How to Defend Against an Attacker Holding a Knife to the Throat using Samurai Karate Seiza Technique

Before I begin explaining how to defend oneself should an attacker hold a knife against your throat while standing behind you I would like to make myself abundantly clear that such a technique, as well as any other defensive measure used when deadly weapons are involved, is a last ditch effort. If there is the slightest chance that you will come away unharmed if you cooperate with your attacker and give in to his demands then by all means do so. This technique, like any other of its kind, is not infallible and may result in your injury or death should you fail to do it perfectly or with sufficient speed. For that reason I'm explaining the steps one takes in this sitting position Samurai Karate defense measure purely for academic purposes. Those who study martial arts may find it educational, nothing more.

Step 1:
Begin by taking up a Seiza sitting position directly across from your opponent. Do this by kneeling down and sinking down to sit on the backs of your heels. Posture is very important so keep your back straight and place your hands at the tops of your thighs, elbows sticking outward. Your opponent should be behind you.

Step 2:
Allow your opponent to approach you from behind and place his knife against the front of your throat. For the purposes of this article we will assume your attacker is right handed. Simply reverse the instructions if your attacker is placing his arm over your left shoulder instead of the right.

Step 3:
Clamp your left hand over your opponent’s knife hand, pulling the hand down and pressing it hard against your collarbone to immobilize the knife.

Step 4:
Cup the elbow of your opponent’s arm in your right palm, pushing upward and forward. This should push your opponent’s arm forward enough to pull him off balance and give you an opening.

Step 5:
Rise up onto your right foot, keeping your left knee pressed against the ground. Push your opponent’s arm up and over your head toward your other shoulder while twisting your entire body to face him. Simultaneously bring your opponent’s knife hand, still locked in your left hand, down to the level of your left hip. The twist will force your opponent forward and down as it will lock his arm provided you maintain a firm grip with both hands.

Step 6:
Exert pressure on your opponent’s wrist and the back of his elbow to force him face-down to the ground. If you are performing this move not as practice, but in real self defense, continue on to steps 7 and 8 to neutralize your opponent and prevent him from being a further danger to you or others.

Step 7:
Maintain your grip on your opponent’s knife hand with your left hand. Hold the arm immobile with your right hand while pressing your attacker’s knife hand inward toward the inside of the wrist. Continue to do so until you head a loud pop. This will indicate that the wrist has either been broken or dislocated.

Step 8:
Reposition your left hand to be further down on your opponent’s arm, just below the wrist. Form your right hand into a vertical blade and bring it down hard onto your opponent’s arm, an inch above the exterior junction of the elbow. This will break the elbow, rendering your opponent unable to attempt further harm to you or others.