Self-Defense Tip 89 Knife in Ground Fighting

Knife fighting technique in hand-to-hand combat on the ground

Don’t you think there is something wrong with this book cover?

Considering that in addition to the point, the knife has a sharp edge or even two, which can cut forward and backward with little pressure, why use it as if it were a dull stake needing a lot of force behind it?

I don’t imagine the book’s author, Matt Larsen, doesn’t know that drawing a knife and then striking with a large windup is silly, especially while grappling. This is a posed photo, likely designed by a publisher’s artist to conform with popular notions of knife fighting on the ground, here to exemplify hand-to-hand combat. If the cover photo were showing an efficient technique of knifing in groundwork, hardly anybody would notice the knife, much less recognize that someone is in lethal danger — hence the cover would draw less attention and fewer books would be sold.

So now, to the proper mechanics: First, to get the knife in your hand you have to draw it, from its sheath or from wherever you keep it. You should cut on that first move out — do not draw the knife and then wind up to stab. Second, if your stab is blocked, you should not try to bypass the block or, even worse, to overpower it; instead, cut the blocking limb while pulling back.

By the way, you may immobilize an opponent, who is on the ground, without exposing yourself to his blade, while you have freedom of using your blade. See how on the first video of Self-Defense Tip #90 — Punching After Takedown.

I thought you might want to know this.

Ideal self-defense weapons are those that are legal to carry everywhere, do not attract attention, are simple to use, and do not require practice.

Click here for self-defense tips on defending against knife attacks.

Attention:
Applying any of the techniques mentioned above is your sole responsibility.

Neither Never-Thought-of-It LLC nor the author of this self-defense tip, nor persons pictured in this self-defense tip, make any representation, warranty, or guarantee that the techniques described or shown in this tip will be safe, effective, or legal in any self-defense situation or otherwise.

The reader or viewer assumes all risks and hazards of injury or death to herself, himself, or others, as well as any resultant liability for the use of the techniques and methods contained in this self-defense tip.

Specific self-defense responses demonstrated or described in this self-defense tip may not be justified in certain situations in light of all the circumstances or under the applicable federal, state, or local law. Neither Never-Thought-of-It LLC nor the author of this self-defense tip makes any representation or warranty regarding the legality or appropriateness of any techniques described or demonstrated in this self-defense tip.

Self-defense tip from Thomas Kurz, co-author of Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and author of Science of Sports Training, Stretching Scientifically, and Flexibility Express.

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