P5 Training Program

Defending Against Impending Knife Threat P5 -Training Syllabus

Defending a knife threat from the front at close range. The active defense, the hand defense, the body defense …

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Defending a knife threat from the front at close range. The active defense, the hand defense, the body defense, the dynamic defense, control, counterattack, and the finishing mode. Either disarming and/or moving away from the danger zone. Deflect at the wrist. Deflecting should be done the thumb done, the fingers up. Deflect horizontally, sideways with the palm. Grab the wrist of the opponent. Straighten your elbow and lower a bit the hand holding the weapon. Move in as soon as you can and counterattack strongly. Get out of the channel of the attack. Go to the side of the opponent, approximately 45 degrees from the side. Continue with double control. With the striking hand, grab the opponent’s fist. Continue to counterattack, and then the finishing mode. Either you push the weapon away and the opponent away from you and move away, or you disarm the weapon. The counterattacks should be delivered as soon as possible. Meaning, the moment you are at the correct range, you should have already hit the opponent. Measure your advance so more or less the front foot will be in the line of the opponent’s front leg or with the line of his body.

Disarming is done in the following process. Either with your strikes, the opponent has moved backwards or you move away a bit, enabling yourself to straighten both elbows after grabbing the fist of the opponent. So you grab the weapon and the forearm holding it with two arms. Move and turn the knife to the other side, and bend strong the wrist of the opponent. Then relax the grip of the fist. Insert your fingers into the grip and scrap the knife away, sending the blade to the outside, not towards yourself. Continue as needed with more counterattacks, move away from danger zone. Remember that the knife that you got should not be used unless your life is still being threatened. Try to hide it when you move away. There are high chances that because of your counterattacks the attacker will drop the knife before you manage to grab his hand.

Here we see a couple variations. When the attacker grabbed the defender and put the knife to his throat, knife is at the inside of the throat, do the basic technique. Here too, we move the knife away from the throat and the throat away from the knife. Counterattack as soon as possible. Use the double control, meaning two hands are grabbing the hand holding the weapon. Continue to counterattack with knees. And as needed, disarm the opponent or push him away and move away from danger zone.

Remember, the deflection of the knife threat is turned very quickly into a strong grip. Your palm, not your thumb, your palm is pushing the threat away from your throat. If the knife is at the other side, the attacker grabbed your clothing and put the knife to the outside of your throat, here you must use an inside deflection motion with the other hand. In this case, using the right hand to deflect and grab the hand holding the weapon. Counterattack as usual with the back hand. Continue as soon as possible while driving diagonally forward with counterattacks. Use the double control. Continue with more counterattacks, push away, and move away or disarm the opponent in the usual manner. Meaning, bending the wrist and then inserting the fingers into the grab and scraping the knife away from the opponent, always the blade towards the outside, not towards your body.

P5 Lecture/Theory I

A. Rolls and Break-Falls

Combination of rolls (forward/backward) and break-falls (all types)

Notes: For adults, this subject may be considered to be tested in full at higher level (G1).

B. Defenses Against Regular (Front) Kicks

Stabbing defense with back forearm
Low inside forearm defenses, with high elbow / low palm

Defenses Against Regular (Front) Kicks P5

C. Defenses Against a High Roundhouse Kick

Outside forearm defense (outside fleshy part), and simultaneous counterattack with kick
Outside forearm defense, advancing diagonally forward, kicking with the opposite leg
Using both forearms (inside fleshy part) - body turn, advance diagonally forward
1. Using both hands, outside with forearm, inside
  with palm - body moves similar to number 3

Notes: Techniques to be taught from a general ready (outlet) stance. Later practice from any passive or ready stances; attacker can kick with either leg- Variations on the above

Defenses Against a High Roundhouse Kick P5

D. Escaping Bear Hugs

Low bear hug from the front, arms are free - get good base and counterattack (elbow strikes, hooks, and / or kick to the groin)
Lifted in a bear hug from the rear, arms free / trapped - wrap one leg and counter
Lifted in a bear hug from the front, arms free / trapped - wrap one leg and counter

E. Releases from Hair Grabs or Pulls

Prevention – according to the regular timeline
One-handed hair grab from the front - bend forward, apply leverage on wrist
Pulled forward and down - burst forward, block knee or punch; first counter to the groin
Pulled from the side - burst forward in the direction of the pull, defend and counterattack
Pulled from behind – spin back in the direction of the pull, defend and counterattack

F. Escaping Chokes on the Ground

Attacker sitting on the defender - applying a very close, low choke
Attacker sitting on the defender - choking with straight elbows

Notes: Practice various and multiple counterattacks; end the scenario in a standing position.

G. Ground - Opponent Standing or Sitting on Top and Punching

Attacker punching from a mount position - defend, counterattack, trap, bridge.
A standing opponent tries to strike – hand and body defense, counter with kicks (punch at close range).

H. Defending Against Impending Knife Threat

From the front at mid-range – with a grip on opponents wrist
Same with variations on position of the knife and attitude of attacker.

Defending Against Impending Knife Threat P5

I. Defending Against Unexpected/Unfamiliar Attacks

Escaping all types of grabs, chokes, bear hugs, headlocks, etc., from all angles and in multiple variations
Same as no. 1 above - with the elements of surprise and stress
Defending against varieties of punches and kicks, coming from different angles and aimed at various targets; starting from several different stances.

J. Returning Attacker

Following defender's technique, the attacker returns and attacks, with or without a weapon

K. Protecting a Third Party

Principles and techniques of:
1. Screening
2. Warning verbally
3. Removing 3rd party from area, front approach and turning: with pull and push with two hands;
  with grab of upper arm.
Attack the attacker - rescuer may approach the attacker from any direction
Take down with a Knee-stomp from behind – to separate attacker from victim

L. Fighting Games, 4 Against 1

Two hand strikes every two seconds
Two punching or kicking attacks every two seconds

M. Fighting Skills

Slow fighting
Light fighting with protective gear (groin protection, boxing gloves, shin pads, mouthpiece; headgear is recommended)

N. Simulation and Tactics – P5 - Two Attackers Against an Accompanied Defender

Description: Two strolling people are approached by two attackers. First, the attackers approach from the front, at the next stage, they may take a divided approach.

Simulation & Tactics 2 Attackers Against Accompanied Defender P5

P5 Lecture/Theory II

1. Breathing and Focusing

The 3 levels of breathing, separately and in full breathing
Standing with mind control
Very slow motion technique. Use a basic technique, recommended with defense and counter, moving the center of gravity (shifting of body weight)