MARTIAL ARTS : JIUJITSU 5

Jiujitsu : FIRST DEFENSE AGAINST DOWNWARD BLOW OF KNIFE (THE ELBOW BREAK)

This lesson teaches you :
1. First defense against downward blow of knife. (The elbow break.)
2. The counter to the elbow break.

Assailant steps forward with his right foot bringing down his right arm as if aiming a blow with a knife.

figure 1

Step in with your left foot lowering your body slightly, and keep it perfectly erect. Stop Assailant's right forearm with your left forearm.

Pass your right forearm under Assailant's upper arm, pulling his upper arm toward you and forcing his forearm back with your left forearm.

figure 2

This is a much quicker and surer method of taking the elbow break than grasping his forearm with your hand. Continue forcing his forearm back until your right hand comes onto the back of your left hand.

This will unbalance him backwards. To show position more clearly, my left hand is open in photo. Naturally it would be closed.

figure 3

It is easy to break an arm, so although you perform the major operation quickly, do the minor operation slowly and gently. Force his right hand back until he gives the signal of defeat.

figure 4

The most important point is to unbalance Assailant and retain your own balance.

Allow one another to try this lock on the unresisting arm, repeatedly, slowly and carefully.

Continued practice will enable you to secure this grip like a flash.


Jiujitsu : SECOND DEFENSE AGAINST DOWNWARD BLOW OF KNIFE

This lesson teaches you :

• The second defense against downward blow of knife.
• It also teaches you the principle of the line of support.

Assailant may frustrate your attempt to secure the elbow break by straightening his arm.

figure 1

Immediately give up the idea of trying for the elbow break and instead, force his arm straight up and back.

Catch him on the throat with the space between the thumb and forefinger, of your right hand, pushing him back at right angles to his line of support.

figure 2

This shows a trip by bringing your right leg behind his right leg. This can only be done when his right leg is forward.

It is superfluous, as if you strike him smartly on the neck, in the proper direction, he will go down like a ninepin.

If you are ever up against a man with a knife, the most important thing for you if you wish to survive, is to give him your knee, either before or after your hand has reached his throat.

figure 3

Assailant again attacks you with his right arm stiff and straight making the elbow break impossible. Again force his right arm up unbalancing him backwards.

He has stepped forward with his left foot this time making it impossible to trip his right leg as on previous page.

figure 4

A trip is unnecessary as a blow to the throat with the right hand will knock him over backwards.
The direction of the blow must be at right angles to his line of support.

This demonstrates that the trip shown on previous page is unnecessary. You can throw your man in both cases much more quickly by the blow on the throat.

In practice simply unbalance him slightly until you feel that you could throw him with a little extra shove.


Jiujitsu : THIRD DEFENSE AGAINST DOWNWARD BLOW OF KNIFE

This lesson teaches you :

• The third defense against downward blow of knife.
• It also teaches the comparative value of the three methods.

The quickest method of turning the tables on a man who attacks you with knife or pistol is to parry the blow with your forearm, stepping in and lowering the body slightly, keeping erect and well-balanced.

figure 1

Kick him in the abdomen with the rear foot.
Bend your left knee slightly, this lowers your center of gravity and gives you more balance.

figure 2

Make the effort from the Stahara, this makes the kick twice as powerful as if you merely used the leg muscles.

This is a foul kick only to be used where Assailant is trying to kill you. That is the only circumstance under which such a foul blow would be justifiable. A surer parry still is to block his blow above the elbow.

figure 3

This necessitates stepping in closer and lowering your body more. When you block his forearm, if he had a long knife it might reach your head, but if you block his upper arm you are quite safe.

Simultaneously give him a sharp blow on the abdomen, either above or below the belt. This blow is made with a sharp jab, the return being as quick as the blow.

In practice, put your full strength into the blow but stop it a few inches from the target. Whether you would use the kick or blow depends upon your distance from the Assailant. If you are farther away, the kick would be better, if you are closer in, the punch would be quicker.

Although the knee kick to the crotch is not illustrated here, it is the first thing to do in an emergency, If you are a certain distance from Assailant you would use the toe kick, Figure 2. In other positions you might use the punch, Figure 3. But you would always precede or follow up with the knee kick.

Merely filing this information away in your mind is no good. This course trains your subconscious by repeated practice of selected tricks to use the best combination in an emergency.