To: Theban -
Glad to hear your Art teaches knife defenses aimed at the back. But the fact that the best targets are not discussed has me concerned. You are correct about the most COMMON knife attack. Several stabs in a row to the stomach area can happen in the blink of an eye. An experienced knifer will bend his wrist as he's stabbing you, to go up underneath the rib-cage to reach the organs it normally protects.
Here are the most likely places a knifer will go for: The chest, stomach, neck & throat, groin (not for the reason you think), in between the shoulder blades (knife held in an ice-pick grip)........ Rear targets would include: the kidneys, the soft area just underneath the base of the skull, and the upper-back.
Form of a question?.......... "If you were going to attack someone with a 4" knife, which parts on the human body would you target?"
Your students should list those above targets. The upper-back will probably be the most common answer, but it's really not the best one. The face will also be a common one, but poking out an eyeball is rare. A slash to the face may look horrific, but massive blood loss in that area takes quite a bit of time. Not really a choice spot. The other areas are much better.
**Now ask them: "If you only had a 1" blade, which spot would you go for?" (I'll PM you the answer. Everything else I've mentioned and will mention is done to help out Defenders. All of this info is common knowledge among knifers or anyone studying human anatomy. But the 1" blade question is obscure, so I won't reveal it here).
The X-block was originally designed to defend against an overhead chop or slash with a sword. It requires getting in close, and works well. The lack of a cutting edge on a club would also cause it to work well. But it's a poor technique against knives. An overhead slash means the knifer just has to pull back his elbow a bit, as he cuts down into your forearms. An ice-pick grip (edge in) means he can just pull his arm down to cut open one of your forearms.
Teaching defenses against multiple attackers is good, but no defenses against ARMED, multiple attackers? I find that troubling. If you get attacked by someone, chances are they'll either pull out a weapon or use something close-by as a weapon.
Sorry to tell you this, but it's a common misconception that you can tell if a knifer is experienced by the way he holds his knife. Not true at all. There is a Knife Combatives instructor who's classes are gaining in popularity. He teaches how to use a folding knife like a claw....... basically, ice-pick grip with the edge IN. (A couple of decades ago, this grip was considered to be an instant way to identify an inexperienced knifer). If someone has several short, straight scars on one forearm, that usually means an experienced knifer. But there's really no other way to tell. It could be the guy in the business suit driving a Corvette, or it doesn't even have to be a guy. Women can be just as vicious as guys, sometimes more so because you're not expecting a woman to be a knifer.
Most knifers will rarely attack from the front. Some will come in from the back, or at oblique angles, since no one really expects an attack from those angles. At those angles, they'll usually go for one of your kidneys. Over-hand attacks are rare. The knife will be palmed (placed in the hand in such a way so that you won't see it, even if directly looking at the hand. If you can't see a person's palm AND all 5 extended finger-tips, a knife could easily be concealed). He may try to verbally distract you, or say nothing at all. Most folks feel the knife, before they see it...... if they see it!
Knifers prefer a lot of personal space. (Some will confront you if you get within a couple of feet of them). You need to have the same mentality. Some stranger tries to come too close to you, call them on it! "Hey, what do you want!" If they keep walking towards you without saying anything, that's a HUGE warning sign! Don't let them close the distance. That's the most effective way of dealing withy a knifer. If you let him close the distance, things will go from bad to horrendous; in the blink of an eye! It's amazing how many folks underestimate the speed with which a knifer can attack. (One of the dumbest things I heard was, "How could O.J. stab 2 people at almost the same time?" ANSWER: Very easily)! Knifers, when out & about, will tend to sit with their backs against a wall. Anyone trying to confront them has to approach from the front. A very good tactic to use yourself.
Regarding your last question: I'd say 80% of the time, if you get attacked and the attacker pulls out a weapon. But it's not just knives. Not all knifers use knives. Screwdrivers (long shaft models) are the second most common type of tool a knifer will use. Some prefer screwdrivers because they make excellent stabbing implaments, and can be used to break into change-machines; but are street-legal. Large scissors can also be used. Take out the screw that holds a pair of scissors together, now you have 2 weapons with the added bonus of being able to use the cutting edge........ All of these are items that are classified as edged weapons. Taken together, that's how I got the percentage. (Guns are also popular, but knives are far more common, they never jam, never need to be reloaded, there's no ballistic evidence left behind, and they are silent. [A gunshot is more likely to get someone's attention, compared to a person screaming outside]).
__________________________
To: f0x -
No defenses to the back or oblique angles are taught?
When it comes to using locks, watch out for a knifer rotating his wrist to cut you. Another common defense to locks is, swiching the knife to the other hand. Now you've got the wrong arm/hand locked up. If you don't let go of him quickly enough, he's likely to stab you.
Yes, lunges are by far the easiest way to take a knife away......... That's why experienced knifers won't lunge at you! They will get as close as possible, kissing range, before attacking. The over-head attack, very common in a lot of martial arts schools, very UNcommon in real life.
You're right about the last part. It's always better to run away, if you can, than fight multiple attackers or even 1 attacker.
_________________________
To: ever_v -
Wing Chun is an excellent Art....... but the definitive art?
Your teacher is honest. But a bit too quick to dismiss an Art.
