Sometimes slower is better

I teach tai chi, know for being done in slow-motion. Moving slowly gives you a chance to really feel what your body is doing. And it's hard for most of us to do. Kenpo is known for its speed and all too often our people move way too fast. We even say "Speed Kills", meaning speed kills power. Move too fast and your body does not have the time to really get connected to deliver the force generated. Your lower body dictates the speed of the upper. But this isn't really about that kind of speed.
    I was taking a Systema class a few days ago with Peter Annazone, who teaches it at my school. I was working with a  new student on knife defense, the type with the knife against your throat. She asked Peter how fast she should do it. He replied that he would respond as slowly as possible. The thinking in that system is that if you move fast on the initial response it signals the attacker, who will then cut you. By moving slowly you start to get yourself to the desired position (e.g. flattening the blade) without "putting the fight in him". Once you've gained the position you can continue the technique at speed.
    Here's the thinking. It's like being faced with a snarling dog. Move fast and they may attack and bite you. Move slowly and you get a few more seconds to prepare. When I teach the tai chi I tell students to treat it like a Doberman; no sudden moves. Firearms instructors like to say slow is smooth, smooth is fast when practicing their draw. This is the same idea.  
     Typically in kenpo we are faced with the weapon and we "go off" as fast as possible. One tactic I teach is to start the defense when the attacker says "Get your hands up!" They expect movement, so it disguises the defense a bit. So a little slow movement to get to position may give you an edge.