The next step.

[AlexJitsu]

We have revolutionized martial arts with full contact sparring and resisting opponents. However, what some schools unknowingly neglect is weapon defense, and not just any old weapon defense, but weapon defense that works and is practiced against resisting opponents.

For starters, I propose that people begin to use painted knives to mark hits while training knife defense. Also, begin with full contact "step" sparring, where an opponent defends against a single random type of knife attack, and then move on to free-sparring against an opponent with a knife.

In addition, knife defense quality in general is lacking. There is debate whether a "wrist lock" type defense would work at all. Many of the classic traditional knife defenses would get you killed. I saw one Tae Kwon Do knife defense against an overhead knife attack that involved falling to the ground and kicking the opponent in the shin. This would without a doubt get you killed.

Next, we have guns. Many people practice these techniques without even knowing that the technique is risky and sometimes outright dangerous. I think that a type of weak airsoft gun could help validate some techniques while practicing.

I think that weapon defense should be taken seriously, weapons are too common on the street and your life may be endangered.

[HtTKar]

We have revolutionized martial arts with full contact sparring and resisting opponents

This is the way it's always been. Only within the last 100yrs have people even thought about point sparrring. Samurai used to practice with wooden swords, and other weapons against resisting opponents. When your life is truly on the line, you dont take shortcuts. Most traditional weapons can be practiced full force while using wooden weapons.

Some wrist lock techniques work. Your wrist can only bend so much. It is easy to put someone on the ground by bending their wrist the right way. I agree with you that it should be more focused on the actual weapon (using painted knifes or permanent markers) than on the wrist itself.

Also, for gun defenses, instead of BB guns. Paintball guns work great. They're just about as heavy as a real gun and hurt like hell to get shot with. The problem here is that many gun defenses focus on breaking the trigger finger. This is easy to do as it gets stuck in the guard. Getting shot at close range with a paintball gun is bearable, but breaking your sparmates fingers while doing a waza is a little overboard. Some techniques just cannot be done properly without breaking bones. Thats the main reason why they use those flexible guns.

Overall, I know where your coming from, and agree completely. Unfortunately most people that take Martial arts do not feel that straying from the idea of combat will get them killed. They take shortcuts to learn some moves, hoping they'll never have to use them.

[aseepish]

If you are in the military or in law enforcement you could use a real firearm converted to fire FX marking cartridges.

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