Defence Against Knife - Self Defence Techniques
0
Knife Defence·Vee AJ Jitsu
Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5UHXD7eSL8MGe06z-_dtYw/join 👊 Self Defense…
Knife Defence
Familyナイフディフェンス(Naifu Difensu)
TransliterationTranslation: knife defence
Overview
The Knife Defence family covers defensive techniques against edged weapon attacks, including slashing and stabbing attacks with knives, blades, and other edged weapons. [1] Knife defence is extremely challenging because edged weapons require minimal skill to inflict serious injury, the attacker can change angles rapidly, and the defender is likely to sustain cuts even in a successful defence. [1],[2] Knife defence techniques focus on controlling the weapon hand, redirecting the blade, and creating distance or executing a disarm when escape is not possible. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Knife defence has been taught in martial arts for centuries, with Filipino martial arts (Kali/Escrima), Japanese jujutsu, and Indonesian Silat developing the most comprehensive edged-weapon defence systems. [1] Modern reality-based self-defence systems emphasise that knife defence is extremely dangerous and should only be attempted when escape is impossible. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Knife defence is a self-defence discipline. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using foot positioning to control range and angles — maintaining optimal distance relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Ankles (pivot and directional changes), knees (level maintenance), hips (balance and weight distribution)
Force Vector — Multi-directional — lateral steps, pivots, and retreats adjust distance and angle simultaneously
Distance Principle — Managing the distance between fighters is the most fundamental defensive skill — controlling range dictates which techniques are available
Position & Entry
From fighting stance (under fire) — Bring both hands to the head, elbows tight, tuck the chin — absorb the flurry while protecting vital targets
As emergency defence — When overwhelmed by volume, shell up in the cover position until the opponent pauses
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Weapon defence scenarios involve lethal threats; failure risk is catastrophic
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDF— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFTraining Notes
✓Knife defence is the most dangerous area of self-defence — a knife attacker can inflict fatal wounds in seconds, and no technique is guaranteed to work (Fairbairn, Get Tough!, 1942)
✓The first and best knife defence is avoidance and escape — if you can create distance and run, that is always the best option
✓If escape is impossible, the priority is: (1) control the weapon hand, (2) create distance or angle, (3) disarm if possible, (4) neutralize the attacker
✓Never reach for the blade — control the wrist or forearm of the weapon hand; the hand controls the knife
✓Accept that you will likely be cut — knife defence training should include psychological preparation for receiving wounds while continuing to fight
✓Realistic knife defence training uses padded markers at full speed and resistance — compliant knife drills create dangerous false confidence
✓Krav Maga, military combatives (Fairbairn-Sykes method), and Filipino martial arts (Pekiti-Tirsia Kali) are the primary systems with proven knife defence curricula
✓Environmental awareness: use barriers (tables, chairs, cars) to create distance; use improvised shields (bags, jackets) to protect vital targets
Common Mistakes
!Believing knife defence techniques work reliably in real situations — real knife attacks are chaotic, fast, and often ambush-based
!Training only against single-strike knife attacks — real attackers use rapid, repeated thrusting ('sewing machine' attacks)
!Attempting techniques without first controlling the weapon hand — the hand must be secured before any counter or disarm
!Not training under realistic pressure with protective equipment — adrenaline and speed change everything
!Underestimating the threat — a knife attacker can kill in under 3 seconds; treat every knife encounter as life-threatening
!Over-confidence from martial arts training — even expert martial artists are at extreme risk against a determined knife attacker
!Practicing disarms without understanding that real knives are slippery with blood — grip failure is a primary concern
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008)
2BookKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault (Lichtenfeld & Yanilov, 2001) [2] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationBoxing (Dempsey, 1950)
Alias sources — [1] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008) [2] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008) [3] MMA Instruction Manual (UFC, 2008)
5CitationKarate-Do Kyohan (Funakoshi, 1935)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault (Lichtenfeld & Yanilov, 2001) [2] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)
Community
Athletics
Requires
reaction speed, structural body mechanics, defensive awareness
Favours
quick reflexes and conditioned defensive surfaces
Key muscles
varies — forearms (blocking), legs (movement), core (stability)
Sub-techniques
Knife Disarm
SubFamilyThe Knife Disarm subfamily covers techniques for removing a knife from an attacker's hand, typically through wrist locks, leverage strips, or impact techniques that force the hand open. [1] Knife disarms are among the most difficult and dangerous techniques in self-defence because they require the defender to maintain control of the weapon hand while executing a precise mechanical action to strip the weapon. [1,2] All knife disarm techniques accept that the defender may sustain cuts during the engagement, and prioritise securing the weapon hand above all else. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Knife Redirect
SubFamilyThe Knife Redirect subfamily covers defensive techniques that redirect the trajectory of a knife attack without attempting an immediate disarm, using hand deflections and body movement to guide the blade past the body. [1] Knife redirects are based on the principle of deflection rather than direct blocking — the defender uses a parrying motion to change the blade's path rather than stopping its force head-on. [1,2] Redirects are often the first defensive action in a knife defence sequence, followed by control of the weapon hand and either escape or disarm. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Notes
Knife defense appears in 261 passages across 39 books. The universal expert consensus: the best knife defense is to run. When escape is impossible, the defender must control the weapon hand above all else. Filipino martial arts (Kali/Eskrima) have the most developed knife defense systems. (39 books; FMA manuals; Krav Maga texts)
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I try to grab the knife arm when defending against a knife attack?
No—Vee AJ Jitsu emphasizes that grabbing the arm directly is ineffective because the knife wielder will simply move the blade like a snake's head, rotating and whipping it around to cut you. Instead, use your forearms to block and control the blade without relying on hand grabs.
What's the difference between using your hands versus your forearms in knife defence?
Vee AJ Jitsu teaches that using your forearms to block allows you to control and move the blade safely without it sliding down toward you, whereas grabbing with your hands gives the attacker leverage to drive the blade downward into your body.
Why do untrained people become more dangerous when they have a knife?
According to Vee AJ Jitsu, people without blade training rely entirely on the weapon for confidence and aggression—remove the knife and they lose their advantage, since they lack the fundamental understanding of how to actually control and move an edge weapon effectively.
How does the Knife Defence work?
The Knife Defence family covers defensive techniques against edged weapon attacks, including slashing and stabbing attacks with knives, blades, and other edged weapons. Knife defence is extremely challenging because edged weapons require minimal skill to inflict serious injury, the attacker can change angles rapidly, and the defender is likely to sustain cuts even in a successful defence.
Where does the Knife Defence come from?
Knife defence has been taught in martial arts for centuries, with Filipino martial arts (Kali/Escrima), Japanese jujutsu, and Indonesian Silat developing the most comprehensive edged-weapon defence systems. Modern reality-based self-defence systems emphasise that knife defence is extremely dangerous and should only be attempted when escape is impossible.
Is the Knife Defence legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal; WKF: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Knife Defence?
Danger rating 9/10. Extreme — weapon defence scenarios involve lethal threats; failure risk is catastrophic
How do I set up the Knife Defence?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Knife Defence?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Knife Defence?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Knife Defence in competition?
Knife defence is a self-defence discipline.
What are common mistakes when doing the Knife Defence?
Top errors to watch for: Believing knife defence techniques work reliably in real situations — real knife attacks are chaotic, fast, and often… / Training only against single-strike knife attacks — real attackers use rapid, repeated thrusting ('sewing machine' at… / Attempting techniques without first controlling the weapon hand — the hand must be secured before any counter or disarm / Not training under realistic pressure with protective equipment — adrenaline and speed change everything.
What are other names for the Knife Defence?
The Knife Defence is also known as Naifu Difensu, Blade Defence, Edged Weapon Defence, Anti-Knife.