Our Knife Defense System is based on Krav Maga, which means it is based on reality. These techniques come straight from the battlefield and the streets, taught by the trainers of the military, security forces and police. These are the people that face these threats every day.

We take on a huge responsibility when we agree to train someone. Their life is literally in our hands. 

All of KET programs are taught in 3 levels of training.

1. Static – Step by step and by the numbers. This is how you begin to build a neural pathway in the brain. You must build a “conditioned stimulus response”, a specific response to a specific threat.

2. Fluid – At this level you begin to put the technique together with a response to a stimulus in a fluid / flowing manner. At a “slow is smooth… smooth is fast speed”.

3. Dynamic – Real world speed with no fixed or preplanned attack. That is why you must learn first at the 2 levels mentioned above. At this level you must be able to perform without thought.

At KET we teach our Knife Defense System in 2 Levels. 

You must complete the first level in order to train in Level 2. The skills learned in Level 1 take you right into the Level 2 training.

Let’s look at some common flaws or mistakes that are made in knife defense training. A lot of techniques that are taught look and work great in a “closed motor” skill environment in a training room with a willing partner, where the rules are fixed. All techniques must be taught and practiced to where they work in an “open motor skill environment” where the rules are not fixed. In other words, “Real World” Training.  

1. Warrior Mindset / Connection to Reality

As trainers we have the responsibility to prepare our students mentally and what to expect when they encounter a deadly force threat. The effects of stress on the human body is one main factor. We must create in our student the mindset that they must win at all costs. Part of this mindset in an edged weapon attack is that you will more than likely be cut and there will be blood. 

At KET, we stress to our students “In a time of great crisis…. You will never rise to the level of your expectations….. you will always fall to the level of you training”.

2. You must understand the “intent” of the attacker

People seem to forget, whether they are trying to take our lives or just deprive us of property, this is a deadly force attack.

Even though it is hard to recreate an actual attack in training, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t at least do the best we can. After all our students are trusting us literally with their lives.

When learning the basics of a Level I system, the training must follow the form of an “Attacker” and a “Defender” being pre-selected. The moves are then choreographed to a certain degree to let the defender win. And then the roles are reversed. This builds motor skill selection and confidence in the warrior, then when put under stress in a more advanced training, they have the basic foundation to move into more fluid and dynamic scenarios.

3. Technique Selection

 We must minimize the number of techniques that are taught. The more techniques that are taught to a student, the slower their reaction time will be.

 4. You cannot ignore the common type of attack when the intent is to kill you.

Some call it “grab and stab” others call it “sewing machine”

5. We must distinguish between the two type of knife attacks. And we must train for each one separately.

a. Stalking Attacks – Where the person is already aware of the presence of the knife and the  intent of the attacker.

b. Spontaneous Attacks – Also known as surprise attacks, which come without warning and are sudden, hard and fast. 

6. Disengagement and Distance

We must teach when possible to disengage, create distance, deploying a weapon if we have one once we have created that distance and using anything around us as a part of this process.

7. The Law and Legalities must be taught.

As the old saying goes. “ignorance of the law is no excuse”. We are doing our students an injustice if we do not are them with this knowledge as well as techniques.

8. Basic Knowledge of anatomy and the aspects of trauma to their own body.

Back to the fact that you will more than Likely be cut or stabbed in a knife attack there are certain other thing that we should arm our students with.

How to stop or control different types of bleeding and the effects on the physiology of the human body on blood loss

Knife Defense Level 1

At Level 1 you will learn the basics of knife defense.

You will learn how to defend against “static attacks”, which means the attacker is not moving, the distance is really close, either on the body or in very close proximity.

At this level the threat is present, but more threatening or intimidating on the part of the attacker.

You will learn how to control and disarm the threat.

All of the basics of defeating and controlling a knife threat will be taught at this level.

Knife Defense Level 2

After completing the Level 1 course you are prepared to move on to this Level 2 course.

At this level you are ready to learn the attacks in a fluid and dynamic environment of “stalking” and “spontaneous” attacks.

Having built your foundation at Level 1, this level of training will come to you very quickly.

The day will be finished up with stress drills to test your abilities. You will leave both levels of training with the confidence and mindset that will carry you through this type of threat.