After another successful knife seminar, it is important to realise the importance of knife work within the context of self defence. According to the British Crime Survey, 20% of all violent crime is with a weapon. Earlier this year a teenager was stabbed and killed in a gang attack at Victoria station, two minutes from our club. The risk of becoming a victim of a crime is about 1 in 4 people and knife crime is on the rise.

Bushin does knife work at a more advanced level, but the techniques are structured so that knife defence is an extension of even the most basic open hand work. The system utilises angles of attack, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s a punch, knife or stick, the defence is pretty much the same, with some minor modifications with footwork and bodywork.

The most important thing is distance and timing. You have to understand how the fighting zone distance changes with a knife and you usually have to keep a greater distance and incorporate larger movements. Unlike a stick, being in close does not mean being safer against a knife. Timing is paramount. It’s vital to pick the right timing to execute a technique. You have to keep your wits about you, have fast hands, fast feet and be explosive.

There are many things you can do with a knife attack: block, strip, trap, throw, break. However, the basics are more important and have to get the blocks right first. When blocking you need to have hard forearms but soft hands. Guard, defend and then catch. It is very important to get a hand on the offending arm, keep hold and counter. Remember, if the knife is on you, it’s not in you. So, even when countering make sure you still have control.

Finally, one thing I’ve learnt about knives over the years: its 70% confidence, 20% distance and timing and 10% technique….conviction with your defence is vital and the more you practise, the more confidence you have!