Very true, however, backwards is not the only way you can yield. I'm not trying to say its not riscky, however, you can yield in many directions to avoid getting cut, or hit. Backing up is good, then if the opponent is "charging in" you can also move to the side, and almost even behind the attacker. It isn't a "sure thing" so no one think I'm saying that, but it is possible to do.
Then what I said wasn't out of context, and I never said it was impossible to do. The point is this...you WILL get hit/cut. Cuts, versus hits, are far more damaging.
As far as movement, you're preaching to the choir here. Alot of these guys do Filipino Martial Arts (Paul does), and they hit footwork from day one.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people firmly believe that there is not possible defense against a knife.
I don't believe it is impossible. Even the Sayoc guys train for that eventuality. It certainly isn't preferable.
Paul makes it clear that he thinks empty handed defense is possible, but not probable.
I'm not suggesting going into a knife fight empty handed. I'm suggesting not going into a knife fight.
As far as I'm concerned, I never "go" into a knife fight. If he draws a knife...I run...unless flight is impossible. If flight is impossible, I draw my gun/knife. If the latter, it is then, I suppose, a knife fight. I do not go into it willingly or with any relish, knowing that I'll most certainly get hurt. "The winner drips, the loser gushes." goes the saying.
Empty hand is the LAST option.
Now, 7 Star, you mentioned that you had aknowledged the lethal potential of a knife. But you diminish its potentiality by dissing a box cutter with a one inch blade. This is why I pointed out, very graphically, what a one inch blade can do. One doesn't need a foot long knife to kill or disable. The motor nerves of the arm are within easy reach of a one inch blade.
If you want to go empty handed into the night, do so. Paul will not, I suspect, nor will most of the FMA's on this board. But please understand that one of the reasons they don't advocate empty hand versus knife is that they TRAIN these techniques and actively spar with them.
This training makes one keenly aware of several things: The guy with the knife has a brutal advantage. It sucks to be the guy without the knife. The empty hand techniques are far more difficult to pull off than a simple slash that any thug can do. The simple slash causes more damage than any empty hand technique.
It was pointed out somewhat tongue in cheek that when surveyed gladiators opted not to go into the arena unarmed. They also, I wager, would have elected to wear the best armor available. There is a reason the sword and spear evolved into being the king and queen of battle for millenia (until the advent of the gun). Note that the Spartans didn't show up to Thermopolae empty handed. Neither did the Persians.
I most certainly didn't mean to. I'm just trying to show that empty hand defense can be devistating as well.
Few would argue that they can't be if lucky enough to pull off the techniques...but the argument here is who would have the odds of being more devastating, the knifer or the bare handed fighter. History and common sense show the latter would likely die pretty quickly, even if he had skill.
A blade in the hands of an untrained fighter with committed intent often makes up for any disparity of skill advantage the empty handed martial artist may possess.
This is safely testable using Lameco training "knives" or their home made equivalent). Try it sometime. Find a bunch of FMA's and ask to spar them empty handed versus their knife. Now, granted, you might be reluctant to whack them or lock them...but they can wear pads and protection I suppose. Locking them, I suspect, will be difficult...but they can always "tap" if you're lucky enough to get a hold on a limb.
There are plenty of Pekiti Tirsia guys down there in Texas. You might contact them and ask them if they'd be up to such an experiment.
If you lose, however, you'd be losing to trained knifers. You might be able to find some untrained thugs that would spar for a case of beer or something. Make sure they sign a waiver. I'd also make sure they had empty pockets when they walk in the door. Wouldn't you just hate for one of them to pull out a live blade and ruin the experiment? Or worse, validate it?
Kumasan wrote: I know I haven't posted here in ages, but I put something towards the bottom of page one that wasn't even glanced at. Please look at it and give me some validation.
Sorry, Chris...I don't see the post. I've looked twice. Are you sure you posted it to this thread?
Regards,
Steve
