victims. If you can buy your way out of a situation, whether through material
possessions or your wits, this is your best option. Do not hesitate to give the
attacker if he wants if it means he will spare you injury.
Second, assess the intensity of his hostility. Try to
determine if your attacker means to hurt you or to kill you; if he will be
satisfied by getting what he wants or if he is bent on violence for the sake of
violence. Many times you might find yourself faced with an assailant that has
no mercy and is bent on inflicting pain no matter how you respond to his
demands. If you cannot escape and your attacker is intent on hurting you, you
have no choice but to fight back with all your might.
Third, acknowledge that you will get hurt. Once you commit
to a defense against a knife-wielding attacker, you must accept that you will
get hurt. Without overcoming this psychological hurdle, you cannot hope to
survive. Accepting that you will get hurt, allows you let go of the notion that
you must defend yourself perfectly. There is no perfect defense against a
knife. Things will not go as you planned or practiced. You must be prepared to
respond without prejudice or preconceptions, something you cannot due if you
cling to the notion of a perfect defense.
Fourth, do not try to intercept the knife. Focusing on the
knife is the most deadly mistake you can make. The knife is simply an inanimate
object. You place your focus on the stopping your attacker, not the inanimate
object in his hand.
Fifth, attack the forearm, shoulders, neck, and head. To
defeat the knife, you must attack the limbs or if possible the intelligence
that is controlling it. The most practical initial attack will be to the
attacker's forearm (of the armed hand). The second most practical attack will
be to upper arm or shoulder. Both of these targets will allow you to gain
partial control of the knife wielding hand or at least to momentarily divert
the attack. Your final goal should be an attack to the neck or head of the
assailant to either control his body or render him unconscious.
Sixth, cut in to the side or rear of the enemy. To attack
the head or neck, you must bypass the knife. To do this you have to divert the
attack with a looping, deflecting, parrying or cutting technique. Once past the
knife, you should always move to the side or rear to take the attacker's
balance and keep the knife as far from your body as possible. This is the stage
where staying close becomes essential. Once you establish contact with the
assailant’s body, you have to stick to him like glue. Any space between you and
your attacker works to his advantage, giving him space to maneuver the knife or
take your balance.
The problem with the way most civilian martial arts
instructors teach knife defense (for self-defense situations) is that they go
contrary to human instincts. Let me ask you a question. If somebody was next to
you and threw a beer bottle at you as hard as they could, what would you
instinctively do? You would immediately put your hands up in front of you to
block the flying object. If the attacker stepped toward you at the same time he
threw the bottle you also would step back or lean away while keeping your hands
up. This is what everyone does. I have observed this exact reaction in
thousands of students across the world.
The
same is true when I come in at full speed with a rubber knife. The first thing
the student does is put up their hands (not in a well coordinated fashion, but
in an automatic fear reaction), and they lean away from the attack. Like I
mentioned before, those students with some martial arts training will often
times try to block, punch, kick, or even attempt a knife disarm, but they too
are rapidly defeated and critically injured with the blade. In a real life
situation, even if a punch or kick happens to hit its target, a determined
attacker will gladly sacrifice a broken nose, jaw, or limb if it means slaying
his opponent.
Thus,
the question is, why go against human instinct? In a knife fight DISTANCE IS
YOUR FRIEND (provided that you do have some distance). Whether it is in a
training session or a real conflict on the streets, if an attacker comes at you
with a knife you will inevitably put up your hands and step back ñ so go with
it. You won’t override your natural instincts. Thus, you have to make your
first instincts a part of your training if you want to be prepared for
real-life attacks. When someone comes at you with a knife, and you have room
behind you, put your hands up and step back.
The Tactical 'L'
Most untrained military or police personnel will continue
to retreat backwards in a straight line. I’ve seen some go back in a straight
line as far as 7 to 8 meters. However, it does not take long until the attacker
catches up with you and out maneuvers you. Although your instincts will dictate
that you will step back at the beginning of the attack, your training must take
over once your decision-making abilities take over.
Once
you realize that the attacker is pursuing you, and you feel yourself retreating
backwards to avoid getting stabbed or cut, you must suddenly make a conscious
decision to step to the right or to the left so the attacker moves past you.
This sudden pause in combat will buy you a half or a full second of time. This
movement, the side step, is known as the Tactical 'L'. This extra second that
it takes for the attacker to change directions is hopefully enough time to
deploy your own weapon if you have one, or strike an incapacitating blow (such
as a knee kick or eye gouge for real situations) if you are unarmed.
If you are unable to get your weapon out after performing
the Tactical 'L' or your empty hand strike is ineffective, then you will have
to recycle and do the maneuver over again if the attacker keeps coming at you
with the knife.
Move and Escape
Once you have gained some distance between you and the
attacker you will need to do one of two things. One, if you are a police
officer or a soldier and the attacker continues to assault you or another
person near by, you will have no choice but to use your most potent weapon
against him (If you’re a constable in the United Kingdom your highest weapon
would probably be your baton, while in the USA, Spain, France, Russia, etc., it
would be your firearm). You will continue to use your weapon until the threat
has stopped. During the attack you will keep moving away, striking, and moving.
Do not be a stationary target. Always look for a safer area. Again, distance is
a key factor in survival. Even a severely wounded attacker is capable of
pursuing you and landing a fatal blow before they go down.
On the other hand, if you are unarmed (such as custodial
situation in a facility), the best course of action once you’ve done the
Tactical 'L' is to immediately escape. If you have the room, do not try to
wrestle the weapon away from the attacker.
Knife Disarms
Obviously there will be those situations where distance is
not an option
- someone has you pinned up against your car or a wall,
you are in a confined area (such as a small bedroom or booking cage), or you
cannot move back because there are people behind you (such as in a SWAT
situation or you are protecting a loved one).
In
traditional martial arts, and even in many of today’s police and military
training (those systems which cling to traditional methods), the method for
disarming a knife from an aggressive subject is very complicated and extremely
suicidal.
The
way that most fighting systems teach knife disarms is to have a set of
techniques for every conceivable angle of attack. As it stands, one would have
to master approximately 25 to 50 techniques to effectively handle any attack.
In addition, the way the disarm techniques are designed, one would assume that
the attacker is going to have his arm completely extended and hold it out there
for a moment so that you can grab it. In real life it does not work that way.
A
real knife attacker is thinking multiple stabs and slashes, not just one. And
since most people train for the exaggerated slow attack, they forget their
knife disarms techniques under stress and fear (both in simulated combat and
the real thing). Once the attack is fast and furious most students are totally
lost because of sensory overload conditions. Their training has not prepared
them for the way most criminals handle a knife.
Years
ago I used to teach knife disarms just like everybody else. I had the perfect
disarm for every occasion. However, under full speed, full contact conditions
(not to mention uncooperative partners) the techniques always fell apart. By
the time you tried to do the knife disarm, the attacker already switched angles
and was going for another target. Then, one day when I was training members of
the Canadian army the answer finally came to me. The result was the Jim Wagner
Knife Disarm Rule.
The Jim Wagner Knife Disarm Rule
The rule to disarming a knife from an attacker has only
four simple steps. The first and last rule is based on human instinct. They are:
1.Grab
2.Close
3.Take
down
4.Escape
Rule One: Grab
If someone tossed you a baseball or a teacup you would
instinctively catch it without even thinking about it. Likewise, you will also
attempt to catch the knife hand of the attacker at extreme close range (within
touching distance) to prevent the weapon from penetrating your body.
To
practice the grab simply have your training partner repeatedly try to stab or
slash you on different body targets (note: eye protection for this exercise is
recommended). Each time the weapon comes at you just try to grab the knife hand
with both of your hands. Don’t be frustrated if your hands do not end up in a
perfect grip, because this is going to happen in real life as well. Your job is
just to try to grab on the best you can.
Also,
you may end up getting injured when you fail to grab on. However, you must
always accept the fact that YOU WILL GET CUT in a real knife fight. Since your
back is against the wall in this exercise, you have not choice but to grab onto
the hand when you are able. It may take a few tries, but once you have it, do
not let go. You will them immediately go into the next move.
Rule Two: Close
Once you have grabbed onto the weapon hand you must
immediately close the gap. You must crowd the attacker in order to prevent him
from pulling the knife from your grasp, or allow him the space required to stab
or slash.
It
is true that you can cut yourself, or even possible stab yourself, but if you
do not move in the attacker will do worse damage. If you are able to avoid
moving right on top of the knife, at worse you will only get superficial
injuries from rubbing up against the blade.
When
you move in you should have your body pressed against the attacker’s body.
There should be no room for him to maneuver. Because you have taken away his
fighting space he will have to do one of two things: try to pull back, or try
to push you off. Before he has a chance to do either you will immediately move
into Rule Three.
Rule Three: Takedown
Now that you have control of the knife hand, your body is
pressed up against the attackers, you must now get the attacker off balance.
How you do this will depend upon your body position and his.
Without
ever letting go of the enemy’s hand with both of your own, use your forearms,
shoulders, knees, sweeps, or whatever it takes to get the suspect to the
ground. This is where your prior judo or jiu jitsu training will come in handy.
However, avoid turning your back on the attacker at all cost when taking him
down. To end up in a wrestling match on the ground with a knife wielding
suspect will most likely end up bad.
Although
I recommend a takedown to the ground, a takedown may not be possible.
Therefore, the next best option would be to simply try to get the suspect off
balance and take advantage and escape which brings us to the next rule.
Rule Four: Escape
Once the suspect is off balance or is on the ground you
must get away from him. Remember the golden rule in a knife fight - DISTANCE IS
YOUR FRIEND. Regardless of whether you are armed with a weapon or not, you are
still vulnerable to a secondary attack if you are anywhere within a 7 meter (21
feet) radius of the suspect.
Once
you have distance, and you are armed, warn the suspect to stay on the ground
and to drop the knife. If he refuses to comply, do not get lured into his trap
and get any closer. In fact, such a refusal to submit should be a warning to
you to look for even more distance to guarantee your own safety.
If,
on the other hand, you were able to get away from the attacker, and you are
unarmed, the best course of action is to immediately escape to a safe zone. To
practice this in a training environment simply select an area and run to it
after the takedown.
If
escape is not possible due to circumstances, then you will have no choice but
to stay and fight once you takedown the suspect. Since your opponent is still
likely to possess the knife, your attack must be hard and fast guaranteeing
victory. Then the weapons must be stripped from the attacker’s hand. Even if
the suspect is severely wounded, or dead for that matter (police and military
tactical teams are trained to take weapons from even bodies because you never
know if they will come to life), you must get the knife into your possession.
Master Earl Weiss
Master Earl Weiss’s Principles:
1.Expect
to get cut.
2.Minimize
the damage inflicted on you.
3.Maximize
the damage that you inflict.
4.Use
the environment.
BASIC KNIFE DEFENSE
By Master Earl Weiss
Published in the Taekwon-Do Times 1995
PRINCIPLE NUMBER ONE:
Don’t Get In A Knife Fight
My instructor, Dr. Greg Youstra, was fond of saying that
if you want to make someone an instant black belt - solely from a
fighting-survival standpoint - give him a knife.
The ability of a knife to do damage is well understood in
the concrete jungles. A recent home box office program called Life in The Big
House illustrated this when a guard remarked, "There are no fist fights in
the big house." When the reporter sought further explanation, the guard
said that when a prisoner wants to hurt someone, he doesn't waste time punching
or kicking, he simply gets a knife and cuts his target.
Assume
an attacker with a knife will kill you if needed. Consequently, your primary
goal is to escape. If escape is not possible, or you must protect others from
bodily harm, principles two through five can be used.
As
many police officers have told me their solution to an offender with a knife is
simple but effective. It’s called a gun. Unfortunately, most of us won’t have
the luxury of using a gun as part of principle number five.
NUMBER TWO: Expect to Get Cut
As you will see in some of the practice exercises
described later, it is very easy to cut someone with a knife. Most people of
average intelligence and physical ability will have no trouble inflicting a cut
on anyone, even a trained martial artist.
NUMBERS THREE & FOUR: Minimize and Maximize Damage
Targets are divided into two groups: Primary and
secondary. Primary targets cause death or total incapacity in a short time.
Secondary targets will take longer to cause death or total disability, and are
very survivable through the application of basic first aid such as the use of
tourniquets or pressure.
Primary
targets are mostly contained in the neck and torso and secondary targets are contained
in the extremities such as arms and legs. For example, a cut to the forehead
would not be life threatening; however, blood running into the eyes would
effect sight and the ability to fight effectively.
PROTECT PRIMARY TARGETS FIRST!
Try the following empty-hand exercise with a partner of
similar size and experience. Face each other in a realistic fighting stance and
distance. Take five turns each attempting to touch your partner in the head
with our fingernails (for safety, do not aim for the eyes). The partner tries
to block. Usually the success rate is zero to one time.
Next,
do the same exercise, but try to touch your partner’s abdomen with your
fingertips. The defender’s hands must start at chin level and not start down
because he knows what’s coming. The success rate, or hitting the target, is
three to five times.
Now
you might say that a touch won’t cause much damage because there is no
penetration. But, put a knife with a four-inch blade in your hand and you’ll
find that your penetration extended one to two inches - enough to cause
tremendous damage. The lesson to be learned is the need to modify your fighting
stance by pulling your hips rearward to slightly bent forward from the waist.
This moves the head slightly forward, but as you saw by the previous drill, is
much easier to block the head than it is to block the abdomen. You should also
turn the hands so that the palms are toward the face. This turns the back of
the forearms towards your opponent to protect the arteries that run close to
the underside of the wrist.
Don Pentecost
Don Pentecost’s Principles (From Put Em Down and Take Em
Out):
1. Prevention.
Prevention is a vague concept. Prevention, awareness and mental attitude are
closely related. Prevention involves action on your part ‘before the fact’
(before an attack actually occurs).
2. Mental
Attitude. This is the single most important factor in combat survival. Proper
mental attitude (in your training and in a real situation) cannot be
overemphasized.
3. Awareness.
Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. It is extremely important to
take the element of surprise away from your opponent.
4. Offense.
A good offense is your primary defense. Often a strong offense is the only
defense that is needed. Fighting is so extremely quick that offense and defense
are, at most times, simultaneous. But you must wait for the proper opening
before going on the offensive against an armed opponent.
5. Expect
to be Hit. Even the best defensive fighters get hit. You must expect to receive
some damage in any fight. To think otherwise will destroy your concentration in
an actual attack. Remember this for your training objectives.
6. Keep
Your Eyes Open. Never take your eyes off your opponent (or potential opponent),
especially when you are hit, which is the most difficult time to do so. Always
expect an attack if someone is within striking range.
7. Protect
Your Back at All Times. Never turn your back on any opponent at any time! No
hold, throw or kick that requires you to present your rear to the opponent is
practical. Protect your backside at all times whether grappling or standing.
Stay off your back and keep your opponent off it as well.
8. Keep
Moving. This is a natural defense. A moving target is more difficult to hit,
and your opponent cannot get set offensively. Effective movement is not
ìdancingî around the opponent. Avoid exaggerated movements ñ try to move the
minimum effective distance. An overreaction or improper movement on your part
can throw off your balance, and good balance is crucial when defending against
a knife attack.
KRAV MAGA
Krav Maga Principles (From How To Defend Yourself Against
Armed Assault):
* The
following excerpts are paraphrased for reasons of space.
1. Avoid
the Attack. Run/escape if possible.
2. Understand
the Four Ranges: very close range, at which you cannot defend yourself unless
you are extremely lucky; close range, where a hand defense will suit. Potential
effective defense; medium range, where a hand defense together with a suitable
body defense can be used to increase the effectiveness of the defense and
counter-attack, and in order to ‘catch’ the assailant at a relatively early
stage; and long range, where you can hit the assailant with an intercepting
kick and stop him at a relatively long range before he can hurt you.
3. Keep
a Safe Distance.
4. If
Possible, Observe How the Attacker is Holding the Knife. This provides clues as
to best response tactics.
5. In
Most Cases, Attack First With Kicks.
6. When
Using a Hand Defense Against a Knife Attack, The Counterattack Must be Executed
At Top Speed and Grab/Control the Hand Holding The Knife. The counterattack
includes diminishment rather than simply control.
7. Use
Appropriate Body Defenses
8. Counter
the Attack as it Begins Rather Than When It is at Maximum Speed and Power
9. After
an Ambush, Counterattack at the First Opportunity
10. If
Possible, When Using hand Techniques, Advance Towards The Attacker
11. Last
Moment Awareness of Impending Attack Should Precede A Leap In the Correct
Direction
12. The
Incident is Over When You Succeed in Removing Yourself From the Scene of Danger
or When the Assailant Cannot or Does Not Want to Attack Again. If you remain at
the scene, you should disarm the adversary, either by taking his knife or
tossing it away so that it may not be used again by the assailant or any third
party.
13. You
Will Probably Be Surprised by the Attack. Most attacks are ambushes and the
edged weapon is often un-noticed even after it cuts and stabs you.
14. Invite
Specific Attacks to Specific Targets That You Are Prepared For Countering by
Creating Openings That Serve As Traps.
Michael D. Echanis
Michael D. Echanisís Principles (From Knife Self-Defense
For Combat):
1. Clear
your body from the weapon’s line of fire and angle of attack.
2. Stabilize
and control the weapon, breaking the base of the enemy’s balance, utilizing low
kicking and sweeping, joint locking and breaking, spinning and jerking the
enemy off-balance.
3. Disarm
the weapon. Utilizing joint breaking, throwing and tearing, the unarmed soldier
focuses his counter-attack and mental concentration upon the weapon, never
losing control or ‘feel’ for the weapon, his primary concern being this one
factor, giving lethality to his assailant’s attack.
4. Neutralize
the enemy. Once the assailant has been disarmed, the enemy must be neutralized
and physical control must be maintained.
Conclusion:
Principles
Principles and strategies determine whether you live
or die. If you survive then they determine the extent of your injuries.
Focusing only on tactics means that you do not see the big picture, miss most
opportunities and significantly reduce your odds. Principles matter. Study the
EWR principles – not only theoretically but practically. Understand that
principles and strategies vary in importance by the nature of the combat
environment. If my young daughters are by my side when I am attacked, I will
have to abandon escape and mobility. I may not be able to move to the outside
position or to get out of the LOA. All I may be left with is to take the person
out immediately even if I have to eat a bad cut. The alternative may be three
dead instead of just myself wounded. Thus, principles are not immutable laws
set in stone; use the most valuable ones according to the players involved.
EWR TACTICS
This section contains the following parts:
1. EWR response tactics: RBT Versus Traditional Martial Arts
2. Tactical Categories
3. Tactical Flow
4. Conclusion
Different Tactical Perspectives: RBT
Vs. Traditional Martial Arts
The Reality Based Training (RBT) method in martial arts is a
recent movement where training methods are taken from certain military and law
enforcement groups. The philosophy behind RBT is that training should simulate
reality as much as possible while still reducing unnecessary injury. What this
means is that you have assailants who are trained to attack with the same
degree of aggression, unpredictability and tactical sequences as real life
assailants (instead of martial artists from your system); an environment that
is not optimal for fighting (poor lighting, ground clutter, uneven ground,
objects impeding mobility, sudden disturbing noises and flashing lights, etc.),
and attributes that reduce your fighting capability (sweats or street clothes,
shoes, an eye patch, hands covered with petroleum jelly or vasoline,
etc.).In RBT, the simulated
assailant(s) are formally trained to strategically and tactically act like
assailants one may encounter on the street or to vary unpredictably in attack
energy and method. The attacks are sudden, exceptionally violent, the edged
weapon attacks will be chained, the live hand will be used for distraction,
grabbing, pushing and/or punching; the legs may be used to kick or knee, there
may be multiple assailants and there will be proficiency with the edged weapon.
Generally speaking, nearly all civilian RBT EWR approaches provide
a ‘small toolbox’ when it comes to tactics. This means a limited number of
overall responses are taught and usually one response per angle of attack. There
are several reasons for this. First, they are trying to create unarmed EWR proficiency
in as little time as possible where muscle memory takes over. Second, nearly
all of the RBT approaches are trying to eliminate the Orientation and Decision
phases of the OODA Loop (Observation, Orientation, Decision and Action). This improves
the response time while eliminating confusion through choosing between
responses. Third, the tactic is believed to be effective regardless as to whether
or not the assailant is holding a weapon. This is helpful in poor lighting
situations where the responder cannot see if there is a weapon present; much
less what it looks like and how it is held.
The RBT method does have certain disadvantages. The first
disadvantage relates to the fact that you only have a small toolbox along in
most cases with no backup plan. What this means is that if your tactic fails
and the assailant partly or fully gets through, you are screwed. The RBT
approach in most cases spends little or no time dealing with managing an edged
weapon assailant in the stand-up grappling range engaged in dynamic attacks.
The second disadvantage is that RBT instructor quality
varies drastically. Higher quality approaches include those by Steve Tarani,
Michael Janich, David James (Vee Arnis Jitsu), Hock Hochheim and few others who
have expert credentials in an Asian Archipelago martial art. Less credentialed
but still considered high quality EWR RBT approaches include (but are not
limited to) Tony Blauer (Blauer Tactical Systems), Sammy Franco (Contemporary
Fighting Arts), the Israeli martial systems, some JKD Instructors without the
full Asian Archipelago training and a few select individuals, groups and certain teachers of certain martial
arts styles. What is left in the EWR RBT industry tends to range from
significantly limited quality to pure suicide instruction.
The third disadvantage is that some EWR RBT programs are not
ongoing training programs but rather periodic bursts of training such as a
one-to-three-day seminar, or ‘course’. While the education and training in such
an environment may well be world class (as with Bill Kipp’s FAST, Peyton
Quinn’s RMCAT, etc.) unless the student continues to practice and drill the
material on a regular basis, proper reaction and overall skill level will
steadily decrease without reinforcement.
Traditional martial arts (TMA) consists of classical martial
approaches in the Asian Archipelago combat systems (Philippines, Indonesia,
Malaysia, etc.), Japan (ex. Koryu Bujutsu), Okinawa (Shuri-te, Tomari-te,
karate, etc.), China (Shaolin, Wudang chuan, Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist
styles, etc.), Korea (Taekgyeon, Chung Do, Shippalgi, etc.) and some specific
schools of Jeet Kune Do (Some JKD schools are classified as RBT, some are
classified as TMAand some are
classified as a ‘hybrid’).
Traditional martial arts training, attunes the student
towards strategies, principles and tactics passed down by warriors and scholars
over many centuries of battlefield testing. A genuine traditional school does
not only teach students how to fight but also through the example of the
instructor and other role models; principles and strategies – how to live.
TMA’s teaching EWR have certain positive attributes. First, tactical
quality (the ability to apply the tactic with excellence – all other factors
aside) is not simply proficient but usually world class (not the shitty chain
schools with rich weekend warriors who couldn’t fight their way out of a paper
bag or the ones with the black belts who do not even have a straight line
flowing along their forearm across the back of their fist when they punch but
genuine traditional schools). Second, these people are deeply educated and
trained in strategy and principles rather than simply tactics. When highly
educated and trained in strategy and principles, many more opportunities are
created for the application of tactics than otherwise. Third, heart (fighting
spirit) cannot be directly taught but TMA students tend to exhibit greater
expressions of heart than those of RBT or watered-down martial arts. Fourth, some
TMA schools have a history of the use of and defense against small bladed
weapons embedded in their culture. These students have less surprise in a real
life encounter, significantly greater practice in dealing with the chained
attacks and a better ability to predict where and how the next attack is
coming. Simulated assailants in TMA’s that specialize in the use of small
bladed weapons will attack with skill levels ranging from proficient-to-expert.
As with RBT, TMA’s have certain disadvantages when it comes
to teaching civilian EWR. First, almost no TMA’s educate and train in the pre
and post attack phases. Second, training tends to be in traditional martial
arts clothing, bare feet and in a physical environment that is utterly unlike
real life physical environments. Third, TMA’s usually do not use modern EWR
training gear (marking blades, ShocKnife, video recording, Impact Reduction Suits,
beanbag furniture, etc.). Fourth, TMA’s vary in attacker quality with some
being proficient-to-expert in the offensive use of small blades and others
performing SDA’s (Single Direct Attacks) at a distance. Fifth, TMA’s vary in
teaching adaptability if the tactic fails; TMA’s that specialize in in-fighting
teach flow patterns whereas those that do not specialize in in-fighting usually
put little or no emphasis in training for failure adaptation.
Here is a tactical comparison of both approaches:
Educates and trains in the pre-attack phase: Edge: RBT
Educates and trains in the post-attack phase: Edge: RBT
Works with modern training equipment: Edge: RBT
Conforms to Western legal codes: Edge: RBT
Has more tactics/options: Edge: TMA
Is better in working the environment: Edge: RBT
Strikes and kicks harder/is able to take more pain: Edge:
TMA
Focuses on biomechanical leverage: Edge: Draw as both suck!
Manages fear and high stress: Edge: Draw
Has more heart: Edge: TMA
More effective against the pain-resistant assailant: Edge:
RBT
More effective blocking, passing, redirection, etc.: Edge:
TMA
Better able to fight when injured: Edge: TMA
Better mobility and body positioning: Edge: TMA
More capable EWR in the short-term: Edge: RBT
More capable EWR in the mid and long-term: Edge TMA
Greater precision targeting: Edge: TMA
The above demonstrates that both RBT and TMA have important
areas in which they excel when it comes to training a civilian for unarmed EWR.
There have been attempts to blend both approaches when it comes to civilian
EWR. Some Jeet Kune Do schools provide world-class RBT along with their
traditional training. One example of this is when two students are engaged in
combat and they have to rapidly shift (when hearing a signal) from: both
fighting unarmed to one grabbing a simulated edged weapon to dropping the drone
and the other picking up a simulated firearm to dropping the firearm to both
suddenly picking-up simulated edged weapons to both fighting unarmed and so
forth. This is just one of many possible flow patterns.
In conclusion, neither RBT or TMA is the optimal solution
for all civilian practitioners. For a quick, easy and effective solution,
civilian RBT EWR taught by an instructor in an Asian Archipelago martial art or
one of the select top instructors (or systems) in that area of specialization
without those credentials would be suitable. For the true warrior (not the
recreational martial artist or weekend warrior) seeking perfection of mind,
body and spirit, a particular TMA teaching quality EWR will provide tremendous
depth and breadth.
TACTICS AND TACTICAL
SEQUENCES
*** DISCLAIMER
The following information is for
informational purposes only. It is not meant for instruction. The author
communicates that instruction in this area should ONLY come from in-person,
physical instruction from a qualified, reputable civilian EWR expert. In the
US, the laws regarding self-defense vary from state-to-state and city-to-city.
It is the reader’s responsibility to consult an attorney highly experienced in
self-defense, assault and battery cases to determine which responses under what
circumstances are legal. The author is not legally liable for the misuse or abuse
of anything presented in this book and particularly in this chapter as there is
no intent to teach self defense.
There are literally hundreds of unarmed EWR techniques being
pedaled through books, DVD’s and martial arts studios. Most of these techniques
are inappropriate for unarmed civilians in Western countries like the US to
learn for the following reasons:
• They usually require too many fine motor skills
• They are illegal such as feeding the knife back in a death
shot
• They assume a single assailant attacking from the front
• They assume the assailant is an amateur using SDA’s
(Single Direct Attacks)
• They assume that the lighting is good and that there is
mobility in all directions
• They assume that there are no fluids on the hands (blood, saliva,
liquor, etc.)
• They assume that both parties are barefoot and wearing
martial arts clothes
• They assume that the edged weapon is a long, single edged
knife
• They assume that the responder is not injured or ‘under
the weather’.
• They assume that the response is always effective on the
first try
The author is selecting tactics for the internet version of
the book that meet the following criteria:
• The tactics have to meet the specific criteria mentioned
earlier in this chapter of being less suicidal than many out there.
• The tactic uses not too many fine motor skills
• The assailant is semi-proficient with the carry, draw and
use of an edged weapon
• The assailant is pain-resistant or pain-immune
• There are fluids on the responder’s hands that makes
grabbing more difficult
• The lighting sucks
• There is limited mobility
• The responder may be injured or unwell
• There may be more than one assailant
The skills and tactics presented are only a small sample of
those that meet the above criteria. It relates to a tiny part of civilian EWR
1010.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics
without strategy is the noise before defeat.
The following is the author’s interpretation of what various
EWR instructors are communicating through their public materials. All errors
are unintentional and the author’s alone. If an EWR instructor notices an
outright factual error in this work, he is encouraged to immediately contact
the author with 1) what I wrote and 2) what is correct, so that the author can
make the change. Only the EWR instructor himself can communicate in this way as
the author will not accept the word of others. The email address for the author
is: admin@knifedefense.net
TACTIC: The
Shield
TACTICAL CATEGORY:
Stance
VARIATIONS: Four
Presented
LEVEL OF CONTROVERSY:
Medium
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY:
Low
The shield is a particular transition stance that advocates
believe provides the best opportunities for attack and defense against the
edged weapon assailant. It is generally advocated when the following factors
are present:
• The responder is aware that an edged weapon is in play or
is about to come into play
• It is or will be a dynamic attack
• There is both time and space to create the shield
There are many different EWR instructors/systems teaching
the use of the shield but we will be presenting four of them. Each shield approach
has strong structural similarities to the others but what is important is not
the minutiae about the posture of a particular shield but rather how the shield
flows into the counter-attack. This is where the differences of opinion become
heated, as some shield advocates like to patiently engage and setup the
assailant before performing the devastating aspects of the counter whereas other
shield advocates promote a swift and hard response without a setup. Let’s look
at some of the EWR shields out there…
Tarani’s QuickShieldTM
EWR instructor Steve Tarani trademarked his form of the shield
under the name QuickShieldTM. In his book The Naked Edge: The
Complete Guide to Edged Weapons Defense, Tarani writes: ‘This defense will require you to posture your arms so that your elbows
protrude like a helmet or an extension of your nose. The key points to QuickShieldTM are to keep
your chin tucked, cover your center, and remember to keep your palms facing
inward.’
Tarani’s QuickShieldTM has the body bladed, the
hands in fists and the fists above the eyes. The forearms are apart with the
lead elbow at or near the centerline. This allows space to see between the
wrists and lower forearms top-to-bottom. Tarani more than practically all other
EWR instructors stresses environmental awareness so he is big on scanning to
the sides and back whenever the situation allows.
QuickShieldTM places excellent protection on the
upper gate (face, throat, neck, underarms and heart) along with good vision but
it requires action to protect the stomach and the gap between the forearms.
There is thus a trade-off where you get good vertical vision, decent mobility
and high gate protection but require action and skills to compensate for
protecting the middle and lower targets. Tarani emphasizes such actions with
elbow, forearm and palm pivots against the weapon-bearing limb. He also
emphasizes flowing into the C-Clamp, using mechanical compliance instead of
pain-compliance, elbow control, minor passing and an arm wrap or two. Tarani also introduces the use of triangle
footwork as it relates to the pivot, ‘step-and-assess’ and moving off-line. This
is, of course, his approach for beginners and non-Asian archipelago martial
artists. Tarani can teach traditional Asian archipelago approaches as well.
Criticism: QuickShieldTM
Tarani’s EWR response from the shield (as defined to what is
presented in The Naked Edge) differs from other EWR shield approaches
due to the larger number of tactics being taught. This means that greater time
is needed to learn them comparatively. In addition, some of the more complex tactics
(such as passing and wrapping) are difficult to learn properly from the book.
Counter-Criticism: QuickShieldTM (Response Is Not
By Tarani)
Yes, there may be a few more tactics taught than some other
shield approaches but EWR is a deep and broad area of study. One may choose to
limit your tactics but this book is an exceptionally simplified introduction
towards some of the basics of some of the Asian Archipelago martial arts.
Richard Ryan’s Dynamic
Combat Body Shield
Richard Ryan calls his shield the ‘Dynamic Combat Body
Shield’. It is presented in the following DVD’s:
Unarmed Against The BladeTM: Surviving
Edged Weapons Attacks by Richard Ryan
Shield Defense SystemTM: The World’s Best
Worst-case Defense by Richard Ryan
Ryan communicates how there are many shields out there, each
with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Ryan believes that there are
fundamental mistakes the user can make regardless of the type of shield one
uses. These mistakes include:
• Extending the limbs
• Pulling the head “Out of Pocket”
• Blocking instead of covering
• Loss of external perception
• Passivity in Action
Ryan’s shield approach can be seen in a certain way as the
opposite of Tarani’s. While there are similarities in shield structure, Ryan
does not promote the strategy of reaching-out to engage the weapon-bearing limb
or the live hand through such tactics as grabbing, wrapping, passing, trapping,
gunting, etc.These tactics he believes
entail too much risk as doing so requires one to extend the arm/elbow thus
opening one’s cripple/kill targets for attack. Instead of these common tactics,
Ryan teaches one to use a combination of the shield, body posture and body
movement (pivots, etc.) to have the shield itself interact with the live hand
and weapon-bearing limb with minimal extension and then immediately press/grab
the weapon-bearing limb while explosively closing the gap and run/pound through
the assailant.
Structure: Ryan’s shield is mid-level like Francos, the
fingers are not balled into fists but partly extended (although together and
curved back), the arms are tight to the body and have independent movement from
each other. Ryan stresses that it is a mistake to 1) extend the elbows forward
during the first part of engagement, 2) to lean too far forward and down or 3)
to be too straight. Low and mid-level blocks and deflections are performed by
using the outside of the forearms with the elbows tight to the body and upper
level angles are dealt with by the backs of the wrists/lower forearms so that
the arm does not rise. The independent and body-tight motions of the arms is
akin to what some boxers do when they are covering-up and both evading or
absorbing (Ryan does not advocate absorbing the edge or point of an edged
weapon but rather the impact of the assailant’s wrist and forearms).
Ryan stresses that the dynamic combat shield is a temporary,
transition posture allowing for an escape or severe counter-attack -but that it is not passive.
Criticism: Dynamic Combat Body Shield
The Dynamic Combat Shield has three critical areas that need
be noted. First, the user must be expert in being able to effectively use the
shield under great stress and fear in real life against the edged weapon
assailant. This requires some training along with some in-fighting skills and
experience. Second, the counter-attack must be practiced so that the skills in
jamming, pressing and trapping; along with an explosive entry and applying
power while also effectively applying body trapping to bio-mechanical leverage
points is instinctively applied. Third, There must be a certain degree of
flexibility and fast movement in the knees and torso/back to properly apply the
shield. People with knee and spinal issues may not be able to apply the Dynamic
Combat Body Shield as effectively.
Counter-Criticism: Dynamic Combat Body Shield
If Ryan were here to counter the above, he might say the
following: First, any shield needs training as is the case with any approach.
Second, This also applies to the second criticism above. These tactics use less
fine motor skills than most others taught in civilian EWR so they are actually
preferable. Third, even though there is some need for rapid knee and back
capability, this is the case for nearly all tactics used in the martial arts
and especially EWR so it does not make this approach more of a liability than
others.
Sammy Franco’s Knife
Defense Stance
EWR Instructor Sammy Franco discusses his shield (which he
calls the ‘knife defense stance) in his two DVD’s: Control & Conquer 1
and Control & Conquer 2.
He notes that it is a luxury to have the time and safety to
adopt it. The body is bladed, feet parallel to each other pointed 45 degrees
away from the assailant, the torso is concave, chin tucked down, weight 50-50,
feet shoulder width apart, the backs of the fists and forearms facing forward
and fingers in loose fists. Although similar to Tarani’s QuickShieldTM
, Franco has the fists held beneath the eyes.
Franco focuses on combining footwork with grabbing the
weapon-bearing limb through the “V” Grip, single hand “V” Grip or the “C” Grip
(see the grabbing tactics later) or deflecting thrusts with an open hand side
slap to the wrist. Grabbing the weapon-bearing limb is controversial both with
a set-up and more so without it. Franco
however is in the company of Hochheim who also believes that there are numerous
cases in real life when people (amateur responders) have successfully grabbed
the weapon-bearing limb. More on this in the ‘Grabbing’ tactics section.
Franco’s idea is that you clear your body away from the
weapon, control the weapon bearing limb (preferably through the “V” Grip,
neutralize the assailant and then disarm him. The instant there is control
through the “V” Grip, the responder sticks, performs head-buts (perhaps bites
as well), repeated knee strikes to the thigh and then follow-ups with some
potentially deadly driving forward activity. Franco uses the most common martial
arts footwork, which is very similar to boxing footwork.
Criticism: Sammy Franco’s Knife Defense Stance
The major criticism relates to the focus on the ‘V Grip’ as
the first move in the primary response sequence.As the two-handed V Grip extends, the entire
body becomes unprotected. In addition, the fingers, palms and inside of the
forearms can get slashed or poked if the angle of extension is poor. If the
responder cannot see well (poor lighting, blood in the eye, etc.), the V Grip
may not be a quality solution due to leaving your cripple/kill targets so
vulnerable. Lastly, there is controversy over the efficacy of grabbing the
weapon-bearing limb without a setup such as a pass.
Counter-Criticism: One could image Franco responding to the
above criticisms in this way: First, Franco (and Hochheim) both believe that frequent
practice of grabbing the weapon-bearing limb from different angles of attack
immediately followed by a powerful counter-attack reduces most of the downsides
of grabbing the weapon-bearing limb without a setup. The V Grip is an
exceptionally strong grip but even so, Franco promotes ensuring that it be as
strong as possible. Second, Franco offers extensive training in how the
responder deals with the live hand. As the live hand is capable of swatting and
pressing the responders arms aside at the responder’s elbow, Franco is acutely
aware of live hand tactics and teaches counters to them. Third, Franco deals
with the all-important issue of sticking after the grab. If sticking is not
instinctive, the assailant can open the gap or circle or use the live hand to
get free. Or perhaps change which hand is holding the blade. Franco actively
deals with these issues in his training. Fourth, the two-handed V Grip is not
the only tactical response Franco teaches in civilian EWR so the responder is
not helpless in poor lighting, etc.. Fifth, Franco offers numerous EWR drills
in dealing with many different EWR situations from an RBT perspective so the
students are quite familiar with what to do if things go FUBAR.
Don Pentecost wrote a book called : Put ‘Em Down, Take
‘Em Out!: Knife Fighting Techniques From Folsom Prison. He was an inmate
there and learned the instruction that street-fighters teach each other
regarding unarmed against the edged weapon. At the time of this writing, it
sells for $80 on Amazon but you can get it as a PDF for $5 or less on Scribd or
even for free (fliiby.com). A good net search of the title may give you many
options.
He writes that the defensive stance should have the
following characteristics:
Keep your hands open,
never stand erect or straight-on, emphasize protecting your torso organs, keep
your stance low by bending forward at the waist, keep your knees bent and use a
boxing stance for your feet, and keep your eyes straight ahead and open at all
times. Pentecost keeps his hands lower than the other shields; they are
inches below his chin and the inside of his hands and arms are facing sideways
rather than inward. With the crouch, this shield is strong on protecting the
torso.
Pentecost discusses how the assailant will use the live hand
to grab and control your same side as the edged weapon. A quick
reach-grab-and-pull allows your back and neck (or armpit depending upon the
pull) to become exposed. Pentecost also promotes the following:
1. Do not go for the grab
2. Do not be offensive. Wait and counter. Do not force a
technique.
Different than many EWR experts, Pentecost uses quick slaps
using the palm against the assailant’s wrist/forearm. These he calls ‘traps’
and differentiates them from ‘holds’ where the contact remains. He is acutely
aware of the dangers of a quick retraction of the edged weapon.
Criticism: Pentecost’s EWR Shield
First, Pentecost offers no instruction regarding follow-ups
in the counter-attack. Second, the way in which he engages the weapon-bearing
limb can be criticized for being limited while excessively exposing the inside
of the hand, wrist and forearm. Third, Pentecost can be criticized for his
approach of ‘taking your time’ when on the defensive. Some experts believe that
waiting too long increases the advantage to the edged weapon assailant.
Counter Criticism: Pentecost’s EWR Shield
Pentecost might respond as follows: First, the
counter-attack is impossible to teach in a static way as each environment and
situation is quite different. Second, in real life, one does not do fancy
things but that which is proven to work. This method is time-tested by
street-fighters and other criminals as effective. Third, I am not suggesting
endless patience but simply that one waits for a good opportunity rather than
bludgeoning in and getting skewered. One needs to respond when the odds are
best rather than being impatient.
Shield Conclusion
To properly understand each shield, the reader needs to
spend a lot of time personally studying with the EWR instructor who created it.
Simply reading the books and studying the DVD’s is not enough for thorough
understanding.
