PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense Instructor Course

In most situations, an officer would be immediately justified to escalate to deadly force when confronted with a knife attack. There are times when an officer is confronted by a spontaneous knife assault and the ability to retrieve their weapon is not possible. However, correctional officers face an even higher level of threat to knife assaults, since they are rarely issued a firearm.

The PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense System has been designed to meet the needs of police and correctional officers. The students training will begin with a comprehensive course on offensive knife systems. The focus of this training is to raise the student's awareness to the sophistication of strategies, yet the simplicity which an officer can fall victim to a moderately trained subject with a knife. The second phase of training will focus on the PPCT Knife Defense techniques, based upon a realistic , yet highly aggressive check and stun philosophy. This system has evolved to the simplest form, where all of skills are gross motor skills that are compatible to the affects of survival stress. This simplicity in design allows for quicker learning and retention under the stress of a knife assault.

1. To examine survival learning research and design methods for spontaneous knife defense systems.

 2. To identify the primary and secondary methods of offensive knife strategies.

 3. To learn the PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense System and training   methodologies.

Survival Learning Research: This unit examines research from educational psychology, motor learning science and neurobiology, and applies the research to the design of spontaneous knife defense systems. The units explains why simple gross motor skills and systems with few techniques, are more compatible to use of force training.

PPCT Control Principles: The foundation of the PPCT training systems is based upon a series of training principles. This unit examines the PPCT Force Continuum, PPCT Control Principles, survival reaction time and tactical positioning.

Psychology of Combat Knife Systems: This section examines various philosophies regarding the tactical use of a knife as a lethal weapon. The research will explore the historical perspectives of the evolution of combat knife systems beginning with the influence of the Sykes/Fairbairn World War I system, the influence of Filipino knife training and the current view of military special operations units.

Analysis of Target Lethality: There is considerable mythology surrounding the lethality of specific targets, as well as their effectiveness. The purpose of this unit is to reveal facts about human incapacitation resulting from a knife attack. This unit will examine the difference between fatal cuts and cut which will immediately immobilize a subject. This unit will also provide a foundation for the design methodology of the PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense System.

Analysis of Offensive Knife Attack Strategies: The effectiveness of any knife defense system, is based on the officer's knowledge of how a knife can be used offensively. This training block will teach the students the six basic knife strokes, and common offensive strategies to quickly disable an officer. This block will not only teach the officer how a trained knife practitioner will attempt to disable an officer, but it will also increase the student's visual reaction time and ability to recognize a threat quicker.

PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense System: The PPCT Spontaneous Knife Defense System is based on a check, stun and control principle. This system is comprised of two check, followed by either a low front kick or a stunning technique. This combination allows an officer the option to disengage to cover or to follow-up for restraint and control. This unit will also examine the use of impact weapons to effectively control and disable a knife attack.