Disarming a knife weilding assailant using an arm bar. Installment 4

In this installment I would like to cover, what to do once you have faced off with your assailant, entered the trapping zone and have already "defanged the serpent" or are in the process of it. The technique I would like to focus on today is an arm bar. Notice I used the term "an arm bar" and not "the arm bar". That is because there are many different types and variartions of armbars. Today we will use the standing armbar.

Earlier on in this blog We talked about the Knife Combat Imperatives. In the last segment we covered "defanging the serpent". Today's imperative to focus on is "Control". Control is an ongoing and constant principle in everything we do. Without control there is anarchy. In combat whenever you lose control, you risk losing your life. The question then arises; what are we controling. The answers are simple.

- Self

- Weapon / weapon hand (yours and the enemy's)

- Situation

What is there to control about yourself? You should always attempt to curb your fears and emotions. The ancient Samurai of Japan used to believe that a warrior who could be un affected or detached from the situation. This aided the warrior in doing what ever it took to gain a victory. The Samurai would not engage in argument or allow their ego to be stroked. Thus they were not emotionally affected by the words of the enemy, or their actions. Control is necessary in order to keep a clear and vigile mind.

It is quite obvious that we would want to maintain control of the weapon. The weapon is the advantage. If you are armed then you should be mindful and concious of your own weapon. If you are engaging an adversary who is armed and you are not , then it is priority that you get control of their weapon.

Lastly, the situation is able to be controled as long as you are in control of yourself and the weapon or weapons. There is an old adage, "he who is in control of himself is in control of the situation". In the case of an engagement with an edged weapon, this is survival.


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Disarming a knife weilding attacker using an armbar









The attacker lunges in. The defender Steps straight in and begins a cover technique; staying close to the attacker and simultaneously protecting his upper and lower gates.

Immediately following the cover the defender seizes control of the weapon arm by grabing the weapon wrist; and assists with the other hand by striking the triceps / humorous (above the elbow)

Striking above the elbow and pulling the knife wrist to his opposite hip, the defender causes the attacker to lurch forward. As the the arm locks into the armbar position; the defender breaks the elbow and strips the knife from the attacker, all the while controlling the limb with his other arm, by pulling the attackers arm into his waist.

The defender has now successfully defanged the serpent and controls the former weapon arm of the attacker. He clears the attackers arm across his body. (Never losing contact with it and wraps his arm around the attacker's using a whizzer.)

The defender pulls the whizzer in tight and thrusts the blade upward into the cavity under the attackers jaw.

Once the blade sinks into the hollow cavity in the jaw, the defender now controls the attackers head and begins to step through the attacker for a takedown.

Once he takes the attacker down he locks the attackers arm into another armbar; by keeping control of the whizzer and locking the attacker's elbow across his knee.

Again the defender snaps the attackers arm backwards to expose the face and neck. The defender maintains control of the arm lock and delivers multiple stomps to the attacker's face and neck.

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Through out the entire sequence the defender never loses control of the attacker. This is an excellent demonstration of entering, defanging the serpent,and control. Hope you've enjoyed this installment and also hope that you'll never have to use it in real life. Remember; if given the opportunity to escape. escaping is the best and safest option .