Psycho with a knife!

Ive been practicing and researching martial arts for over 20 yrs, and this is probably the best article Ive come across information wise on knife attacks. But remember to practice, practice, practice. That annual self defense course just wont cut it friend. Also keep in mind that from a phycological standpoint dont tell your self you WONT be cut because you probably WILL. Fight to avoid being cut in a major artery area, you can take a cut to the outside of the forearm a heck of a lot better that on the inside.

The eye attack.
Forget about disruptoingt he enemy's balance with a palm strike. Height and weight vary. Take that close hand, and stick fingers int he eyes.

You have to either decide to wrap the arm, draw and shoot, or back away. Note the arm knife is free in the photos. It could slash the torso (protected by body armor?)

The eye attack is far superior a diminisher than teaching all sizes of officers to plam strike the chin and expect any and all opponents to lose their balance.

W. Hock Hochheim

I respectfully disagree with the "poke 'em in the eye" approach. Even if the strike had the desired effect (assuming you were accurate and the attacker was not wearing any type of eyewear) you're still left with a knife wielding attacker standing directly in front of you.

As for the knife bearing arm appearing to be "free" in the photo, keep in mind that we are actually running through the attacker and applying pressure. Since the attacker has no base, its not likley he will be able to re-direct the blade to cut you.

In force on force training, we've had much better success with taking the attacker's blance than resorting to a purely combative response. When you take the attacker's balance, his mindset is transformed from aggression to self preservation.

Remember, your goal when faced with an attacker armed with an edged weapon should be to negate the initial attack and create an opportunity to get to your firearm.

I think this move(the Run through) would be a great way to defend myself from a guy with a knife. plus the best part is you don't have to hurt the guy just stop him.

As a Martial Arts Grand Master with 45 years studing the Arts, I can tell you that the edge weapon is without a doubt the most dangerous weapon in a short distance fight. How the attacker carrys the weapon can give away whether he is trained or not. Be aware of the knife fighter who carrys his knife hidden with handle in palm and blade along his arm.

Hock that would take a lot more time to get that specific target, and what if you missed, and injured your trigger finger on their skull? Write an article on your own "school" and I don't think your ideas on Hicks Law carry water either....

I have researched many systems and ways to combat being attacked with a knife. By far the best is the SSGT Bicycle kick defense. This is the only technique that I have seen that creates distance, places a barrier between you and the attacker, and gives you an opportunity to go for your weapon without sacrificing an arm to defend the knife while you do so.

Google "SSGT-Strategic Self Defense and Grappling." This program is wildly popular in the south. I would absolutely teach this technique and recommend it for any type of knife attack over the tactics described in this article. If you are looking for a gross motor skill movement to teach or use look into the SSGT technique.

The bicycle kick is a valid strategy if you are on your back. I wouldn't recommend kicking an assailant armed with an edged weapon when you are standing in most cases. Kicks tend to be slower and more difficult to perform under stress than hand techniques. The success of a kick can be dependent on clothing restrictions and ground conditions as well. In my opinion, kicking is a good way to wind up on your back...but then I guess you could just use the "bicycle kick"...

There are few things as dangerous as defending against a sudden knife attack. I've read these comments and it always seems someone has a better way of doing something. The eye poke might work. But don't count on it. The bicycle kick requires going to the ground. Hope the attacker doesn't had friends around. And should the attacker avoid your kicks and get on the ground with you, the stakes have really gone off the chart. I have learned and practiced everything I can find on the subject, including the Jim Wagner method, Red Zone, you name it. I purchased the WARTAC DVD on this subject and put it through some hard testing using a training marker blade, and I ended up with far fewer red lines on my body than with any other method. I'd suggest to anyone really interested in this subject to do the same thing. Give your training partner a training marker blade and have him come at you in a realistic attack - not a long distance telegraphed one - and try all the methods out there. There is no method that will work against all attacks at all times. If one of the methods leaves you with he fewest red lines on your body, use that one. Until you've done that, you should wait before you endorse this technique or that program. Wear protective equipment and train safe.

Mr. Nance,
Thank you for this article and the discussion it provides. Without getting specific into the details of the bicycle kick, the point of the technique is to go to the ground when attacked. I disagree with your premise that hand techniques are easier to perform under stress than kicks. A kick is much more of a gross motor skill movement than the block and palm strike described above. Gross motor skills are generally regarded as easier to perform under stress.

Looking at the pictures above and reading the synopsis, I just disagree with the methodology. I agree that we should be teaching our officer to go for their gun in a knife attack. I also agree that we should not be teaching officers disarming techniques. I furthermore agree that we should employ a technique that allows officers to stop the initial attach to go for the gun. I think these are common points of interest that we all share. This is a departure from traditional movements that officers have been taught in the past. I believe the departure from those traditional movements is a good thing.
Where we disagree is how to accomplish our points of agreement. I do not like bringing my hands and arms up to the attacker while I am still within a distance that he can strike, thrust, stab or slash. Look at the picture and observe how much of his vital organs are exposed. Not only are his vitals exposed, but the movement requires him to move within striking distance.

"Been There", I agree with you that we should try these techniques in a life like scenario to test their validity. I have tried it, and I was very uncomfortable with it. I am sure that there are people who are reading my comments and are thinking, "There is no way I am going to the ground!" I understand that feeling and I was apprehensive until it was demonstrated for me and then I tried it.

Once again, I appreciate the chance to discuss knife and edged weapon attacks. It is a topic that I have not had the ability to talk about much on LEO forums. I believe in the bicycle kick technique and I believe that it will save officer's lives if they find themselves in an attack with an edged weapon.
If anybody cares to discuss the topic further feel free to contact me lgregor2@yahoo.com