If you pay attention, you’ll regularly see video of criminal attackers armed with contact weapons closing the distance by charging their victims at a dead run:
That’s a difficult scenario to handle and a lot of victims give in to their natural reaction to back up and create more distance. The problem is that the defender cannot move faster going backwards than the attacker can move going forwards. The defender often ends up on his backside as he trips. Take a look at this video of a knife attack against a St. Paul police officer for a fine example of that happening.
Backing up is rarely a successful option unless the defender is very fast and agile, the defender gets his gun into play very quickly, or the attacker isn’t truly motivated to stab the victim. A lot of these “attacks” directed against the police are really “suicide by cop” incidents where the attacker isn’t really trying to stab anyone. He’s trying to be just enough threat that the cop will pull the trigger.
If backing up doesn’t work very well, what should a defender do to counter a charging attacker who is armed with a contact weapon?
The best way to solve this problem is to set up two people, one armed with a training knife and one armed with a Simunitions or airsoft pistol. While the knife attacker charges, the person with the gun experiments, trying to move backwards, laterally, or forwards. The “right” answer depends on a lot of factors including the defender’s agility, the defender’s draw time, the attacker’s speed, and the initial stand off distance before the attacker charges.
This kind of drilling, while tiring, is exceptionally valuable. After a dozen or so reps, the defender gets a “feel” for what tactic might work best for any given attack. That knowledge is invaluable.
I’ve done this drill with hundreds of students over the years. The most successful movement pattern I’ve found is somewhat counter intuitive.
Moving FORWARDS at a 45 degree angle to the attacker’s charge almost always works. Sprint forwards at a 45 degree angle away from the attacker’s knife side. If the attacker has the knife in his right hand, you should try to sprint past the attacker’s left shoulder. Running towards the unarmed side reduces the chance that he can reach out and cut you as you sprint past him.
Did training there, this guy solid.
The suggestion makes sense.
An often overlooked tactic is to drop to a crouch, head tucked in, and let the attacker run over you and fall flat on his ass. This works for attackers running up behind you as well. Usually the attacker does not know how to fall and roll and will incur painful grazes on hands and elbows, or even a shoulder injury. This has happened to me and yes, it works.
God Bless you Southerner.
I ain’t going to the ground or anything like it, but I can understand the philosophy. Not willingly anyway. You haven’t solved the weapon problem, Sir, with respect. Momentum yes, not the weapon.
I am usually inclined to side step but I really like Greg E idea to advance catty corner to non weapon side.
The cop [or civilian for that matter] backing away from the assailant is absolute proof at trial or a review board of no malicious intent by the shooter.
Keep more than that seven yard distance if possible.
Respectfully Lu An Li, that is a path to DEATH, but if you survive, yes, you might have a better chance at trial.
Unless you’re a white male. In which case, kill the SOB; you’re going down anyway.