Being attacked with any weapon inside a correctional facility is scary. But what I think is scarier is not knowing what to do or not having the confidence to believe that what you’ll do will work. I conduct many types of edged weapons programs, but only teach one response. This technique has no fancy acronym, no cool nick name — but is easy to remember.
- Stop the motion of the blade – Meaning immediately grab the arm of the attacker
We do this by using a technique called “stacking thumbs” (or hands). Simply using both hands, keeping your fingers extended and joined, making a claw with both hands place them on top of each other: You are making a “catcher’s mitt.” When the arm goes into the mitt you close it quickly, locking the arm inside your grip. - Break the limb – Do not hesitate, react. Using a circle motion while holding the arm in place; extend the arm and either use your other elbow or shoulder apply pressure into the elbow causing it to break.
- Create distance and either escalate or deescalate to control the threat.
Related Tip: Edged weapons defense for close quarter attacks
