Systema Miami: Knife Defense Seminar with Dave Merrell

[GENCAYAKYAR]

i wonder if they kan do the tricks faster like in real life, everyting is to slow.you have to train faster to have a chance on the streets

[valgorlin]

It's about flow and vectors. No knife system is going to give you an uper hand against a knife. I mean its freeking weapon, its why people use it, because it works. However systema teaches you how to move bodily organs, actually CONTROL THE knife near the body which is the only place you raally can and it teaches you about reading intent. and the moves that you see with the hands, are a segment of the real techniques involved. its a sensitvity thing guys.

[Colimarche]

The only thing being taught at this seminar is how to get yourself maimed more efficiently. Oh, these are drills, and not techniques? Then why practice them? You really think you're going to disarm a knife by rolling the flat against the back or your hand or pressing it against your gut and turning away? Seriously? You Systema guys have a tenuous grasp on reality.

[SystemaMiami]

@Colimarche "...to dumb words, deaf ears..."

[alexmedvec]

@Colimarche you realize Russian special forces, one of the most feared in the world use this fighting style.Ive seen back in a British army base. a British SAS operative was starting shit with a spetsnaz operative who was minding his business talking to his buddy. spetsnaz guy got up with a quick jab knocked out the SAS guy and lay him on the bench. at that point all 3 spetsnaz sat on him. 1 on the legs. 1 on the body. and 1 on the head. they resumed their conversation like nothing happened.

[alexmedvec]

@Colimarche so i love how people are so quickly dismiss this on a premise of ignorance.

[DLTraining]

Many of the systema techniques and drills might involved getting cut on one's hands...this is far preferable to anything else.

[14dzoni89]

Leslie Nielsen is not dead, just teaching systema....

[DeathlyHalcyon]

I am no official instructor but I would love to be if not for my financial defficiencies. I practice and live regulary understanding principles and concepts into the martial arts movement and perspective. I had mixed Kali and a bit of my Judo into the Systema classes I teach to other fellow Systema Afficionados here in the Philippines and as Systema goes "Always discover yourself", we all make our own System. Hoping to gain insight from the both of you. Thank you for your time.

[DeathlyHalcyon]

I am humbled by the great exchange between you two: Krave Maga guy and Systema guy...We must learn that we can be tense and soft at the same time. Though I trained in Kali for knife work, I still am a Systema Practitioner and had practiced alot of other martial arts. I respect Krav Maga for it's no hesitation principle and Systema for it's principle of teaching people to change their perspective of thinking to see the situation from as many sides as possible- Mind, body and soul.

[1213bigdaddy]

And one more thing never deflect the knife and let go of the arm. If you can get hold of the arm that has the knife use it for control of the knife. If you let it go you are back where you started and must try again. Thanks for posting.

[1213bigdaddy]

Never trained systema it looks interesting. I would like to try it. But never ever ever fight someone with a knife if you can help it. It is not a matter of if you will get cut its just a matter of how bad. Much respect thank you.

[Lenar2541]

It's so sad to see so many people not willing to see what is possible. They are stuck in a box, that is effective and that is not. It's Black and white vision, nothing in between. Open Your eyes and You will see, the endless possibilities. Relaxation is power!

[lmougeot]

I am no Internet warrior, I am a Krav Maga Instructor and have been teaching reality-base self-defense for 7 years. I also grew up in a very bad neighbourhood in France and was involved in a few actual knife fights, I nearly lost an eye to one. I really don't mean any disrespect, I am commenting out of great concern for you and your students: I promise you that none of the techniques on that video would ever work in real life....and actually putting your hand on the blade is beyond ridiculous. .

[SystemaMiami]

Imougeot, what you see in the video are not 'techniques' like you write... they are simple drills that we used to show the participants different things. The video is not intended to be an 'instructional video' showing techniques for knife defense. Instead, it's a clip that participants can watch to remember what good time we had. By the way, one of the participants in that seminar is a corrections officer... he gets cut every single week by prisoners in jail... he was amazed by what he learned.

[lmougeot]

OK guys. Make a video where you demonstrate all these techniques against someone attacking full speed, full power, realistic, random attacks..then we'll talk. Sorry I usually stay out of other people's styles but if you are teaching people THIS, you are putting their lives in great danger.

[SystemaMiami]

Imougeot, read the comments below and you'll find the answers. If you live in Ottawa... I suggest you take a short drive and go visit Systema HQ in Toronto. They will let you test the system going 'full speed, full power, realistic' like you write... let me know your thoughts after that. There are many 'internet warriors' nowadays... truth is on the mat (or street).

[lmougeot]

@SystemaMiami : ...Please just do this experience: ask a non-student to attack you at random, very realistic, with a marker. Then look how many times you were cut/killed. I have used that drill myself and it is very humbling. One more thing: The truth is not on the mat, as you say. The truth is in an actual confrontation. I am coming to Florida in December, maybe I''ll go see you to show you in friendship what I mean! Be safe.

[SystemaMiami]

@lmougeot Thanks for your advice and concern. We have tried what you suggest and have seen the results. I wrote 'truth is on the mat (and on the street)'. You are welcome to visit us when in Florida. I am very familiar with Krav Maga... and will be glad to share my views on the pros and cons of each system while having a good coffee with you. Bottom line, there is no ONE BEST system and we must be open and humble to take whatever works from each system.

[MrBuster35]

Hey Dave good stuff man:)

George

[DangerousDan2]

Anybody that thinks this is gonna work in a real knife attack is fooling themselves. Nobody is gonna be that slow and calm when they're attacking you with a knife lol you're kidding yourself, they're gonna be coming at you fast and aggresive slashing and stabbing and you're not gonna know where It's coming from, but if you think these techniques are gonna work I feel bad for you, good luck. lol

[SystemaMiami]

Dangerous Dan...

Read the comments below...

We train slow to better understand movement... but don't worry...we can speed up too :-)

If you're in Miami you're welcome to come and 'check it out'... empirically.

[muscup]

relaxed but tensed while holding the knife but sudden impact on the wrist gets your knife dropped to the ground. I have to express my excuse for being rude in previous posts. You were right when said that the truth is on the mat. So I withdraw all my comments coming from ignorance about this fascinating art of Systema. Wish you a good luck and hard training.

[muscup]

whether dynamic or static and I didn't spare him a second. His movement was so fluid that he escaped and evaded my knife each time. I was stunned and amazed. I couldn't believe my eyes what was happening. The knife I used leaves colour in contact with body and I deliberately chose it to convince him that these moves don't work. But, I was wrong. He remained with his clean t-shirt. Moreover, he was able to catch my knife and twist the blade which resulted in my red-coloured sleeves. I wasn't...

[muscup]

I managed to find a Systema practitioner who is going to be an instructor very soon. He trains under Alex Kostic from Serbia, who is considered one of the best according to his words. I showed him your video and other Systema clips here on youtube which I considered as nonsense and suicidal attempts. But he offered a challenge to try all these attacks and situations on him to see is it efficient or not. Of course, I agreed. We went through all imaginable knife attacks...

[Sassygeogirl]

I really wanted to attend this seminar but the date just didn't work for me. I'm always looking for great street defense techniques for my students. I will definitely try to catch your program in the future. Good stuff!