Defending against a possible knife attack

Loren Christensen, veteran law enforcement officer and martial artist and co-author of Timing in the Fighting Arts shares this advice about defending against a street thug with a knife:

Say a street person is threatening you and you notice a knife sheath on his right hip. It’s time to move the potential target - your body - but you have to decide in which direction. Since we aren’t there to see all the variables that can affect your decision, here is some food for thought. You can:

• Sidestep to position yourself away from the weapon.

• Since it’s arguably easier for him to slash with the blade across his body than it is to slash to the outside of his body, see if moving to the same side as the weapon is an option.

• Step in close to the weapon in preparation to jam the blade should he reach for it. The negative with this option is that you are close and can be punched with his other hand. No one said life would be easy.

• Look for something you can use for a weapon: chair, lamp, your belt, coat, and so on.

• If your avenue of escape is blocked, assume your deescalation stance and use your verbal judo as you maneuver yourself to where you can flee.

• Consider attacking. If he says he is going to stab you, know that his brain is either occupied with noting your reaction to his threat or with the process of reaching for his weapon. That is the moment you jam his arm and strike his eyes or throat.

• The instant he reaches for the blade and you are close to that side of his body, jam his arm, gouge his eyes or punch his throat. If you are on the other side, out of reach, go for the eyes or throat. In either case, make your move the instant he moves. Don’t wait for him todraw the knife.