How to Use a Magazine as an Improvised Defensive Weapon

The basic self defense philosophy is that it is better to face an opponent when armed with junk than with empty hands. This has led to an entire branch of self defense devoted to using impromptu or makeshift items as weapons focusing on items you may have nearby or on your person when you are attacked. You may have seen a film in which the protagonist, Matt Damon, used a rolled up magazine as a weapon against a knife-wielding assassin. This is no Hollywood trick. Given that any office or home is likely to have a few magazines lying close at hand means that this is both a common and effective method of self defense should nothing more effective as a weapon be immediately available. Here is a guide on how to defend against an attacker using a magazine.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Defend Against a Knife

1. Roll up the magazine as tightly as you are able while creating as much distance between you and your attacker as you are able. There are two ways in which you can use a magazine to defend yourself, depending on how you hold it.

2. Hold the magazine at the center, so that the top and bottom jut from both ends of your fist, if your attacker is using a knife or stabbing weapon. Allow your attacker to begin to thrust forward with his knife.

3. Step forward and to the outside of the thrust weapon. Use the back end of the magazine to hook in under the attacker’s wrist and pull upward to put his arm up in the air. This opens up a window directly to his chest and face.

4. Step inward, snaking your arm under your opponent’s raised arm. Use the end of the magazine jutting from the top of your fist to strike your attacker in the face or throat. Do not strike with the side of the magazine. Instead use the top of the magazine in a thrusting motion. The effect is similar to what you would get if you drove the end of a wooden rod into your attacker’s throat. He will most likely drop to the ground gasping for breath.

Defending Against a Club

5. Back up from your attacker to give yourself some room and time to roll up your magazine as tightly as you can. Hold it like a small club, at one end of the magazine.

6. Allow your attacker to step in and swing at you with his club, bat, or other blunt weapon. It doesn’t matter in which direction the swing comes from; your reaction will be the same.

7. Take a half step forward and swing your magazine to strike your opponent against the lower forearm, just behind the wrist. Depending on the direction of your attacker’s swing, you may have to strike the underside of the arm, the outside or the inside. Regardless of the swing, also strike the portion of the forearm both closest to and directly facing you.

8. Repeat this as many times as you can until your attacker attempts an overhand swing. When he does so, step in closely and grab the back of the attacker’s wrist, preventing it from coming down with your off hand.

9. Strike your attacker across the side of head or neck as many times as you are able. These impacts will have only slightly less force than would’ve been delivered had you been using a solid club. Repeating this enough times will discourage your attacker, causing him to retreat.

Resources

• Video Demonstration of the Back Trip

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