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Along with multiple attackers, being attacked with a weapon is pretty much your worst self-defense nightmare. A weapon certainly adds more danger to a self-defense situation, but it may be dealt with if you keep your defenses simple. You do not need defenses that are complicated to carry out because they may fail and leave in a worse condition than before.

To defend against bludgeon type weapons, you use basically the same techniques used in unarmed fighting. A bludgeon is only a threat when it is swung and the direction of the swing is difficult for the attacker to change once it is started. You may grab a bludgeon without harm.

You have practically no defense against a firearm that is out of arm range other than talking. At an arm range, you must grab and control a firearm as you eliminate the attacker. You know where the threat of a firearm is, it is the pointed end with the hole. You can grab a firearm. As long as the hole points in a safe direction, it cannot harm you.

Defending against a knife is more difficult than against a firearm, because it has more areas that may harm you. A knife may be used to stab, cut on both sides, cut on the forward and backward stroke, thrust, lunge, or slash, and it cannot be safely grabbed. When faced with a knife, you have four movement choices: retreat, lateral inside close, lateral outside close, and pass by. Each of these initial movements allows you to shorten the distance between you and your opponent. Once you get close, you can apply the defense of your choice. This movement may also be used against bludgeons and firearms.

Retreat

Your retreat is usually seen by the opponent as a sign of cowardice. The attacker thinks you are either too afraid to fight or that you think you cannot beat him or her. However, a retreat may be the best initial move since it gives you space and time to evaluate your attacker's seriousness and an opportunity to prepare a strategy. Sometimes, your retreat may cause your attacker to back off and let you escape.

You may use a retreat to evaluate your position, gain better footing, adjust your stance, or maneuver for the best position in a confined space. You also may use a retreat to take control of the timing and distance of the confrontation. When you begin to retreat, your attacker is forced to react to you instead of acting on you. You may find the distance most comfortable for you and prepare to retaliate when you are ready. While retreating, you should be observing your opponent's position and characteristics that signal his or her intent and abilities.

While a retreat is the most sensible option available, it has disadvantages that make it a poor choice in some situations. Obviously, it is not an option in a confined space. While you may gain a physical advantage by retreating, you lose a major psychological advantage. When you step back, the psychological upper hand goes to your opponent. He or she will see you as weak, uncertain, inexperienced, and perhaps unskilled and may gain courage from it. If you do have a plan, you may regain the advantage by using it when the opponent thinks you are about to give up. If you do not have a plan, your fear will only increase by retreating.

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