- Joined
- Dec 16, 1998
- Messages
- 1,066
So the second installment of the Thursday knife session is over and while I'm still not in 100% agreement with the instructor I've got some better news to report.
After going over various classes of knives that you might encounter we worked on how to use or defend from small pocket knives. The instructor told the class that small knives are best used to cut instead of stab with. While we all know that a small blade dipped into the belly of a thigh or forearm muscle and twisted out can stop a less-than-murderous attacker the folks that are taking this class are, for the most part, without any training. As such it's easier to teach them to drag the edge across the chest and belly of an assailant than to try to hit a moving arm or leg. So far I'm ok with what we covered. The problem came when it got down to practice.
To get a solid slash across the body (or neck/face) with a small blade you've got to get inside the guard of the opponent. This requires them to conceal the small knife they've got and deny the one thing that these peoples' brains should be screaming for them to do - RUN. Instead of doing repetitve drils of concealing, sidestepping and stepping inside, the instructor started them off after a single demonstration. I'll grant that she and her assistant went from pair to pair and made corrections, but this was after sevearl minutes of "sparring" had gone on. (I seem to be the last persone that she comes to and that may color my impression of the tour to personally instruct the others that she makes.) Several minutes of doing the wrong thing isn't as easily corrected as starting off doing the right thing.
I worked with one of her students getting ready to test for his black belt. A much bigger person, 1/2 foot taller, he was easier to work with. We went from the simple slash the body to more effective arm and thigh wringing cuts as well as face and nect cuts from inside. I found that a bigger opponent made it easier for me to get inside than it would have been with someone closer to my own size. It also made me work on defending against a much bigger opponent with more reach and mass. Overall, good experience.
While I am complaining about the teaching technique I did get something out of this session. I hadn't realy spent much time thinking about small blade techniques specifically. This gave me the opportunity to work on them.
I'll report on the subsequent sessions.
Mike
After going over various classes of knives that you might encounter we worked on how to use or defend from small pocket knives. The instructor told the class that small knives are best used to cut instead of stab with. While we all know that a small blade dipped into the belly of a thigh or forearm muscle and twisted out can stop a less-than-murderous attacker the folks that are taking this class are, for the most part, without any training. As such it's easier to teach them to drag the edge across the chest and belly of an assailant than to try to hit a moving arm or leg. So far I'm ok with what we covered. The problem came when it got down to practice.
To get a solid slash across the body (or neck/face) with a small blade you've got to get inside the guard of the opponent. This requires them to conceal the small knife they've got and deny the one thing that these peoples' brains should be screaming for them to do - RUN. Instead of doing repetitve drils of concealing, sidestepping and stepping inside, the instructor started them off after a single demonstration. I'll grant that she and her assistant went from pair to pair and made corrections, but this was after sevearl minutes of "sparring" had gone on. (I seem to be the last persone that she comes to and that may color my impression of the tour to personally instruct the others that she makes.) Several minutes of doing the wrong thing isn't as easily corrected as starting off doing the right thing.
I worked with one of her students getting ready to test for his black belt. A much bigger person, 1/2 foot taller, he was easier to work with. We went from the simple slash the body to more effective arm and thigh wringing cuts as well as face and nect cuts from inside. I found that a bigger opponent made it easier for me to get inside than it would have been with someone closer to my own size. It also made me work on defending against a much bigger opponent with more reach and mass. Overall, good experience.
While I am complaining about the teaching technique I did get something out of this session. I hadn't realy spent much time thinking about small blade techniques specifically. This gave me the opportunity to work on them.
I'll report on the subsequent sessions.
Mike
) or prevent slippage during resistance against a powerful thrust or slash, is quite dangerous. I like all of my fingers, and have enough scars already, thank you very much.