...the fear of being cut.
And, while this is a serious concern, it's important, as with everything else involving self-defense, that you not let the fear immobilize you. Doing so will only make you a proverbial "sitting duck" for the attacker's slashes, stabs, and cuts.
As every one of my students who has gone through knife-defense training knows - the one thing that you can count on in a knife-defense situation is...
...you WILL be cut!
As harsh as that sounds, to believe otherwise, would be foolish. But, just because that's the reality, doesn't mean that you are doomed.
Not by a long shot.
The important thing to remember is that there are only so many really good targets on your body. By that I mean that there are only a few that, by themselves, will cause you to shut down very quickly if they're hit.
Every other target either requires more work on your attacker's part, or isn't important in the overall scheme of things and will not hinder your defense or escape attempts.
Your High Priority Targets
So, just what are the targets on your body that will require your utmost attention? Good question. The good news is that, there are only a few. They are:
- The Neck
- Insides of the arms
- Torso below the ribs
(stabbing-only), and... - Insides of the arms
- Insides of the legs
These specific targets are locations on your body where the organs, major vessels, or "air pipes" can be accessed directly. These are what we call the "life-sustaining systems." Protect these literally with your life. Because, to allow one to open up to your attacker's weapon, increases your chances of being shut down almost immediately.
It's virtually impossible to show how to position your body relative to your attacker using only the printed word. That's why I've just produced and release a great new video called "The Cutting-Edge: Surviving a Knife Attack." It was designed to get to the point (yes, pun intended!) and teach you the most important lessons for dealing with an attacker armed with a knife or other bladed weapon. Here's the link:
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/knife-defense-video.html
The most important thing to remember when facing an assailant threatening with a knife, is to take up a position that will allow you the greatest cover for your primary targets. A good position would involve "blading" your body (angling it) toward your attacker and lifting your forearms from the elbows so that they cover both your lower torso and your neck. The forearms themselves should be turned in so that the backs of your hands point at the assailant.
For those of you familiar with the Ninja's defensive kamae, this the Hoko no Kamae of the Koto-Ryu school of Koppojutsu.
From this posture, you are better positioned to take cuts to exposed areas without the fear of taking life-threatening damage. This isn't to say that you want to take a lot of cuts, just that you will have minimized the damage you will take as you work to disarm or escape from your attacker.
Of course, anything that you can do to further minimize his ability to get at you, like wrapping a jacket or other material around your forearms, is always a good idea, if...
...you have time and material available.
I'll continue with this topic over the next week, but until then, check out the new video. Here's the link again:
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/knife-defense-video.html
This topic is such an important one that I'll be dedicating the next several issues to at least some part of the realm of knife-defense. In the meantime, you can get a free knife defense technique video clip, as-well-as a couple of unarmed defenses by going to this page:
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-videos.html
Are You Registered for the Upcoming Emotion-Based Defensive Response Seminar?
This powerful training weekend will wake you up to a realm of self-defense that few people even know exists. It was designed based on over three decades, that's 30 years, of research and study in both the fields of defensive tactics AND human bio-physical response to danger.
Simply put... there's nothing like this program, anywhere!
Use the link below to get all the details and make arrangements now to be at the WCI Training Academy, Sunbury, Pennsylvania on Saturday and Sunday, July 29th & 30th for a Level 1 Certification Intensive.
Here's the link for details: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/edr-self-defense-intensive.html
Can't Make It Here for A Seminar... Call to Find Out How You Can Bring This Powerful Program to You. Just call the Academy at (570) 988-2228 for information about having me teach a day or weekend seminar for your school or organization. You can choose from one of my popular programs or tell me what you want to work on and I'll tailor something specifically for you and your group.
But, you must hurry. My 2006 seminar schedule is filling up quickly. Don't miss out. Call the academy for more information.
Until next time...
To the Successful Achievement Dreams!,
Jeffrey M. Miller, Shidoshi
Founder & Director
Warrior Concepts International
Self-Protection & Personal Development
Check out my latest book "The Karate-Myth" at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-karatemyth.html
and the re-release of the most important safety video you could ever own, "Danger Prevention Tactics" at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-video-dpt1.html
"Real Training for Real People in a Real World!"
