Grab and Stab: How to practice defenses for when it’s too late for good options.
First, a bit of know-how for speeding up teaching (and learning) techniques
Every technique has key phases that make it or break it. To speed up learning any technique, learn these key phases one after another, beginning with each phase’s end in mind. This method applies to practically all physical techniques. Here is an outline of the method:
First, view (or demonstrate, if you are a teacher) a full technique at its normal speed. Then, learn each key phase from its end, that is, its end position. When in that end position, realize how does it feel being in it, exerting force where and when it needs to be exerted, directing gaze where it is to be directed, etc., to make it work well. Then your (or your student’s) neural motor control centers will quickly figure out how to get to that position and to those actions from the initial position. Teachers should note that any instructions, corrections, and explanations of the end position has to be done while the student is in that position.
For example, to learn a grappling takedown, start with the end of its entry phase — the end stance and the hold. In that position feel what makes the stance stable and the hold strong. Tell yourself how does that feel. Practice entering, until it perfect (it won’t take long). Then, to learn the takedown’s final phase, from the entry to a landing on the ground, start in a final position on the ground, in a good form, so it gives you good control of the training partner. When you have a good feel of that final position, practice the takedown’s final phase, until you consistently land in the correct final position. Finally practice the whole technique of the takedown, from entry to the landing. Click here to see an example of waste of workout time caused by not using this bit of know-how.
Now, how to practice defenses against grab and stab attacks, common and most dangerous close-quarters knife attacks.
Grab and Stab: How to practice defenses for when it’s too late for good options
The above video, shows two options of stopping the threat: strikes, and armlocks (because in the scenarios shown, the defender aims to control the attacker’s knife-holding arm).
About strikes
The strikes shown, the elbow strike, the hammer-fist strike, and the cupped-palm strike need to be practiced until they land every time where needed and as powerfully as needed. The cupped-palm strike, for messing up vestibular apparatus by pushing air into the inner ear, requires speed and precision rather than great power. People who know this strike, have seen its effects, know its fully disabling yet usually nonpermanent effect (it passes in a few minutes). When needed, why not mix the hammer-fist and the cupped-palm strikes?
About armlocks
Joints may be dislocated and bones broken with armlocks, but not all dislocations and breaks will pacify an attacker. In a knife fight, a break of an elbow won’t do if the other arm is still good. To render a knifer harmless it takes a complete break of an arm, a complete fracture, preferably with a total dislocation of a shoulder. Ask an orthopedic surgeon.
Conclusion:
Do an armlock that is possible in a given situation, to its full potential, then take advantage of the knifer’s reduced fighting ability, and follow with whatever it takes to make you safe. If you prefer to stick to armlocks, change your grip to allow a greater range of motion, at the greatest possible speed. For an example, see the video below.
Brutal shoulder lock ends in shoulder injury
Dislocations and breaks done slowly do not cause as much damage to bones, muscles, ligaments, and joint cartilage, as do the same dislocations and breaks done fast. The faster you move, the more kinetic energy you impart to the assailant’s body. The more kinetic energy, the greater the damage, the greater the physiological shock. So, move the enemy’s arm through the greatest possible range of motion, at the greatest possible speed.
Recommended instruction on armlocks and on all grappling techniques
Secrets to a DEADLY Americana | Jiu Jitsu Tutorial | How to do the Americana
A Masterclass on Making Any Submission Tighter and More Powerful – Rob Biernacki
ALL of Coach Brian’s Submissions from the Scarf Hold Position!
Recommended knife control tactics, training methods, and instructors
Knife Control Concepts
Examples:
Knife Control Concepts: Drilling Knife Defense by Budo Brothers
Knife Control Concepts: Knife Ground Control by Budo Brothers
Phil Norman Martial Arts
An example:
Realistic Knife Defense JKD Kali Combatives Phil Norman
Red Zone Knife Defense Program
An example:
Red Zone Knife Defense – you’re doing it wrong 1
Recommended reading on defense against knife attacks:
Self-Defense Tip #70 — Everyday Objects as Weapons of Self-Defense: Jacket vs. Knife, Part I
Self-Defense Tip #88 — Empty hands vs. knife
Self-Defense Tip #134 — Homemade Weapons, Improvised Weapons, and Weapons of Opportunity
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.
Self-Defense Moves
To learn how your natural reactions can instantly defeat any unarmed attack, see the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense.
Defend Against Weapons
To learn how the typical street weapons (club, knife, razor) are used by an experienced streetfighter and how to practice with them, see the video Self-Defense: Tools of Attack — Club, Hatchet, Blackjack, Knife, Straight Razor.
Mental Toughness
To learn mental techniques that let you calmly face any threat and act rationally in the heat of a fight, click here.
For a complete list of our products, click here.
Good info on learning and knife defense systems. Too little info on armlocks and bjj moves though. Like for more situations and what to do when things get difficult. Thanks.
Thanks for pointing out this insufficiency. I added links to top quality instruction on armlocks and on all grappling techniques.
Sorry to tell you but these grappling techniques against an edged or stabbing weapon are pure fantasy. Train these and you are simply training to die. The people demonstrating this nonsense are selling staged attacks on YouTube. This is not close to reality
Real knife attacks come very fast, unpredictably, and at random angles. They may come in the dark, in restricted space, and likely while you grapple one assailant, his friend is stabbing you or hitting you with a club or kicking your head in. You’re not rolling around in a comfortable mat in great lighting, with a buddy. Please stop promoting fantasies that get people killed.
The grandfather of modern combatives, W.E Fairbairn who was involved in more knife scenarios than most “experts” have YouTube videos, stated that “Unarmed there is no certain defence against a knife.” Listen and learn from him. Believe him! A man within five feet of you armed with a knife is deadly. The knife or dagger is the supreme close combat weapon. History confirms this. Fairbairn was dealing with reality not fantasy.
If you’re unarmed,and face a knife, run away if you can, (and you can’t always) put a shield or barrier between you if you can’t run, and if you can’t get away, counter attack with strikes and merciless ferocity to vital areas until your attacker is unconscious or unable to continue. Use any improvised weapon. Stay on your feet. Don’t ever willing go to the ground or tie yourself up in a clinch. You’re in a life or death struggle and ALL grappling is useless, because it immobilizes you. No exceptions. There are no magic grappling techniques. It’s nonsense. Stop it! Stop deluding yourself!
A more realistic approach is Lee Morrison’s at Urban Combatives. Check him out.
If you have to meet an edged weapon, unarmed and against a determined attacker you’re likely to die, or be seriously injured. If you survive, you will probably sustain multiple knife wounds.You can increase your chances of survival by avoiding a grapple at all costs.
Do you want to test this out? Get a training knife, cover the edge and point with lipstick, wear a white T shirt and some safety goggles and let a completely unskilled person attack you. Your grappling techniques will be useless and you will be covered in lipstick marks from slashes and stabs. Don’t train to die! Don’t fill your head with staged absurdities. Against a skilled knife attacker you will probably die, if he wants to kill you. Don’t gamble your life with baseless fiction.
Fairbairn’s body was covered in scars, and he survived over 600 documented encounters, many with knives. Listen and learn from the experiences of those who know, not self deluded martial artists. They are either delusional or selling lies for the consumption of the inexperienced and gullible.