Krav Maga Yashir Boston - Knife Threats & Attacks
Krav Maga Solutions to Knives & Bladed Weapons Attacks
FBI statistics show that statistically more people survive being shot than they do being stabbed with a knife. It is important to note that there is a huge difference between being slashed with a blade and being stabbed with one. Whilst being slashed with a box-cutter/Stanley-Blade (one of the more common types of knives used in knife attacks) may maim or injure, unless it hits a major artery – more by luck than design – it is unlikely that the attack will result in a fatality. However, if somebody makes a stabbing/shanking attack to the stomach area, using a fixed bladed knife, the chances of hitting a major organ increase significantly. Such attacks are often characterized by repeated attacks, with the knife going back and forth like a sewing machine needle. Such multiple stab wounds, which are relatively large, are more likely to cause a person to bleed out than a single gunshot. Also, with a firearm an aggressor is more likely to be at a distance when they can recognize that the person they are dealing with is no longer a “threat” to them when they shoot. With a knife attack, which happens up close and personal the individual with the knife may feel that they are still in imminent danger, after making their initial stab/attack, and not experience the result of it, and so feel the need to keep attacking etc. Firearm injuries tend to be precise and localized, with stabbing attacks being more frenzied and general; many multiple wounds versus a single specific one.
The intent between a slash and a stab is also different, despite Krav Maga treating them mechanically as the same i.e., Krav Maga techniques/defenses are based on reacting to a movement rather than the “nature” of an attack (a circular stab is dealt with the same as a circular slash because the movement follows the same arc etc.). When somebody makes a slashing attack, unless they are trained and going for a specific artery etc., the attack is likely to indicate somebody who is looking to maim/injure, which is why single slashes to the face are the most common knife attacks. Stabbing shows an intent to kill or eliminate the other person. It may not be that this was a person’s intent at the start of the fight/confrontation, but as it unfolds and they lose confidence in their ability to end it successfully, they move emotionally to a place where they feel that this is their only option. This means that you can become a victim of your own success e.g., if you are dominating an aggressor they may feel “compelled” to either draw a knife, or if it is drawn move to stabbing rather than slashing attacks etc. This is one of the reasons why attempting to end any violent confrontation is so important i.e., you don’t want to escalate it by prolonging it etc.
Krav Maga takes a simple and direct approach to dealing with knives and bladed weapons attacks, which is to attempt to control and restrict the movement of the weapon arm; if the knife can’t move it can’t cut, slash or stab etc. Often simply gaining control creates an opportunity to disengage safely, possibly after delivering some combatives (strikes, punches, knees and kicks etc.), to disable and incapacitate the attacker etc. Whilst disarming is taught, it’s not taught as a default solution i.e., getting away is more important than getting away with the knife. If you would like to learn more and experience Krav Maga’s solutions to knife attacks, you can attend one of our beginner’s Krav Maga classes located just North of Boston, by registering using the button below.
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