Incorporating the Reactive and Conditioned responses with Targeting in Knife Defense

Author: Odhinn Kohout

The body will instinctively raise both hands in front of the face in response to a sudden attack as a protection mechanism for the central nervous system. Although this is an essential aspect to explaining natural body mechanics at work to your students, it should be taken an additional step and used as a strike rather than purely a defensive response. Through testing this with your Instructors you will find that the inside of the forearm (Median Nerve) and outside (Radial) can produce a disarm when struck with enough force. The key is what is enough force?…as it is a variable dependent on the mass and strength of each individual.

Changing the Reactive response to a Conditioned (autonomic movement) requires a great deal of training and unfortunately this is no quick fix or gimmick that can change this. The members of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) have understood and implemented this for many years as part of their combat readiness workup training. The use of “good ol’ fashioned hard work” is invaluable in producing the desired performance and cognitive reasoning under extreme event stress.

For this topic, the forward motion of the arm as it travels in a path (vector of force) towards you either as a fist or holding an edged weapon will be briefly examined. The rotational axis of the shoulder joint (360) is not the initial problem from the first stab or thrust. The hips cause the arm to move forward first followed by the shoulder and then the extension of the arm when viewed as a series of interconnective fulcrums and levers.

Striking the front delt (particularly the space between the Pectoral) ASSISTS in slowing the arm down and affecting the Brachial Plexus nerve bundle. The flinch reflexive will also usually angle the hand position so that the ridge (pinky finger) is facing forward slightly concentrating the impact on a smaller surface area of your hand producing better penetration to the nerve bundle. With both of your arms extended (refer to picture) you can multiple this effect as the bones as locked in place along a straight line instead of bending at the elbow.( Accurate shot placement when firing a handgun is dependent to a large degree on the lockout and full extension of the arms.)

 

  

From this full extension of the arms two target areas can be practiced until the desired muscle memory has been achieved. The second target being the head of the bicep muscle which contains the lesser known Musculocutaneous Nerve. Striking this point also assists in slowing the arm down and can cause considerable pain and momentary numbness on some (everyone has a different pain tolerance) people. 

Used together, both strikes can impact the Attackers initial response and briefly create a reactionary gap. When it comes to knife defense every second gained is one where you are not being cut…

Be safe Guys!

Edged Weapon Defense-“Marking Knives”

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Validating your training is crucial when designing a reality based training (RBT) program. Through the use of marking knifes you now have a means for quantitative and qualitative analysis. Our training deals with anatomical vital points that are susceptible to either a stab or a slash. To ensure learning theory within your class and to test comprehension of your students, a marking knife enables the Instructor cadre to not only provide proof as to the success or need for remedial training but a scientific basis to take “opinion” out of the equation.

  

 If your student has a red line across a major arterial path it becomes difficult for them to say that the technique was done correctly. Training is inherently subjective particularly when the student has a great deal of experience that they are drawing from to form a conclusion about a curriculum.  If the Instructor can provide evidence through their demonstrations it will encourage the student to use evidentiary reasoning as opposed to staunchly sticking to a long held belief.

The fear of being cut is a primal one and often not addressed when teaching knife defense. In a static training environment there are little variables which impact the psyche of the student. Their heart-rate is low and their demeanor outwardly calm. Making them do pushups before you start the exercise in an attempt to mirror the effects of the sympathetic nervous system is a surface level solution at best and does not address the chaos of fear which can overwhelm the Officer and take away his ability to react efficiently.

Combining rigorous practicing (high repetitions) and pre-testing in conjunction with scenarios (open)in which marking knives will define the actions of the student and ultimately the outcome, is one of the means to affectively cultivate the offensive mindset in your Officers.

Be safe Guys

Figure-4(Chicken Wing) Throw: Creating a Reactionary Gap

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Attacks from behind can be tricky mostly due to the fact that you have been completely caught by surprise and there could be an elevated “fear” state which impacts your decisions (response time) and motor-function.

I am providing you with one possible solution using an inverted figure-4 (chicken wing) from the back. You will notice that instead of using the tactics for arrest/control or to submit the Attacker I am using it to throw him.

   

This lock places the pressure completely on the shoulder socket/rotator cuff and also creates a large opening on the side of the lock to use your knee to strike him to the external cutaneous nerve bundle( on the side of the leg facing you) or alternatively the floating ribs, liver etc.

In practice…Do not be “that Guy” and apply this hard to your partner. Leave your ego at home and practice slowly and with 100% commitment to protecting each other during training. Rotator cuffs do care about how tough you are or your ability to “suck it up.” They tear easily with the proper base leverage applied and in this technique the shoulder socket is in fact the fulcrum point for the throw. The vector of force multiplied by some of your weight and his, will cause an injury that will need surgery to repair. I cannot stress this enough…

Train smart Guys!

Stockade Takedowns: 1/2 Nelson

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Continuing on this week with our series on “Stockades”, I am providing you with a brief description of our ½ Nelson Takedown.

For those of you in the Military this will work really well with a one point sling attached to your carbine. 3 point slings can get hung up, but practice with your own setup to find what works for you.

Few key points:

1.       If you are a gun-fighter, this will keep you in the fight

2.       Gives a non-lethal entry to access bad-guys intent 

3.       Addresses mobility issues (Works with plates and exterior Molly loaded up with your kit)

4.        Designed for restrictive spaces

5.       Creates a reactionary gap

6.       Gross motor skill based movement

7.       Makes bad-guy orient into the arch of fire if he tries to rush you off the ground

8.       Provides a quick shield for multi-attackers

9.       Transitional tactic for weapon accessibility or empty hands

10.  Uses momentum and not arm strength (you may be wounded or exhausted)

This could be off a gun grab, punch, stab etc.

  

Step off 12 o’clock and not backward. You may be stepping back off a curb into traffic or off a cliff if you are deployed in an unfamiliar environment.

Pull his arm forward (with RH in picture) and use you LH to tuck under his R Armpit land-marking on the back of his neck.

Don’t push his head downward…it won’t work and he will fight this movement.

Instead just tuck his under his R Armpit as you continue to pull his arm downward on a 45 deg angle. Be careful in training that you do tear out each other rotator cuffs as this tactic can create a spiral type of shearing effect pulling the tendons and supporting tissues from the bone.

Be safe, and stay in the fight Guys!

Stockade Positions ( ¾ Nelson Throw)

Author: Odhinn Kohout

Creating a reactionary gap from restrictive spaces is one of the most important principles that we teach in our system. This principle is sometimes presented in far too simplistic terms that have little relevance to any practical application. The old “create space” mantra from you and the Attacker heard in most training classes ASSUMES that space is a readily available commodity when in fact it is often in short supply.

 

  

In the picture I have shown a position based on stepping off the 12 o’clock (relative to your position to the Attacker) and securing him with a ¾ Nelson created from an over and under position. 

Your shoulder can be used to drive under his armpit to assist with the initial momentum of the movement.

Notice that this technique is not subject to mobility restrictions and can easily be performed wearing plates and kit. This also provides transitional speed when accessing other weapon systems post throw.

Be safe Gentlemen!