Sports Realm

[I:http://sportsrealm.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/AlCase11.jpg]You all know what a slasher in a knife fight is…he is that kind of sly thug who slashes the knife back and forth wildly. This motion is erratic and quick, and it makes it hard to get past the knife. Try a karate block and it’ll get you cut, he’s too fast for you to work jujitsu on, and like as not he is coming in on you fast!

The first strategy that comes to mind is to wrap some sort of protection around your forearm. This will protect that limb and give you at least some sort of a shield. The problem with this fighting trick is that the time it takes to find something wrappable, or to remove your jacket and wind it around your arm, is time in which you are going to get cut to pieces.

So wrapping something around your arm, while it has its uses, isn’t really the most workable strategy when if comes to knife self defenses. It is pretty much stop gap. You will probably still get cut, and it segments your self defense moves into predictable movements: the wrapped arm is going to be used for blocking, and probably only for blocking.

Interestingly, there is a fighting principles that does work for this type of combat scene, and it will help you figure out knife fighting techniques. It is easy to do this one without getting hurt if you use a training knife. You can also pick up a red magic marker and wear white tee shirts if you really want to go to town.

The concept is not to focus your eyes on the weapon, but to look at the shoulder of the arm holding the weapon. This is hard to do, because taking your eyes away from the weapon is difficult to do. There will also be those persons who hold that to take your eye off the weapon is a rather silly self defense strategy when it comes to handling a knife fighter.

The truth of the matter, however, is that you are not fighting an inanimate piece of steel, you are fighting a human being. That said, the best place to look would be the eyes, for ‘The eyes are the windows to a man’s soul. Thus, to look at the eyes would enable the fighter who has a clue to see the thought behind the action.

In the specific situation of a slasher, however, focusing your attention on the shoulder is actually superior strategy. As the hand whips back and forth, the shoulder moves in the same manner, but the shoulder is slower and bigger and easier to watch. Thus, by watching the shoulder you can actually predict the change of direction and motion offered by the slasher.

Now, the best strategy, to be honest, is to not get into a knife fight in the first place, or just bring a six shooter. But, times being what they are, criminals being what they are, this strategy should help you survive to fight another day. And that’s the best concept you can use to survive a slasher in a knife fight.

You can get the finest knife fighting DVDs on the planet at Monster Martial Arts.