Gunfighter

Semper_Fi

Those who train with Hoff know that he stresses the need to first deflect a knife attacker's arm and then run like h*ll to get away from the attacker. We practice such techniques at SoSu and knife-specific defensive training.

While watching an A&E special about the federal prison at San Quentin, a knife attack was shown on the prison's basketball court. I recorded the segment and bottom line, the attacking inmate stabbed the 'victim' inmate eight times in about four seconds. During the attack, the victim inmate was standing upright flailing punches at the attacker while the attacker had hold of the victim's shirt and was stabbing him time after time after time.

The victim did not try escaping the knife attack and within seconds fell to the ground. The attacker got in a few more thrusts before other inmates took him down and the reporter stated that the victim inmate died within minutes of the attack.

Start to finish the fatal knife attack lasted less than ten seconds...

fm2 · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 67

I like to watch those type shows to see method BG's use.

It looks like he used a "hockey" hold and strike method and substituted a blade for the punch. It's probably a good idea to practice escapes/defense/counter attacks from that held position.

Semper_Fi

In reviewing the footage several times, the attacker and victim were standing casually about two feet from each other when the attack began and the victim's initial stance and casual body movements suggest the victim did not perceive danger until the attack began.

This is my first study of a knife attack and it's clear that the victim had no chance standing flat footed, in an upright position trying to duke it out with an energized, knife wielding attacker. As mentioned, the attacker had a solid hold on the vicitim's shirt (slightly above waist level) and held the victim very close to him during the attack. The knife thrusts were very short, very fast and the attacker actually did not move around much during the span of the attack. Classic in-fighting technique.

Hoff regularly mentions that the best defense against a contact weapon is to first deflect the attacking arm and then haul a** to a safe area.