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- Apr 2, 2006
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The Knife-Fighter's Secret Weapon
The "Live" hand or "Off" hand is sometimes essential for use in a knife encounter. While this non-knife hand is generally kept back to cover vitals, it is also like a spring, coiled and ready to pounce. Typically, this second hand is a primary tool in mid-to-close range, and a secondary tool in long-range.
Most blade arts I have viewed seem to keep this hand (either closed fist or open) relaxed near the heart, neck and jaw bone region. Much like a boxer.
It is when we look at Westen Fencing and also the stick arts of East India that we see this "live" hand get opened-up, looking much like a tail of a dog. Why the difference in these two methods? Is there not a correct way, and an incorrect way?
Let's first explore why the "Off" hand is encourged to take a back seat in the fencing arts. First off, these arts are primarily taught in a long range setting. Let the knife do the speaking. Strike the adversary's lead arm, leg or their mid-section. Often one needs to distract his opponant to win against a skilled fighter.
Parry & Thrust is classic fencing. It does not take a long time to gain basic skills, but to the opponant that does not know this game...well, lets just say chances are good the fencer will win in a long range encounter.
The hand often floats rearward for 2 primary reasons. This act allows for more evasion, by not standing square, you will have less chance of being hit. You can't hit what ain't there, right?
Secondly, this arm's weight is useful as a counter balance to help pull the middle and lower body with it. The reason for this is typically for reason number one, superior positioning and evasion in a long range enounter.
All this said, "yes", there are still many times when the front-of-chest position of the live hand is better. Particularily in a crowded environment, or when "closing the gap" becomes apparent (either you or your opponent choose to move in aggressively).
Of course, close proximity to the adversary can expedite in "passing"(guiding), "trapping"(pinning the elbow), "scooping"(lifting the elbow) or otherwise "checking" the opponant's knife-hand while simutaneously cutting him. In addition to this, the live hand can be useful in ways of dis-arming, eye jabs and distractions.
In even closer ranges the live hand is required for control. There are several different ways to handle these situations. In each case the live hand is active, even when it's role is subtle.
www.thrustmagazine.net
The "Live" hand or "Off" hand is sometimes essential for use in a knife encounter. While this non-knife hand is generally kept back to cover vitals, it is also like a spring, coiled and ready to pounce. Typically, this second hand is a primary tool in mid-to-close range, and a secondary tool in long-range.
Most blade arts I have viewed seem to keep this hand (either closed fist or open) relaxed near the heart, neck and jaw bone region. Much like a boxer.
It is when we look at Westen Fencing and also the stick arts of East India that we see this "live" hand get opened-up, looking much like a tail of a dog. Why the difference in these two methods? Is there not a correct way, and an incorrect way?
Let's first explore why the "Off" hand is encourged to take a back seat in the fencing arts. First off, these arts are primarily taught in a long range setting. Let the knife do the speaking. Strike the adversary's lead arm, leg or their mid-section. Often one needs to distract his opponant to win against a skilled fighter.
Parry & Thrust is classic fencing. It does not take a long time to gain basic skills, but to the opponant that does not know this game...well, lets just say chances are good the fencer will win in a long range encounter.
The hand often floats rearward for 2 primary reasons. This act allows for more evasion, by not standing square, you will have less chance of being hit. You can't hit what ain't there, right?
Secondly, this arm's weight is useful as a counter balance to help pull the middle and lower body with it. The reason for this is typically for reason number one, superior positioning and evasion in a long range enounter.
All this said, "yes", there are still many times when the front-of-chest position of the live hand is better. Particularily in a crowded environment, or when "closing the gap" becomes apparent (either you or your opponent choose to move in aggressively).
Of course, close proximity to the adversary can expedite in "passing"(guiding), "trapping"(pinning the elbow), "scooping"(lifting the elbow) or otherwise "checking" the opponant's knife-hand while simutaneously cutting him. In addition to this, the live hand can be useful in ways of dis-arming, eye jabs and distractions.
In even closer ranges the live hand is required for control. There are several different ways to handle these situations. In each case the live hand is active, even when it's role is subtle.
www.thrustmagazine.net