Navy Defense Tactics
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Defense against knife attack
- Downward thrust. The first objective is to stop the knife's blow by seizing the assailant's wrist with the outstretched hand, thumb downward. Then cross the other hand under and around his arm in a reverse double wrist lock. Using your shoulders as a fulcrum, apply leverage until he drops the knife or his arm is broken. Force him to the deck and conclude the counterattack.
- Upward thrust. In countering the upward thrust with a knife, both hands form a "V" and are used to seize the wrist and arrest the blow. While forcing the wrist back, throw the assailant off balance with a sharp knee lift to the groin. Swing under his arm and apply a hammerlock. To force release of the knife, apply pressure downward against the wrist. Then maintain the hold for either control or leading.
- Side thrust. To block this maneuver with a knife, both hands are used in a "V" to seize the opponent’s wrist. Then the right hand is slipped round the assailant's arm to apply a double wristlock. Stepping back, this hold develops into a twisting hammerlock, exerting leverage that will tear the opponents shoulder should he resist. When the knife grip is broken, the hammerlock can be retained with one hand while the knife can be recovered with the other hand to complete the counterattack.
- Club defense against knife. If armed with a strong stick, wait for the thrust to expose the assailant's arm, and then strike the forearm. One blow should either break or paralyze the arm. If not, jab sharply to the solar plexus and continue the counterattack with both stick and knife.