Defending yourself against a Knife

Morné Swanepoel’s JKD High Performance Street Fighting

Before you even study the following self defense series you need to understand that an attacker with a weapon – e.g.: a knife, means that you’re in a very dangerous situation. You need to do whatever possible to try and avoid the situation altogether including running away or to using objects in your immediate environment to successfully defend yourself. If all else fails and especially if you have loved ones with you, your LAST resort is to actually confront the attacker.

The following pictures illustrate a few simple self-defense techniques.

Taking note of his opponents every movement, Morné’s last resort is to suddenly move in and secure a 2 on 1 grip on the blade hand. Your thumbs covering both sides of the forearm/wrist, i.e. facing in opposite directions and not facing in the same direction.

Morné keeps his momentum going forward and crashes with his shoulder into his attacker securing the blade at a safe distance. Important to keep your shoulder driving into your attackers chest moving him off balance and backwards and to keep your head tucked in tight against your attacker’s shoulder. This will assist in avoiding being hit with your attacker’s free hand. Many things can happen from.

Morné ensures total control of the blade hand while the struggle goes down to the ground.

Morné steps on the blade while shoving his attacker backwards. The attacker