For Claire, Benjamin, and Leo
In Loving Memory of Helen Brener Smith
Table of Contents
Human Emotional Responses in a Life-threatening Encounter
CHAPTER 1—Control Holds Reviewed
Defense When the Handgun is Visible in the Front Waistband
Defense When the Handgun is in the Rear Waistband
CHAPTER 2—Impact-Weapon Defenses
Overhand One-Handed Strike Defense
What to Do if the Assailant Drops the Weapon as You Counterattack
Overhand Defense Against a Long-Distance Attack or When Late
Defending a One-Handed Overhand “Off-Angle” Defense
Defending a Two-Handed Overhead Chair or Stool-Type Attack
Defending a Two-Handed Overhead Swing Attack
Defending a Sideswing Impact-Weapon Attack
Defending a Low Sideswing Impact-Weapon Attack
Defending an Attacker Using Two Impact Weapons
Defending a Chain or Whip-like Attack
Defending an Overhead Impact Attack When on the Ground
Defending an Upward Rifle-Butt Stroke
Defending a Horizontal Rifle-Butt Stroke
Defending an Impact-Weapon Front Choke
Defending a Pulling Impact-Weapon Rear Choke
CHAPTER 3—Leg Defenses Against Edged-Weapon Attacks
Edged-Weapons Introduction
Straight Kick Against an Overhead Attack
Straight Kick Against an Underhand Attack
Roundhouse Kick Against a Straight Stab
Roundhouse Kick Against a Slash
Sidekick Against a High Straight Stab
Rear Stab Defenses
Overhead Attack
Defending a Surprise Short Straight Stab
Using Shield-like Objects Against an Edged-Weapon Attack
Defending an Attacker Using Two Edged Weapons
Edged-Weapon Threats
Defending Against an Assailant Posturing/Threatening with an Edged Weapon
Defending When the Assailant Switches the Edged Weapon Between His Hands
An Assailant Posturing with an Edged Weapon at a Distance
Defenses When the Defender Is on the Ground
Both the Assailant and Defender Are on the Ground
Defending Against a Standing Assailant Slashing at Your Legs or Jumping on You
Overhead Attack Defense When the Defender is on His Back
CHAPTER 4—Hand Defenses Against Edged Weapons
Defending an Incoming Overhead Stab
Overhead Defense When Not “Nose to Nose” or the Defender Can Burst Early
Defending an Overhead Off-Angle Stab When Facing in Opposite Direction
Straight Stab “L” Block
Straight Stab “L” Block When in an Opposite Outlet Stance
Instinctive Defense Against a Close Underhand Stab
Sidestep an Underhand Stab
Defending an Off-Angle Underhand Stab
Defending an Off-Angle Straight Stab
Defending a Midsection Hook Stab or Slash
Defending an Inside Slash
Long Range Slash
Medium Range Slash
Short Range Slash
Defending an Inside Diagonal Slash
Body Defense an Inside Forward Slash and Follow-up Backslash
Backslash Defense or Against a “Reverse” Stab