Knife defense is impossible;

[FightingEdge]

There is just no logical basis to say that it is impossible to defend against a knife successfully... although I would say that the odds are definitely not in the defenders favor...lol

It's kind of like saying that trapping is worthless and impractical... It's not easy to pull of... you shouldn't look for it... You should train to "seek the path", so that when the opening (for a successful knife disarm/defense or a trap) occurs, if it occurs, you automatically take it through muscle memory and sensitivity. In knife range, in a knife conflict, it's going to come down to what you have really made your own. So I tell you what... you better at least spend some time trying to develop some defensive/offensive skills for that situation.

Most of the JKD drills are designed to be performed with the realization that there is a blade involved (at least the ones I have worked) even when we are performing them empty handed. It's just that people get sloppy and start not maintaining the proper execution of the drills which opens them up to problems when dealing with impaling/edged weapons.

end of rant.

[aseepish]

There is just no logical basis to say that it is impossible to defend against a knife successfully... although I would say that the odds are definitely not in the defenders favor...lol

It's kind of like saying that trapping is worthless and impractical... It's not easy to pull of... you shouldn't look for it... You should train to "seek the path", so that when the opening (for a successful knife disarm/defense or a trap) occurs, if it occurs, you automatically take it through muscle memory and sensitivity. In knife range, in a knife conflict, it's going to come down to what you have really made your own. So I tell you what... you better at least spend some time trying to develop some defensive/offensive skills for that situation.

Most of the JKD drills are designed to be performed with the realization that there is a blade involved (at least the ones I have worked) even when we are performing them empty handed. It's just that people get sloppy and start not maintaining the proper execution of the drills which opens them up to problems when dealing with impaling/edged weapons.

end of rant.

Agreed 100%. I think this thread has a definite tie-in with the Virginia Tech thread (especially the tie-in with United 93). There may come a time where you are at a disadvantage - empty hands vs. knife/gun, and flight is not an option. Situations where giving up means people you care about die.

THIS IS WHY WE TRAIN PEOPLE!!

end of rant.

[aseepish]

You have to decide - and mean it - that dying at the hands of another is just not an acceptable outcome, and you have to have the resolve to follow through with the very same determination that the passengers of Flight 93 did. Deciding it's impossible from the outset is accepting death at the hands of madmen.

What Mike said! (This is what I get for working my way backwards through this thread)