Martina Sprague

Knife Defense Basics Martina Sprague

The Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series gives the martial arts interested person a solid background on the importance of the knife as a combat weapon, inspires the reader about the benefits of knife training, and provides detailed step-by-step instruction in how to manipulate and defend against a knife with speed, proficiency, and confidence. Almost any martial art, traditional or modern, can be adapted to knife offense and defense without changing the basic principles of the art. Since the knife is a relatively small and lightweight weapon, many of the same moves and movement patterns you use in your empty-hand art are easily transferable to your knife techniques, and vice versa. The practical lessons you learn by adding knife training to your arsenal include quick reaction skills, physical and mental control, footwork and evasion tactics, distance control, and target precision. Knife training gives you a decided physical and mental edge and opens new dimensions that will deepen your understanding of the martial arts. Knife Defense Basics, the sixth book in the series, covers basic knife defense principles, how to recognize a threat and prepare a defense, the importance of seizing the initiative and counterstriking, superior positioning along with an analysis of safety in distance versus closeness, and a number of blocking, deflection, and countering exercises. It ends with a discussion of different types of threats and how to choose a training method that is right for you. Approximately a dozen titles will be published in the Knife Training Methods and Techniques for Martial Artists series over the coming year. Look for several more titles in the near future.