Knife Defense against Upward Stab

Another common attack is the upward stab, either vertical or at a diagonal angle. Note that the technique described first assumes that the stab is made upward, but at a slight inward angle, from outside the attacker’s body up and in. This is the most common and natural form of the attack.

Starting Position: Modified passive stance.

Attacker stabs upward, at a slight inward angle, from outside the attacker’s body up and in. As the attacker bursts forward, use the 360° Defense (#6 or #7) to attack the knife hand and strike the attacker. The defense must be made wrist to wrist (if not, the stab will come up and underneath the defense). Think of attacking the attack with your defense. Also, think of punching with full power!

Immediately push his arm outward and backward with your forearm, then reach your arm out in a motion very similar to Gun from Behind (page 260). Bring your arm in sharply to trap the knife hand at your chest/shoulder exactly like Gun from Behind.

Deliver knees or groin kicks explosively, keeping your weight forward and on the attacker.

Knife Defense against Upward Stab continued from previous page

Keeping the arm trapped, reach your right hand over and “cover” the knife hand (your hand and fingers should point the same direction as the attacker’s).

Rotate his wrist sharply so that the pinky side of his hand is toward the ceiling.

Turn your left shoulder toward the attacker, putting pressure on his wrist and arm. Quickly release your trapping hand (left) and slide it down to grab his wrist. As you do, step out a little bit, but keep weight on his arm and wrist.

Make a cavalier and strip the knife from his hand.

If you meet resistance, kick to the face or groin.

Vertical Upward Stab Variation: In some cases, the attacker stabs in a vertical motion up the middle of the attacker’s body. In this case, the initial defense is exactly the same.

However, the control is different because the nature of the attack does not allow the defender to push the attacking arm outward.

Once the defense is made, if the defender finds himself more on the dead side, the defender should make the control and disarm used in Defense against Straight Stab (page 312).

Knife Defense against Straight Stab

Straight stabs are less common than upward or downward stabs. However, they can be done and must be defended. There is a hold specific to straight stab wherein the pommel (butt end) of the knife is pressed into the palm of the attacker’s hand. However, this hold is less secure and not always used by attackers. Most often, they will hold the knife in a regular grip (blade upward). In this case, the only indication the attacker may give you of his intention to make a straight stab is to stand with the knife-side leg forward.

Starting Position: Left-leg-forward fighting stance as attacker makes right-handed stab.

Redirect the attack using your left hand, rotating your hand sharply (“chop”) against the back of the attacker’s hand to increase the movement away from your body.

Burst forward at a slight angle, sliding your arm forward and reaching down to catch the attacker’s arm. Be sure your elbow stays down to prevent the attacker from slashing, and be sure you keep weight forward on the arm to make the attacker feel jammed. At the same time, deliver a strong right punch.

As you recoil your punch, bring your right hand down and cover the attacker’s hand. Continue to put weight forward toward the attacker. Make a cavalier and strip the knife, kicking to the groin if necessary.

If you feel resistance, you can make another cavalier with a takedown.

Tips: Since we are usually a little late in defending, a general guideline is: “If you aim for the knife you’ll get the hand.” Because this defense is slightly more difficult, we recommend that you begin training from a fighting stance. Once you have mastered the technique, train from a passive stance as well.