Defending Stick Attacks: G3 - Blunt Objects

Using Common Objects as Self Defense Weapons

1. Identifying and categorizing the use of common objects for self-defense, such as: shields, clubs, stones, sharp-edge weapons, small objects, rope and liquids.
2. Using common objects of the shield type - such as a chair or bag

Training - Watching, Awareness, Prevention

1. Observing attacks being initiated, from a realistic distance
2. Same as above, but also foreseeing and imagining possible reactions

Use of Common Objects - Stick Type

1. Basic attacks – swings and stabs; five major directions
2. Basic defenses - 360º with the stick held in two hands; counter with leg or stick

Against Stick Attacks - Defending Overhead and Side Swings

1. Against one hand overhead attack - Stabbing defense to the live side
2. Against two hands overhead attack (or attacker is off center)
3. Horizontal (baseball) Swings –
   1. From passive stance - Front hand down and the back hand up.
   2. From ready stance – Defend with two forearms, positioned high

Defending Horizontal (Swing) Stick Attack to the Legs

1. Burst forward
2. Defend with the shin
3. Defend with a stop kick to the stick/hands

Defending Against a Straight Stab or Thrust with a Stick

1. Inside defense against a low stab - to either side, grab and counterattack
2. Inside defense, moving to the live side, send both forearms toward the weapon.
3. Defense against stabbing motion with a stick held in a high hold – high inside defense.
4. Defense against a horizontal straight thrust – stick held horizontally with both hands.

Defending Stick Attacks

1. Against a swing from below (cricket, golf) – stabbing defense
2. Against an overhead swing coming from the side – turn and step.
3. Against a horizontal swing from the side – 2 forearms (one high, the other high or low)

Defenses Against Attacks With a Stone

1. Against an overhead or diagonally downward attack - use stabbing defense.
2. Against an attack from the front (straight) - inside sweeping defense.

Outside Defenses

1. 360° outside defenses - with simultaneous counter-attack from a passive stance (against slaps and later against defined punches)
2. 360° defenses as above, with finishing mode - multiple counter-attacks; move away; get equipped
3. Defending against knife attacks - underhand hold (upwards / oriental) or overhand hold (downwards / regular / ice-pick) holds; simultaneous defense and counter-attack/s, then fast retreat

Returning Attacker (defend -- attack -- defend)

1. Following the defender's initial defense (a choke release; 360 defenses) and counter-attack, the opponent is still able to return and attack again, launch a circular attack (360)

Defenses Against a Knife Threat (including Distance Timeline)

1. From the front - at long range - deflect and kick, while leaning away from the knife
2. From the side or back - attacker is at long range - deflect and kick
3. From the front - at close range - deflect with a C grip.

Outside "Stabbing" Defenses(from relevant stances, ready or passive)

1. Outside stabbing defenses numbers 1, 2, and 3.

Common Knife Holds and Uses (recognition and basic practice)

1. Overhand stab - regular / ice pick grip
2. Underhand - upward / Oriental grip
3. Straight stab
4. Slashing attack

General Kick Defenses - Against All 4 Knife Attacks/Holds; Attacker Charging

1. Regular kick to solar plexus or chin
2. Sidekick to lower ribs or solar plexus
3. Bailing out and roundhouse kick to solar plexus (or groin)

Note: Attacker starts from a long-range position (over 2 meters).

Fighting Games, 4 Against 1

1. Attacking 1 Vs. 4 - as moving targets (opponents holding pads, try to close distance)
2. Using 360° attacks when the group of attackers have 2-3 knives (two attacks every 2 seconds)
3. Same as no. 2, unarmed attackers can strike straight.

Defending Against Impending Knife Threat

1. From the front at mid-range – with a grip on opponents wrist
2. Same with variations on position of the knife and attitude of attacker.

Defenses Against Overhand (Regular) Stab

1. Kick defenses, as in previous levels.
2. 360° defense - hook and catch the attacking arm to prevent further stabs. Option also to end with disarming assailant.
3. When attacked from the side (left/right)
   1. Defend (block) and counterattack, control (grab) as early as possible or move away
   2. Defend lean away and kick

Defenses Against Underhand (Oriental) Stab

1. For medium range attacks - defend with diagonal forearm, end with disarm
2. For close range attacks - use 360° defense with multiple counterattacks. Deal with: strong upwards attack; repeated attacks; retreating attacker and groggy (wrap attacker's forearm)
3. Against attacks from the side (in-front of the arm) – defend with the closest forearm while moving to the live side; switch hands and counterattack - against attack with same hand.
4. Against attacks from the side (behind the arm) – defend with the closest forearm and switch hands, while moving to the blind (dead) side - against attack with same hand.

Defenses Against Previously Unknown Attacks from a Variety of Angles

1. Defend against an attack previously unknown to the defender. The trainee is encouraged to use a technique as close as possible to what has been practiced.

Defending Against Knife Attacks - Straight Stabs

1. General solutions using the three types of kicks.
2. Inside (diagonal) forearm defense - from the outside.
3. Inside (sweeping) defense - to the inside.
4. Instinctive / reflexive defenses – at close range
   1. Against a low stab - scooping outside defense, counterattack with leg and/or hand
   2. Against stabs at varying heights - inside palm defense, counterattack as possible.

Note: Practice techniques 1 and 4 from a passive stance. Start practicing techniques 2 and 3 from an appropriate ready stance. In the later stages, practice from a minimized ready stance. All without returning to the initial channel of attack

Defense Against Slashing Knife Attacks

1. Inside defense against a low stab - to either side, grab and counterattack
2. Inside defense, moving to the live side, send both forearms toward the weapon.
3. Defense against stabbing motion with a stick held in a high hold – high inside defense.
4. Defense against a horizontal straight thrust – stick held horizontally with both hands.

Defense Against Knife Attacks from Various Angles

1. Defense against an attack from the rear – move, defend and counter so as not to get stabbed by the second attack.
2. Defense against straight knife attack from the side – turn to the dead side.
   1. Against a high straight stab (neck)
   2. Against a low straight stab (ribs)
3. Defense against an assailant attacking from various angles (including from behind) – with elements of surprise.

Defenses Against Circular or Straight Knife Attacks - In a Seated Position

1. From long range, attacker starts in front of the defender or at his side – use the chair or kick (supported lifting body) - attacker can approach from all directions.
2. Hand defenses - attacker can approach from all directions.

Defense Against Knife Attacks on the Ground - Lying Down (Face-Up)

Standing op

1. Standing opponent, coming from the side, with a downward stab.
2. Opponent sitting on defender, attempting a downward stab.

Dealing with a Continuous Attacker – Whilst Executing Previously learnt Knife Defenses
Attacker launches attack during counteraction that the defender is doing against the first one.

Simulations of Real-Life Situations/Scenarios

1. After falling or being thrown or taken to the ground, dealing with a standing or a tight (controlling) attacker.
2. Two attackers approach a Seated Defender. Dealing with Kicks and Knife Attacks.

Defense Against a Handgun Threat from the Front

1. Defense against a pistol threat from the front.
2. Variations - gun held at various heights, angles and distances, in either or both hands.

Defense Against Handgun Threats

1. Gun at the side held against defender's side (ribs), behind arm
   1. Deflect, turn and wrap.
   2. Deflect turn and grab with back hand
2. Handgun held against defender's side (ribs), in front of arm.
3. Gun threat from behind, held against the back - train defense for various heights (from lower back up to head level).
   1. Turn to either side – wrap of arm.
   2. Turn to dead side – grab with back hand.

Defense Against a Rifle / Long Gun Threat

1. Rifle threat from the front – inside defense, grabs and lift weapon - to live and dead side.
2. Rifle threat from behind - trap with both hands - to the live and dead side.
3. Rifle threat from the side, high/low – outside defenses and trap with both hands.

Advanced Defenses Against Pistol Threats

1. Pistol aimed at back or side -- assailant at a distance
2. Pistol aimed at back or side -- assailant very close
   1. Turn and grab elbow (if pistol at back)
   2. Turn and grab wrist (if pistol at side)