Knife Skills for CCW Instructor Development

Description

This two-day course presents students with the skills needed to effectively utilize a folding or fixed blade knife as a defensive tool. In addition to imparting a basic skill set, the class will also provide an in-depth explanation of the philosophy behind the skill acquisition and how to optimally teach these skills to others.

This coursework is designed to address realistic situations where a law-abiding citizen may have to utilize a knife to defend against a lethal force attack. The course introduces simple, effective movements that are easy to learn, court defensible, and work well under stress.

Please note that the subject matter of this class is focused on how YOU can use YOUR KNIFE as a weapon to prevail against life-threatening physical attacks.  Although some defensive techniques will be covered, the class is not geared towards teaching unarmed people how to defend against criminal knife attacks.

The class will be physically active, but it won't be exhausting for most students. If you can stand for two-three hours and are able to do light upper body exercise, you will not have any problems completing the class. You control your level of participation. I will attempt to scale the activity level for folks with physical limitations.

There are no prerequisites for this class. With that said, this probably shouldn’t be the very first knife defense or physical fighting class you’ve ever taken.  Students who have previously taken one of my knife classes or similar knife-oriented coursework from another instructor are likely to have a more enjoyable learning experience.

Topics Covered

Topics Covered:
• Choosing a defensive knife
• Carry locations
• Drawing & opening the folding knife under stress
• Basic cutting angles and targets
• Three ways to use a knife to stop an attack
• Escaping life-threatening physical attacks with a knife
• Transitioning between knife & pistol
• Weapon retention using the knife
• Using the knife against multiple attackers
• Knife access and deployment from grounded and seated positions
• Covert knife carry in non-permissive environments
• Disarm prevention techniques
• Principles of knife vs. knife attack dynamics
• Legal issues regarding knife defense including the debrief of a knife self-defense homicide case where Greg was employed as an expert witness.

Types

Combatives / Less Lethal, Instructor Coach Training Courses, Instructor Training Courses

Requirements

Mandatory Required Equipment:
- Eye protection (shooting safety glasses will be fine)
- Athletic clothing. Pants/shorts should have pockets suitable for carrying a knife and belt loops.
- Trouser belt
- A pen and paper for notes. Notes on phones and computers will not be acceptable in this course.
- An open mind and the willingness to coach/assist other students in the class



Optional Equipment:
The instructor will provide these items for use in the training class if you don’t own them. With that said, you will probably have a better learning experience if you are training with your own personal gear.

- The (real) folding and/or fixed blade knife you regularly carry
- A pair of gloves thin enough to allow you to open a folding knife
- A dulled replica training knife. We will be using both folders and fixed blades in class. Bring a couple of each if you have them.
- A plastic replica training pistol (Blue Gun, Red Gun, etc.) and holster