Knife for Self-Defense: Reverse Hold

Welcome to Knife for Self-Defense: Forward Hold.

Tom Sotis has trained consistently in self-defense for more than 50 years, spent 20 years working in conflict-oriented professions, and has taught approximately 1,500 seminars in 25 countries over the past 30 years. His experience dealing with violence—both on the streets and in dangerous environments abroad—has driven his lifelong pursuit of practical, functional methods of self-defense.

The objective of this program is to help you achieve the best possible outcome when confronted by violence. That means developing responses that are tactically sound, legally defensible, and ethically appropriate, while developing the ability to act effectively when it matters.

The program addresses three phases of self-defense: Preparation, Defense, and Post-Incident.

Preparation includes considerations for carrying and using a knife for self-defense, use of force, de-escalation, managing challengers and criminal confrontations, knife selection, drawing and deployment, handling, and the fundamental actions of using the knife in forward hold.

Defense addresses accessing and using the knife while under attack, including responses to unarmed assaults, knife attacks, and grab-and-stab attacks, as well as the practical application of the forward hold under changing circumstances.

Post-Incident addresses what to do immediately following a defensive encounter and important considerations if you are arrested after defending yourself.

The knife is a tool. The objective is not knife fighting—it is developing the capability to protect yourself when confronted by violence.

Welcome to Knife for Self-Defense: Reverse Hold.