purpose’ defensive skills. Rather than learning a large number of specific techniques to defend against specific attacks, MBC focuses on perfecting a few proven techniques and learn- ing how to apply them to literally hundreds of different defensive situ- ations. Through easy-to-learn meth- ods, students develop defensive profi- ciency very quickly and have both the ability and the confidence to employ their skills after only a brief period of training. MBC’s basic physical goal is to learn how to fight effectively with a knife — applying the attributes of the knife to the broadest possible set of defensive circumstances. At a more advanced level, the physical skills of the MBC method are also designed to form the basis for unarmed defensive skills — including unarmed defenses against knives — and the use of im- provised and other purpose-designed weapons for personal defense.”
System Based The MBC curriculum is a defense-
oriented system designed to make knife skills easy to learn and easy to apply. Mike points out that, “Rather than the 12 angles taught in most tra- ditional Filipino systems, MBC fo- cuses on the concept of cinco teros — the five cardinal blows. These strikes define a system of four zones, similar to the quadrants of fencing. Angle 1 strikes are directed at an opponent’s Zone 1 — the upper left portion of his body. Angle 2 strikes attack Zone 2 — the upper right. Angle 3 targets, Zone 3 — the lower left, and Angle 4 is di- rected at Zone 4 — the lower right. Straight thrusts along the centerline are considered Angle 5 attacks, and may be delivered high or low.” By dividing the body into zones,
the student quickly learns to categorize attacks based on their intended target. He also learns not to focus on the specifics of an attack and instead tries to treat all strikes to a particular zone as the same basic angle. For example, any attack that enters Zone 2 is treated as an Angle 2, regardless of the opponent’s grip on the weapon, the type of weapon, or whether the weapon is held with the left or right hand. Once students understand how to
identify attacks, they learn the four basic defensive actions of MBC — the “defensive responses.” All defensive responses are based on the Filipino concept of “defanging the snake” — attacking the opponent’s attack- ing limb in an effort to destroy his ability to wield his weapon without having to endanger his life. The four basic
defensive responses
WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM include
the “pass,” “follow,” “meet” and “cros- sada.” To perform a pass, strike while simultaneously
cut-
ting the opponent’s weapon wielding hand or forearm as it passes. The follow also relies on evad- ing the strike, but the counter is deliv- ered after the oppo- nent’s hand crosses your centerline and follows the same di- rection of movement of his strike. In con- fined quarters or on slippery
surfaces,
you may not be able to use footwork to evade a strike. In these
circumstanc-
es, a meet is most appropriate. A meet is a direct cut to the wrist or forearm of the weapon arm, immediately fol- lowed by a block or check with the back of the “live” (non-weapon wield- ing) hand. The most powerful defen- sive response is the crossada — a Fili- pino term that means to cross. This tactic is similar to a pass, except that the force of the cut is amplified by us- ing the live hand to push or slap the attacker’s hand into the blade. This tactic greatly increases the power of the cut and forces the attacker to overextend his movement, leaving him open to a follow-up strike.
The Gear What immediately drew me to
Mike’s methodology was its practi- cality and applicability to real-world situations. Students were encour- aged to train with the type of knife that would normally be carried and deployed; thus folding trainers were the norm and not 5" or 6" straight blades shoved artificially in pants pockets or belts. This common-sense approach resonated with me and the class proved that very little, if any, ca- pability is surrendered using the more practical folding knife; especially con- sidering the ability to discreetly carry and deploy a folder in environments where a fixed blade or gun could be illegal, against employer policy, etc. I utilized a Spyderco Delica 4 and En- dura 4 Emerson trainers in an effort to mirror the same knives I use for ev- eryday carry. The Delica has a 2-7/8" blade and the Endura a 3-3/4" blade. Mike stressed the importance of con- sidering if a trainer is available in the
Mike demonstrating pressure cut on the quadriceps muscle. This cut would immobilize an attacker and al- low for distance to be established and escape. Mike’s dynamic movement is captured in the blurred image.
decision making process, choosing a knife for personal-defense carry. MBC emphasizes structural stop-
ping power, sometimes also known as biomechanical cutting, and ex- pands it beyond the initial response of defanging the snake. Based on detailed analysis of human anatomy and physiology, MBC focuses on the body parts that allow an attacker to pose a threat and are most vulnerable to cuts with a typical tactical folder. Mike validated this analysis by cross- referencing it with actual combative incidents involving knives, as well as industrial and home accidents involv- ing serious, disabling cuts. The result is MBC’s stopping-power-oriented system of defensive knife tactics.
Target Priorities MBC has three target priorities
that were selected based on principles of human anatomy. These targets are the inside of the wrist, the bicep and triceps of the upper arms and the ultimate “mobility kill” — the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh. In addition to offering predictable and reliable debilitating effects, these targets were selected based on the fact they can be easily and effectively targeted with a small knife. The logic of MBC’s common sense structural targeting is irrefutable. Think about it; your opponent literally extends these targets toward you when he attacks. Compared to traditional targets like the torso, this makes them much easier to hit. Some critics of structural stopping claim it
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