How to Use Self-defense Against a Weapon

Using self-defense techniques against an attacker armed with a weapon is one of the most technically and mentally challenging martial arts techniques you can do. Self-defense techniques against weapons are good for anyone to learn and practice, but can be very risky to use in real situations and should only be used with discretion by advanced martial artists. Read on to learn how to use self-defense against a weapon.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Defend Against an Attack to the Body

1. Use the appropriate block to stop the strike if the attacker has a knife or similar weapon. After blocking, grab the attacker's wrist with your blocking hand. Use your other hand to palm strike the back of the attacker's hand and force him to drop the weapon.

2. Finish with an breaking technique to the wrist, elbow or knee to inhibit your attacker from fighting back or simply picking up the fallen weapon. Alternatively, you can put the attacker in a control hold depending on his position.

3. Step to the side first if your attacker has a gun. Turn your body so that your side is facing the attacker rather than the front of your body, and turn to whichever side the attacker is holding the gun. For example, if he is holding the gun with his right hand, back up with the right side of your body.

4. Grab the attacker's hand with your closest hand and palm strike to force the attacker to drop the gun with your other hand, just like you did for the knife strike.

Defend Against an Attack to the Head

5. Use a high block to sweep the attacker's hand up and away from the face. The most dangerous part of the defense is the first move, when you need to get the weapon up out of range of your head, so complete this move quickly before your attacker can respond.

6. Grab the attacker's wrist with your blocking hand, and bring your other arm up to grab the attacker's elbow. Bend his attacking arm and guide it straight up and over his shoulder.

7. Continue to push on the elbow to get your attacker into a control position, either putting him on the ground or forcing him to relinquish his weapon. If you put the attacker on the ground, maintain control of the weapon hand until help has arrived or until you are able to force it out of the attacker's hand.

Tips & Warnings

• When being confronted by an attacker with a weapon, flee the scene as quickly as you can and as soon as possible. If you knock the weapon away from your attacker, use the time to get as far away from the attacker as you can. Only stay with an attacker if you are unable to remove his access to the weapon.

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