There is another thread going on in the kenpo section and would like to get some more input from those who also like to play with knives.
http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37764
Input from others is all good. But it like opinions, everyone has one.
Do you think slashes are hard to combat?
Yes, Slashes are hard to combat.
Are they harder than Stabs?
Compare the committed stab versus the committed slash:
The single step in and stab versus the single step in and slash.
The stab usually is straight up the center line and the person by mistake can go left or right and avoid the knife. They might be in a worse place depending upon the opponents off hand.
The committed slash backhand allows one to stop it before it reaches you, and to trap yourself up on the outside. This is pretty good place to be.
The committed forehand slash puts one in the mid set to get to the out side. This is done in many FMA's by passing or slipping the attack by you. If it is high then one can take the attack high and go underneath. If it is low then one needs to give positive direction to the person to push back into them but not too much energy to cause them to instinctively retract, such as with a hard block.
As with anything as one increases the variables the complexity of the equation goes up. So the degrees of movement and options that are allowed by the attacker increases the complexity and difficulty to defend against. So, if the person is allowed to change levels of the blade or to change speed or to change direction then complexity is increased and the difficulty is increased.
As to the prison shanking move, try a similar move with the forehand slash and see what if any techniques work.
I have had to defend myself against knives before. It sucks and is scary. I personally try to get through the initial assault with a pass/slip and create space and get an improvised weapon. The weapon makes them think twice as well. Even if it is your belt for distance attack and defense or a shoe or loose gravel to throw, it gives them pause which hopefully will make them think twice.
But, as in all cases, if you do not see it coming and your are lucky to be stabbed or slashed in a non vital area then once has to keep composure and to keep to the game plan of surviving. Sometimes one does not know they were cut or stabbed until they see the wound or the blood or until the immediate adrenaline wears off.
And do you think a defense against a slash that may not be solid, can end up putting you in an even more dangerous situation?
If by solid you mean rigid then I would have to say any rigid technique that does not break, damage the opponent to drop the weapon gives them energy and direction to counter you easier.
If by solid you mean good foundation and listening to the energy of your opponent and reading them with your body and senses, then yes any technique done poorly can put you into a worse situation. A slash can open one up literally to a major abdomen wound even if that was not the intent of the attacker, by a poorly executed technique. The same can be said for a stab as one could have a major organ damaged as well. So as in most things it is situational, but the forehand slash in general will be a difficult attack to defend against for many.
Thanks in advance for your feedback. Looking for info to add to my notes. :asian:
:asian:
