Knife: Unconditional Mastery
June 03, 2010 by Vladimir Vasiliev
In order to achieve unconditional mastery in knife fighting, it is very important to develop independent muscle control. This means being able to avoid any tension in the entire body except for the body part you need at each moment. For example, only the hand holding the knife and the wrist would move and there would be no movement or tension in the rest of the body. This is essential in all professional work especially in working with a sharp knife where extra movement can lead to needless damage to the opponent, to cutting oneself or your own clothing.
Why must we first and foremost learn to avoid tension? This keeps our muscles relaxed and our psychological state calm. It in turn allows for the fine motor coordination and small movements of the hand and fingers. It enhances our awareness as well as enables us to do subtle movements and not signal our intension to the opponents. Moreover, if we are calm we would not tense up and aggravate our attackers. No need to irritate the aggressor - he is wound up anyway...
Here is a useful Knife Drawing exercise progression to learn such independent muscle control:
With your training weapon tucked away on you, lay down on your stomach.
Note why we begin by laying down - because your body automatically relaxes in that position.
Draw the knife in a completely subtle way, without being seen doing that, without moving any part of your body or legs.
First practice slowly.
Begin with the knife placed in a very convenient position for drawing, then progress to harder to reach placements.
As you manage to do it well with no tension, add the challenges such as obstacles on the floor, confined space.
Progress to having your partner approach and contact you with pushes, punches and kicks while you are drawing. Make sure he does not see you drawing the knife.
Then increase the speed.
Try the same progression on your back and on your side as well.
Keep in mind that as soon as we take a weapon in our hand, there is automatic emotional excitation and therefore build up of inner tension.
KNIFE Unconditional Mastery for your complete and comprehensive preparation for any knife confrontation.
Why must we first and foremost learn to avoid tension? This keeps our muscles relaxed and our psychological state calm. It in turn allows for the fine motor coordination and small movements of the hand and fingers. It enhances our awareness as well as enables us to do subtle movements and not signal our intension to the opponents. Moreover, if we are calm we would not tense up and aggravate our attackers. No need to irritate the aggressor - he is wound up anyway...
Here is a useful Knife Drawing exercise progression to learn such independent muscle control:
With your training weapon tucked away on you, lay down on your stomach.
Note why we begin by laying down - because your body automatically relaxes in that position.
Draw the knife in a completely subtle way, without being seen doing that, without moving any part of your body or legs.
First practice slowly.
Begin with the knife placed in a very convenient position for drawing, then progress to harder to reach placements.
As you manage to do it well with no tension, add the challenges such as obstacles on the floor, confined space.
Progress to having your partner approach and contact you with pushes, punches and kicks while you are drawing. Make sure he does not see you drawing the knife.
Then increase the speed.
Try the same progression on your back and on your side as well.
Keep in mind that as soon as we take a weapon in our hand, there is automatic emotional excitation and therefore build up of inner tension.
KNIFE Unconditional Mastery for your complete and comprehensive preparation for any knife confrontation.
Born in Russia, Vladimir Vasiliev received intense combative training and profound Systema training from Mikhail Ryabko. Vladimir moved to Canada, and in 1993 founded the first school of Russian Martial Art outside Russia -