A Modern Approach to Self-Defence: Navigating Knife Attacks
When it comes to self-defence, involuntary reactions play a huge role in how an individual might deal with a given situation. If a person brandishing a knife decides to attack, the initial instinct might be to focus on the knife, often overlooking the fact that the attacker’s grip is equally problematic. This crucial insight was recently highlighted in a video by Hard2Hurt, wherein self-defence expert Icy Mike and his friend Aaron explored the dynamics of defending oneself in a knife attack scenario. The video specifically addressed a scenario which may seem rare to some but bears potential to amplify danger: When an attacker grips you and brandishes a knife simultaneously. Based on their discussion, one’s instinct might be to deal with the knife first, potentially neglecting the grip that sets the basis for the attack. The experts emphasised that dealing with both elements requires a well-thought-out approach without an absolute formula. One powerful revelation from this demonstration was that the specific actions needed in self-defence aren’t always universal. They depend on the attacking individual’s leverage, frame, and specific grip. If, for instance, the attacker has a loose grip, it might be somewhat easier to direct attention towards the knife first. Backup strategies for when the initial attempts fail could involve using one’s own physical power and leveraging body dynamics to escape the grip. However, this also depends on the attacker’s intent and placement, and thus, no single strategy fits all situations. It’s important to note that the intrusive act of grabbing you itself also needs to be addressed, even if instinctively, the attention is drawn towards the threatening knife.The Importance of Training and Practice
This demonstration suggests that effective self-defence requires understanding threat dynamics and switching tactics based on the evolving situation. For instance, if an initial block or move fails, one needs to be ready with a secondary move. The capacity to dynamically change the approach and react promptly can largely be developed through practice and training. One of the most fundamental things to remember in self-defence, according to the experts on Hard2Hurt, is to truly commit to whatever action one opts for. If the plan is to run, for instance, one must make a full attempt to make that happen, employing as much force as necessary to escape the grip. As experts Icy Mike and Aaron reveal, understanding the interplay of grip and knife in such attacks can be a potential lifesaver, teaching one to shift focus between the two elements dynamically while aiming to escape. Their video not only provides practical advice but also underscores the importance of training and practice, acknowledging that effective self-defence isn’t just about strategy but more importantly, about adeptness at executing these strategies spatially and temporally. However, it bears repeating that one should always prioritize de-escalation, avoidance, and escape in any dangerous situation whenever possible. Self-defence techniques, though crucial, should be viewed as the last line of defence when confronted with real-life threats. Always remember, the best fight is the one you can avoid.Blablabla
Hard2Hurt is a popular YouTube channel run by Icy Mike. He shares content focused on self-defense, martial arts and fitness training while incorporating a sense of humor. Icy Mike utilizes his practical experience, insight and wit to make personal safety accessible and entertaining for his viewers. His channel is highly enjoyable and instructional.
Self-Defence Block
I love how twice during the live demos, mike tried to throw a monkey wrench, and Aaron was sooooo ready for it. He reacted immediately both times and showed how to counter the counter. that's how you know what they're doing is real. You don't see other people do demos where the attacker actively tries to throw monkey wrenches into the demo without the instructor knowing about it, and the instructor being able to go with the flow and still win the interaction.
I haven't trained in techniques as much as I should. The Wing Chun philosophy would be catch the elbow then catch the wrist. Control the weapon at all cost. When you catch the elbow for above the elbow it slows down the wrist enough you can catch it. As soon as you catch the elbow you need to push in to the opponent as hard as you can with that hand on the elbow, while you were catching the wrist with the other hand and then moving your hand down the limb to control the weapon. If you catch his wrist and he tries to pull out of your grip push. If he has a grip on your shoulder like that and tries to pull his hand back and you push he is likely to fall. If he turns losing your shoulder rotate around and put your butt against him and pull that knife forward past you so he can't pull it back and get another stab. I agree to be totally committed to something and not trying to do two things at once real poorly. If you commit to that spin move, grab the hand on your chest or shoulder, use the other hand to try and hyperextend the elbow, if you can escape and you actually can run faster than the guy who was going to try to stab you in the back while you're running away that would be a good time to turn loose of everything like the hand on your shirt and
I would like to know if either of you have ever been in a knife fight, especially in a bar where there are multiple people around. You're going to be crashing into people, some might intervene some might not. It's going to be dark so you might not even see the blade, especially if it's black. Half the time the person robbing you isn't going to ask you to give up the money, they're just going to go right for the jugular and leave you there to die. Do people actually pay money for this shit? If somebody pulls a knife on you and you can see it, then you pull out a gun and send them to water the grass. You don't fuck around with trapping your hands or arms. Either throw some other gimp in the line of fire and run, or shoot the person. There is no third option.
"when somebody throws on a 'collar tie'" WHO IN GOD'S NAME DOES THAT?
Damn this is good stuff. Glad I found this channel. We always teach in Classic Krav Maga here that you either do one thing right of many things half assed. That's why it's always block, then action. Never block and action the same time. Always better to give your 100% on one thing and then switch to another.
Just as important as controlling the knife is a punch in the face. Disrupt decision making, he might even drop the knife if you hit him hard enough.
My thoughts on this: 1. immediately break one's grab regardless if you see a weapon in his other hand or not. 2. Move your body in line with the force of the grabbing arm in order to dissolve it: if he pulls, push yourself and defend against the knife; if he pushes, pull yourself and attack the grabbing arm.
You two are so funny together. Can this guy be a regular guest on your channel?
Thank you guys! I'm planning a trip to the UK next week and this was really helpful.
Stupid ideas
Too much clowning around.
It’s mostly good advice, the guy is right, it depends, but it’s definitely not as easy and clear cut as he demonstrates, if it wasn’t a fake knife he woulda took a couple stabs
8:01
That snap down caught me of guard 😂😂
I see your semi solid training and technique. But ive trained with knives my whole life and ive sparred with a navy seal and a army ranger who is a 6th degree black belt. They tried these styles but what your system doesn't teach is what if a real knife fighter leads with the knife. Or he's holding his knife in front of him. That's the flaw that's how i beat the seal and ranger sparring and i tore the rangers arm muscles up while he was trying some Karate junk. Please show a video of what you would do if a guy leads with his knife. I'm a native guy and I've trained with knives, tomahawks, and the spear, along with the bow and arrow. These videos are helpful but often only feasible if you're not trained or skillful in fighting. Bcz never underestimate your opponent.
people with knifes don`t usally grab.
my late silat guru tought me for this circumstances is to give reaction to the first movement, once your opponent first move try grab your clothes.
so we steal the start.
Hey.. there was a stabbing today in hongkong
That crazy guy just stabbed a women from behind in the mall , stabbed for 40+ times…..😢two ladies were killed eventually
Go check it and i reli wish u two could make a vid abt how to survive in that situation
pressure test please
The arm with the knife is ALWAYS TOP PRIORITY. Because that arm could kill you in a second.
Thank you, I can now successfully deal with the little shits on my bus that threatend to stabby stab me with poky sticks
Smart ass question from the peanut gallery: Are there good techniques on handling hoodies? I noticed a lot of crooks wear hoodies. Seems like a lot of control potential with those.
That´s why knifes are so damn dangerous. They are just as lethal as a firearm but miss the range. They can be deployed in a split second and kill you instantly. Takes just a kitchen knife for 10$.
The most important thing to me from the Wing Chun concepts is I can move forward better than you can move back wards. If he has the collar tie on you and you catch that knife with both hands you should instantly be driving that knife backwards as far as you can so that he can pull it out of your hands you still got control but he's at the back of his stroke and while you're doing that you should be pushing as hard as you can on that hand backwards and pushing in him as hard as you can try and unbalance and make him walk backwards pushing on the street pushing a car out of the wall. The idea is when the knife is forward and you can catch it, you will instinctively pulled back and you want to stay with that motion when he's pulling back push because you're pushing that hand far enough back he can't keep pulling it away from you and get away from. I trains techniques a little bit but I also try to train mindset. One of the things I've got going on in my mind all the time is control the weapon at all cost control the weapon at all costs. The other thing I've got in mind is that person touches me and begins to move back wards I'm here and screaming push push push push push. It's not as good as training hard like Mike does but getting your mind right is most of it.
Before the internet came out martial arts had a few experts world wide mostly real masters that trained for 30 -50 years from well known lineage and or combat teachers. These days everyone with vocals cords and a your tube channel is an expert. This entire video is cookie cutter that is seen in today's world….the guy talks ( mostly BS ) for the entire video and shows nothing tangible really. In today's world these types of people are nothing but showman and good presenters on stage. I am a retire Seal and I dont perfest to know everything. But I have been in knife fights and almost died during them and trained by forces people that have. This guy knows nothing but to hear his own voice and sound great doing it. Until one day he is faced with someone that is crazy that knows how to move with a knife. Then he will be dead. The internet is full of these wanna bee masters…most of which are not even old enough to shave.I…its typical of today's world and nsanity.