KNIFE COACH:

The type of guard of that the knife fighter must take is done in relativity to what he is seeking to accomplish. In all ways deception plays a large role in good knife work. There is an old saying that goes thusly: "There are no primary attacks in knife fighting". This is because it's rather easy to take out a single attack, it's too predictable. So ALL attacks must be deceptions in order for them to work. Physical speed and aggression are not sufficient when duelling with a trained adversary.

Guard position isn't just something you simply do. I've seen many a man strike a fierce pose, a grimace on his face. And not have a clue as to why he's even doing it. Perhaps too many movies. You see each "on guard position" you are taught to assume has a vital purpose. Some guard configurations are meant solely for long range fighting methods, a one handed method similar to fencing. Other guard types are for close quarters. At CQB range the guard involves the use of both hands. The well honed fighter may employ a guard which might induce an attack by baiting and then use a secondary deception to make the true-blow strike home. This method is called a "layering strategy" or a more simply a "play".

The location (position) of the "live hand" (the non-weapon bearing limb) is also something to take into consideration. It can provide cover, distraction and threat. Timing is your friend when deploying live hand tactics. It's placement and actions effect your balance and the level of speed which you may use in defending yourself. Your guard involves not only your weapon hand, but both hands! The sophistication of the live hand and a well honed sense of timing are huge factor's in achieving the victorious outcome which you so desperately desire. In a game where life and death are ever present, winning is truly everything! Use every means at your disposal to accomplish your ends.

Any guard (when perceived properly) can be explained simply enough by calling it a "target denial" system. This concept allows you steer the opponent into the lines you choose to play rather than allowing him to force his available lines of combat upon you. It is a subtle way to control another person with out really even touching them. When you strike a guard position know the difference between posing a ruse, offering the edge or giving threat (which always originates with point). Know your different guards and their purposes. There are several guards you know? It really depends on who you ask, but you must know the general idea behind each guard. Know their limitations too. Know when and where to use them in conjunction with your parries, strikes and repostes. Look into the feints available to you from each of the eight planes of movement that your guard will encompass. Protect yourself, threaten them, trick them, adroitly execute your strategy and take the victory!

You must take into consideration the type of knife you are using. Be able to perceive the true purpose of it's design and usage by merely touching the weapon (holding it). This is the task I set before you. Simply hold the knife lightly in your hand. Close your eye's and sincerely be still. Breathe slowly and regularly for approximately three breaths. Now, after holding the knife for a few moments allow your intuition and senses to guide you as to it's usage (aplications) most suited to it's design, weight and overall composition. Remember this sort of ability is also a part of your greater skill base as a man living in these unusual times of ours. Not all skill is physically based, skill spans a variety of abilities that are vital for your overall, general survival. Sometimes things get accomplished by vigorous, robust direct action and other times in life things can be done through silence and sensitivity. Learn both paths, use each accordingly as life and situation dictates.

May I pose a quad of questions to you at this point in our session? OK, thank you, so here I go -
ONE: Design? / Is the knife you are currently carrying (your EDC) a folding knife or is it a fixed blade?
TWO: Tool or weapon? /  Is it single or double edged unit?
THREE: Synthetic or natural? / Is the handle (the grip) a man made material (micarta, aluminum, titanium, etc)
or is the handle made from a natural substance (wood, bone, leather)?
FOUR: Deployment? / How do you normally carry the knife (in pocket, w/ a clip, a sheath on hip or around neck, etc)?

I ask these questions because each answer you may give me is then used to further define how you should fight, what techniques may be best suited for you, what areas need improving upon and much more. This is my purpose (job) as a coach in the field of edged weapons. If I am not directly available to assist you, then yes... YOU must do it for yourself. Acting as your own coach you can and will find the optimum elements for your own personal defensive knife needs. Trial and error, research & development and a lot belief in the self (that's you) will lead you to the doorstep of truth in a short time.

Once this data has been gathered, defined and further refined we can then again return to our study of the knife man's fighting guard (the wards). A guard of any configuration can comprise many elements - deception, lure, alignment for attack or positioning for defense, threat of cut, threat of thrust or even no threat at all! Since this is not a difficult thing we can easily say that generally there is high line and a low line level of awareness, followed by left and right sided level of awareness.

I know, I know what you must be thinking at this point, but please do not make it more difficult than it really is! (Yes dear friend, we COULD go into great lengths about inside and outside lines, high and low lines, use French, Chinese or Japanese terms to describe simple movements, offer up tricks of terrain and much, much more! But to what avail?) I implore you to think broadly and give up self limiting prejudices that might subtly subdue your real potential as a knife man. Give up cultural preferences, give up racial bias, give up on styles and secret masters. Simply study (and realize) the true basis of all of this material which we all so diligently pursue is just human motion, dynamic human motion. Nothing more, nothing less. Whether it be dance, sports, martial arts or manual labor in your own garden, it really is all about human motion. Study HUMAN MOTION to an extreme degree, thoroughly understand it and then thoroughly exploit it! This is my recommendation. This somewhat minor "realization" is one of the great key's to self mastery and to overall mastery of all tools and all weapons believe it or not. So c'mon amigo free your mind and see the truth that looms before you.

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In the study of edged weapons there can be a found a certain disturbing "zealousness" which can be detrimental to the overall growth. It is to be strictly avoided. It is not a true study, but rather a morbid excursion into fantasy much like a role playing game. I have a saying for that peculiar condition, it goes thus: "The glint of the sun off of the blade can blind us to certain truths. Learn to see deeply into things and to not be distracted by neither the sun nor the reflections of reality which are cast by the power of the blade".

See some of this demonstrated on Youtube KNIFE COACH 1.

Session # 1
TM