Is defenses against weapons (knives, sticks, guns etc) taught in Jeet Kune Do?

Hello Tom!

Yes, techniques to defend against weapons is taught! At least I have those skills anyway. I guess some other Jeet Kune Do instructors may be less skilled in that area!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
JKD@windstream.net
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Phone (205) 296-7070 (Incoming Only)

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"The REAL future of Jeet Kune Do belongs to US, the few, the proud, the HARDCORE! Now, what are we going to do with it?" _ Sifu Lamar M. Davis II

Hi Sifu, Tom, and everyone:

Yes, I like the weapons defense training, too.
Sounds like a great idea.

Have a great day!

Dick

I was wondering if Sifu Lamar could post some examples of weapon defense he teaches / does.

Also, any other defenses anyone else might use - post em if you got the time.

Hi Sifu Lamar
What kind of weapons defenses are taught? You say that you have skills in this area, did you pick up these skills from other arts or did you learn these skills from JKD instructors?

Are you saying that some JKD instructors don't have the skills to defend against weapon attacks?
Tom

Hello Tom!

You must consider that my training spans forty years, and I have trained in over a dozen different arts. I have also spent lots of time working in the bodyguard and private security industry, where I was often attacked by weapon weilding opponents! I can defend against stick, knife and close range handgun attacks with a high degree of effectiveness. I know this because I have done it many times before! What I do to defend against weapons in DEFINITELY Jeet Kune Do, as that is ALL that I do now. What I am saying is that some instructors lack the practical experience to bring the training to the level that it needs to be to make it work with maximum effectiveness! In other words, until you've actually been there you may not completely understand what it takes! No more, no less!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
JKD@windstream.net
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Phone (205) 296-7070 (Incoming Only)

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"The REAL future of Jeet Kune Do belongs to US, the few, the proud, the HARDCORE! Now, what are we going to do with it?" _ Sifu Lamar M. Davis II

Yes I understand that you have the skills and experience to pull it off. I was never questioning you as I am sure that someone with a backgroud as extensive as yours could handle yourself no problem

The only reason I asked is because I know that JKD is all about natural body weapons and that it is meant for street fighting and self defense for real situations. I know that weapons can be common in dangerous situations and was just checking to see if JKD takes into account that the person could have a weapon on them and not just unarmed.

Thanks
Tom

To set the tone of weapons defense, you have to get your mind wrapped around a few things first.

One is that you have to act and act FAST and deliberately! That's why you see so many martial arts systems that teach defenses like this that just don't make sense. If you learn nothing else from JKD training, at least take away that it is not an art that is designed to play BS games with your opponent!

The same rules apply. Intercept, economy of motion, explosiveness. Most real attacks will happen at close quarter, whether they be a gun or a knife.

Let's say you are attacked by a knife wielding opponent. Common sense would dictate that the attacker would be very close to you and making some sort of verbal threat, i.e. "gimme your money". (Note, I am not talking about being in a knife fight where you are squared off against an attacker and you have plenty of space to move around). My first reaction is to be as natural to the situation as possible. I put up my hands in a gesture that says "I don't want trouble" and "take it easy" this sends a signal to your attacker that you appear nervous and scared. Ask him a question or say something that forces them to answer "My money is in my shoe" and at at same time sort of gesture to your feet. Most likely the opponent will glance down. It's HUMAN to do that. As he looks down, grab the arm holding the knife with both hands VERY TIGHTLY!! If you have a weak grip, start training them. Immediately follow up with either a headbutt, or a knee, or a combination of the two. In other words, closest weapon to closest target. You may have a second to follow up with yet another elbow before letting go of the knife hand and running away or giving them a strong kick for good measure!

When you grab the knife hand, push it towards the attacker in an attempt to pin it to his body.

This is of course, if you opponent is standing directly in front of you.

With Sticks, you have to be fast and direct, but since they pose less of an immediate danger than knives or guns, you should seek to intercept as quickly as possible. Either by stop kicking then following up, or by jamming the opponent as they are about to swing.

Bryan