Chapter 3. METHODS OF HAND-HAND COMBAT DEFENSE

Defending against attack in hand-to-hand combat is a more complex process than appears at first glance. First of all, you must anticipate the type and direction of the enemy's attack before defending against it. Additionally, when defending, you should try to seize the initiative and use the enemy's attack to your advantage.

The following techniques show various options protection:

1. Block the opponent's arm or leg with enough force to discourage the opponent from continuing the attack.

In a certain sense, this type of defense can be called an attack.

2. Block the enemy's attack only with enough force to parry the blow or change its direction. This in point 1 would be called a light repulse.

H. Defend and attack. Repel the enemy's attack and immediately counterattack. You can also defend and counterattack at the same time.

4. Use your defense to keep your opponent off balance.

5. Block your opponent's attack when it is about to begin.

In order to be able to do this, you need to anticipate the enemy's attack.

6. Defend yourself, then retreat to a safe position until you have an opportunity to counterattack. Defenses against kicks in hand-to-hand combat are extremely developed. In other sports where there is contact between opponents' body parts, kicks to vital centers of the body are usually absent. Thus, these defensive techniques are specific to hand-to-hand combat only. In hand-to-hand combat, not only the arms and hands are used to protect against kicks, but also the feet and legs.

As mentioned above, a strong defense is a type of attack because it can deliver a strong blow to the opponent's arm or leg, blocking his attack.

§ 1. Techniques for defending against punches

Head Impact Protection

Rice. (1),Fig. (2),Fig. (3),Fig. (4)

Rice. 1

1. Move your blocking hand out starting position up and forward until it touches the opponent's hand. At the moment of contact, bring your forearm back toward your head, ending the movement just in front of your forehead. The blocking hand makes an arc along its path. Note that its path lies outside of the withdrawn hand.

If you are far superior to your opponent in strength and skill, it is not necessary to return the forearm to the forehead after defending. Its path may not bend, but continue upward and forward.

However, under normal conditions it is safer to move your blocking hand in an arc.

2. If your left hand is in front of your forehead, when you begin to defend, open your palm, point your fingers upward, and the edge of your palm outward from you. Retract this hand to a position above your left hip, bringing it straight down in front of your nose. When your hand leaves your hip, clench it into a fist.

A) 3protection from outside to inside bottom wrists.

While your left hand is withdrawn, move your right forearm upward. The path of the blocking hand is outside the left hand. If the technique is performed correctly, the left hand and right forearm form a cross in front of the face as they pass each other. Remember that at the beginning of the defense, the right elbow should be kept close to the body. The blocking surface in this protection includes 7.5-10 cm from the wrist to the inner forearm area.

b) 3protection from the outside to the bottom of the wrist. Rice. (5),Fig. (6)

Rice. 5. Protecting the forearm from a blow to the body from the outside in

Raise your left arm to the side, keeping your fist near your left ear. At this point, the bottom of the fist is directed outward to the left.

With your elbow concave at a 90° angle, strike down and forward with this arm to parry your opponent's fist aimed at your body. The moment your forearm touches your opponent's hand, the back of your fist should be facing your opponent and level with your chin, and your forearm should be almost perpendicular to the floor. As your hand goes from outside to inside, rotate your forearm 180° counterclockwise. To summarize: Push your opponent's attacking hand away with a circular motion of your forearm from the outside to the inside.

Rice. (7), Fig. (8)

Rice. 7. Protection from inside to outside top part wrists

Place your left fist in front of your right hip, with the back of your fist facing forward. Using your elbow as an axis of rotation, move your forearm up and forward. Deflect an opponent's attack to the body by striking his forearm to the side with the top of your wrist from the inside out. The left hand goes forward outside of the right. At the moment of contact, your elbow should be bent at a 90° angle, your fist should be at chin level, and your forearm should be almost perpendicular to the floor. As your left forearm moves forward defensively, withdraw your right hand to a position above your right hip. As you withdraw your right hand, rotate your hips clockwise. For extra power, coordinate the movement of your hips, the stronger your defense will be.

Downward protection

Rice. (9)

Rice. 9

Start your downward guard with your left fist near your right ear. Point the back of your fist outward to the side.

Strike downwards, straightening your elbow, and deflect your opponent's blow to the side with the underside of your wrist. Complete your defense by stopping your left fist just above your left knee.

Protection with a knife hand from a blow to the body

Rice. (10)

Place your right hand near your left ear, with the back of the hand facing outward to the side.

With a whipping motion, send your right hand forward and turn your body counterclockwise.

As the hand moves forward for protection, rotate your forearm counterclockwise and keep your elbow bent.

Rotation of the forearm during defense

The strength of the defense increases if you rotate your forearm while performing the technique. When you defend as if you intend to drive it into the bone of your opponent's arm. This rotation of the forearm also serves to deflect the opponent's blow away from your body.

Defense directed upward against a blow to the head.

Rice. (eleven)

Rice. eleven

Rotate your forearm counterclockwise as you lift it toward your forehead. Keep your elbow bent at all times. Tighten your wrist and forearm muscles.

Forearm counterclockwise as you lift it toward your forehead. Keep your elbows bent at all times. Tighten your wrist and forearm muscles.

Protection with the forearm from a blow to the body

Rice. (12)

Guarding from outside to inside: Rotate your forearm clockwise while guarding. Keep your elbow bent at all times.

Guarding from the inside: Rotate your forearm clockwise as you move it forward to guard.

Knife hand defense

Rice. (13)

From the inside out, rotate your forearm counterclockwise as you defend. Keep your elbow bent at all times.

From outside to inside: Rotate your forearm clockwise.

Downward protection

Rice. (14)

Rotate your forearm inward, straighten your elbow, and defend with a large downward motion of your arm.

Hip rotation

Fig.(15)

Rice. 15

A look at punching techniques clearly demonstrated the importance of hip rotation to increase punching power. Rotation of the hips is also necessary for effective defense. Whether you are using a strong guard performed from a solid position or a light one performed in motion from a flexible position, remember to rotate your hips.

You cannot parry a strong blow or change its direction unless you can use the strength of your hips.

On defense, both hands appear to start moving in the same direction at the same time. However, a closer analysis of this movement shows that at the very beginning the blocking hand lags behind the withdrawing hand for a moment. Upper guard: the left hand begins to move first, then the left arm, shoulders and hips move. As part of this movement right hand moves upward for protection. In other words, the withdrawn hand moves first.

If the hips rotate correctly during defense, then their reverse movement automatically occurs, which greatly facilitates the counterattack. In other words, when the hips have completely rotated in one direction and the tension limit in the abdominal area has been reached, the hips begin to rotate in the opposite direction. The force from this counter-rotation travels towards the shoulders, upper arm and forearm, amplifies and culminates in the fist as a powerful explosive blow to the target.

Blocking arm elbow position

Rice. (16)

Rice. 16

The instant the block is made, all the force should be concentrated in the forearm. The amount of force you can apply depends on the position of your elbow in relation to the side of your torso. If the elbow is far away from the body, it will be difficult to strain lateral muscles body and protection will be weak. In addition, if the elbow remains too close to the body during defense, the amplitude of the defense will be small and the blocking force will be reduced. Keep your elbow not too far from your body, and not too close to it. Moreover, when defending against a body blow, be sure to end the forearm movement in the center of your torso, and not to the left or right of center.

If the elbow and forearm are in the correct position, the strength of the hips, core and arm will be concentrated in the forearm. At the moment of impact, fully tense the lateral muscles of the torso and the muscles of the arm. The correct elbow position in various defenses is discussed below.

Upper body impact protection

Rice. (1)

Raise your elbow to the height of your ear and as close to it as possible. This position gives the torso the opportunity to provide the necessary tension.

Protection with the forearm from a blow to the body

Rice. (17)

Place your elbow about palm-width from your side. If the elbow is at the side at a distance greater than the above, it will be difficult to tense the lateral muscles of the body. Keep your elbow in such a position that it roughly divides your torso in half. A punch thrown straight from the front should either strike your forearm or deflect without causing harm towards one side of your torso.

Avoid moving your elbow in any direction away from the recommended position. Your defense will fail if your elbow moves away from your side.

Final defense position

There is no benefit in moving your forearm past the point where the guard was made. If the forearm continues to move after blocking, the tension in the lateral muscles disappears, control of the body weakens and it is difficult to carry out the next move.

Under such conditions, the first requirement for a strong defense—tension of the lateral muscles—cannot be met.

Defense as offense

Rice. (18), Fig. (19), Fig. (20), Fig. (21), Fig. (22)

As mentioned, defense can also serve as offense. For example, a powerful defense can deliver a blow strong enough to cause the opponent to abandon further attack. However, there is another aspect in which a defensive movement can serve as an offense. For example, while the forearm is performing the defense, the hand of the blocking hand can simultaneously hit the opponent's nose or chin.

Upper block can be used to attack as follows. When your opponent punches you in the head, lower your hips, lean forward slightly, and step forward under the punching hand. At the same time, apply an overhand guard so that you simultaneously strike with your elbow under his armpit and with the heel of your fist on his chin.

Another opportunity to use the top guard for attack is immediately after the defense. With your blocking hand, grab the wrist of your opponent's striking hand and pull it down while applying an overhand guard with your other hand against the opponent's elbow joint.

As your opponent moves forward to punch you to the body, step towards him and defend with a wide sweeping motion of your forearm. Your goal is to repel the attack and at the same time strike with your fist under the enemy’s nose or poke him in the eyes with your fingers.

Sliding elbow defense

Rice. (23)

It is a combination of defense and strike. While your opponent is attacking your face with a right punch, step right foot back and strike upward with your left hand in guard position.

However, do not complete the top guard. Instead, use your elbow to lightly push the attacking arm to the side, and then punch your opponent directly in the face.

Defense Study Method

Rice. (24), Fig. (25)

Rice. 24. Upper pillar study method

Rice. 25. Upper block with passage inside

1. Stand in a left front stance with your hips and shoulders facing straight forward.

2. Place your right forearm in front of your forehead with your hand open and your palm facing outward. Place your left fist over your left thigh, with the back of the fist facing down.

3. Rotate your hips clockwise and begin to lower your right hand down in front of your nose towards your right hip.

At the same time, lift your left forearm, rotating it as you lift. The path of the left hand lies outside of the right.

4. While you withdraw your right hand to your hip, clench it into a fist. Raise your left forearm to forehead height. Complete the blocking movement at the same instant that your torso completes its movement.

5. Rotate your hips counterclockwise and return to the position described in step 2. Return your arms to their original position.

Basic moments

1. Complete the defense by keeping your forearm about 10 cm from your forehead, with your hand above your elbow and the base of your fist pointing upward. Do not allow your elbow to deviate from straight path to the final position. It should move forward and up close to the side of the body.

2. When you raise your blocking arm, your elbow should be at a 90° angle.

Retract your opposite hand to a position above your hip.

When moving, the arms should intersect at the level of the chin.

Rotate your forearms as they move in opposite directions. Be sure to move your arms clearly and powerfully.

3. At the moment of blocking the enemy’s blow, clench your fist tightly. At the same time, tightly tighten your abdominal muscles, transfer this tension to the shoulder muscles, and then to the blocking arm in the form of a wave-like flow of force.

Defense with the forearm from an attack on the body from outside to inside

Rice. (26)

Rice. 26. Protection of the forearm from attacks on the body from the outside inwards.

This technique provides an excellent defense against an opponent's punch to the body.

In this defense, knock your opponent's hand to the side as you defend with an outside-in movement. If the defense is carried out with sufficient force, then this defense alone is enough to discourage the enemy from continuing the attack.

When defending, lock your arms forward and pull your opposite arm toward your side, clenching your fist tightly as if you were trying to grab something.

Rotate your hips like component protection. The force generated from rotating the hips will be transferred to the blocking arm.

Method for studying forearm protection

Rice. (27), Fig. (28), Fig. (29), Fig. (thirty)

1. Stand in a right-handed front stance with your hips and shoulders pointed straight forward.

2. Extend your left arm forward at the height of your solar plexus. The hand can be open or clenched into a fist, but in any case the back of the hand faces upward. Place your right hand over your right shoulder near your ear.

3. Pull your left hand toward your left side, rotating it 180° counterclockwise. If your hand was open, clench it into a fist as you approach your thigh. Rotate your hips counterclockwise. At the same time, move your right hand forward from outside to inside and perform a guard. Rotate the forearm of your blocking hand clockwise as you drive it forward.

4. In the final stage of defense, the left fist is above the left hip (the back of the fist is facing down), and the top edge of the right fist is at chin height.

6. Repeat the above exercise in both directions.

The second option for studying the forearm block

1. Stand in a ready position (natural position). The arms hang naturally at the sides of the body.

2. After stepping back with your left foot, extend your left hand (or fist) forward. At the same time, raise your right fist over your right shoulder towards your ear.

3. As you continue to step back, withdraw your left hand toward your left hip and rotate your hips counterclockwise. At the same time, point your right forearm forward from outside to inside against your imaginary attacking hand.

4. Complete the guard movement completely by adopting a right-handed front stance. At this moment, the left fist should be above the left thigh and facing downwards, and the right fist should be in front of the body so that its upper edge is at the level of the chin.

5. Step with your left foot and return to the position described in step 1.

6. Practice this defensive technique the other way, using your left hand to block. Finally, repeat this movement alternately in both directions. Instead of stepping back when defending, also learn forward defense.

Besides, necessary training involves applying this defense when transitioning into a wide rear stance.

Important points

1. Rotate your hips with force. The faster your hips rotate, the more power they will transfer to the defense. Increase the speed of your hip rotation by jerking your non-blocking hand back powerfully. Avoid only rotating your shoulders when you should be rotating your hips.

2. Failed defense most often occurs from the top down. Defend yourself in such a way as to deflect the enemy's blow to the side. In the final guard position, do not allow the elbow of the blocked arm to deviate to any side from the recommended position.

3. Bend your blocking arm at the elbow to a 90° angle. Avoid excessively straightening or bending your elbow.

4. Defense will be ineffective if the wrist of the blocking hand is bent. Straighten and tense your wrist.

Protection with the forearm from the inside outwards from a blow to the body

Rice. (8)

Use this technique to defend against an opponent's body blow by swinging your forearm from the inside out and parrying the blow to the side.

Important points

1. The main points noted when considering defense from the outside to the inside apply equally to defense from the inside to the outside. The main difference between these defenses is the direction in which they move.

2. Pull back your non-blocking hand and rotate your hips. At the same time, point your blocking forearm from the inside to the outside. The path described by the blocking hand lies outside the withdrawn hand.

A method for studying the protection of the forearm from the inside outwards from a blow to the body

Rice. (31),Fig. (32)

Rice. 31

1. Stand in a left front stance with your shoulders and hips straight forward, palm down, and place your left fist in front of your right hip with the back of your fist facing up.

2. Extend your right arm forward, palm down, and place your left fist in front of your right hip, with the back of the fist facing upward.

H. Retract your right hand to your right hip and rotate your hips clockwise.

4. When completing the defense, the right fist should be above the right thigh, and the left forearm should be almost perpendicular to the floor, the top edge of the fist should be at the level of the chin.

5. Rotate your hips counterclockwise and return to the position described in step 2.

6. Practice the technique alternately in both directions.

The second option for studying defense with the forearm from the inside outwards from a blow to the body

1. Stand in a natural position.

2. Start stepping back with your left foot. At the same time, extend your left hand forward, palm down, and place your right fist in front of your left thigh, with the back of the fist facing upward.

3. While the foot continues to move backward, withdraw your left hand to your left side and rotate your hips counterclockwise. At the same time, swing your right forearm forward from the inside out. Use your elbow as an axis of rotation and rotate your forearm clockwise as you move it forward.

4. Complete the defense by adopting a right-handed front stance. Whatever the final position turns out to be, the left fist should be above the left hip and with the back of the fist facing down.

5. Step forward and return to the position described in step 1.

Instead of stepping back while defending, practice your defense by stepping forward into a front, back, and front stance.

Downward Defense

This block is used to protect against a blow to the stomach.

Lower your forearm straight down from an overhead position and block your opponent's forearm with the bottom of your wrist. In the final position, the forearm should be parallel to the floor. The back of the fist is directed forward.

Notice that the opponent's arm is driven downwards rather than to the side, as in a forearm defense against a body blow.

Impact protection in bottom part body

Rice. (33)

Defend yourself from being punched or kicked in the lower abdomen by using a downward punch defense. Parry his blow to the side by moving your forearm down and slightly to the side. This is one of the main techniques for hitting the lower body.

Important points

1. Finish the defense with a downward strike, keeping the fist of the blocking hand about 15–20 cm above the knee of the front leg.

2. Aim the blocking and retracting hands so that both hands almost touch each other as they move in their respective directions. Rotate both forearms as you defend.

3. Since it may be necessary to parry a strong kick, the defense must be vigorous.

Study method

1. Stand in a left front stance with your shoulders and hips facing straight forward.

2. Extend your right arm in front of your stomach, the back of your hands facing upward. The hand can either remain open or be clenched into a fist. Raise your left fist toward your right ear, with the back of the fist facing outward to the side.

H. Pull your right arm toward your right side and rotate your hips clockwise.

Rotate your forearm clockwise and straighten your elbow as your blocking arm moves down.

4. Complete the defense by adopting a left-handed front stance.

The fist of the left (blocking) hand should be about 15–20 cm above the left knee, with the back of the fist facing upward.

5. Return to the position described in step 2.

6. Repeat the above exercise alternately in both directions.

Special Considerations

1. If you are afraid of an opponent's attack, then try to withdraw your hips to avoid the blow. This movement weakens the block.

It is difficult to parry a strong kick if your torso is tilted forward. As you defend, push your hips forward to keep your torso perpendicular to the floor.

2. If you try to block without rotating your hips completely, the defense may not be effective. Since kicking your opponent to the crotch is very powerful, pay special attention to the movement of your hips to obtain the necessary force.

3. If the hips are too high during defense, the opponent’s chances of successfully carrying out an attack increase. Keep your hips down and guard while staying as close to your opponent as possible.

4. If the fist of the blocking hand moves away from the recommended position of 15-20 cm above the front leg, the defense may fail.

Defense with a knife hand against a blow to the body

Rice. (34),Fig. (35), Fig. (36)

Rice. 34. Side impact protection with knife hand

Rice. 35. Knife hand block with passage inside

Rice. 36. Sliding knife block

This defense is one of the main techniques for defending against a blow aimed at the stomach.

Parry the blow as if the edge of the hand is sharp and you are going to hit the opponent's hand at the wrist.

Important points

1. The hand of the non-blocking hand does not pull back, but stops in front of the solar plexus, the palm is open and looking up. Use this hand to throw a spear hand immediately after blocking with your other hand.

2. In the final guard position, the elbow of the blocking arm is bent at an angle of 90° and the muscles are tense. The elbow should not end at one of the sides of the body. Forcefully move your elbow inward.

3. The blocking hand moves from the starting position diagonally forward and down towards the target. Its path passes over the withdrawn hand.

4. Move your body back diagonally, if you step straight back or turn the guard without stepping back, then your technique has little chance of success.

A method for studying defense with a knife hand against a blow to the body

Rice. (10). Rice. (16)

1. Stand in a free position.

2. Start stepping back with your right foot and extend your right arm forward at solar plexus height, palm facing down. At the same time, bring your left hand near your right ear, the back of the hand facing outward to the side.

3. Continue to step back. The backward movement can be diagonal or straight. Retract your right hand to a position in front of the solar plexus and rotate your hips clockwise. At the same time, point your left hand down toward the target, rotating your forearm clockwise.

4. Complete the defense in a left-sided back stance, with the right hand in front of the solar plexus, palm up, and the left hand in correct position protection.

5. Return your right leg to its original position and take the position described in step 1.

6. Practice the above movement in both directions.

Palm protection

Rice. (37)

Rice. 37. Sideways protection

With the back of your hand facing upward, raise your hand and use the heel of your palm to slam your opponent's forearm or leg. This block can be used effectively in all directions from bottom to top - top to bottom and side to side.

Important points

1. The success of this technique depends on a strong wrist and a whipping motion with the forearm. To deliver the most powerful blow, release the tension from your elbow.

2. Delivering a strong blow while defending the wrist, elbow joint or the opponent's shin, often discourages the opponent from continuing the attack.

Back-handed defense

Use this technique to defend against a punch aimed at your face. If you choose to defend with your right hand, begin to raise your right forearm in front of your torso and simultaneously withdraw your right hip and leg. Pound your opponent's hand upward with the bottom of your forearm and, without stopping the movement, bring your right forearm closer to the right side of your head.

Enhancing Defense with the Forearm

1. When the opponent's blow is too strong to be defended with the usual inside-out defense, use the top of your wrist to strengthen the defense by supporting your blocking forearm with your second fist.

2. Make sure the supporting fist or open hand is pressed firmly against the blocking forearm just below the elbow.

After this defense, you can easily counterattack with the back of your fist.

3. This technique is usually performed by moving back when the opponent attacks. However, if you are defending yourself, moving forward can add extra force to the block.

X - Shaped protection

Rice. (38)

To perform this technique, cross your arms at the wrists in an X. Using your forearms this way results in very powerful defense.

Important points

1. If an opponent throws a punch at your face, you can easily deflect his attack by pointing your crossed wrists upward at the opponent's forearm.

The X-shaped block can be performed with open hands or with fists. With this technique you can effectively defend against kicks. Block the attacking leg at the shin or ankle joint. As you perform the technique, be sure to push your hips forward and keep your body perpendicular to the floor.

If you withdraw your hips, your defense will be weak and your opponent's kick may miss its target.

Protection with joined sides of hands

Rice. (39)

When an opponent standing to your side punches the side of your head, use this defense to deflect the attack. Bend your wrists upward so that the backs of your hands touch each other and your fingers point up. Parry the blow with the palm of one hand supported by the back of the other.

Important points

1. If a punch is thrown at your head by an opponent on your left, move into a back stance and face your opponent. At the same time, cross your wrists at your right hip and raise your hands up to deflect the blow.

Your block should lightly touch your opponent's wrist in front of and above your left shoulder.

2. You can parry a blow with one right hand, but the defense will be stronger when the right hand is supported by the left. Press the backs of your right and left hands firmly together as they move from your hip to your shoulder.

Two-handed grip defense

This technique is an effective defense against a punch to the chest or solar plexus. While the opponent's right fist is moving towards you, step back with your right foot, push the opponent's forearm to the side, and then grab his forearm with your left hand and grab the opponent's wrist from above with your right. Force your opponent to continue moving forward by pulling his arm toward your right side.

Important points

Defense may fail if you are overly concerned about changing the direction of your opponent's shot.

In the situation described above, the left hand first serves to push the attacking forearm to the side and then to grab it.

While your left hand holds the attacking forearm, your right hand should slide down the forearm, grab the wrist, and lunge to throw your opponent off balance.

Reverse wedge protection

When an opponent tries to choke you with both hands by grabbing your lapels, this technique is an effective escape measure. Push both hands up between your opponent's wrists so that your wrists intersect in front of your face. Then force your forearms down and down your sides, forcing your arms out to your opponent's sides. This defense can be performed with open hands or fists.

Important points

1. After you have pushed your hands between your opponent's arms, throw the weight of your torso down and back, stepping back and lowering your hips. At the same time, force your forearms down and rotate them outward in both directions.

2. As you lower your forearms down, point your elbows towards your lower back and tighten your muscles. At the same time, use your hands to apply strong outward pressure to force your opponent's forearms apart.

§ 2. Techniques for defending against kicks

Downward hook guard

1. To perform this defense, swing your arm down in a large circle, hook your ankle, and pick up your opponent's kicking leg. This protection can be done in two ways.

The torso is in a free position. When performing an inside-out defense, step back with your foot opposite your blocking hand. When blocking from the inside to the outside, step back with the same leg as the blocking arm. For added strength on defense, coordinate your arm movement with your hip movement.

2. Rotate the right forearm clockwise when the defense is performed from outside to inside and counterclockwise when the defense is performed from inside to outside.

3. As your opponent's leg approaches, reach far forward and touch his leg near the calf. Then the hand should slide down to the ankle and use a scooping motion to lift the leg up.

4. Bend the fingers and palm of your blocking hand slightly to facilitate the catching motion.

Combined protection with the bases of the palms

Bring the heels of your palms together and push them forward strongly to defend against your opponent's kick.

Important points

1. Since kicks tend to be thrown with more force, as you defend, push your hips forward harder and meet the kick with your feet firmly planted on the floor.

2. Bend your wrists completely upward and press the bases of your palms tightly together.

3. The block will not be effective unless you stop the opponent's kick before the leg is fully extended.

Therefore, timing is of great importance.

Arched sole protection

Use this block to protect against blows to the solar plexus and stomach. Swing your foot outside and knock your opponent's forearm out to the side with the sole of your foot. Since the protection is carried out unexpectedly, it can be effective. This technique is especially valuable in situations where the hands cannot defend.

Important points

1. At the beginning of the defense, lift the knee of the blocking leg higher and swing the foot in a circle inward.

2. When you start Roundabout Circulation, flex your locking foot upward at the ankle and point the sole of your foot inward. Your task is to powerfully hit the opponent's forearm with the bottom of your foot.

3. While blocking, rotate your hips and rotate into supporting leg, the end of this movement is the side of the thigh, should be facing the opponent.

4. This defensive technique ends with your knee fully bent and your blocking foot raised close to your torso to maintain balance and allow for a counterattack.

Use this block to defend against a kick before the kick is fully completed. As the leg begins to approach you, stop its advance by blocking and pressing on the opponent's shin with the sole of your foot.

Important points

1. Raise your blocking foot to the level of your supporting leg's knee and send it diagonally down toward your opponent's approaching leg.

2. Fully flex your blocking foot ankle joint and rotate your foot until your toes point outward to the side.

3. Push your hips forward as you guard to provide sufficient conditions to block a strong kick.

Push-up protection using the foot

This defense is similar to the previous technique. The main difference is that here the protection is provided by the edge of the foot, and not by the sole.

Important points

1. As your opponent begins to kick, rotate your hips and rotate 90° on your supporting leg. At the same time, lift your knee and push the edge of your foot diagonally down toward your opponent's shin.

2. Bend your blocking foot completely up at the ankle and point your toes inward so that the edge of the foot faces your opponent.

Toe protection with leg

Use this technique to defend against a kick to the stomach. Lift your leg to the side and swing your leg in a circle to kick your opponent's leg.

Important points

1. Raise your knee high and bend it as you circle your leg to parry an opponent's kick. Block the back of your opponent's ankle with your shin. After blocking, pull your leg close to your body by bending your knee.

2. Bend the foot of your blocking leg inward so that the edge of your foot points toward the floor and tighten your foot and ankle.

3. Increase defensive strength by rotating your hips and turning in the direction the blocking leg went.

Ankle protection

This technique is designed to defend against an opponent's kick by jerking it up and forward. Use the front of your shin to hook your opponent's leg below the calf.

Important points

1. When your opponent kicks, swing your leg from the side towards the opponent. With the front of your shin, touch your opponent's kicking leg to the area below the calf. Raise your foot high and pull it toward your torso, pulling your opponent's leg up and forward.

2. To make it easier to hook your opponent's leg, point your blocking foot inward and bend it upward toward your shin.

3. As you perform the move, rotate your hips and pivot on your supporting leg. Complete the defense by bringing the shin of your blocking leg close to your torso.

§ 3. Application of basic techniques in real combat conditions

Ways to combine defensive techniques with decisive counterattacks

1. Start by selecting and preparing specific techniques that you will use to defend against an enemy's blow and counterattack. This formal training method is a necessary preliminary step to more advanced techniques.

2. Choose and practice yours in advance counter attack to attack your opponent, but focus on improving your timing and speed when moving from defense to counterattack. Special attention Focus on speed and coordination.

3. Once you have acquired the skill to perform the method suggested in step 2, you no longer need to choose your countermeasure in advance. Instead, when defending, choose a countermeasure based on your stance and position relative to your opponent. For example, if you are late with your defense, choose a counter that is executed at above average speed. Learn to make instant decisions of this kind.

Important Considerations

1. Eye position - direct your gaze to the center of the triangle formed by the opponent's shoulders and eyes. If you focus on his arms or legs, you may become confused or distracted.

2. Leg movements - move your legs easily and quickly. Slide your feet along the floor. As you step forward, push your hips forward as well.

3. State of mind - do not show fear when the enemy attacks. Conduct your appointment with confidence.

4. Application of force - be prepared to concentrate all your strength when the need arises. After she has completed her task, instantly - relax.

Practice each technique repeatedly, first forward, and sometimes stepping back. Gradually your torso will get used to performing the necessary movements.

KNIVES

The knife is a formidable melee weapon. Probably no one counted how many people died from being stabbed. I think millions. (I, of course, take the entire history of Mankind) And in a fight against a person wielding a knife, your chances are very slim.

It is often very common to hear that someone died during an attack or robbery on the street from a knife. This is very sad.

I think a knife is the most commonly used weapon in hand-to-hand combat. Generally in a clash of people.

Knives have been used as melee weapons since their invention; just a bunch of types of weapons and weapons have died out, but knives have remained formidable and insidious in their ingenious simplicity. You can’t add or subtract anything to them. To hit the enemy. Knives can be used to stab and cut the enemy, and the main thing is to use them unnoticed and suddenly. (therefore, in any case, do not let the enemy get to close and medium distance where he can attack you with a knife.) Attack immediately. Every mistake can cost you your life.

With all the progress in the field of melee weapons, when there is different kinds both pistols and submachine guns, shockers, batons, weapons with a silencer, special forces could not and did not want to give up a simple knife. So let’s consider the issue of protecting against a knife, as the most popular weapon of attackers on the street, as carefully as possible. As a vital question.

The knife was nicknamed a knife because it was originally worn on the leg. In the boot top. So it's easy to pull it out and deal a crushing blow

(as a rule, in manuals on hand-to-hand combat there are a lot of illusions about defense against a knife, if not as many as in hand-to-hand combat in general, let's look at the main ones.

1. the enemy attacks with a knife, and for a split second waits for your attack to kill.
2. The enemy delivers one blow and then again waits for your response.
3. X-shaped block
4. The enemy will certainly attack you in the body
5. The enemy will simply come up, pull out a knife and hit you, for example, from above in the head.
6. The opponent makes a big swing, enough for you to see the knife.
7. or will accelerate, swing, take a step forward and strike with a knife with a large swing
8. and most importantly, such techniques are common in all books on hand-to-hand combat, but the saddest thing is that someone tried to use them. And of course I got caught.

My advice to you is not to use dubious methods of defense against knives, use methods that are understandable to you personally and that you think will work in a real situation.

I'll show you my knife defense system. But it's up to you to decide whether to use it or not.

Knife attacks:

1. direct stab
2. side stabbed
3. knife strike from above
4. stab from below
5. hitting diagonally
6. side slash
7. backhand cutting blow
8. knife strike with collar grab
9. knife strike from behind
10. putting a knife to the throat.

that is, with a knife it is possible to carry out any blows along any trajectories, this is a weapon with high speed striking. (As a rule, all manuals give a completely non-functional knife protection system. Therefore, I want to show you my knife protection system). Easy to use. A knife is usually used to poke and strike around obstacles. They attack with a series of blows. Finger and forearm attacks are possible.

Knife strikes are carried out sharply, bitingly and imperceptibly. Therefore, utmost care. Because a mistake can cost you your life.

With a knife you can deliver both precise and masterful blows, as well as dirty ones (personally, they always scared me very much, maybe this is their strength)

Your goal when fighting an enemy armed with a knife. This is to carry out a defense. That is, simply either repel, or dodge, and deliver a damaging blow to the enemy’s “pain point”

Your advantages in knife fighting:

1. fear - yes, yes, in a fight with a knife this is an advantage and not a disadvantage. At least
2. sudden unexpected attack
3. getting ahead of the enemy
4. long distance
5. kick attacks
6. damage to vital points
7. attack after impact (at the end)
8. biting and light blocks simply remove the knife, because the main thing is to simply remove it from the line of attack.
9. Dodges and departures from the line of attack.

In principle, protection against a knife should be flexible, that is, you need a reaction and not memorized techniques.

Remember one thing: a knife is dangerous. In general, an armed enemy already has an advantage over you. And often one blow with a knife can decide the outcome of a fight.

Basic knife protection system:

1. keep a long distance (if possible, of course)
2. carry out biting and light blocks retracting the knife
3. move away from the enemy's line of attack
4. try to get behind the enemy and attack him from behind.
5. counterattack
6. primarily kick attacks. Leg longer than an arm, you can keep the enemy at a distance.
7. We work on the lower level. With your feet. We protect the upper level with our hands. Fighting off blows with a knife, or putting your hands under attack. Still, it is better to cut your hands than to have a knife stuck in your stomach or throat. That is, we are looking for an advantage here too. And your advantage is kicking.
8. attack with a kick with a jump. To the bottom. If successful, you can knock out the enemy.
9. cuttings. If you can knock the enemy down, consider that you were able to survive, but don’t waste time - counterattack.

use a knife only after a crushing or guaranteed distracting blow. Although I think you shouldn’t stand on ceremony with someone who attacked you with a knife.

The technique changes somewhat, although in general I think the technique of fighting against a knife should be the main one, so:

1. We carefully monitor the distance, moving exclusively by jumps.
2. We keep a long distance, of course, if possible.
3. the blocks are biting, with hands covering vulnerable spots.
4. attack in pain points, only on painful points: eyes, groin.
5. We don’t go to the middle distance. Either long range for defense, or close range when the enemy withdraws the knife, grabbing the armed hand at close range.
6. kick attacks only to the lower level.
7. legs are the main offensive weapon because they allow you to use long range and keep your distance.
8. We use departures from the attack line.
9. pendulum movements. You should just jump around the enemy.

The main importance when defending against a knife is to attack the enemy’s pressure points as hard as possible, primarily: eyes, groin

Secondly: eyes, groin, throat, knees, legs.

Basic defenses against a knife:

1. protection from a knife strike from above
2. protection from direct knife strike
3. Knife protection from the side
4. Knife protection from the side
5. protection against knife strikes from below
6. protection from a series of knife attacks

knife blows are a series.

A fight with a person armed with a knife at close range is extremely dangerous, but there are situations when this is exactly what happens. Therefore, you just need to master the techniques of protecting yourself from a knife at close range.

Basic technical actions.

1. slopes, and deviations back and to the side.
2. bounces
3. departures from the attack line
4. advanced kicks
5. counter kicks.
6. jumping kicks
7. knockdown defense
8. hand support for impact.
9. kicks.
10. and it is precisely in defense against a knife that we use high kicks, because the enemy’s attention is focused primarily on the knife and the blow can get through.

Basic protection against a knife at close range.

1. protection from a knife strike from above
2. protection from direct knife strike
3. Knife protection from the side
4. Knife protection from the side
5. protection against knife strikes from below

In addition, we will look at real knife attacks and real stabbings. Again, those that are offered for consideration are intended for intellectuals, probably, or very cultured people. Criminals, to my great regret, do not attack like that. And they work with a knife a little differently than what is discussed in books or taught by self-defense instructors. This, of course, is somewhat depressing. At least me. It’s so easy and convenient to practice simple knife strikes. And think that if necessary, you can defend yourself. But again, unfortunately, this is not the case. Real knife attacks are very dangerous and very difficult to defend against. But we will practice defense against them and accordingly prepare to meet just such attacks. In addition, no one will throw only one blow with a knife. I'm sure there will be a continuation of the attack. This again brings up:

1. direct blow with a knife.
2. Knife strike from the side.

That is, when protecting against a knife, it matters, first of all:

1. suddenness
2. active attacks

in a knife fight, your weapons are your legs. In principle, it is enough to apply good shot kick to hit an opponent.

That is, when defending against an enemy armed with weapons, I think that you need:

1. use more powerful weapons
2. use weapons operating at a longer distance

protection from a knife strike at close range and medium distances

At close and medium distances, I think that the chances of defending are very small, but you can still do something. I think that at close range the blow will be aimed primarily at the stomach. Or the lower part of the body. Or in the chest. But the movement will most likely be bumpy, with some scope. Or the knife will be put to the throat.

Basic principles of close and medium range defense:

1. try not to get into a situation where you are attacked with a knife at such a close distance. (But sometimes this simply cannot be avoided.
2. advance, and sudden attacks. As soon as you see some movement that indicates to you
3. if you are not in a confined space, try to jump back long distance, which will make it easier for you to defend yourself.
4. that the enemy uses a knife when attacking. Attack the painful points and finish immediately.
5. attack of pain points. First of all it's the groin, knee and shin, you should just knock out the opponent
6. We use combat throws to go behind the enemy’s back.
7. when striking with a knife from close range, we substitute our hands with the movement of moving the knife to the side and immediately counterattack. Still, it’s better to get cuts on your arms or legs than to get hit in the stomach.
8. we use pushes.

Looking ahead I'll tell you common system protection from a knife, since this issue is extremely important for self-defense, and it is better to repeat it once again than to ignore this issue (“Repetition is the mother of teaching”). As a rule, the attack will be carried out using a knife.

1. try not to get into a situation where you are attacked with a knife. Do everything possible to avoid such an attack. That is best protection from a knife, this is to avoid an attack.
2. if you are attacked, the best defense in this case is to simply run away. Turn around and run as fast as you can. There is no need to prove anything to anyone, especially when the question is about your life and health. And the arguments, and therefore the chances, are not on your side. But there are situations when it is simply impossible to escape, for example, your wife, children, elderly mother are with you, how can you escape? You just need to defend yourself. And in this situation, the best defense is...
3. sudden attack. Less thinking, much less talking.
4. if you have a little time, use improvised weapons. Use the environment, attack with what you have in your hands, but most importantly, attack suddenly and sharply, unexpectedly for the enemy.
5. check out the chapter “Hands-to-hand weapons”
6. keep a long distance. You will have time to respond
7. We attack only on painful points. And on the first pain points. In the eyes and groin of the enemy.
8. without weapons we attack with our feet.
9. We don’t try to grab the knife. Just tough counterattacks, and nothing more.
10. We simply have to finish off such an attacker. If a person grabs a knife, what else can be expected from him is unknown. And the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation will be on your side. (Don’t think about it at all - protect your life with all your might)
11. Don’t wait for the knife to hit you directly; defend yourself first. This applies to the entire structure of the knife guard. Starting from avoiding the attack itself and ending with a sudden, pre-emptive attack.
12. directly upon impact. Fight off the knife with your hands, attack with your feet. It would be better if your hands were damaged than your internal organs.
13. The knife is a very fast melee weapon.
14. use the simplest and most reliable methods of protection. Don't be clever. A fight with an enemy armed with a knife is not the place for experimentation.
15. defense and counterattack must be sudden and unexpected for the enemy. It's obvious to read. But the enemy can simply change the trajectory of movement at the last moment, taking advantage of your “foresight” and knowledge of standard techniques. This will be very easy and convenient for him.
16. For fighting against a knife, simple and reliable techniques are more suitable, which are guaranteed to incapacitate the attacker.
17. study defenses that will work in any case. This is reliability.
18. look for simple solutions to complex problems. It is obvious. That is, do not use complexly coordinated techniques when defending against a knife; it is enough to hit the pressure points, which will simply get ahead of the enemy and incapacitate him. We need to be simpler. The beauty of combat lies in choosing the optimal solution for protection.

That is, I give preference to simple knife defense techniques that will work in any conditions and with any opponents. Because here the abundance of some sophisticated techniques cannot lead to real protection. After all, in reality there are few elements of defense, and you can invent a lot of methods of continuation and counterattacks.

Defense is not only some techniques and methods of defense that save you from attack in a fight or fight, but more broadly any methods and actions that save you from enemy attacks in battle. The simpler and more natural these actions are, the higher the likelihood that your face and body will remain intact. Let’s say that you don’t know any defense techniques at all, you haven’t trained in any martial arts section, and you haven’t watched films about martial arts on TV. However, the latter is perhaps from the realm of fantasy. Let’s say that for you there are only building “blocks”, “slopes” only right and left in the game, “dives” only from the springboard in the pool, and “stands” only for the frying pan in the kitchen. What to do if there is an enemy in front of you and you have to fight right now? Can you clench your hand into a fist? And if you hit your opponent’s nose with this same fist, then whose nose will he think about in the next couple of seconds? As they say in such cases, your nose is closer to your body. If you, without being confused and holding the initiative, hit him in that nose again, then his thoughts will go even deeper into his own nose, giving you a few more seconds of safety (and in battle this is a lot). Thus, we, without washing it like that, solved the task of protecting our nose, and our not classic and not correct (according to many experts) method of protection, at the very least, or rather at the very least, worked. Be the first to act, and the likelihood of your opponent attacking will immediately decrease. Continue a successful attack and it is quite possible that his attack or counterattack will end before it even begins.

The first defense option, the simplest and most logical, is attack. You may not be able to do a single defense technique, but practice it well a couple of blows, and you will be hit much less often. Is there something between hand-to-hand combat and sex? An elementary way to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy during sex is to engage in it in the safest position: the man on the bottom on his stomach, the woman on top arbitrarily. The easiest way to avoid getting hit in a fight is to prevent the enemy's attack from starting by striking first. In both cases, actions that could cause unpleasant consequences are stopped before they even begin.

The second option for defense is to structure the battle tactics in such a way that the enemy does not have the opportunity to work in his usual manner. In this case, it is not necessary to attack first, but your actions and defensive techniques should be such as to prevent the enemy from hitting you. If you are working against a striker, know a simple rule: any strike requires distance. If the target is closer or further away, the blow will either not gain any damaging force or will hang in the air. So you have a choice: break the distance or shorten it. The distance gap is used by most beginners, as well as representatives of some styles of martial arts, who run from the enemy faster than hares. Three or four, and sometimes even five to ten meters from the enemy give the illusion of security, but do not forget that from such a distance you cannot attack either, and sooner or later, depending on his skill and experience, your enemy will shorten the distance and reach you. Therefore, although this way of working exists, I would not recommend using it too often.

A more effective option is to work to reduce the distance. Enter at close range, fix it with a grip, cling to the enemy, and it will not be possible to hit you. Certainly, different strokes they fight from different distances, and, in addition to legs and fists, there are blows with knees, elbows and head. But there still needs to be a certain distance. This method of protection is universal for everything martial art. It doesn't matter what style the person attacking you was doing. He hits swing, giyaku-zuki or some intricate “slap” technique from Russian styles. No distance - there will be no blow. In boxing, such a situation is called a clinch, and the referee separates the boxers at a distance, so in a clinch the boxers are not able to do anything to each other. The black belt can cut down tree trunks with the edge of his palm and punch through a wall with his fist, but press his fist close to the target and he won’t even break plywood.

If you are working against a wrestler, then the rule of defense is similar to the previous one: in order to throw, you need contact with the opponents' bodies. Capture is the same required element wrestling as a distance for striking techniques. These can be clothing grabs used by sambo wrestlers and judokas, wrist grabs in aikido and jujitsuu, or legs and body in freestyle wrestling, but don’t let the opponent get into close range and take the grab, there won’t be a throw (article "Throw or take more - throw further"). Although, there is an exception to this pattern. Some striking styles use leg sweeps, which can knock a person to the floor without first being grappled. But, as a rule, they pass only when the fighter stands high on his toes, or even better, jumps in a not very competent shuttle. Do not jump in a fight or bend your legs when closing the distance; such techniques will not be very effective against you.

Both the first and second defense options are preventive measures, that is, the fighter must actively act himself, without waiting for the enemy to attack. However, it is impossible to be ahead of everyone all the time. Therefore, the third level of protection is certain actions or techniques of defense that neutralize an attack that has already begun. All existing on this moment Defense techniques can be divided into:

• Techniques for protecting yourself with stands
• Treatment techniques
• Techniques for defending with knockdowns

Techniques for protecting with stands.

The essence of the techniques of defense with supports is that we place in the path of the trajectory of the striking limb those parts of the body that can withstand the blow. True, the enemy will not suffer much from this either. Cover your face from the chin to eye level with your hands. When delivering direct blows, we defend ourselves with the palm of our hand (Fig. 5), lateral blows with our hands and upper parts forearms (Fig. 6). A competent fighter must constantly keep his hand to his head in battle, especially at the moment of his own attack. This is one of the most necessary defense skills (Fig. 7). As a boxing coach told me in my youth: “If you forget to hold your glove to your chin, press it to your face and don’t put it down. It’s better to get hit by your own glove than to get hit right in the jaw.”

Techniques for protecting the body consist of resting the shoulders and forearms, which are held near the body; if necessary, they move forward, covering the stomach and the “sun” (Fig. 8). The thigh can be protected from a low kick by turning the leg inward, exposing the muscle of the back of the thigh to the blow (Fig. 9). The main thing is not to overdo it and not turn your back on the enemy with easily predictable consequences.

If we reduce all this to one denominator, we get a collected, compact position, where those parts of the body that can withstand the blow are looking at the enemy. Positioning the body at 45° to the enemy reduces the affected area and also makes it possible to roll off direct blows. The throat is covered with the chin, the forehead is forward. The body is protected by the shoulders and forearms, do not spread your elbows out to the sides like wings, you won’t fly up, but you will get hit “under the wing” (Fig. 4).

Before mastering any special moves defense, it is necessary, as an alma mater, to master the correct position and learn to work in it at any distance in a fight. This is an elementary method of protection, but it is more reliable than cunning methods of protection. Once you learn to move with composure in battle, you will find that three out of four enemy strikes will become useless. It is very important that this method of defense requires almost no reaction to the enemy’s attacking blows. It’s easier to immediately cover the weak areas of the head and body than to frantically think in a fight, when the enemy’s attack has begun, which defensive technique to use. The correct position is the central link that unites all other actions of the fighter. Just as in a toy pyramid a child strings rings onto a central pin, so a fighter must learn to attack from this position and return to it in time.

However, methods of protecting yourself with stands are not so harmless. A strong blow can expose a part of the body, upon contact with which the attacking limb can be seriously injured. Hard stand defense techniques not only protect you, but also injure your opponent's arms and legs. Simplified, there are only three parts of the body that can be exposed to attack without much harm: forehead along the hairline, knees and elbows.

When attacking with a fist to the face, lower your chin to your chest so that the fist hits your forehead at the hairline. After such a meeting between the fist and the forehead, your opponent is guaranteed to have problems with his knuckles. It is good if the head tilt is combined with a slight sitting on the legs so that the neck and spine form one line, which will absorb the impact of the blow along the back into the pelvis. IN otherwise blows will throw the head back, which will have a bad effect on the safety of the cervical vertebrae. Protect your body above the waist with your elbows, pointing them towards the blow (Fig. 10). When attacking below the waist, similarly place your knees towards the striking leg. Do not lower to protect the body of the hand from the head. The enemy can attack the open head, and the hand strong impact the leg may be injured. In general, bent knees and elbows are one of the strongest joints of the human body, and their collision with attacking forearms and shins will end in failure for the latter.

For most fighters who practice karate and wushu, their favorite tactic is to attack from a long distance with kicks, not necessarily wearing pads. Unfortunately, shin guards are not always available, but the habit of thoughtlessly throwing your leg forward, relying on its protection, remains. After a couple of contacts between the open shin and the knee, such warriors resemble a fencer who, having broken his sword at the very guard, is asked to continue fencing further. All that remains for the unfortunate person to do is throw the hilt of a sword at the enemy or, as is more often the case in martial arts halls, accuse you of “unsportsmanlike behavior.” In general, “throwing” your legs into strikes, without looking where, is a very irresponsible activity: with an injured hand, you can at least escape from the battlefield, but with an injured leg, this will be inaccessible to you.