Empty Hand

Thanks for the opinion tallgeese. The system of Karate that I study is very limited on grappling and what we do in that area is pulled from other disciplines. I will ask my instructor where he obtained that particular idea.

I can't really speak on scenario #1, but my istructor has lectured on #2. He said that the key is controling the knife at all cost. If you just grab the wrist or arm, then the blade could still slash your neck as you pull it away. He advocates grabbing the blade itself with one hand and the wrist with the other. With control of both points, it is possible to take the knife and get out of a very bad situation. Odds are very high that someone in this postion will be cut. Better the hand than the neck or torso.

I'm in karate class 4 times a week for a little over an hour each session. Plus I am a member of a multi-discipline Martial Arts Society at my university.

In my system, kids cannot earn a Black Belt, because they are simply not mature enough to understand what a Black Belt really means, nor can they safely spar with the adults. My instructor uses a ranking system where juniors have 3 degrees of purple and then go to red. When they turn thirteen, they move into the adult class and start at adult white belt. Brown and Black belts are reserved for adults with a minimum age of 17 to earn a Black Belt. This means that people who start in the adult class at thirteen will earn their brown belt at about 15. They can then begin teaching as assistant instructors. Running a full class is reserved for 2nd or 3rd level Black Belts who are over 21 in almost every instance. This works well for the school I attend. It may seem harsh to some, but the kids and parents do not resent it. In truth, this allows people who start when they are little to become phenominal Black Belts when they finally reach the age limit, because they have years of expierience. If they were allowed to earn their Black Belt more quickly, they may get bored (or worse cocky) and leave, never reaching their full potential. There may be a few cases of younger people being exeptionally mature, but not enough to justify a policy of allowing kids to earn Black Belts. Those who do resent it, clearly are not mature enough to be a Black Belt, and the few who are mature will understand why kids should not be Black Belts.

Hello everyone. I have been reading posts on this site for some time, but finally decided to join. I am a 21 year old history student from Texas. I love history, but Martial Arts is really my passion. I have been practicing American Karate (an americanized version of shotokan) and currently hold a third level brown belt. I love it, and train several days a week. Ultimately I would also like to study a grappling art as well. I look forward to conversation with you all.