Defense Against Armed Attackers

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.

Lateral Close

The lateral close is the most commonly taught method of defending against a thrusting, lunging, or cutting attack. There are two methods to use the lateral close. The first is to side step your opponent's forward movement. When the opponent attacks, you step either to the side of the attack so you end up very close to the side of the opponent's body.

The second method is to move diagonally inward toward your opponent before your opponent moves forward to attack. You move into your attacker's space and end up very close to the front of his or her body. Both ways allow you to close the distance effectively  while avoiding the attacker's weapon.

By holding a knife, the attacker extends his or her range of attack and thereby shortens your range. Once you pass by the outer reach of the attacker's range, the blade of the knife, you lessen the attacker's options for attack and take away his or her advantage. When you get very close, you force the attacker to resort to grabbing or blocking your attack, which distracts his or her attention from the knife.

There are two types of lateral closes: the outside close and the inside close. Each type describes the direction of your movement relative to your opponent's body and may be executed using either of the above methods to close. In the following examples, assume you are defending against an attacker who is stepping or lunging forward in an attack with a knife held in the right hand.

Outside Close

The outside close is the safer of the two types. To execute it, when the attacker steps toward you and thrusts the knife at you, you should step outward toward your left just far enough to let the knife pass by. Use your hands to guide the attacker's arm as it passes by you while getting a firm grip on his or her wrist or forearm with your right hand. You should find yourself standing very close to the attacker's upper arm or shoulder with your right hand holding the attacking hand firmly at your side.

When performed correctly, the outside close puts you outside of the line of attack and reduces your chances of getting cut. It puts you in the position of being almost behind your attacker and makes your opponent feel vulnerable. Once you complete the close, you may apply your choice of finishing techniques. 

Inside Close

The inside close is somewhat more risky than the outside close but it is much more intimidating. To execute it, when the attacker steps toward you and thrusts the knife at you, step to your right and toward the centerline of the attacker's body while holding onto the attacking arm with your left hand. You should end up in front of your partner's chest and face, while holding his or her right arm at your side with your left hand.

This is clearly an intimidating position for the attacker because you have cut the weapon off from his or her line of vision and you have placed your body between him or her and the knife, making it impossible for him or her to attack you with it. You have also exposed key targets on the opponent's body to attack, including the critical targets on the centerline of his or her head and body.

However, you have also presented the attacker with the same opportunities, which makes the inside close a risky move. Once you use the inside close, you must have a specific plan to finish your attacker quickly. You must also be acutely aware of your opponent's actions and be prepared to defend against a counterattack.

Deadly Pass

The final choice for closing the distance against a knife is the most dangerous, both to the attacker and the defender, even in practice. To execute it, when the attacker steps toward you and thrusts the knife at you, step outward to the left, as if performing an outside close, but take two steps so that you are behind the attacker. You have now "passed" the attacker and have several options. You may grab attacker's hair, head, or shoulders and pull backwards. You may apply a choke or lock from behind. You may kick the spine, tailbone, or knee to knock attacker forward, or you may strike the back of the head. To be effective, the pass and follow-up techniques should be performed as a single move. In an instant, you have to move by your attacker and apply a single deadly attack before he or she realizes where you are.

The result of a correctly performed pass is that your attacker never sees it coming and is literally blindsided by your attack. If you choose to pull the attacker backward, he or she will certainly hit his or her head on the ground. If you push the attacker forward, his or her face will likely hit the ground. If you choose to strike from behind, attacker will suffer a full force blow with no warning or defense. All these outcomes may result in death or serious injury to the attacker.

The pass is not recommended for beginners. You run the risk of becoming disoriented or losing your footing when you move so quickly and with such force. You also risk being tripped by yourself or your assailant as you pass. Finally, you run the risk of not being fast enough to complete the pass and not getting a grip on your opponent to control his knife.

Tips

Whichever method you choose, there are a few common principles:

• Stay as close to your opponent as possible after you close.
• Focus on taking control of the knife first.
• Grabbing the knife wielding hand is always preferable to parrying/blocking.
• Cut off your attacker's view of the knife.
• Close the distance quickly and smoothly.
• Never take unnecessary chances or use complicated techniques.
• Detach yourself from the fear you feel when faced with a weapon.
• Stay alert but unemotional.
• Keep a natural demeanor and deceive your opponent.
• Move suddenly and without warning.
  

Sources

Kim. S. H. (2003). Against an Armed Attack: The Advantages of Simplicity.