Edged Weapons (Hand Range):  Overhead or “Icepick” (Blue Belt)

Edged Weapons (Hand Range):  Overhead or “Icepick” (Blue Belt)

This defense thwarts one of the most typical edged weapon attack, the overhead stab, when you are close and not in leg range.  In other words, you do not recognize the attack early enough to use leg defenses, find yourself in a confined space where leg defenses are not an option, or burst directly into the incoming edged weapon.

All krav maga weapon defenses, when possible, move off the line of attack combined with defense and attack.  This defense primarily relies on our instinct to block and move away from a blow, or, in this case, a stab.  The defender does not have time to stop the attacker’s arm as he draws it back to stab.  The assailant has the edged weapon is in his right hand and is facing you.  This attack can involve tremendous force as the assailant presses all of his weight into the attack and uses gravity to his advantage.  The defense involves a simultaneous three-part movement.

• You must deflect-redirect the assailant’s right edged weapon hand using an outside block by rotating your left arm (nearest to the edged weapon) outside to intercept the assailant’s right arm while not breaking contact for control;
• Simultaneously strike the assailant in the face or throat with your right hand;
• Step forward and diagonally with your outside right leg taking you off the line of attack and into weapon control.
• Recall that krav maga’s defenses must work for everyone and do not rely on strength.
• When confronting a larger stronger assailant, if you don’t step out off the line of attack, this disparity in body mass and strength could overcome your arm block even if you throw your body weight behind it.
• If you simply “burst” into the attacker there is a considerable risk you will be stabbed (or in a different attack slashed.)
• Stepping out takes you off the line of attack and will work against an overhead long edged weapon or a machete stab. When using a strong block, anatomically, you may find that your hand curves slightly upward.
• Strive to deflect the edged weapon as close as possible to the assailant’s wrist maintaining contact with the assailant’s arm after the initial block.
• After stunning the assailant, you have the option of pressing the counterattack by transitioning immediately from the block to securing that assailant’s arm.
• In other words, block the attack by rotating your left arm outward and then immediately slightly rotating the arm back to grab and secure the assailant’s right wrist.
• This is done while stepping slightly to the side and away from the assailant.  Immediately secure the assailant’s arm and drive it back while delivering punishing knee strikes to the groin or thighs.
• Keep in mind, after the deflection and without attempting to control the arm, you may simply to kick him in the groin and retreat.
• It is paramount that after you take a step away from the attack, to then drive the assailant’s arm backward for control.
• After stepping off the line of attack, driving the assailant’s arm back serves two purposes: (1) it prevents the assailant from initiating further stabs and (2) it positions the defender to apply a strong control hold, in this case the options of Control Hold #6 (known to some as the “kimura”) or Cavalier #1.
• Control Hold #6 secures the assailant driving him face down, importantly placing strong control over the edged weapon hand.
• Control the edged weapon and remove it with precision from the assailant’s grip.
• Secure the weapon at the bottom of the hilt and pry it loose with your right thumb from the assailant’s grip towards his head. Another option is to keep the assailant’s elbow pinned to your body and release your left hand from the attacker’s wrist and inserting your thumb to pry the edged weapon.
• One should remember that kravists train to use wrist releases and scissor leg takedowns.  In a fight, we know an assailant could use the same release against us.
• Wrist releases, when holding a blade, present special dangers because not only can the assailant release, he can slash and stab while doing it.
• You may also use Cavalier #2 to remove the edged weapon and remain standing.
• A second option to defend the attack uses the primary defense to block/sidestep and counter-attack but breaks contact delivering a swift strong left straight kick to the groin with good base leg turn.  This is strong option because the attacker’s arm will bounce of your deflecting arm and can be difficult to control.
• The side step places your right leg forward with your weight on it to take you off the line of attack.
• As your weight has now shifted, your left leg is positioned to deliver a debilitating left straight kick to the assailant’s groin allowing you to quickly disengage while continuing to break the angle (moving away from the edged weapon).
• For law enforcement, security, and professional security personnel, this variation also allows you to deploy a firearm or impact weapon you did not originally have time to use.

Common mistakes when hand-range performing overhead stab edged weapon defense:

• Timing is incorrect; bursting is late
• Student does not drive the knife arm back and away after simultaneous attack for optimum control
• Forearm deflection is incorrect; incorrect structure
• Fingers on deflecting arm will naturally spread, so, do not emphasize keeping fingers together for knife hand
• Student remains on the line of attack (though this may be necessary sometimes)
• Student deflects without simultaneous strong counterattack.
• Student does not close properly to secure the weapon
• Weapon removal is uncontrolled and sloppy

A third law enforcement, professional security, or military specific option is to complete the block/sidestep and counterattack and then immediately draw and point shoot the assailant (provided the defender is wearing his sidearm on his right hip.)  Note, blocking and simultaneously drawing the weapon is not an optimum tactic because the assailant is coming at you full speed and force, more than likely with repeated stabs and you have not yet stunned him.  Instead you are relying on your ability to deploy and successfully use your weapon, which, unfortunately, has had fatal consequences for many police and security officers.   (A different technique must be used if the defender has the sidearm on his left hip.)  You should continue to move away from the edged weapon arm.  In short, this defense can be combined with an initial strike to momentarily stun the assailant, create distance, and then deploy a firearm.

A fourth option is to step off the line of attack and deliver an over-top-knuckles punch to the eye ridge while the continuing tsai-bake movement away from the attack to retreat and escape.