Isaac Newton and Knife Defense

Author: Odhinn Kohout

If you have been following along with this training BLOG you will have read previous articles that I posted on how pathways of force (vectors) and triangulation form a symbiotic relationship with one another.

This is not my opinion…it is Newtonian based laws which apply to fighting; “A body in motion remains in motion unless it is acted on by an external force.”

I have posted a small section of a knife defense technique which at first glance seems to be based on the brachial or vagus nerve strike as shown. This is what gets students frustrated in your classes as they try to duplicate the tactic by striking with increasing severity when there is much more going on in the picture.

 

  The weapon arm of the Attacker is being locked by my left arm. But smart students in your class will inevitable ask how is this lock pressure maintained for the duration of the takedown? The variables are:

·         Pressure applied ABOVE the elbow fulcrum

·         Your shoulder pressing down as a base leverage 

·         Hips/weight elevation lowered

·         Wide base to ensure a stable center of gravity and balance

In the second picture, the Attacker’s triangle of balance has been disrupted and my point of impact is the point of this isosceles triangle. If you choose a point further than the triangles tip, the bad-guy may… be able to counter your attempt to varying degrees.

The strike to the side of the neck is what causes the “body to remain in motion” in conjunction with all the other points I have mentioned above. Newton points out that unless there is an external force acting (interfering, countering) on the body, your CQC technique will be successful as it will be an un-interrupted continuous movement.

 As Instructors we see this every class when a simple wrist lock is applied and the person goes with…the vector of force created by the lock down to the ground. Their body understands at an unconscious competence level (see Abraham Maslow’s Theories on this) that to resist this would mean that the wrist fulcrum would break and therefore it follows (remains in motion) the lock to an end state (the ground) to avoid injury.

Take some time in your next class to offer explanations to even simple principles to ensure that comprehension is taking place.

Be safe Guys!