Oss everyone!
At Winelands JKA we teach the art of Karate-do. The word “karate” meaning “empty hand” and “do” meaning “way”. Karate-Do can thus be translated (very simply) to “The Empty Hand Way”. It is not simply the developing of one’s body into a weapon in itself, but the word “way” brings a much deeper interpretation to the phrase. In karate we learn how to defend ourselves without the need to use weapons, but also not to pursue a way of violence. We do however train to administer “one killing blow” (to end a fight quickly and effectively) when we need to defend ourselves or others. Often, self-defence is necessary against the greatest of odds.
Winelands JKA recently held a knife self-defence workshop with Sensei Willie Landman (5th Dan) showing our karate-ka the ropes on how to defend against knife attackers. Sensei Willie used to run the SA Police Service martial arts division and trained our police force in the same techniques illustrated at the workshop. Important things to remember when being confronted by a knife attacker:
- Distance is your friend! If you (and whoever you are protecting) can get away from the attacker, this should be your first course of action. It is not worth the possible injuries (or worse…) to engage if you can avoid it.
- If getting away is not an option, one needs to act quickly and with great accuracy. If you are not trained in a martial art or self-defence, a stick/baton can be used to hit the attacker’s hand as hard as possible. The hand is full of small bones and a hard knock can make it difficult for the attacker to hold a knife. If there is no such item close by, take any piece of cloth and wrap it around your blocking forearm. Knives cut more difficultly through cloth than bare skin.
- Do not leave time for the attacker to attack multiple times. Try to block and strike simultaneously with as much power as you can muster.
Here are some photos of our students learning some techniques that could be applied. Lots of fun was had, but also a lot of insights and appreciation gained for proper self-defence against knife attackers.
Oss!
