How to Defend Against a Knife Wielding Attacker
There are times that, despite our best efforts, we find ourselves in dangerous situations which we have no choice but to face. I myself have been attacked several times through no fault of my own. If it were not for my experience in various forms of unarmed combat, I likely would not be alive to write this. When faced with an armed attacker, there is absolutely no shame in running. However, situations regularly occur in which this is not an option. You may be attacked in your own home or have loved ones with you whom you must defend. For that reason, here is a guide on how to defend against an attack and disarm a hostile individual carrying a knife.
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Instructions
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Allow your attacker to come within striking distance. His two most likely attacks are a straight thrust to the chest or a backhanded slash at your throat or upper chest. Either of these can be blocked with the same move.
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Hop backward as the attacker strikes, throwing back your hips and straightening your legs while leaning forward with your upper body. This will put the attacker’s targeting area of your body out of range while keeping your upper body in range to strike. Simultaneously drive forward and downward with both your arms, crossed over one another at the wrist. This is called an X-block. You should attempt to catch the top of your opponent’s wrist or lower forearm with this block to stop his attack.
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Hold your opponent’s arm with the X of your wrists, and sweep it out to your left in a semi-circle. Simultaneously step in and kick the inside of your opponent’s forward leg. This is designed to numb the leg and prevent your opponent from moving much during the next few moments.
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Switch your stance to face to your right while rolling your arms. Grab his wrist instead of cradling it. In an overhead half-circle, roll your arms up and over so they end facing the other direction. This will twist your opponent’s arm and put him in a wrist lock.
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Keep hold of your attacker’s wrist with your left hand, and use the right to pry the knife out of his fingers. You can either stab him with the knife or throw it away.
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Kick the inside of your opponent’s closest leg, just behind the knee, to buckle it and force him to the ground. As the attacker drops, switch hands again so your right is twisting his wrist and your left is placed at the junction of the shoulder. This will give you the leverage to force him face first against the ground. Place your left knee atop his back to hold him there. Your attacker has been disarmed and neutralized.
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Tips & Warnings
As no attacker can be predicted and every combat situation is different, there is no guarantee that this technique will prove successful in defending you. It will, however, increase your chances of surviving your encounter.
