KerwinBenson.com Hidden Gems of Martial Arts

Over 75% of the martial artists out there would lose if they were ever attacked with a knife! Get that? Over 75%.

Why?

Because they aren't thinking outside of the box. You have heard the term -- it refers to looking at a situation from a perspective not in the normal thought processes. Most people can only view the problem from within their own paradigm.

Huh?

Applied to self defense, it means that a lot of techniques wouldn't work in a real emergency situation.

The majority of martial artists practice their knife self defense against others in their same style or system. You have shotokan practicing against shotokan, white eyebrow practicing again white eyebrow, tang soo do against tang soo do, etc....

If these folks ever get attacked, their defense techniques probably won't go as planned. They are fighting someone out of their frame of reference.

There is a great word in the English language. It's 'verisimilitude.'

[no don't hit the back button, yet]

It's not that complicated. It just means having the appearance of truth. It doesn't matter if the thing is true or not, but to all concerned, it appears to be. That's verisimilitude.

In martial arts we always think our techniques will work. Of course we do. Otherwise, why would we practice these moves?

So, in our minds they work. We practice them against partners who have the same mind-set. They respond with the same moves from our style, that we practice together.

We think we are being practical.

I urge you to think outside the box. Make your practice sessions worthwhile. Make them practical.

1) Switch the knife to the other hand to fake out your partner. Make your partner think outside of the box.

2) Try to get a second, quick slash, strike on one of your partner's limbs. Make your partner think outside of the box.

3) Change the angle of your stab at the last second. Make your partner think outside of the box.

4) After slashing past your partner, turn your practice knife in on his or her kidney. You stab at the kidney while your partner is defending against the initial thrust with the knife. Make your partner think outside of the box.

5) Combine your knife technique with other moves. Kick your partner in the shins. As your partner bends down, you come in with your knife. Make your partner think outside of the box.

Do whatever it takes to make your situations more realistic. But stay safe in your practice sessions.

Think the way an attacker would think. Attack with a knife in unexpected ways. Make your partner think outside of the box.

And once your partner has improved, then it's your turn.

May you break down the walls of verisimilitude -- or good luck in getting real!