I’m not saying that you need to be able to twirl double nunchucks or anything, but if you’re interested in self defense then it’s definitely a good idea to learn a little bit about weapons.
(Most of the people you run into will have NO idea of what they’re doing with weapons, so even a little knowledge will go a long way.)
When it comes to handheld weapons like sticks, knives, and machetes then the Filipino Martial Arts (FMAs) have some of the most efficient and effective weapons techniques out there.
And one of the most important concepts in FMA is the idea of ‘defanging the snake.’
The central idea here is that if you hit or damage your opponent’s hand then you’ve removed the fangs from the snake; if he can no longer hold a weapon then he can no longer harm you.
Doing this does require a certain level of accuracy in your striking, as well as correct body angulation and zoning. You don’t want to successfully hit his hand but have the momentum of his strike carry his weapon right into your head or neck.
In this video my friend Jarlo Ilano goes over the details of defanging the snake, including some of these common errors.
This is very valuable knowledge, so check it out!