Knife Defense from the Backslash

Author: Odhinn Kohout

 We have looked at many different angles of attack including the ground in the last lessons. The backslash is usually a surprise attack and there have been several incidents where I live where an unsuspecting Officer has been stabbed into the throat from the backslash angle.

The flinch is exactly the same as your body does not differentiate between and side or elevation. The key to this is to understand that it easier to get the bad-guy down on the ground by taking away the triangle of balance in behind his hips. Most throws and takedowns go forward or over the hips but you must remember that as a biped we are used to this as it is in fact how each of our steps (triangles) keeps us in balance and upright. When the body is forced to try and catch its weight( including the vector of force) which is added to it behind the hips it becomes very difficult to quickly counter this motion and re-form the triangle which is after all what balance truly is.

  

 

In the picture you can see that I am using the crown area of the head to drive the Attacker backwards while always maintaining control over the weapon arm/hand. You can facilitate the takedown by incorporating your legs to trip or foot sweep as well combining the flinch and strike into a takedown for arrest/control almost…simultaneously with some practice.

Be safe Guys!