Confrontation Last Night After Class

Confrontation After Class Last Night

Last night, in kali class, which I was visiting, knife defense with one armed person against two unarmed opponents was trained in.

After class, Chuck offered me a ride home. As we left class, a Filipino man approached us in the parking lot. He began to question us, and as he talked, it began apparent that the man was not drunk or high on drugs, but was also not “all there,” if you know what I mean. He talked about “would you use your martial arts if you had to?”; how he took karate when he was a kid, and disappointed his uncle by quitting; difference between tae-kwon-do and karate; how he did not get to serve his country; did we ever serve our country; etc.

During the encounter, I realized that when I left class, I had neglected to transfer my knife from my jacket to my pants pocket. When the man began talking to us, I draped my jacket over my arm, and obtained my knife and opened it up inside of my pants pocket. After a while, the conversation ended, we wished him good night and walked to Chuck’s car. When we got into the car, Chuck commented on how weird the situation had been, and I showed him my knife and said, “Always be prepared.”

We began to dissect the situation. Chuck said that he had also been uncomfortable, and hoped that I read his mind and was prepared to subdue the man if need be. He then asked me to explain some of the actions that I had done.

First off, I hope no one takes this as a racist comment. Because the man was Filipino, and having many Filipino friends and many dealings with Filipinos, I am aware that the majority carry knives. Because this man was smaller than either of us, if the situation turned confrontational, I believe that a weapon may become involved. Even if he had not been Filipino, I believe that in this day and age, you have to consider that a weapon may become involved in most situations.

After the man began to talk, I first draped my jacket around my left arm, so that I could retrieve my knife. I kept my hand hidden and got my knife. Most of my jacket was hanging down. In the event of a knife attack by the man, it would provide some protection to my forearm. I could also use the hanging part of my jacket to throw over the man’s head in order to impair his vision. I also “bladed” my body to the man, keeping my left arm towards him to present a smaller target. I also kept my arm parallel to the ground to protect my stomach. When the man reached behind himself, again keeping a weapon in mind, I did a small step backwards to get distance. After a little more talking, the man turned and left.

Although the situation was a little tense, I give high marks to Chuck for remaining calm but aware. He and I kept calm and non-confrontational, both in attitude and speech. Chuck was also prepared to help subdue the man and then yell out “fight” so that the class downstairs would be aware.

Never believe that a small man will not attack one or more larger men. If he is drunk, high, or mental, he pictures himself as an unbeatable giant.

Thanks Chuck for the training we did together in class. I really enjoyed it.

All of us train in a realistic manner in class so that we can, if necessary, defend ourselves in these types of situations. Thanks to Burton again for his valuable training.