Updated 25 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Knockback in Minecraft: How It Works
Knockback pushes a hit target away from the attacker. Every melee hit has a little; sprinting adds extra (a sprint-knockback hit), and the Knockback enchantment adds more on top. Riders in boats, minecarts or on mounts take no knockback. Hits during the half-second after being damaged deal no knockback either, unless they hit harder.
What increases knockback?
- Sprinting: a sprinting hit deals extra knockback and ends your sprint; on Java it needs the attack bar at 84.8% or more.
- Knockback enchantment: on swords and spears; it stacks with sprinting.
- Punch: the bow version; see bow enchantments.
- Explosions, guardians' beams, ravager roars, evoker fangs and Thorns also knock you back.
How do you resist knockback?
Netherite armor gives knockback resistance, 10% per piece; blocking with a shield also stops it. Iron golems, shulkers and wardens resist all knockback, as do naturally spawned creakings while looked at and, on Java, a perching ender dragon (wind charges still push iron golems). On Java, Blast Protection cuts explosion knockback by 15% per level. Armor: netherite. Shields: shields.
Does knockback work on players in the air?
On Java, a target already in the air is only pushed away, not further up. On Bedrock it is pushed up again too, which makes air combos stronger there. Snowballs and eggs knock back mobs without damage, and on Bedrock players too.
Why does knockback matter in PvP?
Good knockback keeps an opponent out of reach so they cannot hit back, and can knock them off ledges or into lava. Players W-tap (release and press forward again) to sprint-hit more often, and strafe sideways so the other player has a harder time hitting back. More: PvP terms and critical hits.
When is there no knockback?
Attacks that deal 0 damage, such as hits while you have strong Weakness, give none. Fall, fire, drowning and other natural damage tilt your screen but do not push you. Damage timing: damage immunity.
Frequently asked questions
Does netherite reduce knockback?
Yes, each netherite armor piece gives 10% knockback resistance.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.