deflect

verb

1. prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; to protect from or to keep away anything undesirable; to ward off"Let's avoid a confrontation"
2. turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
3. turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
4. draw someone's attention away from something"The thief distracted the bystanders"
5. impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)"block an attack"