MEDUSA

EDGED WEAPON SYSTEM

Manual

Written by – Jason Schultz (002-21)

 This book is for information purposes only. Do not
attempt any of the techniques described unless under the
guidance of a fully qualified MEDUSA Instructor. Always
consult your physician before engaging in any physical
activity. The author assumes no responsibility for any
injury that may occur as a result of using these techniques.
All of these techniques may ONLY be used in justifiable
circumstances where care is taken not to infringe local
laws regarding legal restraint and use of force.
 Foreword

I've known Jason for many years. Even though we

have never met in person, we have watched each other
grow as martial artists and as instructors. When I was
developing MEDUSA with my son Seth, we discussed
who we wanted to be an instructor. Jason fit every quality
we wanted. When he asked to write this quick and dirty
manual, I quickly agreed. What an excellent job he did.

Michael Raymond
2022
 MEDUSA
MEDUSA was developed by Mike and Seth
Raymond after watching edged weapon systems become
more complicated over time. Their extensive research into
edged weapon violence eventually lead them to the United
States prison system. This research, along with inmate
interviews and observation of closed-circuit video,
provided access to the tactics behind these sudden, violent
assaults, that leave prison inmates with severe, often fatal
injuries. These quick, deadly assaults are referred to by
some simply as “Grab and Stab”. Soon you'll learn that
they are missing a vital piece of the equation.

MEDUSA is at its heart a defensive edged weapon

system. We do not advocate, nor condone assault in any
form, nor do we advocate using an edged weapon on an
unarmed individual unless you believe your life to be in
absolute danger.

You'll notice in the following pages that I alternate

between referring to your tool as a knife and/or an edged
or pointed weapon. A knife may not be available when
you need it most. You may be at work with a crystal Bic or
better yet, a Zebra 701. You might be in a situation where
all you have is a screwdriver. Don't always think that
you'll have access to a knife. MEDUSA is a point driven
system which means that you can implement the following
principles with any firm, pointed object.

MEDUSA - Piece By Piece

MEDUSA is made up of three very basic

principles. SHOCK, LATCH and STAB. Each word very
clear and easy to understand. No illusion of deep martial
thinking. I am convinced that 9 out of 10 of you could
take those three words and instinctively act on them.

SHOCK → LATCH → STAB

SHOCK is used as the opening for your attack. The

purpose of SHOCK is to occupy your targets thoughts and
take their focus away from what is about to be done to
them. While SHOCK can include things like spitting in
the face or throwing something at your target, your first
intention should be to destroy whatever is in your way.
The three target areas for SHOCK are the groin, the throat
and the eyes. Our goal here isn't to startle the target or
make them flinch. Our goal is to incapacitate the target as
quickly as possible. Remember, your goal should be to
dislodge the eye, crush the trachea or rupture the testicles.
SHOCK can be performed with either your hands, feet or
knees.

LATCH yourself to the target. Do not let them get

away. Once you have them don't let them go. I stress this
because if you don't keep them close there is space. Space
for them to launch an offense. Some suggestions to apply
for LATCH include half thai clinch, arm drag, overhook,
underhook, etc. Remember, LATCH is to be performed
with the non-weapon hand.

STAB is simply that, STAB. There are no slashes

in MEDUSA. Why do away with slashes? Slashes can be
impeded by thick and/or layered clothing. Even in desert
regions like Las Vegas there are times where the
temperature can get as low as the mid-60's during the day
time. Thrusts on the other hand will likely penetrate the
cloth and tear into the flesh. Slashes can also require more
of a time commitment than a thrust. That period of time
may only be a moment but it might be a moment too long.
Lastly, a slash will not only take your blade across your
target but also across your own body possibly leaving you
open to having your arm trapped should your target close
in on you.

In MEDUSA we have 6 thrusts.

Forward Grip (Hammer Grip):

Straight Thrust
Hook Thrust (palm down) (3 to 9)
Up Thrust (6 to 12)

Reverse Grip (Ice Pick Grip):

Straight Thrust
Hook Thrust (palm up) (3 to 9)
Down Thrust (12 to 6)

There are 6 thrusts so that choices are limited. You

have less to think about. Less to process while under
duress. Forward grip, reverse grip, edge in or edge out a
straight thrust is a straight thrust. Don't make things more
complicated than they need to be, your life may depend on
it.
 SHOCK, LATCH and STAB is meant to be carried
out in that sequence rapidly and with brutal intent.

GRIPS

In MEDUSA we utilize 2 fundamental grips.

Hammer grip and the Ice Pick grip. Each grip is
performed almost the same exact way. First, wrap you
fingers around the handle until your fingertips curl back
into your palm. Second, for hammer grip tuck your thumb
along your second knuckles, as if you were making a fist.
The Ice Pick grip is performed similarly. First wrap your
fingers the same way as Hammer Grip and then simply
place your thumb over the pommel or you can again, tuck
your thumb along your second set of knuckles. In simpler
terms, make a fist around the handle.

Hammer grip:
Forward grip, edge out
Forward grip, edge in

Ice Pick Grip:

Reverse grip, edge in
Reverse grip, edge out
 DO NOT CHANGE YOUR GRIP ON THE
KNIFE unless it is lodged inside of your target or you
happen to drop it. Changing your grip mid-conflict is a
good way to lose your knife.

STANCE

Take a natural combative stance. Your feet should

be shoulder width apart with your strong side back half
that distance. Raise your rear heel slightly. Your hands
should be out front, in a non-combative “fence”. Your
shoulders hunched protecting the jaw. Tuck your chin and
bite down.

MOVEMENT

MEDUSA is not a dueling system. There are no

complex footwork patterns. Each practitioner can use what
works best for them as we all move differently. The goal is
to close distance as fast as you can. Crash in to your
target. The most important piece in moving is to move in
the direction of your strike/thrust/stab. Put your mass
behind your action. If you feel that you need to study
footwork, invest your time in watching boxing footage.
There are plenty of videos where you can review these
basics on YouTube.

FOOT PLACEMENT

While MEDUSA does not have dedicated

footwork it is imperative that once your defensive
measures begin you place your front foot between their
legs. Doing so will help to move your target off balance
and impede their ability to move forward.

TARGET ZONES

There is a practice in many edged weapon systems

to target specific body parts, both external and internal. In
MEDUSA we do not target specific body parts with edged
weaponry, especially not internal organs. In MEDUSA we
target zones. The purpose for targeting zones is like the
thrusts, it keeps your choices limited so that you do not
overthink your next action. The last thing you should be
doing in an armed situation is worrying about where to
strike next and counting down the time until they bleed
out.

Zone 1 – Top of the head down to the

clavicles
Zone 2 – Clavicles to the beltline
Zone 3 – Beltline down to the femoral
arteries

We target these zones so that you don't have to

overthink your offense. Once you start stabbing do not
stop until your target is neutralized.
 THROTTLING AND STICK SHIFTING
The thrusts of your blade are not the only
opportunity you have to cause damage to your target. In
MEDUSA we utilize two additional methods of inflicting
subdermal damage, Throttling and Stick Shifting.
Throttling occurs when you have your edged
weapon lodged inside your target and you rotate the blade
as if you were working the throttle on a motorcycle.
Similarly, Stick Shifting is when you have your
blade inside your target and you work the blade back and
forth and side to side as if you were working the stick shift
in a manual transmission vehicle.

SEQUENCES

The following sequences are only examples and

certainly not the limits for MEDUSA. From this point
forward right hand with be RH and left hand will be LH.

1. RH strikes out with Yoke hand to the

throat.
2. LH shoots out for half clinch while RH
retracts to draw blade.
 3. LH holds target close while RH strikes out
at ZONES 2 and 3 with blade.

1. RH strikes out with Slavic Uppercut to

groin.
2. LH shoots out for underhook while RH
retracts to draw blade.
3. 3. LH holds target close while RH strikes
out at Zone 1 with the blade.

These sequences can of course be committed in

either Orthodox (right leg back) or South Paw (left leg
back) stances. MEDUSA does not discriminate. However,
you must remember that without SHOCK you cannot
LATCH, without LATCH you cannot STAB.

KNIFE VS KNIFE

If you are one of the lucky few that gets to see a

knife being brandished by a “bad guy” before it is used,
GET AWAY. Only resort to MEDUSA if your life depends
on it. Should you be trapped or unable to leave the area
draw your knife. If you are not the direct target attempt to
draw discreetly as not to call attention to yourself. If you
are the target get your knife out as soon as possible.
The presence of a second knife does not change the
principles of MEDUSA. You will still follow the sequence
of SHOCK, LATCH and STAB. The only differences are
that now your knife hand and corresponding foot are
forward.

AUTHOR'S FINAL WORD

I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike Raymond

for a number of years now. He has always been short on
the bullshit and quick to make his point. MEDUSA is the
embodiment of those principles. For 30 years I have been
involved in the martial arts, starting from a young age and
have had the opportunity to study a handful of different
weapons systems over the years ranging from traditional
arts to more modern combative based edged weapon
systems. MEDUSA is by far the most direct and least
complicated system I have come across and I am proud to
be a part of the family.
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