Ground Knife Defense

Ground knife defense is a neglected area of training. In fact in all the countless martial arts academies I have been to I have hardly seen anyone deal with this. (one notable exception is Hock Hochheim) I have seen some amazing Brazilian jujitsu and submission wrestling but these are usually taught as sports without taking street situations into account.

Training the SWAT team in Indiana

When I am on the ground there are many things I need to be aware of;

The assailant might have friends around,

There might be dangerous litter, such as broken glass or stones, on the pavement (rather than the comfortable mats of the gym) The assailant might have a knife hidden on his person

I want to address this last point; a hidden knife

Being aware that the assailant might have a hidden knife changes my whole strategy, I must constantly be on guard against that potential knife; where might he be hiding it? Any hand movement could be his attempt to reach towards that knife.

1. Justin, in between my legs, raises a knife to stab me

2. I block Justin's knife arm with a powerful "dead arm" strike, and my fingers go into his eyes

3. My left leg pushes the bicep of his knife arm while my left arm pulls his hand, I rotate him to my left

4. I am rotating him to my left, getting him off of me.

5. Continue rotation.

6. I am on top and in control.

Prevent the Knife Attack

If you are in the guard position (bottom man) close your legs around him tightly, trapping his (potential) hidden knife.

Should he try to reach for it, it will prove difficult.

First, he will find it difficult to get his knife out since you are squeezing your legs on it. Also, while he is attempting to get to it, you can attack him in the face, gouge his eyes, etc.

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