Dear All,
Reading Michael Janich's book I find I am a little unclear on the delivery of the safety check. Is it basically a palm heel strike to the body part being checked, usually the arm? Or is it more of a push than a blow?
Regards, Neophyte.
Safety Check
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Michael Janich
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Dear Neophyte:
Thanks for the post and the question.
The safety check is primarily designed to position your opponent's limb so that its motion is restricted and poses less danger to you. The motions of the checks are always the same, but depending upon your opponent's energy, your intent and energy can vary.
For example, against an angle 2 strike (a high right-handed backhand strike targeted against the upper right portion of your body), a "meet" defense would consists of an angle 2 cut to your opponent's forearm immediately followed by a cross-body check with the back of your left arm.
If your opponent was coming in hard and fast, you might step back with your right foot to adjust your distance and dissipate the force of his strike. Your "check" would actually be more defensive and would function as a block.
If your opponent was not closing in as hard, you might stay in place or even step forward as you execute your technique. In this case, you are being more proactive and your "check" might function as more of a jamming action and, if the distance is right, an incidental eye strike with your extended fingers.
If you really move in hard, your "check" can be backed by the full weight of your body, jamming your opponent's strike and driving his right elbow into his ribs, pinning his arm to his body. This works best when you simultaneously step on his foot to keep him from backing up. With his arm pinned helplessly at his side, you are in a much better position to follow up with a disabling cut or strike.
Finally, if you see your opponent chambering for his strike, you can fire a palm heel strike/check as you close to jam his elbow to his ribs. Since the hand moves faster than the body, you can get it there sooner, yet still back it with your full body weight. Once again, his arm is immobilized and you're free to follow up.
This is just one example of how a single type of check can be applied in different ways, but hopefully it explains the concept better.
Please bear in mind that I wrote "Knife Fighting: A Practical Course" 10 years ago and my system has evolved a lot since then. The fundamentals described in the book are still the core of what I teach and believe in; however, the application and practice of those fundamental elements is now much more refined.
It's also interesting to note that the empty-hand elements (checks and blocks) of my knife system also form the foundation of my Counter-Blade Craft (CBC) method. In the process of refining CBC, the checking elements of the MBC program have evolved even further and made my knife-based skills even better.
I hope this answers your question. If not, let me know which aspects remain unclear and I'll give it another shot.
Stay safe,
mike j
Thanks for the post and the question.
The safety check is primarily designed to position your opponent's limb so that its motion is restricted and poses less danger to you. The motions of the checks are always the same, but depending upon your opponent's energy, your intent and energy can vary.
For example, against an angle 2 strike (a high right-handed backhand strike targeted against the upper right portion of your body), a "meet" defense would consists of an angle 2 cut to your opponent's forearm immediately followed by a cross-body check with the back of your left arm.
If your opponent was coming in hard and fast, you might step back with your right foot to adjust your distance and dissipate the force of his strike. Your "check" would actually be more defensive and would function as a block.
If your opponent was not closing in as hard, you might stay in place or even step forward as you execute your technique. In this case, you are being more proactive and your "check" might function as more of a jamming action and, if the distance is right, an incidental eye strike with your extended fingers.
If you really move in hard, your "check" can be backed by the full weight of your body, jamming your opponent's strike and driving his right elbow into his ribs, pinning his arm to his body. This works best when you simultaneously step on his foot to keep him from backing up. With his arm pinned helplessly at his side, you are in a much better position to follow up with a disabling cut or strike.
Finally, if you see your opponent chambering for his strike, you can fire a palm heel strike/check as you close to jam his elbow to his ribs. Since the hand moves faster than the body, you can get it there sooner, yet still back it with your full body weight. Once again, his arm is immobilized and you're free to follow up.
This is just one example of how a single type of check can be applied in different ways, but hopefully it explains the concept better.
Please bear in mind that I wrote "Knife Fighting: A Practical Course" 10 years ago and my system has evolved a lot since then. The fundamentals described in the book are still the core of what I teach and believe in; however, the application and practice of those fundamental elements is now much more refined.
It's also interesting to note that the empty-hand elements (checks and blocks) of my knife system also form the foundation of my Counter-Blade Craft (CBC) method. In the process of refining CBC, the checking elements of the MBC program have evolved even further and made my knife-based skills even better.
I hope this answers your question. If not, let me know which aspects remain unclear and I'll give it another shot.
Stay safe,
mike j