This deconstruction will look at a commonly taught knife defense from an overhead stab. The original instructional video can be seen here.
Here are some more variations of the same basic knife defense methodology. The point is not to focus on particular instructors or styles, but to look at the mechanics of a commonly instructed technique and examine it’s functionality for actual use.
- Martial Arts Self Defense : Self-Defense Against an Overhead Stab
- Overhead / Ice Pick Stab Defense
- Self-defence moves to counter overhead stab
- Overhead Knife Defense
All of these instructed defenses make the same basic assumption in terms of timing. Regardless of whether or not you agree with the general concepts/mechanics of the instructed techniques, they rely on having the “time” to make them work.
As this scene from the Matrix shows, when you have the time, a lot more is possible – until you run out of time.