MJS said:
With some modifications some of the locks and chokes can be applied standing.
On another note, we've been discussing mult. attackers, with defense including clinch work, avoidance, etc. I'd be interested in hearing a bit more on the lines of weapon defense. Stick, knife and gun being the most common three. What principles are used for these weapons?
The gun is a whole animal in itself, and, lets face it, any empty handed system will not be of much help if someone truly wants to plug you. But, with that in mind, there are some principles that we should keep in mind.
1) The gun operates only in a single dimension (and for this reason, is inferior to the blade at close range). Control of the pistol demands control of the articulating hand, not just the arm. This is accomplished by straddling your grip over the wrist to immobilize the hand. A longer range weapon (shotgun, etc.) will likely be held with two hands, hopefully making redirection of the weapon easier.
2) It is unlikely that two hands will be used on the pistol if you're assaulted at close range. So, you have another limb to consider. Weapon fixation is a bad habit, and we must consider all of their weapons, not just the one that goes bang.
3) The line of fire should be kept in mind at all times. Its one thing to divert a pistol out of your way, its another to keep the bullet's trajectory away from your family behind you in addition to your own safety. This boils down to environmental awareness. Diverting the shot to an upward angle behind you is the safest insofar as protecting others is concerned, however this sort of manipulation is only available if the gun is roughly at chest level and close (under fifteen inches from you or so, based on my experience working this sort of defense)
4) Train to minimize the travel time of your arms to the weapon. I've personally tried it multiple times with a partner, using a (very) blank gun at each other's temple or forehead. There's simply not enough time to move before the attacker is aware of it and pulls the trigger. I was plugged numerous times attempting this. Its a little easier if its directly in front of you at chest level. If the gun is pressing into your head, you may use that to your advantage, however. More on that later, perhaps.
5) Its a fantasy to think that you're going to grab a revolver's hammer or a auto's slide in the process of your attack and prevent the pin from hitting the primer. Don't rely on this.
As for the knife:
1) Whether the knife is in a reverse or forward grip, the same control of the articulating wrist is mandatory.
2) In the reverse grip, the knife attacker has a greater capacity for manipulation and trapping, and can generate more physical power per cut. Any lack of control over the wrist will allow him to leverage his way out of hold on your forearm.
3) Disarming should be done by breaks and maiming. Do not attempt to submit and strip - its a fantasy. As an example: from the inside, an overhand break of the elbow may be accomplished from roughly the same motions as a chicken wing from a guard, but on a straight arm - shoot through with a rising elbow to the chin, and come crashing down with your bicep on the top of his elbow. Your arm that is controlling the wrist should be leveraging his arm up and rotating it to expose the joint. Its facilitated if you buckle his height with your knee into his leg. Its a nice and quick break from the inside, I wish I could show you, very difficult to describe.
4) Do not go into it with the thought that you will be cut. The only thing you should be thinking about is killing this human being (if the situation warrants him dying). Yes, you may be cut. But do not get into a cat and mouse game, trying to weave, dodge and avoid - you will likely be diced like sushi. Divert the initial attack and turn the tables. Become the attacker, put him into a state of co-contraction ASAP.
5) Again, do not become weapon fixated. Your attack should be focused on his skeleton, not the knife. Control the knife, keep it in front of you at all times, but attack the person wielding it.
6) Do not clinch. You are serving your throat on a silver platter.
7) Most importantly, know up front circumstances would lead you to hurt, maim, or kill another human being. Know this in terms of your own moral and ethical code, in context with the rules by which your actions will be judged (i.e. the law), and, in my opinion, before you step out of the door armed with the knowledge you possess. Do not deliberate on deadly matters in the middle of a fight.
One last thing on the subject of killing. This is a point of fantasy for many, I believe, and I contend too few take the time to maturely contemplate the implications of a bladed scenario. I will first disclaim that I have never done such a thing, and pray I never have to. But all ethical and moral discussions aside, the human body is very tough and there are very few ways to bring about a quick kill without a weapon. Something my teacher mentioned to me once that stuck with me: nothing is more dangerous than a human in the throngs of death. You remove an eyeball, collapse a trachea, you are putting someone in that state of being, the desperate state of co-contraction. All cards are now on the table, and its not a weekend bar scrap anymore. It may be that their intent wasn't so much to kill you as to just give you a quick stick in the belly so they can grab your wallet and leave you in a fetal position for a likely rescue. Now its different, now they want you 100% D-E-A-D, and if they think they're dying, that is pretty much all they're set on doing. The go bezerk, abondoning any concern for their own safety and ackolwedgement of pain - now you have real issues. Any failure to control the weapon and their body could result in you dying too. Sketchy stuff, this knife business.
I look forward to more input. Not enough time to address multiple assailants right now.
Thanks for reading,
Steven
