Here is my perspective on Knife defense with Taekwondo skills. This is not to put mine above anyone elses - - it's just a different point of view. Sorry if it is too long, but it is the only way I can properly cover such a serious topic.
First, I must comment on what Taekwondo is. I have read alot where people say Taekwondo is this or that, or doesn't contain this or that. I want to point out that there are three main interpretations of Taekwondo.
First, there is the pinning of "Taekwon-do" to the late General Choi Hong Hi for his submitting the name at the session for "renaming" Korean Martial art in 1955. He did a lot to spread his version of Oh Do Kwan ("Gym of my way") doing things his way,through the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF). An admirable life commited to teaching "his way."
Second, there are the watered down versions of schools that primarily focus on sport, or fitness, and remove much of the self defense. Some people say "the majority" of TKD schools, however I wonder if they mean the majority of the 372 schools they have visited in their country, or world wide. How many thousands of Taekwondo schools have they not seen? In the U.S., the "bad" Taekwondo schools were rampant in the '80s and '90s but things are being turned around in my observation.
The third interpretation of Taekwondo is the one that I am involved with. Teaching all of Korea's historical aspects of their native Marital Art under the umbrella title of Taekwondo. This includes Hapkido, Hoshinsul, Yudo, and a variety of other Korean names. Some have chosen to teach these outside of the "Taekwondo" label which is fine, but that does not remove them from the original intent of the Korean Government to unify ALL of their native training under one heading in 1955.
That being said - - Yes, there is most definately knife defense skills in "traditional Taekwondo." I trained against knife attacks as a student from my instructor whose lineage goes back to Korea to infinite generations of Masters. As a Master Instructor myself, I have worked with Grandmasters in recent times who share their knowledge, so it comes from a variety of sources.
Mannie said:
As most of you have stated, Tae Kwon Do doesnt have an edge weapon curriculum or if it does its one that the instructor is unsure of its confidence in using it in a self preservation situation.
I find this strange as Tae Kwon Do is a Self-Defense system promoting self-defense but turns a blind eye to one of the most used, feared and on the increase weapons of choice for attacks in past, present and future times.
Do you think Masters of Subak, Taekyon, Hwarang-do, and Hapkido, etc. never trained on how to fight against knives, and never actually fought in real life against armed attackers? Yes they did.
Whether a person is confident in those skills is up to that person and their level of training. Training does help. Proper training improves your chances of survival - which is the objective. In my belief, the knife is not the most used and feared. The gun is far more deadly and used in drive by shootings, gang fights, and armed robberies every day.
Against a knife, there are two main scenarios. If you see the attacker and the weapon, or you don't. If they stick you before you see them, or slash your throat from behind - you lose. Keeping alert, there are some things you can do against a surprise attack, but most of what is being discussed here is face to face.
I won't give away all my tactics here, otherwise the bad guys will learn, and know how to avoid my defenses. I have my own "Golden Rules" about knife defense. There are just three.
1. Don't get cut.
2. Don't do anything foolish.
3. Make sure what you do works, and if not, see rules number 1 and 2.
I have used Taekwondo against weapons in the street. I have removed knives by kicking the weapon out of the hand (it really does work if you train a lot, and know when and how to do it). I have stripped weapons after controlling the arm, and if done correctly, there is no way they can still cut you. Knife defense is a big risk, as others have said. You might get knicked or worse. However, if you have a choice - - run!!!. If not, you must do the best you have trained for.
The suggestion of using markers in training to represent knives is a bit of an indication, but the reality is that one of the first moves will be to seriously injur my attacker. In class, your training helps, but it is playing a game. In real life, your classroom skills have to be applied at the highest level. Train for it, and it will likely work. Crime statistics show that many victims of knife attacks suffer multiple "defensive wounds" around the hands, then forearms, and non-vital body areas before the deadly cuts are inflicted.
If a person knows what to do, they might get cut once or twice, but they should be able to defeat the attacker during those initial strikes and survive. Using a coat or piece of clothing to cover the weapon, a chair, and hadfull of dirt (or pocket change as mentioned) are ways to distract or prevent getting cut. Waiting until the attacker lunges and makes themselves vulnerable , and then countering is sometimes better than going after them.
Finally, I would like to respond to the "jujutsu" comment. There is no such thing as "too close for Taekwondo." This is a misconception by those who don't know what we can do. I can stand within an inch of you, or you can grab me and I can strike with any weapon, including kicks, then I can use the throwing and grappling aspects of Taekwondo. Jujutsu is fine for those who study that, but genuine Taekwondo includes striking, throwing, and holding, and I can strike from any range.
This is my humble opinion from my own experience. Thanks.
Sr. Master Eisenhart
