INC. (Nope… not incorporating:)

INC.  (Nope… not incorporating:)

Hand to hand combat is pretty simple if you break it down. In Tactical Knife Options classes we do scenario training where we introduce the student to a hypothetical situation and then have him/her apply the techniques they have learned. Call it on the spot interpersonal conflict resolution, to the extreme.

On occasion students struggle with deciding how to apply techniques or lack imagination in choosing multiple anatomical targets to access. I have come up with a short acronym that I hope helps to prioritize in this situation.  It can also help post-situation in documenting one’s actions by acting as outline points.

I identify the most immediate threat

·         The knife in the subjects aggressive or attacking hand is the priority threat

o   Deadly weapon/imminent threat of death or SBI

N neutralize the threat

·         What target do you attack, and how do you attack it to take delivery system (arm and hand) out of the equation?

o   Use a line 1 slash attack, forward grip to sever the muscles and tendons in the forearm to “de-fang” the snake; and interrupt the circulatory system by accessing the radial artery.

·         Divided attention: Violence of action will re-direct the subject’s thought process and lead to control.

o   Turn the subject’s mindset from offensive to defensive and re-active.

C control the threat

·         What follow up technique arm-bar, takedown, disengage and create distance) do you do to establish and maintain control over the subject?

o   Attack until the subject is incapacitated or submits and maintain control.

 It helps to simplify scenarios into parts. Process the situation sequentially through action prioritizing. We all do this naturally, so honing this skill can only make it smoother, clearer in our minds, and quicker in action.