Waving The Syringe -- And the Point Is ... (Pun Intended)
Do you remember my comments from other articles about not waving your knife around in front of you, the way you see in the movies?
Well, Eric Duncan seems to agree with me. Eric is a long-time subscriber of MAM. We have never met in person, since he lives on the other side of the country, but I have come to respect a fair percentage of what he says.
As I said, Eric agrees with me about not waving the knife. Here's what he wrote me the other day about one time when he was working in his office with a criminal suspect. In Eric's own words ...
Several years ago (more than 10) I was in my office. An 8 ft X 15 ft room under the stairs. With a shoplifter who was a robbery and murder suspect, and was considered armed and dangerous. Oh yeah he was also a heroine addict.
I came into the office not knowing all of the circumstances of his apprehension. I sat down at my paper filled desk and began to collect information from him. Everyone one else left the room, closing the door behind us.
After gathering the info. I phoned the local P.D. speaking with dispatch who questioned me as to the reasons for us detaining the subject. She queried as to his demeanor which was apathetic, and non combative while questioning. When I said this too the dispatcher I noticed his hand reaching for something on my desk.
I jumped to my feet and he attempted at an assault with an overhead hatchet type movement with the syringe ( that was full of heroine). I stepped to the side due to the fact I could not retreat because my back was against the wall.
Missing he stepped back and began and began waving the syringe around and making stabbing motions in my direction. As the secondary wave of the syringe passed by, I was able to pin his arm at the elbow to his stomach and step around him blocking his way to the exit.
This time allowing me to place an arm lock with a bent wrist to his attacking arm.
I swept him and took him face down to the floor. The suspect still having the syringe full of heroine in his hand was attempting to jab it into my hand. I placed a hammer lock (or chicken wing) on him and stuck my knee to the back of his neck and began pounding on his shoulder to try to get him to let go.
About this time some Motor Officers of whom I did not know, kicked the door with guns drawn with me on top of the suspect.
I exclaimed, "I'm the good guy!" As I looked down the suspect was jabbing the needle into his buttocks and taking his last hit, for some time to come. The thing is I never really thought about was that,that dose of heroine bing that I am not a user. Would have killed me, but even if I lived through the injection.
I would have probably been infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
For the direction of this exercise, the only reason that I was able to really control the suspect and disarm him was because he waved the syringe at me and allowed me to find his rhythm, then disarm him. If his attacks had been simple and direct or complex direct, I would probably be a heroine addict myself; or dead.
Readers who enjoyed the above article also liked the following article:
Martial artists who think that they can use their regular moves from their styles in a knife fight, just won't have a chance.
I am not trying to be mean, just honest.
Knife against knife is a whole different kettle of fish from an empty-hand attack. You need an efficient, automatic way to respond. Here's the answer ...
Read More about 10 Days to Better Knife Fighting ...
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