Once upon a time I was quite fearful of this type of attack with a bladed weapon as I had my throat slit as a teen. I did not understand how to defend against a horizontal attack to my throat. Retreating from such an attack will most likely have the defender in an off-balance position and still within range of the attack. Entering into the attack is much quicker because both fighters are attacking at the same time. Distance is covered much more quickly. You will also disrupt your attackers momentum and mind state by entering into their zone. Luckily Hsing I Chuan has Pi Chuan / Chopping Fist as one of the first methods that you learn. This action allows me to get behind the weapon as an attacker’s wrists will generally cross the centerline before the blade reaches my neck. When attacked I can enter into the space behind the blade and with a slight lifting action dramatically alter its trajectory. This is the art of entering. The only part of the blade that I actually fear is the edge and point . I may actually smack the blade from the side with a slight following force to knock it off course. Once you start looking at it differently it starts to get easier and easier to do until it just seems like it’s not a threat at all. It is simply a method for me to arm myself with my opponents weapon. Obviously this type of skill will work on a normal person or a basic infantryman from the past. A highly skilled swordsman will find another way but it is not likely that I will be attacked by a highly skilled swordsmen on my way to the theater.