Knife Defense Break Techniques
Each group of knife defense techniques (A, B, C, D) also have subsets of knife defense break techniques.
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A break is when you break your opponent’s limb.
These knife defense techniques are part of Vortex Control Self-Defense. Some modified versions of them are also used in SFP Weapons Disarms Training.
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The information in this post is from the book “Vortex Control Self-Defense Bundle” by Sam Fury.
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Knife Defense Break Techniques
A1 Break
Your opponent attacks with a right overhand stab. Defend with a right bong sau and a left underhand grab.
Hold tight with your left hand and use your left forearm to attack your opponent’s ribs.
With the underside of your right arm facing up, use it to strike upwards on your opponent’s right elbow. At the same time, your left hand brings your opponent’s right arm down to apply an arm break.
Use your right hand to grab your opponent’s right hand/thumb. Turn your body to your left putting your back towards your opponent. As you do this, bring his right elbow over your shoulder. Apply pressure downwards to apply a second arm break.
A2 Break
Your opponent attacks with a left downward stab. Use a left chop and a right overhand grip to defend.
Use your right hand to twist your opponent’s right hand. At the same time use your left forearm in a waterfall action on your opponent’s arm. The action will twist his elbow to face up and straighten his arm out at the same time.
Apply pressure down to your opponent’s elbow.
A3 Break
Your opponent attacks with a right straight stab. Defend using a right chop and a left overhand grab.
Step back with your right foot as you bring your opponent’s right hand across your body. As you do this your right hand adopts an overhand grip.
Step in with your left leg and use your left forearm to strike/apply pressure on your opponent’s right elbow.
A4 Break
Your opponent attacks with a left straight thrust. Use a left chop and a right overhand grab to defend.
Pull your opponent’s arm back and across your body to straighten it out. At the same time, bring your left arm back to create some space between it (your left arm) and your opponent’s right arm.
Use your left forearm to strike/apply pressure on your opponent’s right elbow.
B1 Break
All B Breaks use an overhand grip and the same arm-break technique.
Your opponent attacks with a right downward stab. Defend with a left bong sau and a right overhand grab.
Guide your opponent’s right arm down as you shift your body to the outside of his guard.
As your opponent’s right arm comes down your right hand comes up on the inside of his guard. The intention is to grab your opponent’s hand so he cannot let go of the knife.
Continue to guide your opponent’s arm down until it is horizontal and tight across your body. Your opponent’s arm is snug in the crook of your elbow.
Pull his hand towards you whilst using your left upper arm to apply opposing pressure on his elbow.
B2 Break
Your opponent attacks with a left downward stab. Defend with a left chop and a right underhand grab.
Note: You could also use a left bong sao.
Guide your opponent’s right arm down as you shift your body to the outside of his guard.
As your opponent’s right arm comes down curl your left hand underneath it. The intention is to grab your opponent’s hand so he cannot let go of the knife.
Continue to guide your opponent’s arm down until it is horizontal and tight across your body. Your opponent’s arm is snug in the crook of your elbow.
Pull his hand towards you whilst using your left upper arm to apply opposing pressure on his elbow.
B3 Break
Your opponent attacks with a right straight thrust. Defend with a right chop and a left overhand grab.
Guide your opponent’s right hand between your bodies.
As you do this use your right hand in an overhand grip on his right hand so your opponent cannot let go of the knife.
Continue to guide your opponent’s arm between the two of you until it is horizontal and tight across your body. Your opponent’s arm is snug in the crook of your elbow.
Pull his hand towards you whilst using your left upper arm to apply opposing pressure on his elbow.
B4 Break
Your opponent attacks with a left straight thrust. Defend with a left bong sau and a right overhand grab.
Note: You could also use a left chop.
Pull his right arm across your body as straighten your left arm out perpendicular to his right arm. At this stage both your elbows face down. Your opponent’s elbow is on top of the underside of your elbow.
Grab your opponent’s hand with your left hand so he cannot let go of the knife.
Pull his hand towards you whilst using your left upper arm to apply opposing pressure on his elbow.
C and D Breaks
The break technique for groups C and D is the same.
Your opponent attacks with a right downward thrust. Defend with a left bong sau and a right overhand grab.
Guide your opponent’s arm down as you curl your left arm on top of his elbow.
Using a waterfall action with your left forearm, force your opponent down.
Use your left hand to hold your opponent’s shoulder. Place your knee on top of your opponent’s elbow and apply downward pressure. At the same time, pull up at his wrist and shoulder.
Photo Credit: Lance Cpl. Bridget M. Keane. Cropped.
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Got anything you want to say about these knife defense break techniques? Feel free to leave any questions and/or comments below.
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