Simple & Reliable Knife Defence Everyone Should Know [Tried & Tested] 

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This is a really good knife defence video and it is very realistic as well. You tested it unlike the knife videos that i watched before, they never do a pressure test on it. Well done guys❤

Nice presentation. I learned it training with the Dog Brothers about 20 years ago. I saw another commenter recognized the DogCatcher as well. It was referred to as a "Die Less Often" technique because (as you pointed out) empty hands vs knife means you're likely to get hurt.

For any of my British, brothers and sisters. Always wear a heavy belt,with a heavier belt buckle. It gives you reach, an separation..

Most helpful video I have seen on what a knife attack is like.

Ah, the infamous X-block lol. You might still be able to find YT vids of something the Dog Brothers call the "dogcatcher" defense which is a kind of X-block that flows well to gripping the attackers arm. The Xblock tech here is also reminiscent (in how its demonstrated) of Krav 360 blocking, just with the two armed X frame instead of a single arm. Notice your "boxer" here had a little bit of awkwardness with this Xblock tech where I suspect he would have found the 360 more immediately intuitive. But this X builds that frame of the arms that covers more angles so, yea, everything is a trade off. Overall I think this approach is very good for what its intended to be- a simple to learn and use technique that can improve someones chances of surviving the most common attacks even if they arent skilled in kind of martial arts. With that as the standard, kudos, you guys delivered 👍 In my opinion, your guy who went to the single leg had the best response, conceptually, out of the three - even though iirc he got stabbed the most 😂 The reason I say so is because 1) he went directly into something offensive 2) it was something he knew he was reasonably good at and 3) it was something that would likely result in gaining physical control over the attacker. Single leg probably isnt the best technique choice but the impulse to go offensive and gain control was spot on so another kudos to that guy 👍 The yelling for help part- im not saying I think its wrong but I would like to know why that was included in the response drill. You can probably web-search "why yelling for help doesnt work" or something similar and find the data that my position is based on. The guy has already decided to murder you, ostensibly somewhere public enough that theres anyone around to hear you screaming. From what I understand it is unlikely this will actually bring anyone to come help you and given the context I think (and this part is definitely my personal speculation) its more or just as likely to motivate the guy to try and kill you faster than/as to stop trying to kill you. So you may be better off just saving your breath for fighting or using it to influence him somehow (threatening, bargaining, reasoning, etc) I echo that the preferred tactic is (as the instructor here said) to make space and escape. A good teep or side kick might accomplish that. If you have a weapon kicking might give you space to draw your it. If its not a pistol it may not be worth drawing unless you think having your own knife or whatever might dissuade the guy from coming at you. Thats possible (yeah, Im aware of the "20ft rule" Id still prefer a pistol over empty hands or knife, pepper spray, kusuri game (lol) or whatever). Personally, Ive got a bit more experience grappling than knife dueling and I dont like my chances of fighting a knife with a knife. For technique selection, a lot of my opinion is based on the assumption that youre already doing some kind of grappling and probably understand things like wrist control, arm drags, 2 on 1's, arm or shoulder throws, kimuras, etc. One thing that gets overlooked a lot is "the other arm". The arm that doesnt have the knife. Benefits of targeting this arm are that you dont have to grip in such a way that puts the blade close to your hands, wrists, or body and there are ways of using the attackers body as a kind of spacer between you and the knife. Not saying this is the best way but its a way to be aware of. In this scenario the attacker was going for a collar tie with that arm. Its just as (or more) often a shirt grip in "real life" but it could be a collar tie. If so its likely still the case that the attacker is _more_ focused on using the stabbing arm so either way, you _could_ look at it from a grapplers POV and say he is kind of giving you that arm. In a perfect world you intercept the arm before they secure any kind of grip. In the real world youd probably have to break their grip before you can do anything else. You might say that the techniques and time used to beak the grip will leave you open to attack. Yea, thats valid and it one of the reasons people usually prioritize targeting the knife arm rather than "the other arm". But whichever arm you focus on if you dont break that grip somehow then he still has a way to control you and potentially gets to keep trying to kill you until you do break it. Everything is a trade off. Some quick technique examples that come to mind are kimura and waki gatame. Maybe double handed wrist control, a Russian 2/1, or in desperation an arm drag into a back take. I would rate waki gatame as preferable in a perfect world because falling on it can realistically break the arm, it puts them face down with their knife hand as far away from you as possible and it leaves you in a position to keep them pinned where they are. Kimura can achieve all of those as well but you have to try a little harder to break the arm (or shoulder) and theres more room for the guy to scramble. But its also a grip that most non-judo guys are already familiar with. Again, everything is a trade-off lol. And with that I guess this comment is long enough lol sorry for the novel. Cool video,😎 Peace!

I really like how you guys have explained and demonstrated this, and have mentioned that it's about buying time. I will definitely train this as a drill for knife defence. I also quickly checked out the other knife video with the real knife and saw that the attacker got a bit of a saw arm which made me realise that you could train this to the point that your attacker might just quit trying. A big thanks to you all.

Good advice on keeping distance, but you won't always see it coming, the headbutt is a good call but striking would be a great idea the guys in the demo did not strike because they had respect for their instructor and were not sparing, the cross fore arms was taught to me 25 years ago as part of self defence in a mauy thai gym the only difference was we were shown to keep the outside of the forearm (boney side) facing forward as the inside of your forearm has arteries in it. Oh the whole good video lads

Used to do live knife scenario drills with magic markers quite regularly when I did security-related work in Japan. What I found was invaluable was a teep/low front kick opener because it usually stops the initial rampaging charge enough that you can reorient/create distance, after which you can run away, go for an improvised weapon(chairs are good). In cases where no escape or weapons are available, the only thing that "works"(and I say that very loosely), is following up the teep with full and aggression and going for the knife-hand and pray.

Great tips. Remind me of my krav maga class. We were instructed when trying to survive on knife attack, we need to cross our hands and don't just block but intercept and neutralise our attacker. This is in a sudden situation. So it works somehow. I think the most important things are awareness of your surrounding & staying calm so u know what to do every time.

These are almost identical techniques to what Fiore Dei Liberi taught in the 1300s/1400s in his manual. Goes to show that good techniques are always relevant.

very simple and very affective i thought. good lesson

The points made here are valid. The X block does work with a stab attack to a point. It will not work as well with a slashing attack. When attacked by someone with a blade weapon you will be cut. The best and easiest way to defend if you are unable to flee is a finger jab to the eyes.. just watch Peruvian special forces versus US special forces video on RU-vid.

Very good technique. Thank you for sharing. Will practice!

Brilliant.. I know this block is in several Karate Kata..

Great video! The likelihood of you getting cut/ stabbed in ANY knife defence is extremely high. No technique is perfect. This video has the correct approach to this topic. The technique has to be simple and used as a means to escape, not "win" However, do remember that fear is a big factor. If someone suddenly pulls out a knife on you, you will experience some level of fear, So any technique that you learn, if you really decide that this is the one you will risk using, then it must be practiced as often and as randomly as possible to help how you naturally respond.

When Raul goes into assailant mode he looks like Begbie from the film Trainspotting (1996)

Excellent video👍👍

Thank you for the video. What about straight line attacks?

Most excellent advice ‼️

The Most Realistic Knife Defense😍👊👊

Great video mates, what about combining the X with a palmstick /kubotan to damage the oponents arm, while defending? Could be any opject like a smartphone, a key ...

In FMA.. the X block is already obsolete. But with no other recourse, if it works then it works. But it is not taught anymore because of many counters against that. You can put-up another more effective barrier than the x block.😇

You guys are really good at attacking people with a knife.

Thank You

This technique may be sound against the first strike,maybe 2 more but you must be in offensive mode or you will die: ok,block first or second attack in this way and attack his/her kneecap,do it against both legs and in the most vicious way,try to repeat this defensive X scheme more than one or 2 times and you WILL die,for sure. Interesting and sound concept,anyway.

The dog knows the cross arm defence! 😂 nice vid, 👍

To the critics of this video, I say better some preparedness than none. Most European countries don’t allow civilians guns, so that’s a luxury we don’t have. Buy some time, block, escape, or overcome, but never give up. I’m no hero, but I disarmed a fellow classmate years ago in a confined space who’d jabbed 3 friends in the arms with a knife. He was about a foot taller and 14 pounds heavier than me, and I thank my WW2 experienced grandfather for the wisdom he passed on to me.

Great! Jujitsu works well. Train your hand speed.

Grappling practitioner myself but when it comes to unarmed defense against a knife attack, taekwondo is the best martial art. It's not the best for mma or style vs style we all know that by now, but since your legs simply can cover a longer distance compared to the attacker's arm, taekwondo gives the best chance to disarm an attacker with a knife. It's better to kick the knife out of their hands or do a kick from a distance towards the weak points then to grapple them in any way. But of course, it's best if you can find something to use as a weapon yourself. And of course, use a distance and run.

This might work for the first two or three thrusts, but then the attacker, frustrated, would adjust by incorporating slicing and feinting. Most knife attackers expect the victim to more or less stay stationary while trying to defend themselves. Better to practice free running like wall runs and vaults to reach the door and get out or get to a chair or what ever is there like that bag on the floor in the beginning of the video. Such an unexpected reaction could also stun the attacker for the few seconds you need to get away. Incorporate escape runs into your weekly training routine.

If you are righthanded put your right hand on top of the left hand when you cross your hands to intercept the lunge, quickly move your right hand to grab the attackers wrist and pull him past your body delivering a back elbow with left arm to the attackers face or throat. If you are lefthanded your left hand goes on top of the right hand and follow the moves detailed above, don't forget to move your torso backwards to create a safe buffer zone away from the knife. The greater the force you use with the back elbow the more stars your attacker will see, practice with a friend so it becomes second nature when under attack

Great stuff ! Great tips ! 🙏

Hi there ~ realy excellent videos, thank you so much. Watched 5 videos straight off, so Ive subbed & thumbed up. Btw, got attacked a few years ago. Some drunk bloke. Watched his hands going for his trousers, so I ran for it. I saw a lamp post and put the lamp post between me and the attacker. He couldnt get past it to stab me, and eventually gave up and sodded off. Welcome to use that as a video idea if you like. All the best

Well done gents.

No initial eyebrow flash on persons approach should always be greeted with a left cross straight to the jaw🤣🤣🤣🤣,nice video nice tips here for these dangerous times.knobled ended ebony walking sticks handy too.

A lot of fights in Russia when victims of knife attacks knocked out attackers then they died from blood loss

A problem with the attacker having No protection is that you’re Only allowing grappling as an option for defense. So a striker really doesn’t have a viable option without hurting their training partner.

I see your point, but none of your trained fighters struck back. Would the attack have been so effective if the attacker couldn't breath, stand or see properly?

This is a great video , I would also keep an eye out for a chair as a defense weapon against a knife too. Wow I wish I could train with you guys!

Nobody is going to help. Very rarely if they do is it timely help.

👍🏽

"Actions are fastet than reactions"

With what is happening in the UK this guy will be rich really fast. Do you have videos about how to defend against swords ?

Knife Crime has skyrocketed because of tye rise in those that not be spoken of

Very realistic video, well done! Where is your dojo?

If you're 70 years old and your attacker is 20, you're toast...

The real problem is the hand with out the knife which is grabbing ur shirt/long hair/neck so he can move u around and make u unable to defend urself properly.

Wouldn't the knife attacker use a different move if you are crossing arms? Not that I know anything about it The worst situation I was ever in, I got out because a handful of good men broke through the throng and for me to safety, not because I did anything. My thought was to try take out one who looked scared and hope I could break through, but my chances were next to nil. Then I heard boots hitting pavement.. Worse I got myself into it. My gut feeling told me to turn around and walk the opposite direction instead of walking through the crowd. But I thought it was silly. Thought it was broad daylight on a busy road. What were they going to do? Only ok because good men out their lives on the line to get me to safety.

_You charge a gun , run from a knife_ Jimmy Hoffa, (Al Pacino) The Irishman.

OK. This would likely be an adequate, last resort defense but only against a maniac wielding a blade. If your attacker knows how to use bladed weapons, you'd most likely still be dead. imho, that needs to be pointed out explicitly.

Only ONE enemy with only ONE knife. . .

The problem with this is it is all defensive. Every time the victim blocks it just gives the attacker another opportunity to attack over and over again as he did and sooner or later he's going to get one or more in. Each attack minimizes your odds of survival. The emphasis here is on the attacking "tool" not the attacker as it should be

They did not resort to their boxing because they didn't want to hurt the attacker; they were not taking the exercise seriously. Nowadays the majority of the British public is not fit enough to defend themselves and are asleep on their phones.

They weren't allowed to lash out properly.....aggression and survival instinct wasnt allowed for obvious reasons!!!!

Moral of the story: Don't grapple in street fights

Se vuoi imparare a difendersi dal coltello impara ad usarlo..sayok Kali.o escrima.

The old school of the street. Take off your sweater , wrap it around your arm , ( shield) . The back hand can be used with anything you want (key, shoe, lighter, etc). Definitely as this video shows , sorry , you won't stand a chance .

Well, sure, dude is gonna show the knife before starting only-belly-oriented thrusts and rare slashes, so students can perform their technique))) The problem is, after taking a real sharp thrust through an arm or a good powerful cut, no one is going to keep their hands properly because of a hell of a pain. After that, minor concentration loss and sewing machine is thrusting your body. Tactics and manevours in your video are good, but this cross arms technique - false sense of protection, indeed. Grabing the wrist, not letting the weapon to be drawn, contorolling an arm - good, wonderful, proper skill set and reaction modus operandi.

Would be interesting to make it more scientific and have a control AND intervention group. One group you taught nothing, the other you gave prior instruction.

A knife is sharp and has at least one cutting edge. Do you really think that the forearms and hands come out of the fight unscathed?

Simply blocking the stabs will not be very effective if we do not counterattack, one should first try to hold the elbow area on the bend in the hand that is holding the knife and then deliver blows with an open hand to the eye area to blind the opponent.

Notice how they didnt box the head they are boxers! they went into a ball like a baby would.

Yes, until he starts to cut your hands. Nope. Try SAMI

Ahem…..just a couple of points here….. 1. They didn’t fight in the first part. They got killed. Reason why is because they are boxers, and if they had used any of those boxing skills bare knuckle probably would have ended up very badly for the guy with the training knife. So you took away their ability to even do anything that are trained to do, by not at least giving them a pair of gloves to use so they could have maybe actually used some of their skills to fight back. 2. Nothing is changing for the student. That “x- block” is great, but they are still fighting a guy with a knife, the whole time! Plus, because they don’t have any real way to punch because they don’t have any gloves on they are automatically on defense, which IS BAD! The guy with the knife has all the advantage moving forward and once your moving backwards defending its very hard to change that dynamic. 3. The boxer in the red shirt had a clear shot with jab when your man made the over exaggerated movement to grab his knife that had he hit with it and continued, he wouldn’t have needed the “x-block”. The guy with the knife would have then been on the defensive, and here’s the deal, “There is a world of difference between kicking the shit out of a guy trying to stab you to death, and having the shit kicked out of you while someone is trying to stab you to death.”- Damian Ross Just something to think about.

Bye, bye, Koby. 😂

The only lesson you need is to distance your self as much as possible, it’s that simple. Never try and grab a knife it’s just stupid.

What would you do differently? 🔪

If that's a dubble edge knife you are getting cut when he pulls it back

Don't do that. A knife fighter will cut your wrist tendons and arteries with that xblock.

🐕👍

There's only one defence against a knife that is definitely going to work and that's don't be there. Anyone teaching anything different are kidding themselves and their students

Don,t work with overarm stabs

You’re getting your arteries cut… fail

X-blocks? Really? So I guess karate was right after all.

Seems like the technique is similar to this one (posted by the Gracies): ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qNEZS_wBFt8.html

Lol he isnt doing it with aggression or real power

That seems to be BS because if you block with your crossed hands, the aggressor will cut your hands/arms...

What would I do differently? Use a gun. Honestly, knives defenses don’t work against a fully determined individual unless you are highly trained,and even then you are still going to get cut if not worse. No one should ever think about trying to disarm a knife attacker unless your back is against a wall and you have no other option. If someone knows how to use a knife and it’s one -on-one then sorry to say it’s all over, I don’t care how skilled you are. Best case is to create as much distance as possible, If you have a knife yourself get it in the fight, if you have a gun even better.

Yeah they’re tough fighters but sports fighters, not street fighters. Heads up, you attack the attack. Also the X block should not be presented keeping it in front of you, but should be redirected to the side so the attacking knife is not being kept in front of yourself. The defenders were constantly backing up. Eventually you will probably trip on yourself. All in all pretty lame defense. Your dead 😢

😂😂😂

This video is wildly inaccurate. This is bad training and advice. I could get into how the UK’s laws have ultimately done this to you, but that’s presently beside the point.

LAME, VERY VERY LAME !!!

😅simple and effective, what bs

Weak