5. AGAINST KNIFE
ATTACKS
As with punches and kicks, there is a world of difference between an expert and
an untrained person using a weapon, say a knife or a handgun. The guiding
principle against armed attacks is simple to formulate but difficult to apply.
It is best not to resist unless you absolutely have to. If it is a question of
pocket money, it is not worth the risk. The most superficial injury will entail
hospital costs far greater than the pocket money you may have to part with. Only
if you feel that your life or some other valuable item concerning you or those
close to you is in danger should you attempt to use defensive techniques. This
means two things: you have to become proficient in these techniques and you have
to use good judgment. The latter is the hardest because in most cases you may
have to come to a fast decision. How can you know that someone threatening you
with a weapon really means to use it? A rule to follow is to be willing and
ready to take decisive advantage of any mistake made by your attacker. This is
by no means an easy decision to make, but your life may depend on it. Just
remember that mild-mannered murderers are not rare.
In the case of an armed assailant, it is very dangerous to assume that one
single technique will be sufficient to subdue him. However, you increase your
chances of escaping serious injury or even death by making sure that your first
response is as decisive as possible. Always attack the eyes. No other part of
the anatomy is as vulnerable. Leniency is not in order with anyone trying to
kill you. Besides, an attack to the eyes will not necessarily cause permanent
damage. You must condition yourself mentally and physically to strike the eyes
in case of emergency. Frequently visualize someone approaching you as a
dangerous assailant and imagine yourself striking his eyes.
Think always in terms of minimizing the danger to you. Use common sense in
avoiding places where armed attacks might occur. Above all, avoid being cornered
and having your movements restricted. Making a jump followed by a forward roll
(see p. 76) is invaluable in this respect. Practicing with a partner armed with
a soft rubber knife, who really means his attack, will easily convince you of
its effectiveness. Yelling or screaming in a long sustained way is also helpful
and any realistic practice should include it. Faking a counterattack against
your assailant, yelling, then rolling to either one of his sides in order to
land behind him standing is a most effective training against knife attacks.
First practice this technique on a smooth soft surface, like a mat, then
practice it on a hard smooth surface, like the floor, and finally on rough
ground. Failure to follow these steps will result in lesser effectiveness.
When attacked by a knife-wielding opponent, your first reaction should be to get
out of reach. Then get hold, if you can, of something which could foil the
attack. If nothing is available, use items from your clothing. A handful of sand
or dirt, or any liquid to the eyes can be very useful. All this applies whether
you are barehanded or with a stick. Use the stick to keep him at bay. Should you
kick, kick fast and return even faster to a position of good balance. Again,
condition yourself to strike the eyes at the first opportunity. This applies to
all situations when you are in danger of being killed or maimed. The groin is
the next best target. The techniques given assume that you have nothing else but
a stick in your hands.
Overhead Attack
D is in guard 2. A holds the knife in his right hand. The previous comments
apply whether D has a stick in his hands or not, as already mentioned. Holding a
stick, however, will give D a considerably better chance to defend himself. A
attacks with an overhead thrust of the knife (Fig. 1). D sidesteps to the left
leading with the left foot, then brings the right foot behind the left so that
his left side is facing A. At the same time, D deflects A's attack with a
symmetrical double-grip parry 2, which he immediately follows with a right
circular spring-slash across A's eyes, a thrust to the ribs, and a right
circular spring-slash to A's right wrist or elbow, in order to make him drop the
knife (Figs. 2, 3). D kicks the knife behind him with his right heel and takes a
left guard 3.
Reverse Slash
D is in guard 2. A
attacks with the right hand, swinging the knife from left to right. D sidesteps
to the oblique forward left, leading with the left foot, and blocks the
attacking arm at the elbow with a symmetrical double-grip parry 2 (Figs. 4, 5).
The same notions of timing as for the reverse strike attack also apply here (see
p. 128). D pivots to his rear right on the ball of his left foot as he parries,
then he immediately slashes with the right, palm up, across A's eyes, following
through with a right circular spring-slash on A's right wrist, thus making him
drop the knife (Figs. 6, 7). D may throw A on his back with a right leg-lift,
while sliding his right foot forward. He may also retaliate with an attack to
A's groin.
Thrust at Close Quarters
D is first in right guard 1. A attacks him with a right-hand
thrust to the abdomen. D sidesteps with the left foot and pivots on the ball of
that foot to the rear right while pulling his hips back. D parries A's attack
with a right parry 3, slashing at A's right wrist (Figs. 8, 9), immediately
following this slash with another, palm down, to A's left temple and a circular
spring-slash to A's right wrist in order to make him drop the knife, followed
with a thrust to A's groin. As A doubles up, D jumps behind him and applies a
shin-block throw and immobilization. Alternatively, D may use a parry 2 to
catch A's wrist from below, then follow up with a right slash, palm up, across
A's eyes and follow through as above (Fig. 10).
Thrust from a Distance
A is rushing to stab D, perhaps changing the knife hands at
the last moment in order to confuse him. A may also use his left hand in order
to create an opening and stab D with the right. D is in right guard 1. He uses
the jumping retreat to stay away from A during the latter's first attempts at
stabbing him. Naturally, this can keep A at a distance, but it will not bring
him under control. A now makes a decisive attempt to stab D. The latter
keeps calm and jumps to the side, on the side of A's attack, if possible (but
not necessarily so) using a slash-parry 3 on A's wrist. Without stopping the
momentum of his arm, D slashes across A's eyes, palm down, then follows with a
circular spring-slash to A's nearest forearm, preferably on the knife-wielding
side. D may also follow through with a thrust to the midsection and, as A
doubles up, with a right circular spring-slash to the base of the skull. He may
also control A with a shin-block throw and Achilles pin. In view of the severity
of the attack a more severe retaliation is fully justified.
The
American Self Protection Association, Inc.
