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Editor\u2019s Note: This is an excerpt from krav maga expert David Kahn\u2019s<\/a> book <\/em>Krav Maga Weapon Defenses<\/a>.<\/p>\n Welcome back to another installment of the Krav Maga Technique of the Month. If you haven\u2019t already, please read our Primer on Krav Maga<\/a> for the basics and background of this highly effective Israeli combat and self-defense system. Also, read our previous installments:<\/p>\n Today we\u2019re tackling how to defend against an assailant attempting to stab you straight on.<\/p>\n This defense allows you to deflect an incoming left- or right-handed stab from either a left or right stance while simultaneously stepping off the line of attack, trapping your opponent\u2019s arm, and delivering your own straight punch counterattacks to the attacker\u2019s throat, chin, or nose. This same movement can be used to defend against a straight punch, eye gouge, or one or two-handed front choke.<\/p>\n From your regular left stance, your left arm leads the body to parry the thrust as you sidestep. The arm should be bent at an approximately seventy-degree angle to deflect-redirect the assailant\u2019s straight stab while making a subtle sidestep to the left. The parrying movement is no more than 4-6 inches because it leads the body\u2019s defensive movement \u2014 as with most krav maga defensive tactics. This deflection-redirection is not an uncontrolled swipe or grab at the assailant\u2019s incoming arm (a common mistake when first learning the technique). The defensive arm makes uses of the entire length of the forearm or from the pinky to the elbow to deflect any change in the height of the opponent\u2019s stab attempt. The movement rotates the wrist outward so that your left thumb, kept attached to the hand with all the fingers pointing up, turns away from you as contact is made with the opponent\u2019s arm to redirect the incoming thrust. Do not break contact with the edged-weapon arm; even if you cannot secure the arm, pin it to the attacker\u2019s torso and continue your retzev<\/em> counterattacks. Keep in mind the assailant may lunge, bringing you deep into his dead side*<\/a> as he closes the distance while you simultaneously step off-line.<\/p>\n After the parry is made and without breaking contact with the assailant\u2019s arm, which he will most likely retract, hook the assailant\u2019s arm by cupping your left hand, wrapping your left thumb around his forearm for control, and pinning the arm against the assailant\u2019s torso while delivering debilitating counter-punches to the throat or jaw. Note again, the assailant may generate such momentum that you deflect and move deep into his dead side. Nevertheless, do not break contact with the edged-weapon arm, even if you cannot secure the arm, and continue your retzev<\/em> counterattacks. You are still safe provided you are inside the attack arc (usually a backstab or backslash) of the edged weapon.<\/p>\n While pressing your counterattack, you can secure the edged-weapon arm with your right arm and take the assailant down using a fishhook into his eye, neck crank, or other combative.<\/p><\/div>\n Examples of combatives to employ from a similar bottle attack. Controlling the assailant’s head creates dominant control. You must control the weapon and move to the opponent’s dead side. Once you have achieved dead side position, reach around the assailant’s head to secure his chin and head tight against your torso. Use your body combined with a 180-degree (tsai-bake) step to take him down while maintaining strict control of the weapon.<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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Listen to my podcast with David Kahn:<\/em><\/h3>\n