Backed against the wall

situation and therefore would allow for escalation of force per the force continuum and either ramming the opponent’s head into the wall or disengaging and accessing side arms if possible.

Knife threat to the throat against a wall
Usually having a knife placed against the trachea is intimidating, but defending against such a threat is fairly simple, and regardless of what system one trains in, the defense will usually incorporate a redirection of the knife and a movement of the head to increase the margin of error. Dealing with the same situation when against a wall is slightly more challenging because the defender can not move his head, thus increasing the chances of a redirection actually slicing the throat.

When addressing a knife threat to the throat against a wall the goal remains the same: increase distance between the knife and the throat, and then gain control over the attacker. Instead of moving the attackers arm, the defense will involve the defender sending both his hands over the attacker’s arm, one over the elbow and one over the forearm. In an explosive manner the defender will pull down on the attacker’s arm toward his own navel while simultaneously pushing his chest out to push the attacker’s hand as far away from the throat as possible.

Once the space was created the defender can begin counter striking and again use the wall if needed.

Restraint against a wall
As we mentioned, the wall may often be used as a tool. None is more prevalent than when using the wall as a barrier against which a suspect can be placed in order to maintain control and transition to use of restraint devices. The simplest way is using a wrist manipulation or an arm bar to press a suspect against a wall, thus preventing the suspect from rolling out of the pain-compliance hold, and allowing the officer to place handcuffs while maintaining the highest level of control and safety.

To conclude: As intimidating as it may be to be pushed against a wall and attacked, either empty handed or with a weapon, performing a proper defense is for the most part fairly simple. Using the wall as an added tool also gives the defender an opportunity to subdue his attacker and gain a control position.

Tzviel (BK) Blankchtein, a defensive tactics instructor, is founder and president of Masada Tactical, and may be contacted through the company’s Web site. Readers may send him questions on topics and issues which are of interest to them. He will post some of these questions, and his answers to them, in the column.