Military: Ground-Combatives against the Blade

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Ground combatives has become an integral aspect of Military CQC over the last 10 years with Jiu-Jitsu specifically being used as a template. I have worked with many Military personnel over the years and noticed that knives are never introduced into their ground training. I find this a little perplexing as most places that Soldiers are deployed are knife cultures historically. It would stand to reason than, that a Soldier's Attacker would probably go to some sort of knife as a secondary weapon should his firearm go out of battery or run out of ammo etc. 

 

Things to remember:

Don’t wrap your legs around your attacker on the ground in a “Guard” position as it will expose your femoral arteries to a knife.

Placing one of your feet on the bad- guys’ hip in order to push back will create a reactionary gap even if it is for a second. Each second after all counts…

Your methods for defending slashes and stabs should mirror your approach from a standing position. I.E. Inside and outside blocks, strikes, locks and arm control. Don’t have a completely different way of fighting on the ground or it will be difficult to remember in a critical incident.

Get away from the central of 12 o’clock position making you in line with your enemy’s attacks. Offensive tactics that you employ should be left or right of center.

Use a shin to block his forward motion and to keep distance. This will also expose a holster for easy access making it easier to transition to a secondary weapon such as a pistol.

There are a whole host of arm breaks which you can use from your back and your hips can be added as leverage for these type of joint locks.

Use elbow strikes if your Attacker tries to pin your arms to the ground by holding you down by your biceps. Remember that your arm has three distinct fulcrum points. The shoulder, elbow and wrist. Experiment with these in your next class as counter measures.

Sweeps are crucial to survival. Your legs are much bigger than your arms so learn to use them to change the direction of your opponent. When a knife is involved the longer that you remain on the ground lessens your chances of surviving the attack.

Get back up to your feet as quickly as possible. Your ground training should ultimately lead to an escape position which results in you getting back in the fight from a standing position and going to carbine.

Be safe Gentlemen!