Self-Defense Against An Attacker Armed With A Weapon

This section looks at self-defense techniques that can be used against an attacker armed with a weapon (i.e. gun, knife or club). These techniques focus on disarming the opponent. 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).

According to the US Army Modern Combatives Program, the keys to a successful unarmed self-defense against an attacker armed with a weapon include "Move the body out of the line of attack of the weapon", "Control the weapon… Maintain control of the attacking arm by securing the weapon, hand, wrist, elbow, or arm by using joint locks, if possible", "Stun the attacker with an effective counterattack" and "Disarm the attacker".

Amazon Self-Defense Books

Defenses Against Baseball Bats, Clubs, etc.

• Aikido Jo Dori - Defenses against a Jo short staff but also useful against clubs, sticks, etc.
• Defense Against A Stick Or Bat - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Low Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your knees or legs with a stick or club.
• Defense Against A High Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your head or upper body with a stick or club.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 1 - US Army Combatives - No. 1 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 2 - US Army Combatives - No. 2 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 3 - US Army Combatives - No. 3 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 4 - US Army Combatives - No. 4 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 5 - US Army Combatives - No. 5 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 6 - US Army Combatives - No. 6 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.

Defenses Against Guns

• Defense Against A Gun To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Side - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To Back While Mounted - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Rifle - Krav Maga

Defenses Against Knives

• Aikido Tanto Dori - Defenses against knife attacks.
• Cane - Defense Against Knife Attacks
• Defense Against A Knife Downward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife Straight Stab - Krav Maga - Defense against a straight thrust.
• Defense Against A Knife Upward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat - Krav Maga - Knife to the neck from the front.
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat From Rear - Krav Maga] - Knife to the neck from the rear (attacker is behind you).
• Defense Against A Knife - US Army Combatives - Main article and introduction.
• 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

Aikido Defenses Against Weapons

• Aikido Tanto Dori - Defenses against knife attacks.
• Aikido Jo Dori - Defenses against a Jo short staff but also useful against clubs, sticks, etc.

Cane Defenses Against Weapons

• Cane - Defense Against Knife Attacks

Krav Maga Defenses Against Weapons

Defense Against Aggressor With A Gun

• Defense Against A Gun To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Side - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To Back While Mounted - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Rifle - Krav Maga

Defense Against Aggressor With A Knife

• Defense Against A Knife Downward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife Straight Stab - Krav Maga - Defense against a straight thrust.
• Defense Against A Knife Upward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat - Krav Maga - Knife to the neck from the front.
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat From Rear - Krav Maga] - Knife to the neck from the rear (attacker is behind you).

Defense Against Aggressor With A Gun/Club/Stick/Bat

• Defense Against A Stick Or Bat - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Low Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your knees or legs with a stick or club.
• Defense Against A High Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your head or upper body with a stick or club.

US Army Combatives - Self-Defense Techniques Against Knives

• Defense Against A Knife - US Army Combatives - Main article and introduction.
• 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

US Army Combatives - Self-Defense Techniques Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.

• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 1 - US Army Combatives - No. 1 Angle of Defense
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 2 - US Army Combatives - No. 2 Angle of Defense
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 3 - US Army Combatives - No. 3 Angle of Defense
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 4 - US Army Combatives - No. 4 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 5 - US Army Combatives - No. 5 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.
• Unarmed Defense Against A Bayonet 6 - US Army Combatives - No. 6 Angle of Defense Against Bayonets, Baseball Bats, etc.

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 - 05/04/15