Lesson 24.

This lesson teaches you: --

The third defense against downward blow of knife.

It also teaches the comparative value of the three methods.

THIRD DEFENSE AGAINST DOWNWARD BLOW OF KNIFE

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.

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.

Make the effort from the Stahara, this makes the kick twice as powerful as if you merely used the leg muscles. (See note further down re "The Jujitsu Kick.")

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.

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, as was taught to you in Book Two.

If you are a certain distance from Assailant you would use the toe kick, Figure 132. In other positions you might use the punch, Figure 133. 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.   THE COMPARATIVE VALUE OF THE VARIOUS DEFENSES

On account of the ease with which an Assailant's arm can be broken, too high a value is apt to be placed on the elbow break. It is true that, once secured, the elbow break wins the fight, and enables the smaller man to take prisoner or disable his enemy.

There are many occasions where such a hold can be secured and it therefore should be mastered.

But in an actual fight against a man armed with a knife the chances of securing such a hold are only one in ten. The tactics taught in the third defense against downward blow give you a much better chance for your life.

Similarly the chances of securing the wrist twist taught in the first defense against downward blow are only about one in ten against a man with a knife.

The tactics taught in the second defense against upward blow are much more effective and reliable. See remarks below, under first defense against upward blow of knife.