Defanging the snake

"Defanging the snake" is a common term regarding a variety of defensive techniques versus an armed opponent, in which said opponent is forced to drop his weapon due to massive tissue disruption, thereby rendering the weapon hand useless — sometimes permanently.

The original phrase is translated from Indonesian, and is familiar to practitioners of the martial art Silat, which is primarily blade orientated; however, similar techniques exist in all fighting systems which incorporate edged weapons — from Eskrima to Western fencing.

The most common method utilized to "defang the snake" is to deliver a deep slash or stab wound to the inside of the armed opponent's wrist, thereby damaging tendons, muscles, blood vessels, and possibly nerves. If a nerve is severed, a flail limb can result, which is typically unrepairable and generally amputated by surgeons. Less common methods include attacking other vulnerable points of the hand and arm, particularly the thumb and the inside of the elbow. If delivered with speed, accuracy, and force (provided the blade is sharp), the opponent's weapon is typically lost.

Although the blade is the traditional and preferred means to disarm an opponent via this method, the term has also (and perhaps incorrectly) been used regarding any disarming technique which results in serious injury to the weapon arm. Such alternative techniques may include injuring the arm with: a club, a gunshot, or a joint-breaking hyperextension of the elbow (a move frequently employed in Ju jitsu). A move in which the weapon arm was not seriously injured (i.e., a pain compliance hold) would not apply, as per this term.

Although "defanging the snake" always results in serious injury, possibly resulting in hospitalization or even loss of limb, it is seldom (in itself) life threatening. Indeed, the very act of "defanging the snake" can be considered a humanitarian act, in that the goal is to preserve life, rather than terminate it.