#74 Retention Shooting Part 1
About this video
McPhee discusses armed knife fighting and the practical application of knife techniques in close-quarters combat, emphasizing that most knife attacks happen without warning and that effective training should focus on surviving and controlling threats rather than flashy demonstrations. He argues that knife work must be integrated with firearm tactics and environmental awareness, and teaches students through scenario-based training rather than choreographed drills.
Key takeaways
- McPhee teaches that 80% of knife attacks occur without the victim seeing the knife coming, so training should focus on target anatomy, controlling the attacker’s support hand, and minimizing bleeding rather than fancy techniques
- McPhee argues that knife and firearm training must be integrated together with footwork and tactical positioning, and that knife work serves primarily to create space and opportunity to access a firearm or escape
- McPhee emphasizes scenario-based, high-stress training in realistic environments over flowing drills and demonstrations, advocating that students learn practical techniques that work under pressure against resisting opponents
- McPhee designed a hollow-handled dagger to maintain a stable shooting position and allow both hands on the weapon while still maintaining a blade for close-range work and tactical advantage
- McPhee advocates testing techniques against experienced, athletically-gifted opponents in constrained environments to identify what actually works versus what looks good, rejecting popularity-driven or film-based approaches to training
Episode details: published September 1, 2020 · 1.4K views · 1:02:21 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. McPhee’s service stories are his own accounts, attributed to him — not independently verified. His tactical and firearms instruction is his doctrine, presented as his teaching — not legal or safety advice from Self Growth Videos.
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