If you have previously studied Gung Fu (Kung Fu) or Silat, you may have trained a skill-based drill often called “sticky hands.”

And while the application in defense (and eventually as a trapping mechanism) may not be the Krav Maga approach, adapting (not adopting) the skill itself in specific circumstances (defenses) may substantially support accelerated learning.

Sticky hands training is meant to support tactile awareness and response, and with this knowledge, a Kravist would ask – what defenses might be supported with this skill? In a direct and tangible way, the process of defending a straight stab can benefit from developing tactile awareness – specifically during the “touch” (to redirect), “turn” (to further redirect), “chop or grab” (to secure and/or pin the knife hand) process (TTC).

During this defense, the ability to transition across the TTC process can be enhanced by tactile awareness, as does the awareness of the timing of the blade retraction (and the many implications this has) and/or effort to alter the channel of attack (which can constantly change) by the attacker.

As a sidebar, almost every weapon defense can also be enhanced in some way by improving tactile awareness and responsiveness. So, the real issue I am addressing is this – should Kravist explore other martial disciplines with the intention of adapting relevant skills that could enhance Krav Maga defenses? Absolutely.

Train smart and make safe to walk in peace…

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