Knife Defense High No. 6 Angle of Defense - US Army Modern Combatives

This page focuses on unarmed defenses against a knife attack. These self-defense techniques are used in US Army Modern Combatives training. The Combatives program teaches martial arts techniques to US Army soldiers. However, be aware that unarmed combat against weapons (such as guns or knives) is very dangerous and should only be used as a last resort. Consider other options first (i.e. run away from danger).

For more unarmed self-defense techniques for use against an aggressor armed with a knife, please visit the main US Army Combatives Defenses Against A Knife section.

No. 6 Angle of Defense

The attacker strikes straight downward onto the defender with a stab (Step 1). The defender reacts by moving his body out of the weapon’s path and by parrying or checking and redirecting the attacking arm, as the movement in the high No. 5 angle of defense (Step 2). The reactions may vary as to what is natural for the defender. The defender then takes control of the weapon and disarms the attacker (Step 3).

Diagram of Self-Defense No. 6 Technique Against A Knife

Additional US Army Combatives Knife Defenses

• Knife Defense No. 1 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives - Check and Lift
• Knife Defense No. 2 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives - Check and Ride
• Knife Defense No. 3 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives - Check and Lift
• Knife Defense No. 4 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives - Check
• Knife Defense Low No. 5 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives - Parry
• Knife Defense High No. 5 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives
• Knife Defense No. 6 Angle of Defense - US Army Combatives
• Follow-Up Knife Defense Techniques - US Army Combatives

Reference Sources

1. Information from Public Domain Document, Combatives - FM 3-25.150 (FM 21-150), http://sill-www.army.mil/428thfa/FM%203-25.150%20%28Combatives%29.pdf, Added - 05/14/15