Complete Krav maga : the ultimate guide to over 250 self-defense and combative techniques

COMPLETE

KRAVMAGA

“DarrenLevineisoneofaveryfewpeopleintheworldwhocancritiqueaccomplishedKravMagainstructors,identifypretendersandadaptthe

KravMagasystemtonewcircumstances.”—ImiLichtenfeld,founderofKravMaga

“DarrenLevine’sexceptionalcriticalthinking,analyticalskillsandproficiencyinKravMagamakehimoneofthebestinstructorsinthe

worldtoday.Thisbookgivesyouaccesstohisexperienceandknowledge.”

—AmirPerets,KravMaga4th-degreeblackbelt,formerhand-to-handcombatinstructorforeliteunitsintheIsraeliDefenseForce(IDF)“Anincrediblygiftedprosecutor,DarrenLevine’smasteryofKravMagaisequallyaseffectiveanddeadlyashiscourtroomskills.WithoutreservationIstronglyrecommendthisbook,andthestudyofKravMagaunder

Darren—thereisnofiner!”

—ScottReitz,30-yearLAPD/Metro/SWATofficerandheadinstructorforInternationalTacticalTrainingSeminars(ITTS)

InmemoryofMarni

TextCopyright©2007,2016JohnWhitmanandDarrenLevine.Designandconcept©2016UlyssesPressanditslicensors.Photographscopyright©2007,2016AndyMoggexceptasnotedbelow.Allrightsreserved.Anyunauthorizedduplicationinwholeorinpartordisseminationofthiseditionbyanymeans(includingbutnotlimitedtophotocopying,electronicdevices,digitalversions,andtheInternet)willbeprosecutedtothefullestextentofthelaw.

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ISBN:978-1-61243-577-0LibraryofCongressControlNumber2015952120

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71©DominicDiSaiaModels:TinaAngelotti,JarrettArthur,OtisBerry,KellyAnnCampbell,PawelCichowlas,KirianFitzgibbons,JeffFredericksen,RyanHoover,ChristopherHunt,JeanineJackson,GabrielKhorramian,DarrenLevine,KevinLewis,KokushiMatsumoto,EricPowell,MatthewRomond,JessenSanLuis,JohnWhitmanDistributedbyPublishersGroupWestPleaseNote:Thisbookhasbeenwrittenandpublishedstrictlyforinformationalpurposes,andinnowayshouldbeusedasasubstituteforactualinstructionwithqualifiedprofessionals.Theauthorandpublisherareprovidingyouwithinformationinthisworksothatyoucanhavetheknowledgeandcanchoose,atyourownrisk,toactonthatknowledge.Theauthorandpublisheralsourgeallreaderstobeawareoftheirhealthstatusandtoconsulthealthcareprofessionalsbeforebeginninganyhealthprogram.

TableofContentsForewordbyBasRuttenWhatIsKravMaga

TheRootsoftheSystemAnApproachBasedonPrinciplesKravMagaPrinciplesAppliedtoBusinessandLifeHowtoUseThisBook

YELLOWBELTFundamentalsCombativesDefensesSelf-DefenseSelf-DefenseSoftTechniquesGroundfighting

ORANGEBELTCombativesDefensesSelf-DefenseFallsGroundfighting

GREENBELTCombativesDefensesFallsandRollsSelf-Defense

Groundfighting

BLUEBELTCombativesDefensesStickDefensesKickDefensesGunDefensesCavaliersGroundfightingTakedowns

BROWNBELTCombativesThrowsSelf-DefenseKnifeDefensesKnifeDefensesKnifeDefensesShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesHandgunDefenses

BONUSBLACKBELTTECHNIQUESHandgunThreatsEdged-WeaponThreats

ABOUTTHECONTRIBUTORS

Foreword

BYBASRUTTEN

Heyeverybody,listenup:ThisisElGuapospeaking—BasRutten,formerUFCheavyweightchampion,three-timeKingofPancrase,andnowspokespersonfortheInternationalFightLeague.Ifyou’veeverseenmyfightsortrainedwithmeinmixedmartialarts,youknowthatIonlyteachtechniquesthatworkinthering.Thesameistrueforthestreet—Ibelieveinonlydoingthingsthatwork.

KravMagaworks.Iknowitdoes,becausetheverydayImetoneofKravMagaWorldwide’sinstructors,AmirPerets,heloadedapelletgunandtoldmetoputtheguntohischest.Hesaid,“Ifyouseememove,youpullthetrigger.”ThenextthingIknew,hehadtheguninhishand—andherepeateditsixmoretimes.Itwasincredibletoobserve,anditwassimpletodo.

AmirlaterintroducedmetoDarrenLevine,oneoftheauthorsofthisbook.DarrentrainedinIsraelwithImiLichtenfeld,thecreatorofKravMaga.ImipersonallyaskedDarrentobetheU.S.chiefinstructor.IfyouheardofKravMagaatallbeforepickingupthisbook,itwasmostlikelybecauseoftheeffortsofDarrenandtheorganizationheputtogether.

DarrenandIhititoffrightaway,becausehethinksaboutfightingandself-defensethesamewayIthinkaboutfightinginthering.Ofcourse,he’snotasgood-lookingasIam,butyoucan’thaveeverything!

Darrentoldmeagreatdealaboutthesystemtaughtbyhisorganization,KravMagaWorldwide,andIadmitIwasinitiallyquiteimpressed.Thesystemissimpleandeasytolearn.Youdon’thavetobeamixedmartialartschampiontoperformitstechniques.ButwhatIlikemostaboutKravMagaisthatithasalltheanswers.Infact,IgainedsomuchrespectforbothDarrenandKravMagathatIattendedamartialartstradeshowwithhimin1999.Hewasthekeynotespeaker,andonceIheardhimtalk,Ibecameevenmoreimpressed.DarrenhastheabilitytoexplaintheKravMagasystemsothatitisbotheasytounderstandandobvious.

DarrenLevineisoneofthebestinstructorsIhaveeverseen—maybethebest—and,believeme,Ihaveseenalotofthem!Hespecializesin“defenseagainstarmedattackersandmultiplearmedattackers,”“hand-to-handcombatwithoutweapons,”“streetself-defenseforcivilians,”andthelistgoesonandon.ThefactthathealsoteachesSpecialOpstroops,FBI,elitecounterterrorismunits,federallawagencies,andmanymore,speaksvolumesabouthisqualities.EvenprofessionalfighterslikemecanlearnalotfromDarren.He’sethical,professional,andresponsible.YoucantellthatIamveryimpressedwithhim,can’tyou?

KravMagaisagreatsystem,Darrenisagreatteacher,andyou’llfindthistobeagreatbook.

BasRuttenThousandOaks,California

June2007

Inthefallof2000,ateenagegirlnamedWendy(hernamehasbeenchangedtoprotectheridentity)wasridingonabuswithherchurchband.Thebusstoppedatamall,andWendygotouttousetherestroom.Asisthecaseinmanymalls,thepublicbathroomwaslocatedfarfromregularfoottraffic,throughasteeldooranddownalonelyhallway.Wendywalkeddownthiscorridorandfoundtherestroom.Assheexitedtheroomintothelonghallway,amangrabbedherfrombehind,hishugearmswrappingaroundherbody.Beforeshecouldeventhink,Wendytwistedinplace,sendingbackoneelbowandthentheother,strikinghimintheface.Startled,herattackerletgo.Wendyspunaroundand,asbloodpouredfromherattacker’snose,shepunchedhimonemoretimeandthenran.

Wendywasn’tjustamemberofherchurchband.ShewasalsoastudentofKravMaga.

•••

ThisisthestoryofaDenverPoliceDepartmentofficer.Onhisowninitiative,heappearedatoneofKravMagaWorldwide’sLawEnforcementTrainingcoursesinDenvertogiveatestimonialtotheofficerswhoweretraining.Whatfollowsishisstory,toldinhisownwords:

Inthespringof2005,Iwasdoingtrafficenforcementandpulledover

adrunkdriver.Theguywastotallyuncooperativeanddrunk,cussing,sayinghe’snotgoingtogetoutofthecar.Iopenedthedriverdoorandusedatwistlocktogetthesuspectoutofthecar.Asheexitedthecar,Ifeltthesuspectstarttospinonmeandsawhimmakingapunchingmovementtowardsmyhead.IhadjustgonethroughaKravMagaedged-weaponinstructorcoursesoIblockedwhatIthoughtwasapunchandusedanelbowstriketohisheadasacounterattack.Iheardsomethingmetalhitthegroundandsawalargefoldingknifelyingnexttous.Iimmediatelyfollowedupwithkneestrikesandthesuspectcollapsedtotheground.WhenItookthesuspecttojailtobookhim,wenoticedthathehadlargescarsandcutmarksacrosshischestintheshapeofX’s.Iaskedhimwherehegotthosescarsandthesuspectsaidthathehadbeeninalotofknifefights.Whenweranhisrapsheet,wefoundhehadbeenarrested17timesandmostofthemforADW(“assaultwithadeadlyweapon”)withaknife.Thisguywasaknifefighter.

IhaveabackgroundinThaiboxing,jeetkunedo,andmixedmartialarts.AlthoughIlikedKravMaga,IthoughtIwouldusesomethingelseinthefield.ButKravMagacameoutofmesonaturallythatIdidn’teventhinkaboutwhatIwasdoingandIneversawtheknife,onlythepunch.IamtotallysoldonKMandyoushouldtakethetrainingseriously.

Thesearejusttwoofthereal-lifestoriesandtestimonialsfrompeoplewhohavesavedtheirlivesusingKravMagaastaughtbyourcompany,KravMagaWorldwide.Somearelawenforcementofficers,somearemilitarypersonnel,andothersarecivilians.Theycomefrommanywalksoflifeandrepresentalllevelsofexperienceandphysicalfitness.Thesepeoplesharejustonethingincommon:TheyalltraininKravMaga.

WhatIsKravMaga?

KravMaga(pronouncedKRAHVmuh-GAH,whichmeans“contactcombat”inHebrew)isasimple,aggressive,easy-to-learnandeasy-to-remembersystemofself-defense.KravMagatrainingfocusesonprinciplesratherthantechniquesbecausenotwoattacksareeverthesame.Notwopeoplearethesame.And,infact,thesamepersonconfrontedwithacertainthreatwillreactdifferentlyonedaycomparedtoanotherday.

TheessenceofKravMagacanbeunderstoodbydefiningsomeoftheseprinciples.AmongtheprinciplesthatmakeuptheKravMagasystemarethefollowing:

• Techniquesshouldbemovementsbasedonnaturalinstincts.

• Techniquesmustaddresstheimmediatedanger.

• Techniquesmustdefendandcounterattacksimultaneously.

• Onedefensemustworkagainstavarietyofattacks.

• Thesystemshouldbeintegratedsothatmovementslearnedinoneareaofthesystemcomplement,ratherthancontradict,movementsinanotherarea.

• Techniquesmustbeaccessibletotheaverageperson,notjustathletes.

• Techniquesmustworkfromapositionofdisadvantage.

• Trainingmustincludethestressexperiencedinrealattacks.

Theseprinciplesguideourtrainingandourassessmentoftechniques.Whenwefindaweaknessinatechnique,orwhenavariationisconsidered,weaskquestionsbasedontheseguidelines.Forinstance,ifaninstructorsuggestsachangeinatechnique,wedon’ttestitwithourbestathletes,wegotosomeofourleast-athleticstudentsandseeiftheycanperformthenewtechnique(principle:techniquesmustbeaccessibletotheaverageperson).

Whenjudgingadefensivetechnique,wemeasureitseffectivenessbyhowwellitworksifwearelate(principle:techniquesmustworkfromapositionofdisadvantage).Ifthetechniqueonlyworkswhenweareearlyorprepared,then

disadvantage).Ifthetechniqueonlyworkswhenweareearlyorprepared,thenwelookforsomethingbetter.

WewereworkingonsomedefensivetacticswithlawenforcementofficersfromtheAzusa,California,policedepartment,matchingKravMaga’stechniqueswithsomeoftheiralready-establishedteamtacticsduringroomentries.Ourfavoritemomentinthetrainingprogramwaswhenwefoundaproblemmatchingoneofourweapon-retentiontechniquestotheirofficer’spositionduringtheentry.Asweexploredasolution,oneoftheofficerssuggestedaparticulartypeoffootworkthatwasdifferentthananythingelsewehadshown.Theotherofficerimmediatelyreplied,“No,thatwouldbetheonlytimewe’dhaveourguysstepthatway.Eitherhe’dneverdoitbecauseitwassodifferent,ordoingitwouldmessuptherestofhistraining.”

ThatofficerunderstoodKravMaga.

KravMagaIsNotaMartialArtOnethingtokeepinmindasyoureadthisbookisthatKravMagaisnotatraditionalmartialart—infact,wedon’tusetheterm“martialart”atall.Traditionalmartialartstendtoberigid,dogmatic,andfocusedonmaintainingtraditionshandeddownfrompastmasters.Inaddition,dependingontheart,thereisanemphasisoneleganceofmovementandminutiaofdetail.KravMagatriestoavoidallthesethings.Themajorityofmartialartssystemsalsotendtobecometrappedinasports-orientedmentality,establishingrulesthatlimitthefighters.

Evenmixedmartialartsfighters,manyofwhomareourfriendsandwhomwerespectimmensely,fightinacontrolledenvironmentwithrestrictionsonwhattheycanandcannotdo.

Someveryeffectivesystemscanalsofallintothesports-orientedtrap.Forinstance,Brazilianjiujitsu(BJJ)isanextremelyeffectivesystem.AnyoneinterestedinbecominghighlyproficientatgroundfightingshouldabsolutelyspendtimetrainingwithoneofthemanyBrazilianjiujitsuinstructorsavailablearoundtheworld.However,manyschoolsteachBJJasasport:nostriking,nobiting,noeye-gouging,andnoemphasisongettingupandawayfromdanger.Thetruthis,theselimitationsarenecessaryinorderforbeginnerstopracticethetechniques(it’shardtopracticeatrianglechokeifyourpartnerisbitingyourthigh),butifyouneveraddtheotherelementsofastreetfight,youaretraininginasport,notinself-defense.

inasport,notinself-defense.

ThisiswhereKravMagaisdifferent.Wecertainlycreatetrainingdrillsandtrainingmethodsthatlimitstudentoptions…butweconstantly(ourstudentsmightsayobsessively!)remindthemthattheyshouldnotbefightingbytherules.Forexample,theyshouldlooktodisengageandrunaway,orfindanobjecttouseasaweapon.Wehavenointerestinprovingtoourselvesortheattackerthatwecandoaparticulartechnique.Ouronlyinterestisingoinghomesafely.

KravMagaisheavyonthe“martial”andnotmuchintothe“art.”Wearen’talwayspretty,butwegetthejobdone.WeprefertodescribeKravMagaasa“defensivetacticssystem”—atacticalandlogicallysoundapproachtodealingwithviolentconfrontations.

TheRootsoftheSystem

ImiLichtenfeld,thefounderofKravMaga.

ThefounderofKravMaga,ImiLichtenfeld,wasbornin1910inHungary,butgrewupinBratislava,Czechoslovakia.Anaturalathlete,ImiwontheSlovakianYouthWrestlingChampionshipin1928,andayearlaterwontheadultchampionshipinthewelterweightdivision.Thatsameyear,hewonboththenationalboxingchampionshipandaninternationalgymnasticschampionship.Forthenextdecade,heearnedaplaceasoneofthepremierwrestlersinEurope.However,Imi’sgreatestinfluencewashisfather,Samuel,apoliceofficerandself-defenseinstructor.Samuelstartedasacircusacrobatandwrestler,butlaterenteredthepolicedepartmentandservedfor30yearsaschiefdetectiveinspector.Hebecamewell-knownforhisimpressivearrestrecord,particularlyhiscaptureofdangerouscriminals.

Whennotonthetrailofviolentfelons,Samueltaughtself-defensetechniquesat

Whennotonthetrailofviolentfelons,Samueltaughtself-defensetechniquesatHercules,Bratislava’sfirstgym,whichheowned.Intraining,Samuelconstantlyemphasizedtheneedforpropermoralconductindealingwiththepublicandwithsuspects.

Inthe1930s,ImihonedhisfightingskillsinthestreetsofBratislava,protectinghimselfandotherJewsfromlocalfascistthugs.Hetookpartinnumerousfightstopreventanti-SemiticmobsfromterrorizingtheJewishcommunityinthecity.ThesefightssharpenedImi’sawarenessofthedifferencebetweensportandstreetfighting.ItwasatthistimethattheseedsofKravMagawereplantedinhismind.

Bythelate1930s,AdolphHitler’sNaziGermanyhadturnedEuropeintoabattlefieldandmadeitaperilousplaceforJews.Imi’sfightstoprotecthisfamilyandneighborsfromanti-Semitismrapidlymadehimunpopularwiththelocalauthorities,andhewasforcedtoleavein1940.

Afterseveralyearsoftravel,hearrivedinIsrael,whichwasthencalledPalestine.HejoinedtheHaganah,aparamilitaryorganizationfightingforJewishindependence.Duringthistimehetaughtothersoldiersbasichand-to-handfightingskills,andhisreputationgrew.

In1948,theStateofIsraelwasborn.ThefledglingIsraeligovernmentaskedImitodevelopaneffectivefightingsystem,whichlaterbecamecodifiedastheKravMagasystem.TheHaganahwaseventuallyincorporatedintotheIsraeliDefenseForce(IDF),andImibecamethemilitaryschool’schiefinstructorforphysicaltrainingandKravMaga.

ThishistoryofImiandIsraelisimportantforanyoneinterestedinunderstandingthenatureofKravMagatraining.Fromthemomentitwasborn,theStateofIsraelwasatwarwithitsneighbors.Israelneededtofieldanarmyimmediately,sendingsoldiersintobattlewithminimaltrainingandnotimeforretrainingorrefreshercourses.Forthisreason,combattechniqueshadtobeeasytolearnandeasytorememberunderstress,evenifthesoldierhadnothadtraininginasignificantamountoftime.Inaddition,theIDFwassendingintobattlesoldiersofallagesandabilities,from18-year-oldwarriorsto40-year-oldfarmers.Thecombatsystemhadtobeaccessibletoawidevarietyofsoldiers,notjustathletesintheirprime.

Imi’ssolutionwastobasetheself-defenseportionofhiscombattechniquesonthebody’snaturalinstincts.Insteadofdecidingwhathewantedthesoldiertodo,

thebody’snaturalinstincts.Insteadofdecidingwhathewantedthesoldiertodo,hestartedbyobservinghowtheirbodiesreactedunderstress,andusedthoseinstinctivereactionsasthebuildingblocksforhisself-defensesystem.Thisapproachguaranteesthatthemechanicsofthesystemstayclosetothebody’snaturalmovements.Justasimportantly,theapproachreducesreactiontime,especiallyunderstress,sincethetechniquesareclosetothebody’sinnateresponsetostress.

AnotherelementImiaddedtoKravMagawasaggressiveness.ThisattitudewasalsoborneoutofIsrael’spredicamentfollowingitsestablishment.Warisalwaysbloodyandbrutal,butthroughouthistorymanywarshaveendedwithsomesortofagreement:thewinnerandlosersignatreaty,andtheloseroftensurvivesinsomefashion.ThedeclaredgoalofIsrael’senemieswastowipeitoffthefaceoftheearth.Forthisreason,Israelbelievedthatitcouldneverloseawar:losingmeantitwouldceasetoexist.Inresponse,Israeltreatedeverybattle,everywar,likeafightforsurvival.Thisattitudepermeatedallaspectsofitstraining,includingthehand-to-handcombat.KravMagareactsaggressivelytoviolentattacks,movingimmediatelytoneutralizetheattacker.Wealsotrainwitha“neverquit”spiritbecause(againlookingbacktothesystem’shistory)theresultsofquittingcanbedevastatingtous.

KravMagaintheUnitedStatesInthe1960s,withmilitaryapproval,ImibeganteachingKravMagatociviliansinIsrael.In1981,theKravMagaAssociationofIsraelandtheMinistryofEducationheldthefirstInternationalInstructor’sCourseatWingateInstituteforPhysicalEducation.AgenerousphilanthropistfromNewYork,S.DanielAbraham,sponsoredadelegationof23membersfromvariouscitiesintheUnitedStatestoattend.ThecoursewassupervisedbyImi,then71andretiredfromhismilitarycareer,andtaughtbyKravMagaleadinstructorsShikeBarak,EyalYanilov,andRuevinMoimon.DarrenLevinewasselectedasoneofthedelegatesbecauseofhismartialartsandboxingbackground,aswellashisinvolvementinthephysicaleducationprogramatHeschelDaySchoolnearL.A.

Thecoursewasasix-weekintensivecoursethatinvolvedovereighthoursoftrainingperday,sixdaysperweek.Thecoursewasexhausting,andbytheendonlyafewpeoplepassed.Darrenwasoneofthem.

Duringthecourse,ImiandDarrenbecamefriends,andImipromisedDarrenthathewouldvisithimintheUnitedStates.Truetohisword,inthesummerof1982

hewouldvisithimintheUnitedStates.Truetohisword,inthesummerof1982ImitraveledtoLosAngelesandlivedwithDarrenandhisfamilywhileteachingDarrenmoreaboutKravMaga.

DarrentellsastoryaboutImi’svisit,astorythathealsotoldwhiledeliveringaeulogyatImi’sfuneralin1998.

WhenImicametovisitme,IhadjustboughtanewsportscarandIwasreallyexcitedtoshowittohim.Iwasreallyproudofthatcar.ButwhenImigotinthecar,hestartedshiftingandfidgetingaround,reachingoverhisshoulder.Helookedunhappy.Finally,Iaskedhimwhatwaswrong.Hesaid,“Thiscarisn’tgood.Theseatbelt,it’stoofarback.Ican’treachitwithmyrighthand.Ican’treachitwithmylefthand.I’malazyone.Itneedstobeeasy,orpeoplewon’tweartheirseatbelt.It’snotsafe.”

Atthetime,Iwasjustdisappointed.Iwantedhimtobeimpressedwithmycar.ButlaterIrealizedthathelookedatthatseatbeltthesamewayhelookedateverything.Ithadtobesimple,effective,orpeoplewouldn’tbeabletodoit.ThatwasKravMaga.

Darren’strainingcontinued,andin1984hereceivedhisfullinstructor’sdegreefromWingateInstitute.Thatyear,ImigaveDarrenhisownpersonalblackbelt.Yearslater,ImiwouldawardDarrenwithaFounder’sDiploma,oneofonlytwoImigavebeforehisdeath.DarrenandhiscolleagueshadalreadyformedtheKravMagaAssociationofAmerica,andthegrowthofKravMagaintheUnitedStateshadbegun.

KravMagaforLawEnforcementIn1987,DarrenandhistopstudentsbeganteachingKravMagatolawenforcementintheUnitedStates.UnderImi’sguidance,DarrenadaptedKravMagatotheneedsofU.S.lawenforcementandmilitarypersonnel.ThefirstagencytoadoptKravMagaintoitsforcetrainingcurriculumwastheIllinoisStatePolice.WhenDarrentaughtthem,Imi,then77,flewoutfromIsraeltoattend.

Sincethattime,KravMaga’sinvolvementwithlawenforcementhasgrownrapidly.KravMagaWorldwide(ourcompany,whichreceivedamasterlicensefromtheKravMagaAssociationofAmerica)nowtrainsover400lawenforcementagenciesatthefederal,state,andlocallevels.

Inmanyways,lawenforcementagenciessharethesameneedsthattheIsraelimilitaryfeltafteritsbirth:limitedtrainingtime,limitedopportunitiesforretraining,andawidevarietyinofficerabilities.KravMagaistheobviousanswerforthem.

Someindividuals,knowinghowaggressiveKravMagacanbe,raiseaneyebrowwhentheyhearthatweteachlawenforcementofficers.Afterall,lawenforcementworkisdifferentfrommilitarywork:waristokillorbekilled,butwedemandmorerestraintfrompoliceofficers.Weagreewiththissentimentcompletely,andweincludeuse-of-forceeducationandescalation/de-escalationdrillsinallourlawenforcementtraining.

Havingsaidthat,wehavealsodiscoveredaninterestingaspectofKravMaga’saggressiveapproach.Becausewetrainofficerstogofromanon-aggressivetoaggressivestateimmediately,theyusuallyneutralizeaviolentsubjectveryquickly.Themorequicklythesubjectisneutralized,thelessofafightthereis.Lessfightequalslessdamage.Theresult:Agenciesoftenfindthatuse-of-forcecomplaintsdecreaseoncetheyadoptKravMagatraining.

AnApproachBasedonPrinciples

Aswediscussedearlier,theKravMagaself-defensesystemisbasedonprinciples.Wedohavespecifictechniques,ofcourse,butstudentsshouldnevermistakethetechniquefortheabsolutetruth.Whenlookingatthetechniquesinthisbook,keepthisinmind:Thetechniqueisthebeginningofyourunderstandingofself-defense,nottheend.Forexample,hereyouseeadefenseagainstabearhug.Thedefendercreatesleverageontheattacker’sneckbyreachingaroundwithherfar-sidehand,catchinghisfaceandhisnose,andpeelingorrollinghischinoffherchest.

Thisisanexcellenttechnique…butitisonlyanexampleoftheprinciple.Youcanperformasimilartechniquebyusingthenear-sidehandanddigging/pushingagainsttheattacker’snoseandeyes.Isonetechniquebetterthantheother?No!Inonesituationthefirstmaybebetter,inasecondsituationthesecondmaygivebetterresults.Thepointisthatyoumustnotmistakethetechniquefortheprinciple.Thetechnique(asshown)istoreacharoundwithyourarm…buttheprincipleistocreateleverageontheneck.

Tinadefendsagainstabearhug.

Asinstructors,weknowthatwemuststartwithactualtechniques.Ifwegivestudentsabstractprinciples,theywillhavenowheretobegintheirtraining.Thiswouldbelikepluckingthestringsofaguitar,describingmusictheory,andthenhandingtheinstrumenttoanewstudentandaskinghimtofigureoutasongforhimself.Hewouldfeellost.Instead,weteachhimthenotes,wehelphimbuildsimplesongsandchords,andsoonheunderstandsthatthevariationsofthosenotesandchordsarenearlylimitless.Soitiswithdefensivetactics:Westartwithabasicstructuresothatinformationcanbedeliveredeffectively.Bytheendofhistraining,thestudentwillbeabletograspthetheoryandmakehisownmusic.

FewerTechniquesThatSolveMoreProblemsOurapproachhasalwaysbeentofindonegeneralmovementthatdealswithasmanyvariationsintheattackaspossible.Itisabsolutelyimpossibletocreateoneuniquedefenseagainsteverypossibletypeofattack.Lifejustdoesn’tworkthatway.Ifweteachyou300defensesagainst300attacks,you’llputthisbookdown,gooutside,andbeassaultedbyattackNo.301.

Instead,wetrytocreateonemovementthataddressesasmanyvariationsaspossible(usingprinciplesasdiscussedearlier).Thisyieldsasimpler,morerefinedsystemthatiseasiertorecallunderstress.Thesimplerthesystem,themoredecisiveyouractionswillbebecauseyouwillnotbeconfusedbyoptions.

Thereisawell-knowntheoryinthestudyofhumanmovementandreactionknownasHick’sLawortheHick-HymanLaw.Essentially,thislawstatesthatthemorechoicesahumanbeinghastoaparticularstimulus,thelongerhisoverallresponsetimewillbe.Extendedresponsetimesareabadthinginself-defensesituations.Therefore,wewanttoreduceoverallresponsetime.Therearetwowaystodothis:a)trainmoreandb)simplifythesystem.

Thereiscertainlynothingwrongwithtrainingmore.Themoreyoutrain,thebetteryouwillbe.However,KravMagaisdesignedforthosewhocannottrainmore,andevenifyoudohavetimetotrain,youwillstillbenefitfromarefined,

more,andevenifyoudohavetimetotrain,youwillstillbenefitfromarefined,efficientsystem.

Oursystemisbuilttoreduceyouroptionssothatyoudonothesitateunderstress.Whenpresentedwithalife-threateningsituation,youshouldreactdecisivelyandaggressively,determinedtoneutralizethethreatsothatyouandyourlovedonesaresafe.

Evenifyoutrainenoughtoovercomethehesitation-due-to-optionsissue,thereisanotherreasontosimplifyyourchoices:stress.Simplyput,stressreducesperformance.Increasedtrainingcanreducetheimpactofstress,butrarelydoesthatimpactfalltozero.

Hereisasimpleexampleoftheimpactstresshasonyourperformance.Imaginethatwelaidalongpieceofwood,a2×4,onthegroundinfrontofyou,thenaskedyoutowalkacrossitwithouttouchingtheground.Couldyoudoit?Ofcourseyoucould!

Next,welaythesamewoodenplankacrossthegapbetweentwotallbuildings.Couldyouwalkacrossitthen?Whynot?Thewoodenplankisstrongenoughtosupportyou.Gravityisalwaysconstant,soyouarenotbeingpulleddownanyharder.Whycan’tyoudoit?

Theanswerissimple:stress.Theconsequencesoffallingarenowmuchgreater.Yourheartrategoesup,adrenalinefloodsyourbody,youbegintoperspire,yourmusclestighten.Theseandotherphysicalandmentalresponsescombinetoimpairyourperformance.

Again,trainingtimereducestheimpactofstress,butrarelybringsittozero.Andsinceyouwillonlyneedself-defensetechniqueswhenyouareunderstress,aneffectiveself-defensesystemseekstosimplifythephysicalmovementsandthedecisionmakingsothatyoucanperformaswellaspossible.

ExamplesofStressTrainingThisbookdeliversasignificantamountofinformationaboutthetechniquesandprinciplesofKravMagabut,byitsnature,thebookcannotsimulateKravMagatraining.Realtraininginvolvescreativestressdrillsandapplyingthetechniquesandprinciplesundervarioustypesofpressure.Fromourperspective,notechniqueorresponseisreallylearneduntilit’stestedindynamicsituations.

Westronglyrecommendthatyouperformstressdrillsunderthesupervisionofatrainedinstructor.KravMagainstructorscertifiedbyKravMagaWorldwideandtheKravMagaAssociationofAmericagothroughanintensetrainingprogramthatincludeslecturesanddiscussionsonphysiologyandsportskinesiology.Inaddition,theyattendlecturesspecificallyonsafetyintrainingandcreatingtrainingdrillssothatthedrillstheyofferarebothproductiveandsafe.Ultimately,allthetrainingyoudoisatyourownrisk;however,participatingintrainingdrillsunderthesupervisionofacertifiedinstructorwillgiveyouthehighestmeasuresofbothsafetyandintensity.

Sometrainingdrillscanbebothsimpleandeffective.Onceyou’velearneddefensesfromtwodifferenttypesofchokes,simplycloseyoureyes,standpassively,andwaitforyourpartnertoattackyouwitheitherofthosechokes.Onceyoufeeltheattack,openyoureyes,realizewhichattackiscoming,andreactimmediatelyandappropriately.Thisisthesimplestversionofastressdrill,andit’squiteeffective.

Moreintenseversionsofthesedrillsincludedistractionsanddisturbances.Hereisanexampleinvolvingonedefender,threepeoplewithlargepads,andoneattacker.Thepadholdersbegintohitandpushthedefender,whocancoverhimselfbutcannotattackthepads.Heallowshimselftobejostledaroundsothathisbalanceandvisionareimpaired.Atanytime,theattackercangrabthedefenderwithanyattack(limitedtothoseattacksthedefenderhaslearnedtodealwith).Thedefendermustreactimmediately.Thepadholdersthenimmediatelygobacktodisturbingthedefender.

Here’savariationofthedrillabove,featuringonedefender,twopeoplewithlargepads,andoneattacker.Notethatthisversionallowsthedefendertoworkonatleastonespecificstrike,andisdesignedtoexhaustthedefenderandaddgroundfightingaswell:Thedefenderbeginstostrikeonepadwithpunches,elbows,knees,etc.Theotherpadholdersmacksthedefenderwithhispad,atwhichpointthedefenderpivotswithahammerfist(you’lllearnthatinthisbook)andcontinueswithstrikes.Thiscontinues.Atanypoint,theattackerclosesin,catchesthedefenderfrombehind,takeshimdown,andgetsontopinafullmount.Thedefendermustreversetheposition,getbackup,andcontinuetostrikethepads.(Note:Topreventinjury,thedefenderallowstheattackertotakehimdown—amoreintenseversionoftheexerciseinvolvesthedefenderattemptingtopreventthetakedown,butthisrequiresgreaterskillonthepartsofbothattackeranddefendertoavoidinjury.)Thisdrillisexhausting!

Wehavehundredsofsuchdrillsthatallowourstudentstolearnhowtoapplythetechniquesthey’velearned.Itistheonlywaytotrulyprepareforaviolentencounteronthestreet.

KravMagaPrinciplesAppliedtoBusinessandLife

Justtoreiterate:KravMagaisn’tamartialart—it’saproblem-solvingsystem.KravMagaisthelogicalapplicationofafewbasicprinciplestoidentifyaproblemandfindasolution.Inourcase,ofcourse,thatproblemgenerallyinvolvesbadpeopletryingtocommitviolentactsagainstus.Buttherearebroaderapplicationsforthisproblem-solvingsystem.

Oneofthetwoauthorsofthisbook,DarrenLevine,isnotonlytheU.S.chiefinstructorforKravMaga,heisalsoadeputydistrictattorneyforLosAngelesCounty.DarrenisaleadprosecutoronaneliteunitcalledCrimesAgainstPeaceOfficersSection(C.A.P.O.S.)thatprosecutesviolentcrimesagainstandmurdersofpoliceofficers.In2002,DarrenwasnamedL.A.CountyDeputyDistrictAttorneyoftheYearbytheAssociationofDeputyDistrictAttorneys,andin2004hewasnamedCo-ProsecutoroftheYearbytheNationalDistrictAttorney’sAssociation.Hehasprosecutedtheworstoftheworst:violentcriminalswhohavelittleornoregardfortherestofsociety.Hehasbeenresponsiblefortheconvictionofsevenmurderersofpoliceofficers(oneofthehighestinthecountry).Andtodatehehasa100-percentconvictionrate.

DarrenattributesasignificantpartofhissuccesstohisKravMagatraining.Thelogicalapproachtoproblem-solvinginherentinKravMagaadaptsitselfsmoothlytootherareasoflife.Oneofthemostdirectapplicationsistotheworkenvironment.Whetheryouworkforthebossoryouaretheboss,someofKravMaga’scoreprinciplesofferlessonsyoucantransferdirectlyfromthemattotheoffice.Hereareafewexamples:

Identifytheimmediatedanger.KravMagainsistsonrespondingtotheimmediatethreatinapracticalway.Absorbingthismethod,youcandevelopthehabitofidentifyingtheactualproblem,ratherthanbeingdistractedbyancillaryissues.Howmanyofushaveseenaproblematworkgrowbecause,insteadofdealingwithitheadon,weorourcolleagueshaveworkedaroundtheissue?KravMagabyitsnatureeschewsthissortofprocrastination.Byconstantly

askingourselvesandourstudents“Whatistherealdanger?”weteachourselvestolookattheoverallissuetodiscoverthesource.

Operateunderstress.Creatingamethodologythatcanhandlestressmeansmorethanjust“suckingitup”or“dealingwithit.”Addressingstresswithnothingmorethanstressmanagementseminarsislikegivingbandagestoahemophiliac—youarebetteroffinstructingthemhownottocutthemselves.KravMaganotonlyteachespeopletofunctionunderstress,thesystemisdesignedtobeusableduringstressfulsituations.Infact,themajorityofourtechniquesworkbetterwhenthedefenderisunderstress.Thisapproachtoproblemsolvingunderscoresaneedinbusiness—youmustdevelopsystemswherebystresstriggersastreamliningprocess:Thingsshouldmovebetterandfaster.Yourbusinessmodelshouldbeliketheairfoilonaracecar—thefasteryoudrive,themoretheairfoilpushesdownonthecar,makingitgoevenfaster.

Don’ttradeonedangerforanother.KravMagaemphasizessimplereactionsthateliminateimmediatethreatswithoutexposingthedefendertoadditionaldangers.KravMaga’sproblem-solvingprocessfindsmethodsforreactingefficientlytoattackswhileimprovingourposition.Thetactictranslatesdirectlytothebusinessworld:Whensolvingaproblem,lookbeforeyouleap—anticipatewhereyou’llenduponceyou’vemadethemoveyou’recontemplating.

Wehaveafavoritestorythatillustratestheneedforaccurateproblemsolving.AconsultingteamwashiredtodoanalysisforaFortune500companythatwantedtocutspending.Oneoftheareastheconsultantteamfocusedonwasanannualreportthecompanyproducedeachyearincompliancewithagovernmentregulation.Thecompanywasspendingroughly$400,000peryeartogeneratethereportinordertoavoidagovernmentfine,andtheyaskedtheconsultantstofindawaytoreducetheexpenseofcreatingthereport.Afternearlyamonthoffrustrating,nickel-and-dimeeffort,oneoftheconsultantsfinallyaskedhowmuchthegovernmentfinewouldbe.Theanswer:$10,000.Thecompanywasspending$400,000tocreateareportinordertoavoidafineof$10,000.Thecompany’sinitialrequestforcostsavingwasacaseofmistakenthreatassessment.Itwasanactionthatremovedadanger,butdidsobycreatinganevenmoreexpensiveone.

Alwaysdefendandcounterattacksimultaneously.Youmustbeabletogofromadefensivetoanoffensivemindset.Thisdoesn’tmeanyouhavetobeoverlyaggressive.Youdon’tneedtobeawarriortobeinbusiness,butyoudohavetohaveawarrior’s“cando”attitude.KravMagatrainingencouragespeopletoattackproblemsrightaway,toeliminateimmediatedangersbecausetheyarelifethreatening.Inbusiness,thisattitudepreventsprocrastination.Recognitionofdangerleadstoanimmediateresponse.DelaysinactionarealientoKravMagatraining.Responsesareappropriateandmeasured,buttheyareswift.

Techniquesmustbeaccessibletotheaverageperson,notjustathletes—thisisjustafancywayofsaying“keepitsimple.”Whateversystemsyouimplementinyourbusinessshouldbeeasytounderstand.Eveniftheknowledgeorskillsrequiredforyourbusinessarehighlyspecialized,thesystemsyouemployshouldbestraightforward.Themoreconvolutedtheyare,themorelikelytheemployeeswillbetoerr,especiallyduringstressfulsituations.

Inadditiontotheprinciplesabove,whichwerementionedearlier,thereareadditionaltrainingapproachesthatapplytotheworkingworld.Hereareafew.

OvercomingObstacles.Inanyaltercation,youareactuallyintwofights:onewiththeopponentandonewithyourself.Whenstressed,exhausted,orinpain,manypeoplefeelthedesiretoshutdown.Asdiscussed,KravMagatrainingmethodsincludedozensofdrillsthatteachindividualsandgroupstoovercomeobstaclesandcontinuedespitefatigue.Ourtrainingcreatesinyouthehabitofovercomingtheseobstacles—goingover,under,around,orthroughthem—toachieveyourstatedgoal.

AwarenessTraining.Onekeyelementtoself-defenseisavoidingtroublewhenyoucan,whichmeansbeingonthelookoutforpotentialdangers.However,ifyou’reconstantlyinfearofthreatsonthewaytoyourcar,you’llnevergetacrosstheparkinglot.KravMagateachessimplehabitsthatdon’tinterferewithyournormalroutine.Thesehabitstranslatetotheworkplaceintheabilitytomaintainawarenessofpotentialproblemswithoutallowingthemtodistractyoufromyourgoal.Thisawarenessisbothphysical(enhancingperipheralvision,improvingposture,etc.)andmental(creatingastateofmindinwhichthebraintakesnoticeofpeculiarities).

SystemicEfficiency.KravMaga’sbasicthoughtprocessinvolvessimplificationandefficiency.Wewanttocreatethesmallestnumberoftechniquestodealwiththelargestnumberofthreats.ThisshouldbetheaimofeveryCEOintheworld.Corporatefunctionsaremetaphorsforhumanphysiology.Inhumanphysiology,themoresimultaneousstimulithebrainreceives,thesloweritistomakeadecision.Justsowithcorporations:Themoreindividualsordepartmentsareinvolvedinadecision,theslowerthatdecisionwillbe.Whycreatetwelvedepartmentswhenthreewilldo?KravMagateacheshowtoidentifywaste,andhowtoretoolbehaviorsandfunctionssothattheycoverawiderareawithgreaterefficiency.

TransferofKnowledge.KravMagawasnotconceivedsimplyasalistoftechniques.Becauseitwascreatedinanatmospherewheretimewasoftheessence,thesystemdevelopedaprocessfor“transferofknowledge”sothatinstructorscoulddeliveramassofinformationrapidlyandbringpeopletoahighlevelofproficiencyquickly.Thisapproachappliesequallywellinbusiness,whetherduringapresentationorintrainingnewhires.

TheseareonlyafewexamplesofthelessonsyoucantakefromKravMagatrainingintotheworkingworld.Again,KravMagaisn’tsomesecretmethodforself-improvement.It’sahardcore,practicaldefensive-tacticssystem.ThemoreyouunderstandKravMaga’slogicalapproachtoproblemsolving,themoreyou’llfindyourselfapplyingthiseffectiveapproachtootherareasofyourlife.

HowtoUseThisBook

ThisbookisavaluableresourcethatwillabsolutelyimproveyourknowledgeofKravMagaandmakeyousafer,butintheenditisonlyabook.Tocompleteyourknowledge,youneedtotaketheinformationcontainedhereandapplyitwithapartner,slowlyatfirstandthenwithincreasingspeedandaggressiveness.Aswenotedearlier,techniquesarethebeginningofyourunderstanding,nottheend.Trythetechniquesasdescribedinthisbookandusetheprinciplestocreatevariationsthatarecomfortableforyourbody.Obviously,youwillgetthegreatestbenefitfromtrainingwithacertifiedinstructor.Ourcertifiedinstructorshavetheknowledgetoteachyouthetechniqueitself,andthenshowyouhowtoapplyitundervaryingdegreesofstress.YoucanfindalistoflocationscertifiedbyKravMagaWorldwideatwww.kravmaga.com.

Alongtheselines,pleaserememberthatabookoffersitsownlimitations.Wecannotdescribeevery“whatif”situationforeverytypeofattack.Ifwedid,thebookwouldbeenormous,expensive,andconfusing.Inmanyofthetechniques,wedescribefollow-upcounterattacksormovements.Theseare,forthemostpart,recommendationsratherthanrequirements.Ifyoufeelthatakneeismoreeffectiveforyouthananelbow,throwtheknee.Or,betteryet,pickupastickandusethat!Ourmessagehereissimple:Ifyoutakeeverywordinhereasgospel,youwillgainknowledge,butitwillberigid.Thatisn’tourpoint.Focusontheprinciplesasmuchasthespecifics.

Ifyouhavepreviousmartialartsexperience,thenweofferyouaproverbfromEasternmartialarts:Inordertofillyourteacup,youmustfirstemptyit.Inotherwords,approachthesetechniqueswithanopenmind.Intheend,youwillprobablyincorporatethoseyoulikeintoyourowncollectionoftechniques.Thisisfinewithus,butpleaserememberthatKravMagaisanintegratedsystemwhosemovementsaredesignedtoworkwitheachother,notnecessarilywithmovementsfromatotallydifferentsystem.

TheOrganizationofThisBookWehaveorganizedthisbooktomirrorthebelt,orlevel,systemwefollowinourprogram.Whilewedon’twearcoloredbeltsinourclasses,wedousetermssuchas“yellowbelt”and“orangebelt”todescribeeachlevelofthesystembecausethesetermsarefamiliartopeoplewhocomefromthemartialartsworld.Inourschools,you’lloftenhearthesedivisionsreferredtosimplyas“Level1,”“Level2,”etc.Below,we’velistedthebeltcolor,correspondinglevel,andthemainareaofemphasisforeach.

ThenextlevelafterthisisBlackBelt,whichinvolvesadditionalmaterialsuchasthird-partyprotection,hostagescenarios,andmultipleattackers.Becausewecanonlyfitsomuchintoonebook,wehaveelectedtostopthisbookatBrownBelt,orLevel5.Youwillfind,though,thatthismaterialcoversthemostlikelyattacksyouwillseeonthestreet.

ANoteRegardingStance:Throughoutthisbook,wehaveassumedthatthedefenderiseitherinapassivestance,orinaleft-legforwardstance.Wepreferaleft-legforwardstanceforright-handedpeople.Inotherwords,wehaveourstrongsideback.Ourreasonissimple:Mostattackers(especiallywithaweapon)willattackwiththeirrighthand.Wewanttoblockwithourleftandcounterattackwithourstrongestweapon—ourright.Onceyou’vemasteredthesetechniques,youshouldtrythemfromanoppositefightingstance.Werequireallourblack-beltcandidatestoperformeverytechniquefrombothstances—but

remember,theyaretestingataveryhighlevel.Theaveragepersoninterestedindefendingherselfwillfacearight-handedattackerusinghisrighthandmostoften.Ifyoutrainforthatsituation,theoddsareyouwilllearntodealwiththemostcommonattacks.

Left-legforwardstance.

SafetyinTrainingYoushouldabsolutelytrythesetechniqueswithapartner.Thisknowledgeisworthnothinguntilyou’vemadeityourown.However,youmustlearntotrainwithacombinationofrealismandsafety.Neverbeafraidtopracticeatechniqueslowly.Keepthisphraseinmind:Slowequalssmoothandsmoothequalsfast.Ofcourse,youdowanttogettotheaggressive,realisticattacksassoonaspossible.Buttrustus,you’llprogressfasterifyoubeginslowlyandsafely.

Forthisreason,starteverytechniqueslowly,withtheattackermakingarealattack,butataslowspeedandwithminimalpower.Forinstance,ifyouwanttotrainagainstachokefromthefront,yourpartnershouldplacehishandsonyourthroatandsqueezegently.Youshouldfeelpressuresothatyoucanidentifythedanger,butthechokeshouldnotbeappliedwithfullpoweruntilmuchlaterinyourtraining.

Asnotedearlier,ifcertifiedinstructorsareavailableinyourarea,westronglyrecommendyoutakeatleastafewlessonswiththem.Notonlycantheyteachyouthetechniques,theycanprovideyouwithsomeprinciplesforsafetrainingthatwillbringyoutoahigherlevelofproficiencyquickly.

Thefollowingareadditionalnotesregardingtrainingtodefendagainstweapons.First,NEVERusearealweapon.Varioustypesoftrainingweaponsareavailable,includingrubberhandguns,metallicbutinerthandguns,andrubberknives.

Handguns:NEVERputyourfingerinthetrigger—ourtechniquesoftencausedamagetothetriggerfinger.

Knives:NEVERstabattheeyes,ALWAYSstabatthechestorneck.Evenarubberknifecandamageaneyeifthedefendermakesamistake.

Sticks:Usepaddedsticksatthebeginningofyourtraining.Ifyoudecidetograduatetowoodenorcomposite-materialbatons,trainslowlyuntilyourtechniqueiscorrect.

CoauthorJohnWhitman(right)defendsagainstaknifeattackontheattacker’s“liveside.”

TerminologyThereareafewwordsandphrasesinthisbookthatmightrequiredefinition.Manyofthesephrasesareusedbecausewetrytoavoidtermslike“right”and“left.”“Right”and“left”becomeconfusingforpeoplefightinginaleft-handedstance,andtheysometimesstopthemindfrombeingabletoswitchsides.We’vesurrenderedtocommonusage,ofcourse,andweDOuse“righthand”and“lefthand,”oftenforthesakeofclarity,butwealsousesomeofthetermsbelow.

Liveside:thesideofthebodyfromwhichyoucaneasilylaunchmoreattacks.Standinafightingstancewithyourleftfootforwardandyourhandsup:Yourrightsideisyourliveside.

CoauthorDarrenLevine(right)burstsforwardwithhisfeettotherifleman’s“deadside”tograbtheweapon.

Deadside:thesideofthebodyfromwhichyoucannoteasilylaunchasmany

attacks.Standinafightingstancewithyourleftfootforwardandyourhandsup:Yourleftsideisyourdeadside.

Insidedefense:anyredirectingdefenseinwhichthedefendinglimbmovesinwardtowardthecenterofthebody.

Outsidedefense:anyredirectingorstoppingdefenseinwhichthedefendinglimbmovesoutwardfromthecenterofthebody.

Insidearmorleg:thistermreferstothelimborbodypartthatisclosertotheattacker;itcanalsoapplytothe“insidehip,”“insidefoot,”etc.

Outsidearmorleg:thistermreferstothelimborbodypartthatisfartherawayfromtheattacker;itcanalsoapplytothe“outsidehip,”“outsidefoot,”etc.

Burst:anyexplosivemovement(usually,forward)ofthefeet.We“burst”inwhenwedogundefenses,stickdefenses,etc.

Guard:agroundpositioninwhichonefighterisonhisbackandtheotherisontopinsidethebottomperson’slegs.Inthiscase,thetoppersonisinthebottomperson’sguard.

YellowBelt

YELLOWBELT

OVERVIEW

YellowBeltisthefirststageinlearningourKravMagacurriculum.IfyouattendclassatoneofKravMagaWorldwide’scertifiedschools,youwillstarthereatYellowBelt,or“Level1.”Theaveragetrainingtimeforthislevel(assumingatleasttwotrainingsessionsperweek)isfourmonths.Thecurriculumatthislevelintroducesbasicstrikessuchasstraightpunches,elbows,frontkicks,andknees—themeatandpotatoesofastreetfight.You’llalsolearnhowtodealwithcommonchokesandheadlocks.Inaddition,thetechniqueshereofferaclearrepresentationoftheprinciplesofKravMaga—ideassuchasexplosivemovements,instinct-basedresponses,andsimultaneousdefense-and-counterattack.

Materialintroducedatthislevelincludesthefollowing:

CombativesKravMagadefines“combatives”astheballistictechniquesusedbothinfightingandinself-defense.Thebulkofthesetechniquesinvolvespunches,kicks,elbowstrikes,andknees,butKravMaganeverexcludesothercombativeactionssuchasbitingandscratching.Thinkofcombativesastoolstohelpyouinafight.Theyareanintegralpartofself-defense.Evenifyou’reinterestedinKravMagaonlyforself-defenseandhavenointerestinfighting,youmustlearnbasiccombatives.WhileKravMagaself-defensetechniquesaddressthedanger,combativetechniquesarevitalinordertoeliminatesubsequentthreats.Thecombativetechniquesdescribedherearedesignedtocausesufficientdamagetotheattackerinordertoremovefurtherthreats,whilekeepingyourelativelysafe.

Hammerfistpunchesaremadeusingthemeatypartofthefistasacontactpoint

(withthepinkysideoutermost,towardyouropponent).Thefististheheadofthehammer,andtheforearmisthehandle.Goodtargetsforhammerfistpunchesincludethenose,throat,temple,andsideofjaw.

Elbowstrikesareusedwhenyouropponentisveryclose.Practiceelbowsinrelationtopunchesbystudyingthedistancecontinuum:punchesareformediumtolongrange,elbowsareforcloserange.Practiceelbowstrikesinsevendirections,asdetailedinthissection.Practicesolo,facingamirror.Practicepivotingtostrikeinanydirection.

Kicksgivegreaterreachandaregenerallymorepowerfulthanpunchesbecausetheyarebothlongerandstronger.Kicksarealsosneakierandaddmoreweaponstoyourarsenal.KravMagaemphasizeslowkicksbecausetheyaremuchmorepracticalforthestreet.Laterinthesystemweaddhighkickstoimproveourathleticability,butwealwayspreferlowkickstothegroinorlegs.Ourmottois:“Ifyouwanttokickhiminthehead,kickhiminthegroinfirst;whenhefallsdown,thenyoucankickhiminthehead!”

Onceyou’recomfortablewiththebasiccombatives,youshouldstartpracticingcombinationsatvariouslevelsandusingvariousstrikes.Kick/punchcombinationsalsointroducetheideaofadistancecontinuum.It’simportanttodevelopasenseofthemostappropriateattackforanygivenrangeasthatdistancechanges(inotherwords,asyoumoveinorout).

DefensesandSelf-DefenseKravMagadefines“self-defense”insimpleterms:Theattackerhascommittedhimselftoanattackwhileyouareunprepared,forcingyoutorespondtoanimmediatethreatfromapositionofdisadvantage.

Whilesuchdefensesas360°DefenseandInsideDefensecouldbeputintotheself-defensecategorywhenusedasreflexreactionsagainstasurprisepunch,ingeneral,theself-defensecategorycoversdefensesagainstchokes,bearhugs,headlocks,andotherholds.Inmoreadvancedphasesoftraining,self-defensewillincluderesponsestoknifeandstickattacksaswellasthreatswithahandgun.

SeveralmaincriteriashouldbeusedtoexamineandunderstandanydefensetechniqueinKravMaga.Thetechniqueshould:

• Bebasedonnaturalinstincts/reactions.

• Besimpleandusablebypeopleofdifferentstrengthsandbodysizes.

• Workfromapositionofdisadvantageorpoorstateofreadiness.

• Addresstheimmediatedanger.

• Includeasimultaneous(ornearlysimultaneous)counterattacktoneutralizefurtherattacks.

• Becomprehensiveenoughtocoverawidevarietyofscenarios.

SoftTechniquesAttimes,aless-damagingtechniquemaybetheappropriateresponsetoasituation.Examplesofsuchsituationsincludeonepersonsimplytryingtodelayanother;adrunkenbutotherwiseharmlessacquaintanceataparty;andapersonholdingontoawristandunawareofthedefender’surgentneedtomoveaway.

Fortheseinstances,“soft”techniquesaredesignedtoremovethedefenderfromanypotentialdangerwithoutharmingtheotherparty.Thesetechniquesaretobeusedonlyifyoufeelnorealthreat.Ifyoufeelyouareindanger,“harder”techniques(especiallycombatives)shouldbeused.

Wristreleasesworkoffofonebasicprinciple:Movethebladeofthewristthroughtheweakestpartofthehold.Inotherwords,takethethinnestangleofthearmoutatthepointwheretheotherparty’sthumbmeetsthefingers.

GroundfightingKravMagaassumesthat,eveniftheattackerdoesnottrytotakeyoudown,youmayslipandfindyourselfdownwhiletheattackerisup.Thissectionintroducesbasicgroundfightingpositioningandmovement.Amongthetechniquesarethreebasickicksfromtheground:frontkick,roundkick,andsidekick.

CoauthorDarrenLevinedemonstratesanelbowstrike.

NEUTRALORPASSIVESTANCEFundamentalsTheneutral,orpassive,stanceisyournatural,unpreparedposition.Itisextremelyusefulforallaspectsoftraining,consideringthat,onthestreet,youwillmostlikelyneedtoperformcombativesandself-defensetechniqueswithoutanypreparation.Besuretotrainfromthispositionatleastpartofthetimewhenworkingoncombatives,andatalltimeswhenpracticingself-defensetechniques.

THESTANCE:Standwithyourfeetabouthip-widthapart(orless),withyourarmshangingtothesides.

FIGHTINGSTANCETakethisstancewhenpreparingforaconfrontation.Thedescriptionbelowassumesyouareright-handed;ifyou’releft-handed,simplysubstitute“right”for“left.”

THESTANCE:Standwithyourfeethip-widthapartandtakeacomfortablestepforwardwithyourleftfoot.Keepyourweightontheballs(nottheheels)ofyourfeet.Thetoesofbothfeetshouldgenerallypointforward,buttheforwardfootmayturnslightlyinwardforbetterbalance.

Keepingyourhandsrelaxed(notinfists),holdthemupaboutchinheightandacomfortabledistanceawayfromyourface.Makesureyourelbowsareinandfairlyclosetoyourbody,andyourshouldersarerelativelysquared(notturnedsideways)toanopponent.

Ifyourfeetaretoonarrow,you’llbeunstable.Ifthey’retoowide,you’llopenyourselfupforagroinkick.

MOVINGINFIGHTINGSTANCE

FundamentalsEvenifyou’reinterestedonlyinpureself-defense,youshouldlearntomovequicklyandsafelywhileinafightingstance.Thebasicprincipleofmovementwhileinafightingstanceistostartwiththeforwardfootwhilepushingoffwiththerearfoot,thenclosethestepsoyouendupintheoriginalstance.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.

TOADVANCE:Moveyourleftfootforwardwhilepushingoffwithyourright,thenbringyourrightfootforwardtoreturntoastablefightingstance.Keepyourweightevenlyoverbothfeet(moreontheballsofyourfeetthanonyourtoes);don’tleanforwardasyouadvance.

TOGOTOTHERIGHT:Moveyourrightfootout,pushingoffwithyourleft,thenbringyourleftfootinsoyoureturntoastablefightingstance.

TOGOTOTHELEFT:Moveyourleftfootout,pushingoffwithyourright,thenbringyourrightfootintoreturntoastablefightingstance.

TORETREAT:Moveyourrightfootback,pushingoffwithyourleftfoot,thenbringyourleftfootback,returningtoastablefightingstance.

TIPSMovewithquick,shufflingmotions,stayingclosetotheground.Don’thop!

Onceyougetafeelforthebasicmovement,practicemovingalongdiagonallines.Thesediagonalsarewhatletyouadvanceandretreatwhilestayingoutofreachofyouropponent’sweapons(i.e.,notbeingrightinfrontofthem).

reachofyouropponent’sweapons(i.e.,notbeingrightinfrontofthem).

PUNCHMECHANICSCombativesAstraightpunchcanbemadewiththeforwardhand(usuallycalleda“jab”)ortherearhand(a“cross”).Thebasicprinciplesofthepuncharethesameforeitherhand.Althoughwesometimesusetheterm“jab”inthisbookbecauseitisafamiliartermtosomereaders,donotthinkofyourforward-handpunchasatypical“jab.”Thattermimpliesaquick,less-powerfulstrikethatisusefulinsportfightingbutnotstreetfighting.

Makingafist

1.Rollyourfingerstightlysothatthereisnospace.

2.Sealyourthumbtightlyoveryourfingersnearthefirstknuckle.DoNOTputyourthumbinsideyourfingers!

LEFTSTRAIGHTPUNCH

Combatives

1.Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourleftfistforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.

2.Makecontactwiththefirsttwoknucklesofyourfist,rotatingyourfistabout45degreestoaddpower.Besureyourwristisstraight.Thepunchshouldpenetratethetarget,notjusttouchthesurface.Atthemomentofimpact,weightshouldbeinthepunch.

3.Recoilquickly,bringingyourhandbacktostartingposition.

Tuckyourchintoyourchesttoprotectyourjaw.

Rolltheshoulderonthepunchingsideuptoprotectyourjaw.

Thebasicprincipleofmovementwhileinafightingstanceistostartwiththeforwardfootwhilepushingoffwiththerearfoot,thenclosethestepsoyouendupintheoriginalstance.

CROSS-BODYPUNCH

Combatives

1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourrightfistforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.Pivotyourrearfootlikeyou’reputtingoutacigarette.

2Makecontactwiththefirsttwoknucklesofyourfist,rotatingyourfistabout45°toaddpower.Besureyourwristisstraight.Thepunchshouldpenetratethetarget,notjusttouchthesurface.Atthemomentofimpact,weightshouldbeinthepunch.

3Recoilquickly,bringingyourhandbacktostartingposition.

Tuckyourchintoyourchesttoprotectyourjaw.Rolltheshoulderonthepunchingsideuptoprotectyourjaw.

PALMHEELSTRIKE

CombativesYoucanperformastraightpunchusingtheheelofyourpalminsteadofafist.Themotionofthispunchisotherwisethesameasastraightpunch.Thisexplanationdescribesarightpalmheelstrike,butthestrikecanbedonewitheitherhand.

1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourrightarmforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.Pivotonyourbackfoot.

2Asyourhandisabouttostrikethetarget,flexyourwristbackward,openyourhand,andcurlyourfingersslightly,makingcontactwiththehardsurfaceatthebaseofyourhand.Rotateyourwristinwardasyoustrike—thisaddsextrapowerandhelpsprotectyourwrist.Bymovingyourfingersoutoftheway,youforcetheheelofyourhand,ratherthanyourfingers,tomakecontact.Ifyoudon’trotate,yourwristmaybebentbackwardonimpact,potentiallycausingasprainorbreak.

EYESTRIKE

CombativesThisstriketotheeyes,anothervariationofthestraightpunch,ismadewithyourfingertips.

1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourlefthandforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.Pivotonyourbackfootasifyou’recrushingoutacigarette.

2Asyourhandisabouttostrikethetarget,pressyourfingersandthumbtogethertoformakindofspearblade.Yourfingersshouldbetensed,whichgivesthemstrengthandusuallycausesaveryslightbendintheknuckles.Thishelpspreventhyperextension.Stabyourfingersforwardata45-degreeangle,ratherthanstraightupanddown.Thisallowsyourhandtocoverthemostsurfacearea.

STRAIGHTPUNCHWITHADVANCE

CombativesYoucanmakeanystraightpunchwhileadvancingtocoverdistance.Beginpracticingwithaforwardhand,thentryotherpuncheswhileadvancing.

1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourleftfistforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.

2Immediatelyburstinwithanadvance,pushingoffwithyourrightfootandmovingforwardwithyourleftfoot.Asthepunchlands,closethedistancebybringingyourrightfootforward.

Inmostcases,theadvanceshouldbeonaslightdiagonaltokeepyouawayfromyouropponent’sentirearsenalofcounterattacks.

STRAIGHTPUNCHWITHRETREAT

CombativesAstraightpunch,particularlyajab,canbegiveninretreat.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingtheattacker.

1Theattackertakesasteptowardyou.Simultaneouslysendaleftpunchwhilemovingyourrightfootback,pushingoffwithyourleftfoot.

2Asthepunchrecoils,bringyourleftfootbacktorecoverintoafightingstance.

Thepunchmayalsobeperformedwithaslightducktoavoidanincomingpunch.

VARIATION:Tomakeacrosswhileretreating,youwillneedtoretreatfirst,plantyourfeet,andthenpunchThisrequiresmoreprecisetimingthanajab,makingitabitmorecomplex.

STRAIGHTPUNCHLOW

CombativesAstraightpunchcanbedeliveredlow—tothemidsectionoreventothegroin.Whilethebasiclowpunchisthesameasaregularstraightpunch,specialconsiderationsrequirethatthispunchbepracticedseparately.

Thispunchcanbemadeinattackorindefense;seeStraightPunchwithAdvance(page45)andStraightPunchwithRetreat(page47)forfurtherdetails.

1.Beginastandardstraightpunch.Asyoupunch,sendyourfistlowwhiledroppingyourbodybybendingatthewaistandknees.Donotleaveyourheadupwhilepunchingdown—thiswouldleaveyoutooexposed.Donotsimplydropyourbodydownbeforesendingthepunch—thistelegraphsthemovement.

2.Retreatorcontinuewithafurtherattack.Donotstaydownandinfrontwhereyouropponentcaneasilypunchorkneeyourhead.

Aswithanypunch,sendyourshoulderforwardtoaddweight.Thisisespeciallyimportantwithalowpunchbecauseyouneedtocreateareactionintheopponentthatinhibitshisabilitytocounterpunchwhileyourheadislow.Practicetuckingyourchinandbringingyourshoulderuptoprotectyourjaw.Practiceretreatingupandouttoavoidcounterpunches.Alsopracticecontinuingwithfurtherattacks.

HAMMERFISTTOTHESIDE

CombativesHammerfisttothesidemaybepracticedfromafightingstanceorapassivestance.Becauseitisoftenusedinreactiontoasurpriseattack,wegenerallypresentthestrikefromapassivestancefirst.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.

1.Moveyourlefthandsidewaysandupward,elbowslightlybent.Asyourhandmovestowarditstarget,rotateyourhipandshoulder.Tuckyourchin.Yourrisingarmshouldcoveryouaswellasstrike.Pivotyouroutsidefootandstepintowardyourtargettomakesureweightisbeingtransferredintothepunch.

2.Oncontact,yourelbowshouldstillbesomewhatbent.Thebentelbowshouldpassyourtargettohelpthepunchpenetrate;italsohelpspreventhyperextensionofthejoint.

Addtorquebyrotatingthefist:Atthebeginningofthepunch,thebackofthehandfacesthetarget.Justbeforecontact,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandouttomakecontact.

Aswithallpunches,youshouldrecoilafterstriking.

HAMMERFISTTOTHEBACK

CombativesHammerfisttothebackisessentiallythesameashammerfisttotheside,butwithagreaterturntomeetanattackcomingfrombehind.Youshouldpracticeittodeveloptheconceptthatyoucanstrikeinafullcirclearoundyourbody.

1.Lookoveryourrightshoulder.Moveyourlefthandsidewaysandupward,elbowslightlybent.Asyourhandmovestowarditstarget,rotateyourhipandshoulder.Tuckyourchin.Yourrisingarmshouldcoveryouaswellasstrike.Pivotyouroutsidefootandstepintowardyourtargettomakesureweightisbeingtransferredintothepunch.

2.Oncontact,yourelbowshouldstillbesomewhatbent.Thebentelbowshouldpassyourtargettohelpthepunchpenetrate;italsohelpspreventhyperextensionofthejoint.

Addtorquebyrotatingthefist:Atthebeginningofthepunch,thebackofthehandfacesthetarget.Justbeforecontact,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandouttomakecontact.

tomakecontact.

Aswithallpunches,youshouldrecoilafterstriking.

FORWARDHAMMERFIST

CombativesAforwardhammerfistisgenerallyastriketoyouropponent’sface.

1.Raiseyourlefthandinasmallwindup—roughlyfromchinheighttoabouteyebrowheight.Don’tthrowyourhandtoohighaboveyourhead—thatmotionwouldbetooslowanddetectable.

2.Asyourfistcomesdown,generatepowerbyrotatingyourshoulderandhipinwardandforwardwhiledrivingwithyourlegs.

Addtorquebyrotatingyourfist:Asyoubeginthepunch,yourpalmshouldfacethetarget.Justbeforeyouconnect,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandinwardtomakecontact.

makecontact.

DOWNWARDHAMMERFIST

CombativesAdownwardhammerfistwillgenerallybetothebackofyouropponent’sneck,atthebaseoftheskullwithyouropponentdoubledover(forexample,afteragroinkick).Othertargetsmaybethekidneys(againstalowbearhug)orface(duringcounterattacksagainstHeadlockfromtheSideorBearhugwithLeverageontheNeck).

1.Raiseyourleftfistupwardinasmallwindup.

2.Asyourpunchdescends,generatepowerbyrotatingyourhipandshoulderinwardanddown,andbybendingyourknees.Donotbendatthewaist.

Addtorquebyrotatingyourfist:Asyoubeginthepunch,yourpalmshouldface

Addtorquebyrotatingyourfist:Asyoubeginthepunch,yourpalmshouldfacedownwardtothetarget.Justbeforeyouconnect,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandinwardtomakecontact.

HORIZONTALHIGHELBOWSTRIKE(ELBOW#1)CombativesFortrainingpurposes,westartinamodifiedpassivestance.Ofcourse,allelbowscanbemadefromafightingstance.

STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.

1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.

2.Sharplyswingyourelbowouthorizontallyinfrontofyoutomakecontactwithyourtarget’sfaceorthroat.Strikewiththepointjustbelowthetipofyourelbow,pivotingasyoustriketogeneratemorepower.

Recoilandreturntostartingposition.

SIDEWAYSELBOWSTRIKE(ELBOW#2)CombativesThiselbowstriketargetsanattackercomingfromtheside.

1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.Raiseyourelbowup.

2.Striketotheside,avoidinga“flapping”motion.Leaninasyoustrike,makingcontactjustabovethetipofyourelbow.Useyourlegsforpower.

HORIZONTALELBOWSTRIKEBACKWARD(ELBOW#3)CombativesSTARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.

2.Pivotasyoupunchyourelbowhorizontallytoatargetbehindyou,lookingbackoveryourshouldertoseeyourtarget(makesuretokeepyouchintuckedforprotection).Strikewiththepointjustabovethetipofyourelbow.

VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEBACKWARDLOW(ELBOW#4)CombativesThiselbowstriketargetsanattackercomingfrombehind.

1.Sendyourelbowstraightbacktomakecontactwithyourtarget’sribsorstomach.Strikewiththepointjustabovethetipofyourelbow,pivotingasyoustriketogeneratemorepower.

VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEBACKWARD(ELBOW#5)CombativesThiselbowstriketargetsanattackercomingfrombehind.

2–3.Punchyourelbowbackwardandupward,tiltingyourshouldersforwardtostriketheattacker’sthroatorface.Strikewiththepointjustabovethetipofyourelbow.

VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEFORWARDANDUPWARD(ELBOW#6)CombativesSTARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.

2–3.Swingyourelbowup,pivotingyourhipandshoulderinanduptogeneratemorepower.Strikeyourtarget’schinwiththepointjustbelowthetipofyourelbow.

VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEFORWARDANDDOWN(ELBOW#7)

CombativesThiselbowstrikeissimilartoaDownwardHammerfist(page57).Theattackerispoisedtoattackyoufromalowangle,orisdoubledover(followingagroinkick,forexample).

2.Bendyourkneesanddropyourweightdownasyouswingyourelbowdown.Strikethebackofyouropponent’sheadorneckwiththepointjustabove(i.e.,towardyourshoulder)thetipofyourelbow.

FRONTKICK(REGULAR)CombativesTherearetwobasicfrontkicks.Thefirstisaregularfrontkickwiththeinsteporshin(tothegroin).Thesecondistoaverticaltargetusingtheballofthefoot(page74).Regularfrontkickissimplerandmorepracticalinmostself-defensesituations,sopracticeitfirst.

1.Swingyourrightlegforward,bendingyourknee.

2.Asyourhipcomesforwardandupward,snapyourfootout,drivingthroughthetarget.Pivotslightlyonyourleft(base)foot—thisopensyourhips,whichhelpsextendthekickandaddpower.Contactthetargetwithyourinstep,aboutwhereyoutieyourshoelaces.

3.Recoil.Aftermakingcontact,youshouldbeabletoeitherputthekickingfootdowninfrontofyouorbringitbackintoafightingstance.

TIPSWhenkickingapad,makesureyoulookatthecenterofyourpartner’schest,notatthepad.Thishelpsyoukickthroughformorepenetration,whereasifyoujustlookatthepad,you’llonlykicktothatpoint.

Besureyourhandsstayup!

VARIATION1:Ifyouareclosetothetarget,youcanconnectwithyourshinaswell,whichisverypowerful.

VARIATION2(NOTPICTURED):Onceyou’vemasteredthebasickick,trykickingwiththeforwardleg,whichislesspowerful,butfasterandsneakier.

FRONTKICK(VERTICALTARGET)CombativesThiskickismadetothemidsectionorchestusingtheballofthefoot.

1.Bringyourrightlegforwardwiththekneeup.

2.Punchthefoot,leg,andhipstraightout(i.e.,notupward,asintheregularfrontkick).Asyoukick,curlyourtoesupwardtothetopofyourshoe,exposingandtighteningtheballofyourfoot.Strikewiththeballofyourfoot.

Recoil.Youshouldbeabletomakeastrongkickandthenplantyourkickingfoottoanypoint,asneeded,eitherinfrontorrecoveringbacktoafightingstance.

Practicekickingthegroundwiththeballofyourfoottohelpgetafeelforthestrikingsurface.

strikingsurface.

ROUNDKICK

CombativesAroundkickis,essentially,afrontkickthat“rollsover”atthelastminute.Liketheregularfrontkick,theroundkickusesyourinsteporshinasthestrikingsurface.Inamoreadvancedversion,youmakecontactwiththeballofyourfoot.Roundkickcanbemadetothesideofanopponent’skneejoint,thigh,ribs,orevenhead,althoughwedonotemphasizehighkicksinKravMaga.

1–2.Swingyourrightlegforward,bendingyourknee.Rollyourhipover.

3.Snapoutyourfootwhilepivotingquicklyonyourleftfoot.Strikewithyourshin.Whenyoumakecontact,yourkneeshouldstillbeslightlybent.Thisletsthemotionpenetratethetarget,andalsoprotectsthekneeagainsthyperextension.

Recoil.Youshouldbeabletolandforwardwithcontrol,orbringyourfootbackintoafightingstance.

Todeliverthekickwithpower,besureyourleft(base)footis“deeper”thanthetarget,allowingthekickinglegtodrivethrough.

Also,formorepower,youmaystepdiagonallyandpivotyourleftfootbeforesendingthekick.Thoughthisaddspower,itismoredetectable.

VARIATION:Itispossibletostrikewiththetopofthefootorballofthefoot.

KNEESTRIKE

CombativesIfafrontkickisanalogoustoastraightpunch,thenkneestrikesareanalogoustoelbowstrikes.Thatis,theyarefortheclose-infight,andtheycanbedevastating.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstanceincloseproximitytoyouropponent.

1.Grabyouropponent’srightarmandshoulderfirmlybygrabbinghandfulsofskin.Pushyourrightforearmagainstyouropponent’sneck,keepingyourelbowdown.Thispreventsyouropponentfromdroppingdownand“shootingin”tograbyourlegs.

2.Pullyouropponent’sbodyforwardand/ordownwhilebringingyourrightkneeupsharply,strikingthegroin,midsection,orfacewiththepointjustaboveyourkneecap.Driveyourhipforwardanduptogeneratepower.

Ifyougrabtheattacker’sleftarmandshoulder,strikewithyourleftknee.Besureyourkneeisbentsharply.

Ifyourtargetisthegroin,driveyourhipforwardandpullyouropponent’sbodytowardyou.

Ifyourtargetisthemidsectionorhead,pullyouropponent’sbodydownwhiledrivingyourkneeupward.

VARIATION:Ifyouplaceonehandoneithersideofyouropponent’shead(a

MuayThaiclinch),useeitherkneeforthestrike.Grabtheattackerbytheheadwithonearmoneachside,elbowsdownandtight.Yourhandsshouldbelaidoneovertheother,withyourfingersupthebackofhisheadandpushingdowntocreatepressureonhisneck,whichgivesbettercontrol.Besureyousqueezeyourelbowstogethertokeepyouropponentfromslippinghisheaddownandout.

ROUNDKNEESTRIKE

CombativesKneestrikesmaybeappliedfromdifferentangles.Likearoundkick,aroundkneestartslikethestandardstrike,relativelystraight,andthenthehiprollsover.Thisvariationshouldbepracticedafteryou’vemasteredthebasickneestrike;it’squiteeffectiveifyouropponentisinfrontofyoubutleavinghissideopentoyourattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstanceincloseproximitytoyouropponent.

1.Grabyouropponent’srightarmandshoulderfirmlybygrabbinghandfulsofskin.Pushyourrightforearmagainstyouropponent’sneck,keepingyourelbowdown.Thispreventsyouropponentfromdroppingdownand“shootingin”tograbyourlegs.

2.Pullyouropponent’sbodyforwardand/ordownwhilebringingyourrightkneeup;rollyourhipoverinamotionsimilartoaroundkicksothatyourkneestrikesatamorehorizontalangle.Thisstrikeisnormallydeliveredtotheribs,stomach,orhead.Driveyourhipforwardanduptogeneratepower.

FRONTKICK/HAMMERFISTCombatives

1–2.Deliveraregularfrontkicktothegroin.Forthiscombination,recoilandlandwithyourright(kicking)footforwardandtotheoutsideofyourtarget,notrightinfront.

3.Asyourrightfootstepstotheground,useyourrighthandtodeliverahammerfisttothebackofyouropponent’sneck.

TIPSThehammerfistshouldlandalmostsimultaneouslywiththefoottouchingtheground.

FRONTKICK/STRAIGHTPUNCHCombatives

1.Deliveraregularfrontkicktothegroin.Recoilyourright(kicking)foot.

2.Asyourrightfootlands,useyourrighthandtodeliverastraightpunchtothefaceorthroat.

360°DEFENSE(OUTSIDEDEFENSE)DefensesThisexerciseservesasabasicintroductiontooutsidedefenses,includingdefensesagainsthooks,punches,andknifeattacks.360°Defenseisareflexiveexercisebasedonthebody’sinstinctivereactions.Thedefenseisperformedwiththefingersextended.Thisisarelativelyinstinctive(reflexive)movement,whichmakesitquick;extendingyourfingersaddsafewinchestothedefense.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutral(passive)stance,handsupatshoulder/facelevel.Withallthesedefensepositions,makethemovementquicklyandthenrecoil.

POSITION1:Withyourelbowbent90°,raiseyourforearmaboveandslightlyinfrontofyourheadtodefendagainstanattackcomingstraightdown.

POSITION2:Withyourelbowbent90°,raiseyourarmatanangle(liketheroofofahouse—about30°)todefendagainstanattackat45°.

POSITION3:Startingwithyourelbowbent90°,sendyourforearmoutparallelwiththefloor(withbotharmsitwouldlooklikehorizontalgoalposts)todefendagainstanattackcomingdirectlyfromtheside.

POSITION4:Bringyourelbow(bent90°)intighttoyourbodytodefendagainstanupwardattacktoyourribs.Angleyourforearmslightlyoutwardandcontractyourabs.

POSITION5:Withyourelbowbent90°,pointyourfingersdowntodefendagainstanupwardattacktoyourribs.ThisistheexactoppositeofPosition#3.

POSITION6:Startingwithyourelbowbent90°,loweryourarmata30°angletodefendagainstarisingattacktoyourbody.Besuretobendatyourwaist,notatyourknees.

POSITION7:Startingwithyourelbowbent90°,loweryourforearmbelowandslightlyinfrontofyourchesttodefendagainstarisingattacktothecenterofyourbody.Besuretobendatyourwaist,notatyourknees.

Defendusingthebladeofyourarm.Putweightbehindthedefense.

Defendfromwristtowrist.

Yourpartnershouldattackwithverystraightarms.Whilethiswouldbeunlikelyinastreetattack,itmakesanexcellenttrainingmethodbothforthedefenseandtodevelopvision.

Lookatthecenterofyourpartner’schestanduseperipheralvisiontoseeallattacks—ifyouturnyourheadtofocusononeattack,youwillnotseeanattackcomingfromtheotherside.

Attackersshouldbeginslowly,oneattackatatime,andincreasespeedasdefendingimproves.

INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTSTRAIGHTPUNCH

DefensesInsideDefenseismadeagainststraightpunchestothefaceorthroat.Unlike360°Defense,whichisa“stopping”defense,InsideDefensesare“redirecting”defenses.Theyredirecttheattackawayfromitsintendedtarget.Defendwiththesame-side(mirror)hand.No“crossblocking.”Forexample,ifanattackerpuncheswiththelefthand,youdefendwithyourright.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,handsupandslightlylessthanshoulder-widthapart.

1.Asanattackermovestowardyouwithastraightpunch,bringyourdefendinghandforwardandinward,pushingagainsttheattacker’sarmwiththecenterof

yourpalm.Yourpalmshouldslidealongtheattacker’sarm.Movefromjustinsideyourshoulderinwardtowardyourlineofsight.Atthesametime,makeasmallheaddefensetotheoutsidetogiveyourselfsomeextraspaceincaseyourhanddefensedidn’tsucceed.

Defendwithyourpalm,butifyoumisreadtheheightofthepunch,youcanalsodefendwithyourwristorforearm(seeInsideDefenseagainstStraightPunchLow,page88).

INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTSTRAIGHTPUNCHLOWDefensesTodefendeffectivelyagainstalowpunch,youmustbeabletokeepyourhandsupinordertoguardagainstfeintsorsecondattacks.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,handsupandslightlylessthanshoulder-widthapart.

1.Asanattackermovestowardyouwithalowstraightpunch,bringyourelbowacrossyourbodyinasweepingmotion.AswithregularInsideDefense,makethisdefensewiththesame-side(mirroring)arm—i.e.,defendagainstarightpunchusingtheleftarm.Leadthemotionwithyourelbow;yourhandshouldstayup.Makeabodydefensebyrotatingslightly.Againstarightpunch,rotateright.Againstaleftpunch,rotateleft.

TIPSContractyourabstoprotectyourmidsectionandtoloweryourupperbodyslightlysotheelbowcoversmoreofthemidsection.

INSIDEDEFENSEAND360°AGAINSTPUNCHESDefensesOnceyouhavemasteredbasicInsideDefenseand360°,youshouldbegintodefendagainstthepossibilityofeitherattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.Fromaslightdistance,theattackermovesinwithaslightadvance.

1–6.Theattackerdeliversonepunchatatime,butmixesup360°andstraight-punchattacks.Thedefendermakestheappropriatedefense.

BesureyoumakeyourInsideDefensecorrectlysothatyourhandisinagoodpositiontodefendagainsttheoutsideattacksaswell.

CHOKEFROMTHEFRONT(TWO-HANDEDPLUCK)Self-DefenseChokefromtheFrontisafairlycommonattack.Itisalsoaconvenientstartingpointforself-defensetrainingbecauseitunderscoresmanyKravMagaprinciples.Theinstinctivereactiontoachokewillbetosendthehandstothedanger—inthiscase,thethroat.Thistechniqueturnsthatreactionintoadefense.Thepluckisexplosive,usingspeedratherthanstrength.

STARTINGPOSITION:Alwaystrainonthisandotherchokesfromapassiveorneutralstance.

1–2.Usingyourhandsashooks,withfingersslightlycurledandthumbstightagainstthehands,bringthemupandoveryourattacker’shands,reachin,andpluckexplosivelyoutward,pluckingasclosetotheattacker’sthumbsaspossible.Tuckyourchintoprotectyourfacefromanaccidentalheadbutt.

3–4.Traceyourshoulderline,thenpulldown,pinningtheattacker’shandstoyourshoulders.Asyoupluck,makeasimultaneouskicktothegroin.

Keepyourhandsintighthooks—it’sapluck,notagrab.

CHOKEFROMTHEFRONT(ONE-HANDEDPLUCK)Self-DefenseThisvariation,whilelessinstinctivethanthetwo-handedpluck,mayofferamoreperformablepluckingmotiontosomepeople.Also,whileitwillnotstopaheadbuttdeliveredsimultaneouslywiththechoke,itwillpreventaheadbuttgivenafterashortdelay.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passiveorneutralstance.

1–2.Astheattackerchokesyou,reachupwithonehandtoplucktheattacker’ssame-sidehand.

3.Atthesametime,sendyourfreehandupandundertheotherarm,deliveringapalmstriketothechinorface.(Ifyou’remoreadvanced,deliveranuppercut.)

TIPSBeawarethattodeliverapalmstrike,youwillhavetolowerthepunching-sideshouldertogetitbelowtheattacker’shand/arm.

Thebodyrotationmadebythecombinationofpluckandpunchshouldhelpreleasepressurefromyourthroat.

CHOKEFROMBEHIND

Self-Defense

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,withtheattackerchokingyoufrombehind.

1.Uponfeelingthechoke,tuckyourchinandroundyourshoulderstoexposetheattacker’sthumbs.

2.Sendyourhandsbackasfaraspossibletogathermomentumforthepluckandtoensurethatthepluckactuallymovesthehands.

3.Reachingbacktothemiddleofyourneck,plucktheattacker’sthumbsstraightdown,asthoughgivingtwoelbowstoyourstomach.Asyoupluck,stepdiagonallybackward,makingsurebothofyourfeetmove.

4–5.Withyourinsidehand,striketothegroinandfollowwithelbowstothestomachorface.Thisstrikeshouldflownaturallyfromthedownwardmovementofyourhand.Theoutsidehandshouldcontinuetoholdontotheattacker’shand,tokeephimcloseortrackhismovementuntilyoucanmakefurthercounters.

6.Turninsidetowardtheattackerwithahammerfiststriketohisface.Atthispointyoucanreleasehishand.

7.Finishwithkneestrikesormoveouttocreatedistance.

TIPSWhenpracticing,breaktheexerciseintotwoparts.Workonthedefensewiththegroinandelbowstrikesfirst.Thenworkonthehammerfist,turn,andcounter.Theinitialgroinstrikecanbemadewiththepalmfacingthetargetandthefingersstrikingupandunderforthegreatesteffect.

CHOKEFROMTHESIDE

Self-DefenseBecauseKravMagaattemptstosolvevariousproblemswithonesolution,thesamebasicprinciplethatworkedforChokefromtheFront(page92)andChokefromBehind(page96)alsoworkswithChokefromtheSide.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestanceastheattackerchokesfromtheside.

1.Reachyouroutsidehandupandacross.

2.Usingthesame“hook”positionasinTwo-HandedPluck(page92),pluckattheattacker’sthumbarea,pullinginadiagonalmotiondownwardacrossyourchest.Atthesametime,counterattackwithastriketothegroinoranelbowtotheface.

3.Continuewithadditionalcounters,turningtowardtheattackerwithelbowsandknees.

TIPSBesuretopluckalongyourchest,ratherthanpullawayfromyourbody.Pullingawayfromyourbodyreducesthepowerofthepluckingmotion.

CHOKEFROMTHEFRONTWITHAPUSHSelf-DefenseAchokewithapushrepresentsanaddeddanger.Inthiscase,aregularpluckbecomesmoredifficultbecause(a)you’rebeingpushedoffbalanceand(b)theshockofasuddenpushmaycauseyourhandstoflyupandawayfromyourthroat.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,withanattackerchokingyoufromthefront.

1.Tosimulatestumblingbackwards,leanback,offbalance,andthenstepbackononefoot(usuallytheleftfootwillbeeasiestfortrainingpurposes).Asyoustepyourleftfootback,stabyourrighthandstraightuptothesky.Yourrightbicep/shouldershouldbeasclosetoyourrightearaspossible.Thisensuresthatyoudefendagainsttheattacker’swrist.

2.Turnsharplytotheleft.Theturnshouldbeabout90°,andshouldcausepressureagainsthiswrist,nothisforearm.Thisremovesthepressurefromyourthroat.

3.Cleartheattacker’shands:bendslightlyattheknees,deliveringadownwardverticalelbowstrike(#7)withyourrighthand,whilebringingyourlefthandupinatrappingmotion.

4.Deliverasidewayselbowstrike(#2)toyouropponent’sface.Besurethereisweightbehindtheattack!Continuewithfurthercounters.

TIPSAswithanytechnique,onceyou’vedevelopedskillandcomfortperformingthisfromyourdominantside,traintheoppositesideaswell.

Tosimulaterealitywhenbeingpushed,allowtheattacktoputyouslightlyoffbalancebeforeyoustepback.Thisfeelingofbeingoffbalancerecreatesthesurpriseofarealattack.

Thedefenseismadebytheexplosiverotationofthebody,notbythedownwardelbow.Theelbowsimplymovesthehandsoutofthewayofyourcounterattacks.

CHOKEFROMBEHINDWITHAPUSHSelf-DefenseTheprinciplesofthisdefenseareexactlythesameasthoseforChokefromtheFrontwithaPush(page102).

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,withanattackerbehindyou.

1–2.Whenthechokeandpushcomefrombehind,yourhandsmayflyforward(aninstinctivemotiontopreventafall).Assumingyoustepforwardwithyourrightfoot,bringyourleftarmupandclosetoyourear.Thisensuresthatyoudefendagainsttheattacker’swrist.Turnsharplybacktowardtheattacker.UnlikeintheChokefromtheFront,thisturnshouldbegreaterthan90°since,inthiscase,itbringsyouaroundtofacetheattacker.

3–5.Asyoucompletetheturn,stepbackwithyourleft(inside)foot—thishelpsmaintainbalanceagainstastrongpush.Bringyourleftelbowdowntocleartheattacker’shandsandpinthemagainstyourbody.Atthesametime,counterattackwitharightpunch,followedbymultipleleftknees.

TIPSIfthepushisnotstrong,steppingbackmaynotbenecessary…butinmostcasesitis.

HEADLOCKFROMTHESIDE

Self-DefenseHeadlockfromtheSiderepresentsoneofthemostcommontypesofholdsinschoolyards,streetfights,andbarroombrawls.

STARTINGPOSITION:Anattackerheadlocksyoufromtheside.

1.Astheheadlockismade,don’tresisttheinward/downwardpull(assumingyouaresurprised,youwillnotbeabletoresist).Gowithit,turningyourchininanddowntoavoidachokeandlimitexposuretoapunch.Atthesametime,striketheattacker’sgroinwithyouroutsidehand(acrossyourbent-overbody)whilebringingyourinsidehandupbetweenyourheadandtheattacker’s.

2.Iftheattackerhasnohair,gofortheeyesandnose,placingyourindexfingerunderthenoseandyourthumbunderthechin(avoidfingersoverthemouth).Lifttheattacker’schinupsharply.Takeyourinsideelbowstraightdowntoyourhipwhilestandingup.

3–4.Delivercounterattackssuchashammerfistsorstraightpunchestotheface.

VARIATION:Iftheattackerhashair,grabthehair(rightdowntothescalp)atthehairlinewithyouroutsidehand.

WRISTRELEASE:SAME-SIDEHAND(ELBOWTOELBOW)SoftTechniquesThistechniqueshouldbeappliediftheotherpartygrabsyouonthesame/mirrorside(e.g.,grabsyourrighthandwithhisleft).

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsyourrighthandwithhislefthand.

1–2.Moveyourelbowforward,bendingituntilittouches(orisverynear)yourpartner’selbow.Atthesametime,snapyourwristoutofthehold,leadingwiththeblade,orthinpartofthewrist.

3.Moveaway,keepingyourhandsup.

TIPSItmaybenecessarytostepforwardtogetcloseenoughtomaketherelease.Ifastepisnecessary,stepinwiththesame-sidefoot(ifyourrightwristisheld,stepwithyourrightfoot).

Tohelprememberthetechnique,thinkofitas“elbowtoelbow.”

WRISTRELEASE:OPPOSITE-SIDEHAND(HITCHHIKEOUT)SoftTechniquesThistechniqueshouldbeappliediftheotherpartygrabsyouontheopposite/crossside(e.g.,grabsyourrighthandwithhisrighthand,reachingacrossyourbody).

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsyourleftwristwithhislefthand.

1.Rotateyourwristsothatyourthumbgoestowardtheweakpartofthegrip.

2.Pullinthedirectionofyourshoulder,makingahitchhikingmotion.

3.Moveaway,keepingyourhandsup.

WRISTRELEASE:TWOHANDSHELDHIGH

SoftTechniquesThistechniqueisusefulwhentheotherpartyholdsbothofyourwristsup.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standfacingyourattacker,yourelbowsbentandhandsinfrontofyou.

1.Astheattackergrabsyourwrists,makeaninwardcircularmotionwithbothhands.Moveyourlefthandclockwiseandyourrighthandcounterclockwise.Asyoumakethemotion,dropyourchintoyourchest,loweringyourfaceanddecreasingexposuretoaheadbutt,whichmaybeintentionaloraccidental

2–3.Asyourattacker’shandsreleaseyourwrists,takeasmallstepbacktoincreasethedistance.Finishthecircularmotionsothatyourhandscomeoutsideofhishandandupinamodifiedfightingstance(inotherwords,up,butnotinanysortofaggressiveposture).

WRISTRELEASE:TWOHANDSHELDDOWN

SoftTechniquesUsethistechniquewhentheotherpartyholdsbothyourhandsdown.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsbothyourwristsfromabove.

1–2.Bringbothhandsinwardandupwardtowardyourface,makingsuretocurlyourfingerstopreventaccidentallypokingyourselfintheeyes.

3.Takeasmallstepbackwardtocreatemoredistance.

WRISTRELEASE:WRISTHELDBYTWOHANDS

SoftTechniques

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsoneofyourwristswithbothofhishands.

1.Withyourfreehand,reachdownandgrabyourcaughthand,makingafistwiththecaughthand.

2.Pullthecaughtfistabovethelineofyourattacker’swrist.

3.Rotateyourbentarmsharply,elbowintheair(asinElbow#1),toreleasethewrist.DoNOTusetheelbowtostrikeyourattacker(remember,thisisasofttechnique).

Stepawaytomakedistance.

BACKPOSITIONGroundfighting

THEPOSITION:You’reonyourback,withheadandshouldersupoffthegroundandchintuckedagainstyourchest.Keepyourhandsuptoprotectyourface.

Placeonefootonthegroundnearyourbuttocks.Drawyourotherkneeupclosetoyourchest.Keepyourhipsofftheground.

Onceyou’vetakenthisposition,onlyasmallpartofyourbackandonefootshouldbetouchingtheground.

BACKPOSITION:MOVEMENTONTHEGROUND

GroundfightingAnattackermaytrytoscramblearoundtogetatvitalpartsofyourbody.Yourgoalistokeepyourfeetbetweenyourbody/headandtheattacker.Whenacorrectgroundfightingpositionistaken,onlythesmallofthebackandonefoottouchtheground,allowingforeasierturning.

STARTINGPOSITION:BackPosition.

1.Useyourplantedfoottoturnandstop.

2.Keepthefootclosesttotheattackerupforkickingpurposes—e.g.,iftheattackeriscirclingtoyourleft,pullyourleftfootupandusetherighttoturn.Thismakesitmoredifficultfortheattackertogetaroundyourguard.

VARIATION:Iftheattackerisatsomedistance,youmayuseyourhandsforafasterandmorecontrolledturn.

SIDEPOSITION

GroundfightingTHEPOSITION:Lieononeelbow,onehip,andonebaseleg.Bringyourtophanduptoprotectyourface.Holdyourtoplegup,kneedrawnback,readytokick.Iftheattackerisfartheroff,youmayriseontoyourlower(base)hand,ratherthanyourelbow,butONLYiftheattackerisfartheraway.

SIDEPOSITION:MOVEMENTONTHEGROUND

GroundfightingAnattackermaytrytoscramblearoundtogetatvitalpartsofyourbody.Yourgoalistokeepyourfeetbetweenyourbody/headandtheattacker.

STARTINGPOSITION:SidePosition.

1.Iftheattackermovestowardyourlive(front)side,usethebasefoottoturnandstop.

2.Iftheattackermovestothedead(back)side,rolltoyouroppositesideandtakeupthesame-sideposition.

FRONTKICKFROMTHEGROUND

GroundfightingThiskickismorelikeastomp(DefensiveFrontKick,forthosewhoknowit);youmakecontactwithyourheel.

STARTINGPOSITION:BackPosition,ontheground.

1.Stompyourfootoutwardhorizontally,withpowergeneratedbysendingyourhipoutaswell—thisismostimportant!

2.Atthemomentofimpact,theonlypartsofyourbodytouchingthegroundareyourbase(planted)footandyourshoulders/elbows.

3.Recoilimmediatelybypullingyourkneebacktoyourchesttoprepareforanotherkick.

Whenkickingtotheshinorknee,turnyourfootoutwardslightlytobroadenthekickingsurface,givingyouthebestchancetohitthetarget.

ROUNDKICKFROMTHEGROUND

GroundfightingAroundkickwhileonthegroundcanbeespeciallyusefulwhenanattackertriestomakean“endrun”aroundyourguard.Astheattackerdodgestotheoutsideofyourkickingleg,yourolloveranddeliveraroundkick.

STARTINGPOSITION:BackPosition,ontheground.

1–2.Asyoukick,rollyourhipover.

Foraddedpower,makeaslight“scissor”motionwiththelegs(thissimulatesthepivotingmotionmadeduringastandingroundkick).

Thekickmaybedonewitheitherleg,dependingonwhichwaytheattackergoes.However,thebaselegwilldeliverthestrongestroundkick(justastherearlegdeliversthestrongeststandingroundkick).

Aswithregularroundkick,thekickingsurfaceistheinsteportheshin.

SIDEKICKFROMTHEGROUND

GroundfightingAsidekickmaybenecessaryafterdeliveringaroundkick,orifyouenduponyoursideratherthanyourback.

STARTINGPOSITION:SidePosition,ontheground.

1–2.Sendyourfootout,extendingyourhiptogeneratepower,strikingwithyourheel.Thisissimilartoastomp.Useyourbasehand(theoneclosesttothefloor)forsupportandtogiveapushthathelpsgeneratepower.Youmayalsouseyourotherhandiftheattackerisatasufficientdistance.

Otherwise,thathandshouldbeupinadefensiveposition.Atthepointofimpact,yourheel,knee,hip,andshouldershouldallbeinlinetosupportthekick.

Thiskickmaybemadetotheshinsorkneesaswellastothemidsection.

GETTINGUP

GroundfightingWheneveryou’reontheground,yourprimarygoalistogetup.Evengoodgroundfightersmustbeawareofthedangersofremainingontheground,sinceanyattackermayhaveaweaponoranaccomplice.

However,gettingupisalsoatacticaldecision.Ifyouropponentisstandingtooclose,youwillexposeyourselftodangerwhilerising.Herewedescribethesafestwaytostandupfromagroundfightingposition.

STARTINGPOSITION:Ontheground,BackorSidePosition(BackPositionshown).

1.Assumeyourattackerhasbackedoff,perhapsinresponsetoakick.Bringyourselfuptoamodifiedsittingposition,keepingyourbasefootontheground,yourkickingfootup,andonehandonthesamesideasthebasefootupdefensively.Yourotherhandshouldbeonthegroundforsupport.Yourkickingfootshouldbereadytostompoutward,althoughitwillbelesspowerfulinthisposition.Usingyourbasefootandbasehand,liftyourhipsofftheground.

2.Quicklyswingyourkickingfootbackbeneathyou;besuretoplaceitbehindyou,notdirectlybeneathyourhips.

3.Standup,coveringdistancebackwardasyoudo.

TIPSWhenswingingyourfootbeneathyou,moveyourfootandhiponadiagonalratherthanstraightback.Thisisaneasiermovement.

Ifyoucannotliftyourhipsoffthegroundusingonehand,youcanusetwo.Justbeawarethatyouarelessprotectedthisway.

OrangeBelt

ORANGEBELT

OVERVIEW

OrangeBelt(sometimestermed“Level2”ataKravMagaWorldwideschool)isthesecondstageofourcurriculum.Hereyou’lllearnbasicstrikessuchashookpunchesanduppercutpunches,sidekicks,andbackkicks.You’llalsolearnhowtodealwithmorecommonattackssuchasbearhugs.

Theaveragetrainingtimeforthislevelissixmonths,assumingyoutrainatleasttwiceaweek.Atthislevel,youwillseethecontinuationoftheKravMagaprinciples.Forinstance,inYellowBeltyoulearnedthepluckingprincipletodefendagainstanattacker’shandsonyourthroat.InOrangeBelt,youwillapplythatsamepluckingprincipletoaheadlockfrombehind.

InYellowBelt,wetouchedongroundfightingpositions,movement,andkicks.InOrangeBelt,youwilllearnhowtohandleanattackerwhoisactuallyontopofyou.Thisisvitalbecause,althoughweneverrecommendgoingtotheground,sometimesinafightyouhavenochoiceandmustdealwiththesituationthatisimposeduponyou.

Thefollowingmaterialiscoveredatthislevel:

CombativesOnceyouhavemasteredbasiccombatives,begintopracticecombinations.Anycombinationthatdevelopsyourskillindeliveringmultipleattacksatvariousanglesandheightsisbeneficial.However,thebestcombinationsarethosewithpracticalapplicationsinafight.Onlyafewbasiccombinationsaredescribedhere.Youshouldfeelfreetodevelopyourown.Asabeginner,it’simportanttokeepfocusingasmuchontheindividualtechniquesasonthecombination.Beginwithsimplecombinationsandaddtothemasyoubecomemoreconfident.Inallcombinations,thestrikesshouldoverlap.Asyoufinishonepunch,thenextshouldalreadybetravelingtowardthetarget.

shouldalreadybetravelingtowardthetarget.

DefensesandSelf-DefenseWheneverpossible,KravMagapreferstodefendkickswiththelegs.However,incertaininstancesitmaybenecessarytomakehanddefensesinstead.Thissectiondescribesbothlegandhanddefensesagainstlowkicks.Italsotouchesonseveralcommonself-defensescenarios.

ChokeDefenseagainstaWallThesedefensesaredirectlyrelatedtoChokewithaPush(page<?>).However,somepointsofemphasisareimportantenoughtowarrantaseparatelesson.Basicknowledgeofthistypeofchokemustincludetheunderstandingthatyoumaybedrivenbothbackintothewallandupward.

HeadlockfromBehindHeadlocksfrombehindrepresentthemostdangerousandimmediatethreats.Alltrainingshouldconsiderthisdangerandtheneedtorespondasquicklyaspossible.Thebar-armversionoftheheadlockpresentsamoreimmediateattack,quicklycrushingthewindpipe.However,itismoderatelyeasiertodefend.Thecarotidchoketakesslightlylongerbeforeitiseffective,butismoredifficulttodealwith.

Althoughwepresenttwoheadlockdefenses,aquickreviewwillrevealthattheyareessentiallythesamedefense.Theonlyrealdifferencesare:a)youhavetoreachfartherbackagainstthecarotidchoke,andb)thebararmrequiresyoutopluckdownalongyourchest,whereasthecarotidchokerequiresyoutopluckalongyourshoulder.Thispluckinganglehappensalmostautomatically.

ANoteonTrainingfromaDisadvantage:AlthoughKravMagaprinciplesalwaysemphasizetrainingfromadisadvantage,youshouldneverletanyonegetyouintoastrongheadlock(especiallythecarotidchoke)andthentrytomakethedefense.Alwaysrespondasearlyaspossible!

BearhugsBearhugsrepresentacommontypeofattack,especially(butnotexclusively)againstwomen.Youshouldbeawareofthefollowing:Assumingyouare

againstwomen.Youshouldbeawareofthefollowing:Assumingyouaresurprised,iftheattacker’sintentionistotakeyoutotheground,youaregoingtotheground,andyoufightfromthere.Noneofthesetechniques(infact,notechnique)willworkifyouaretotallysurprisedbya“dumping”motion.That’swheregroundfightingcomesin.

Thesetechniquesassumethateitherthereissomedelayinthedumpingtechnique(causedbyyouortheattacker’smethod)orthathisintentionistoholdyou,ortakeyousomewhere,ratherthanputyouonthegroundimmediately.

Bearhugsareapartofmanydangerousscenarios,includingbeingcarriedintoasecludedareaorbeingdumpedontheground.However,whileallthesesituationsareproblematic,thereisnoimmediatedangerpresentedbythebearhugitself.Unlikechokes,bearhugsthemselvesdonotcauseimmediatedamage.Thisisimportantbecausewithnoimmediatedangertoaddress,KravMaga’sresponseistocounterattackimmediately.Ifthereisevenminimalspacetooperate,KravMagasimplycounterattacks.Iftheattackerishuggingyoucloseenoughtolimitevenshortkneesandfootstomps,youmustcreateatleastminimalspacetooperate.

Allthesetechniqueswillbeginwitha“spaceandbase”reaction;shiftyourhipsback,bodyslightlyforward,feetinafightingstance,andcenterofgravitylow.

FallsThefightisunpredictable,andyoumayenduponthegroundforavarietyofreasons(slipping,beingswept,ortrippingoverobstacles,forexample).Itisimportanttolearnhowtofallsafely.

GroundfightingIntheYellowBeltsection,weintroducedverybasicissuesontheground—movementandkicking.InOrangeBelt,weincludebasicgrapplingskillsappliedinself-defensesituations.Thesetechniquesarestillbasic,andareappliedinself-defensesituationsonly.Whilethesetechniquesdoassumeverystrongattacks,theydonotaddressalltheaspectsofagroundfight.Theyareexplosiveresponsestoimmediatethreats,ratherthanthe“chessmatch”responseandcounterresponsemovesofalargergroundfightingprogram.Asyoutraininthesetechniques,beawarethatthereisamuchlargerworldofgroundfighting,andthatthesetechniquesareonlyasmallportionrelatedtoself-defense.

thatthesetechniquesareonlyasmallportionrelatedtoself-defense.

ANoteonKravMaga’sApproachtoGroundfighting:Whetheryouareproficientonthegroundornot,ourmainobjectiveduringagroundfightalwaysremainsthesame:togetupasquicklyaspossible!

Duringgroundfights,youareextremelyvulnerabletoasecondattacker,ortostabsiftheopponentproducesanedged/pointedweapon.

Thereareafewbasictermsandpositionsyoushouldknowbeforereadingfurther.

Mount:onepersonontop,straddlingthebottomperson.

Guard:thepersononthebottomhashislegswrappedaroundthetopperson,givingthebottompersonsomemeasureofcontrol.

BOBBINGANDWEAVINGCombativesBobbingandweavingaredefensivemaneuversusedtoavoidpunches.Theycanbeextremelyhandy,evenifyou’reinterestedonlyinself-defense.

1.Dropstraightdownbybendingslightlyatyourkneesandslightlyatyourwaist,contractingyourabs.Keepyourhandsup!

2.Riseupandtotheside—NOTstraightbackup.Themovementshouldbetothedead(i.e.,punching)side.Inotherwords,againstalefthook,riseupandtoyourright.Againstarighthook,riseupandtoyourleft.Generally,therisingmovementshouldbeforwardaswellastotheside.Thisputsyouinagoodpositiontocounterattack.

Besurenottolookdownasyouduck.Youreyesshouldstayupsoyoucanseethefight.

SLIPPING

Combatives“Slipping”istheactofmovingfromsidetosidetoavoidapunch(generallyastraightoruppercut).Usuallyyoucanslipbysimplymakingasmallheadorbodydefense.

1.Astheattacker’spunchdevelops,moveyourheadsidewaysandin,towardthedeadsideofthepunch(i.e.,ifaleftpunchisthrown,movetotherightandinward;ifarightpunchisthrown,movetotheleftandinward).Themotionshouldbelargeenoughtoevadethepunch,butstillassmallaspossible(don’texaggeratethemotion).

TIPSBesurethemovementistothesideandINWARDsothatyoucangivecounterattacks.

HOOKPUNCH

CombativesAhookpunchisgenerallysuitablewhenyouropponentisclose.Ratherthanpunchingstraightahead,youbendyourelbowandpuncharoundyouropponent’sdefense,aimingatthesideofhisfaceorbody.Bodymovementisextremelyimportantwhenexecutingahookpunch.

1.Sendyourleftfistforward,bringingyourelbowupsothatyourforearmisparalleltothefloor.Theelbowshouldremainbent.Asyourhandtravelstothetarget,themeatypart(thepinkyendofthefist)shouldremaindown.Rotateyourleftshoulderandhipforwardandinward,addingpowerinthedirectionofthepunch.Makecontactwithyourfirsttwoknucklesagainstthesideofyouropponent’sjaworbody.Pivotingtheleft(front)footwilladdpowertoaleft(orforward)hookpunch.

2.Recoil.Thefastestwaytorecoverfromthehookpunchistosimplydropyourelbowdown.Thisbringsyourhandupintoaguardposition.Thenrotateyourbodybackintoanormalfightingstance.

Forbeginners,weemphasizepunchingwiththepinkydowntoprotectthehead.Onceyouhavepracticed,youcanrotateyourfistsothatthepalmfacesdown.

UPPERCUTPUNCH

CombativesAnuppercutcanbethoughtofasahookpunchatadifferentangle.Whereasthebodyrotatesinwardinthedirectionofthehookpunch,theuppercutpunchrotatesthebodyupward.

1.Bendslightlyatthewaist(contractingyourabs)andknees.Thiswilldropyourcenterabitbelowthetarget.Theamountofbendcanbeveryslight,dependingontheheightofyouropponent.Themeatypartofyourfistfacesoutward(towardyouropponent’sbody).

2.Punchoutandupward,rotatingyourleftshoulderinwardandupward.Keepyourelbowclosetoyourbodyatalltimes.Donotdropyourhanddowntoyourwaist—thiswouldexposeyoutoacounterpunch.Asyourpunchrisestowardthetarget,driveyourlegsupwardaswell,addingpower.Justbeforecontact,rotateyourfistsothatyourpalmfacesbacktowardyou,whichaddstorquetothepunch.

Recoil.Theuppercutshouldpunchthroughthetarget,thenpullbackdowninapiston-likemotion.

Useyourlegstogeneratepower.

Don’tforgetyoucanmakearightuppercutaswell.

LEFT/RIGHT/LEFTHOOKCombativesThissequenceisarapidcombinationofleftstraightpunch,rightstraightpunch,andlefthook.Theattackchangesangles,andpossiblyheights.

1.Throwaleftstraightpunch.Besureyourlefthandcomesbacktoyourfaceasitrecoils(don’tletitrecoillowinpreparationforthehook).

2.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendarightstraightpunch,rotatingyourhipsforpowerbutnotchangingyourstance.

3.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendalefthook,turninginwithyourlefthipandshoulder.

Recoil,returningtofightingstance.

TIPSTherhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidapausebetweentherightpunchandthehook.Thepunchesshouldoverlap(i.e.,begintherightpunchastheleftrecoils,notafter).

Yourpartnershouldbringthefocusmittintoaboutthecenterofhischestwhenholdingforthehookpunch,andtiltthefingersoutwardslightly,creatingasafeangleforyourpunch.

LEFT/RIGHT/LEFTHOOK/RIGHTUPPERCUTCombatives

3.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendalefthook,turninginwithyourlefthipandshoulder.Besureyourrighthandrecoilstoyourfaceaftertherightstraightpunch,andNOTlowasthoughpreparingfortheuppercut.

4.Continuewitharightuppercutpunch.

Therhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidanyhesitationafterthetwostraightsandbeforethehook/uppercut.

LEFT/RIGHT/BOB/RIGHT

CombativesThiscombinationsimulatesthrowingaleft/rightcombination,thenduckingalefthookandcounteringwithanotherrightpunch.

1.Throwaleftstraightpunch.Besureyourlefthandcomesbacktoyourfaceasitrecoils(don’tletitrecoillow).

3–4.Keepingyourhandsup,duckor“bob”toevadealefthook.Theduckingmotionmaymoveyouslightlybackward,butthisshouldaddmorepowertotheimminentrightcross.

5.Deliverarightcrosspunch.Makesurethereisnodelayindeliveringit—beginyourpunchevenasyouarerisingfromthebob.

LEFTPUNCH/RIGHTELBOW

Combatives

1.Makeastrongleftjab(don’tcheatitinpreparationfortheelbow).Asyouthrowthejab,makeasmalladvancetosetuptheelbow.Theadvanceshouldplaceyouslightlyoutsideyouropponent’sfoot.

2.Deliverarightelbowstrike.

Recoverquickly—don’tlettheelbowstriketakeyouoffbalance.

LEFT/RIGHT/LEFTHOOK/RIGHTELBOWCombativesThiscombinationissimilartoLeft/Right/LeftHook/RightUppercut,excepttheuppercutisreplacedwithElbow#1.

3.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendalefthook,turninginwithyourlefthipandshoulder.Besureyourrighthandrecoilstoyourfaceaftertherightstraightpunch,andNOTlowasthoughpreparingfortheelbow.

4.Continuewitharightelbowstrike.Besureyou’recloseenoughtothrowtheelbow!

Therhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidanyhesitationafterthetwostraightsandbeforethehook/elbow.

RIGHTUPPERCUT/LEFTHOOK/RIGHTCROSSCombativesThiscombinationisuniquebecauseitisinitiatedwithanuppercutinsteadofastraightpunch.Therightcrosscaneasilybereplacedwitharightelbow.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,closeintoaccommodatetheuppercutpunch.

1.Throwarightuppercut.

2.Recoil.Makesureyourrighthandrecoilstoyourfaceafterthepunch.Immediatelyfollowwithalefthook.

3.Recoilandimmediatelyfollowwitharightcross.

TIPSTherhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidanyhesitationbetweenthem.Theuppercutshouldloadthelefthook.

DEFENSIVEFRONTKICK

CombativesUnlikeFrontKicktoaVerticalTarget(page74),whichisdesignedtopenetrateandcausedamage,themainpurposeofadefensivefrontkickistoeitherstopanadvancingopponentortopushacloseopponenttoagreaterdistance.Forthisreason,wekickwiththewholefoot.Moresurfaceareameansthekickwillpushmorethanpenetrate.

Caution:Ifyouarenotexperiencedwithkicks,youareindangerofhyperextendingyourknees.Alwayspracticethekickagainstastationaryopponentbeforeworkingagainstanadvancingtarget.Thenbeginworkingagainstanadvancingtargetthatismovingslowly.

1.Bringyourrightkneeuphigh,withyourtoesflexedback(notpointed).Sendyourfootforward,kickingwiththeentiresoleofyourfoot(balltoheel).Oncontact,yourkneeshouldstillbeslightlybent.Aswithanykick,besuretoextendyourhip,whichaddsreachandpower.Also,drivewithyourbaselegfor

morepower.

Recoil(eitherforwardorback)quickly.

SIDEKICK

CombativesSidekickdiffersfromfrontkickandroundkick;itissimilartoastomp.Contactismadewiththebottomoftheheel.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.Thetargetshouldbedirectlytoyourrightside.

1.Usingtheright(closest)leg,bringyourkneeandfootupinfrontofyourbody.

2.Sendthebottomofyourheelouttowardthetargetwhilepunchingyourhipsinthesamedirection.Formorepowerandgreaterheight,bendyourbodyovertheoppositehip.Asyourfootmovestowardthetarget,pivotyourleft(base)footoutsothatyourleftheelpointstowardthetarget.Makecontactwiththebottomofyourrightheel.Yourkneeshouldbeslightlybentwhenyoumakecontact.

Recoilbymakingasharpmovementtobringyourfootbacktowardyouanddown,whilestraighteningyourbodybacktoaverticalfightingstance.Turnandfacetheattacker.

Althoughyourshouldersmayleanawayfromthetarget,yourweightshouldtransferthroughyourhipsintothetarget.

SIDEKICKWITHADVANCE

CombativesSidekickwithadvanceletsyoucoverdistanceanddelivermorepower.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.Thetargetshouldbedirectlytoyourrightside.

1–2.Bursttowardyourtargetwithaswitch:simultaneouslybringyourleft(back)legtowardthetargetwhilebringingyourright(close)legup,kneechamberedinfrontofyourbody.Yourleftheelshouldpointatthetarget.

3.Sendthebottomofyourrightheeltowardthetargetwhileshiftingyourhipsinthesamedirection.Formorepowerandgreaterheight,bendyourbodyoveryourlefthip.Makecontactwiththebottomofyourheel.Keepaslightbendinyourkneewhenyoumakecontact.

Recoilbymakingasharpmovementthatbringsyourfootbacktowardyouanddown,whilestraighteningyourbodyuprighttoafightingstance.

BACKKICK

CombativesBackkickismorelikesidekickthanfrontorroundkick,inthesensethatit’ssimilartoastomp.Youmakecontactwiththebottomofyourheel.Practicebackkickfirstwhileinplace,thenpracticeitwithasmallstep.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.Thetargetisbehindyou.First,recognizethethreatwithabrief,naturalglanceoveryourshoulder.

1–2.Chamberyourrightkneeinfrontofyou,thensendyourrightfootbackward,toesdown(notpointed),towardthetarget.Makecontactwithyourheelgoingintothetarget.Atthesametime,bendyourbodyforwardandshiftyourhipsbackwardintothekick.Asyoukick,lookaroundyourarm,notoveryourshoulder.Ifyoucontinuelookingoveryourshoulder,youwillbeunabletobendandshiftyourweightintothekick.

Recoil.Asabeginner,youmayendupwithyourbacktothetarget.Onceyou’vemasteredthekick,recoilwhilepivotingonyourleft(base)footsothatyouarefacingthetarget.

UPPERCUTBACKKICK(SHORT)CombativesThisattackisgenerallymadetoanopponentwhoisbehindyou.ItisusefulasonecounterattackagainstBearhugfromBehind(page307),especiallywhenyou’rebeingliftedofftheground.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.Yourtargetisbehindyou.

1.Raiseyourrightfootupsharply,withyourkneefullybent.Strikewithyourheel.Asmuchaspossible,“pop”yourhipupwiththehelpofyourleftlegforaddedpower.

TIPSBendingyourkneesharplyallowsafullrangeofmotion.

FRONTKICKWITHADVANCE(FROMAFIGHTINGSTANCE)CombativesYoucanperformafrontkickwithanadvancewhenthetargetisbeyondkickingrange.Aswithalladvancingkicks,thetechniqueismadeusingthelegclosesttothetarget.Youcanstartfromaneutralstanceorfightingstance.

1–2.Bringyourrightfootforwardwhilesimultaneouslybringingyourleftfootupinafrontkick.Themovementshouldbemadewitha“switching”actionsothatthemovementsofthefrontandbacklegarealmostsimultaneous.

Landwithyourkickinglegslightlytotheoutside.

Donotstepfirstandthenkick.Makethemovementsascloseintimeaspossible.

Donotjumpupwardwhenmakingtheswitch;instead,thinkoftravelingforwardalongtheground.

FRONTKICKWITHADVANCE(FROMANEUTRALSTANCE)CombativesInthistechnique,youmaykickwitheitherfoot.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralstance.

1–2.Burstdiagonallyforwardwithonefootwhiledeliveringafrontkickwiththeother.

Landwiththekickinglegslightlytotheoutside.

DONOTstepfirstandthenkick.Themovementsshouldbesimultaneous.

SIDEKICKORBACKKICK/HAMMERFIST

CombativesAfterdeliveringabackkickorsidekick(sidekickisshownhere),thenextmostimmediateweaponisoftenahorizontalhammerfistwiththecorrespondinghand.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,withthetargettoyourleftside.

1.Deliverasidekick(orbackkick),beingsuretorecoilyourfootafterimpact.

2.Asyouplaceyourkickingfootdown,putitinapositionsothatyoucanadequatelydeliverthehammerfist(inotherwords,slightlyoutsideandbeyondthetarget).

Asyourfootlands,youshouldbedeliveringthehammerfist.

INSIDEPUNCHDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKAGAINSTLEFTPUNCHDefensesOnceyouhavemasteredthebasicdefenseagainststraightpunches,addcounterattacksthatwilleliminateorinhibitfurtherattacks.

1–2.Asyouropponent’sleftpunchdevelops,makeaninsidedefensewithyourrighthand.Atthesametime,makealeftjabtoyourattacker’sface.

Besurethatthebodydefenseaccompanyingyourhanddefensetakesyouforward,allowingyoutoputstrengthintoyourcounterattack.

INSIDEPUNCHDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKAGAINSTLEFTPUNCHUSINGLEFTHAND

DefensesYoumayhavetodefendagainstaleftpunchwithyourlefthand,eitherbecauseofaninjurytoyourrighthandorbymisreadingtheattackandattemptingtorecoverfromabadposition.Weneverpreferthisdefense.

1.Astheattacker’sleftpunchdevelops,withyourlefthandmakearegularinsidedefense.Foradditionalsafety,rotateyourwristsharplyasyouredirect,tryingtostayclosetotheattacker’swrist.Yourdefensewillnowbemadeagainsttheinsideoftheattackinghand,ratherthantheoutsideasusual.Yourhanddefenseshouldbeaccompaniedbyabodydefense.Thebodydefensemaybeslightlylargerthanusualtoaccommodatethepossibilitythattheattacker’selbowmaybendaroundyourdefense.

2.Immediatelymakeahammerfisttotheheadwithyourlefthand.Besuretobringyourleftshoulderupandtuckyourchinwhilemakingthecounterattack.Thisreducesyourexposuretotheattacker’srightpunch.

Followwithadditionalcounterattacks.

INSIDEDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKAGAINSTRIGHTPUNCH(TWOCOUNTERS)DefensesSTARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance

1.Astheattacker’srightpunchdevelops,makeaninsidedefensewithyourlefthand.Atthesametime,makearightpunchlowtotheattacker’sribsorstomach.Besureyourecoilthepunch.

2.Usinga“hooking”motionwithyourlefthand,pulltheattacker’srighthanddownslightly.

3.Havingclearedtherightpunch,burstinwithyourfeetandmakearightpunchtotheattacker’sface.

TIPSIfyourreactiontimeisgood,youshouldburstinduringtheinitialdefense.

Also,whenyouhooktheattacker’shand,donotpulldowntoofar;onlypulldownenoughtoclearhishandoutoftheway.Ifyoupulltoofar,yourhandwillbeoutofposition.

INSIDEDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKAGAINSTRIGHTPUNCH(ONECOUNTER)DefensesOftenyouwillnothavetimetomakeasimultaneousdefenseandcounterattacktothebody.Inthiscase,asinglecounterattackmustsuffice.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance

1.Astheattacker’srightpunchdevelops,makeaninsidedefensewithyourlefthand.

2.Usinga“hooking”motionwithyourlefthand,pulltheattacker’srighthanddown.

3.Havingclearedtherightpunch,burstinwithyourfeetandmakearightpunchtotheattacker’sface.Thepunchshouldfollowthedefenseassoonaspossible.

TIPSWhenyouhooktheattacker’shand,donotpulldowntoofar;onlypulldownenoughtoclearhishandoutoftheway.Ifyoupulltoofar,yourhandwillbeoutofposition.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHOOKPUNCH(EXTENDED)DefensesThisdefense,whichissimilarto360ºDefense#3,ismadeagainstahookpunch.Theattackcomesfromtheoutside,andyoumakeyourdefensewithanoutwardmotiontomeetit.Thisdefensestopstheattack.

1.Astheattacker’spunchdevelops,sendyourleftforearmouttomeetit,yourhandinafist.Yourelbowshouldbebentandthebackofyourhandshouldfacetheattack.Makecontactasclosetotheattacker’swristaspossible.Avoidmakingcontactathiselbow—thiswouldallowthepunchtocomearoundyourdefense.Asyoumakethedefense,takeyourheadforwardandinslightly.Thisbodydefensehelpsavoidahookpunch.

TIPSGenerally,thedirectionofyourdefensewillbesidewaysfromtheshoulder,notforward.Youmayalsosimplyuse360ºDefenses.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHOOKPUNCH(COVERING)DefensesThistechniqueisaprotectivecoveringdefense.Theadvantageisthatyouleaveverylittleroomforanattacktopenetrate.Ifyoumakethedefensewell,yourforearmandbicepprotectyourheadfrominjury.Thedisadvantagesarethatyourribsaremoreexposedandyoumaybeabitslowertocounterattack.Inaddition,thecoveringdefensedoesnothelpagainstaknifeattack.Forthisreason,wegenerallyprefertheextendeddefense.

1.Asanattacker’slefthookpunchcomestowardyou,drawyourrightfistbacksothatit’stouchingthebackofyourheadandyourforearmispressedagainstthesideofyourhead.Yourelbowshouldpointforward,notoutatanangle.Ifit’soutatanangle,yourchinwillbeopentouppercuts.

Don’tjustbringyourhandbacktothesideofyourhead.Yourhanditselfdoesnotofferprotectionandcanbedamaged(remember,we’renotwearingboxingglovesonthestreet).Bringyourhandfarenoughbacksothattheforearmprotectsyourhead.

DEFENSEAGAINSTUPPERCUTPUNCH

DefensesThisdefenseredirectstheuppercutpunch.SomeoftheprinciplesofthisdefensearethesameasforInsideDefensesagainstStraightPunches:defendwiththesame-sidearm;themovementisinward;thedefenseredirectsthepunch.

1–2.Asanattacker’srightuppercutpunchbegins,moveyourleft(mirror-side)arminwardandupward.Yourelbowshouldleadthemotion.Makecontactwithyourarmtothesideoftheattacker’sarm.

3.Continuethemotioninwardandupward,rotatingyourhandandforearmandredirectingthepunchawayfromyourface.Asyoumakethearmmotion,allowyourarmtoturnyourbodyandtakeyourheadtotheoutside,creatingabodydefense.

360ºDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKDefenses“Defendandcounterattackatthesametime”isabasicprincipleofKravMaga.360ºDefensescaneasilybemadewithasimultaneouscounterattack.

1–2.Defendagainstanyattackwitha360ºDefense.Addapunchtothefacewithyourfreehand.

Thepunchshouldbesimultaneouswiththedefense.

Youshouldtrainfromdifferentstatesofreadiness.Ifyouareearly,youshouldburstforwardwithyourfeet.Ifyouarelate,youmaynothavetimetomoveyourfeetbutshouldstillputweightintothedefenseandcounterattack.

REFLEXIVEDEFENSEAGAINSTFRONTKICK

DefensesThisdefenseisreflexive,andassumesthatyouarenotexpectinganattackofanykindandcanonlyrespondinstinctively.Thiskickalsoassumesthatyourhandsaredownatyoursidesatthebeginningoftheattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passive/neutralstance.

1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,sweepyourlefthandacrossyourbody.Bendatthewaisttoreachthekickatanearlypoint.Themovementofyourarmshouldbeonadiagonal,outandawayfromyourbody.Yourarmshouldbestiffandstraight,withfingersextended.Makesureyourwristisstraight!Youdonotwanttocreateanyanglesagainstthekick.

2.Withthisrigiddefendingarm,redirectthesideofthekickingleg.Atthesametime,makeabodydefense,leaninginwithyourleftshoulder,pivotingyourrightshoulderandhipoutofthelineoftheattack.Yourrighthandshouldriseupandacrosstotheleftsideofyourface.Thisputsyourhandinapositiontodefendeitheraleftorrightpunch.

3–4.Asyoumakethedefense,burstin.Trapwithyourrighthand,thenswitchthetraptoyourlefthandtocounterattackwithyourright.

Toprotectyourdefendingarmfromhyperextension,youmaybendyourelbowslightly.

VARIATION:Alternately,withyourrighthand,traptheattacker’srighthand,counterattackingwiththeleft.Thisisfaster,butmaybelesscomfortableandpowerful.

OUTSIDESTABBINGDEFENSEAGAINSTFRONTKICKDefensesThisdefenseismadefromafightingstancewhenyourlegsareunavailabletodefend,suchaswhenyou’velostyourbalanceoryourlegsareinjured.

1.Asanattacker’skickdevelops,stabdowntowardtheattacker’skneewithyourright(back)hand;burstintowardtheattackerataslightdiagonal.Keepyourelbowinandthemeatypartofyourhandpointingbacktowardyourbody.Thisensuresthatyourarmisstraight,creatingnoangleagainstthekick.Keepyourshoulderssquaretoyourattacker—turningyourrightsideinwillredirectthekicktoyourbody,notawayfromit.Besureyourlefthandisup,protectingyourface,incasethekickisfollowedbyanimmediatepunch.Assoonasyou’veredirectedthekick,moveyourrightarmslightlyoutward,creatingalargerdefense.

TIPSIftheattackerdidnotthrowapunch,useyourleft(forward)handtopunch.Makethepunchassoonaspossibleafterthekick,andfollowwitharightpunchandadditionalcounterattacks.

Iftheattackerthrewapunch,useyourlefthandtodefendthentrap,andcounterattackwiththeright.

PLUCKINGDEFENSEAGAINSTLOWTOMEDIUMFRONTKICKDefensesThisdefensecanbemadetotheliveordeadside,usingeitherhand.However,itisgenerallyeasiertodefendonyourlivesidebecauseitmakesthebodydefensesimpler(thehipsarealreadyturned).However,thesetwooptionsarenotalwaysofferedatthesametime.

1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,reachoutwithyourrighthandtowardtherisingkick;trytoavoidofferinganangletothekickthatcouldcauseyoutobekickedontheforearm.

2–3.Asyourhandpassesthekick,pluckbackward,lettingyourelbowandforearmslidetightalongyourbody.Asyoupluckorpullatthefoot,letthatmotionpullyourbodyforward(withyourleftsideleading),makingabodydefense;burstinwithyourfeet.Ifyouplucktoyourliveside,youwillburstforwardinaregularfightingposition.

4.Counterattackwithyourrighthand.

Thistechniquemustbeperformedquickly;yourdefendinghandmovesinaquick“pickpocket”motion.

INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHFRONTKICK

DefensesThisisaredirectingdefense.

1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,bringyourleft(forward)forearmacrossyourfaceandupperbody,paralleltothefloor.Yourhandmaybeinafist—rotateitsothatthemeatypartofyourhandmakesthedeflection.Asyoumakethehanddefense,addasmallbodydefensebymovingyourleftshoulderinandturningyourrightshoulderslightlyout.Besureyourweightstaysinthefight!

2.Continuewithcounters:eitherahammerfistwiththelefthand(aftermakingthedefense)orarightcross(orboth).

DEFENSEAGAINSTLOWROUNDKICK(USINGTHESHIN)DefensesSTARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.

1.Astheattackermakesarightroundkick,bringyourleftkneeup,angledoutatabout45°(yourkneeshouldpointtowardtheincomingkick).Yourtoesshouldbepulledup(thishelpstoflexthemusclesalongthecalf,offeringatleastsomeprotectionfortheshin).Incasethekickcomeshighinsteadoflow,haveyourleftarmupinadefensivepositionwiththeelbowtouchingyourleft(defending)thigh,makingacompletewallfromfoottofist.

2.Trytomakethedefensewiththemiddleorupperportionofyourshinagainsttheattacker’sankle.Asthekickmakescontact,letyourshin“give”slightly,creatingashockabsorbereffect.Thenpopyourfootbackout,pushingthekickingfootaway.

Iftheattackerdeliversaleftroundkicklow,youmayofcourseusetheother(rear)leg.However,someleftroundkickstargetyourforwardleg,soyoumayuseyourforwardlegtodefend.Theruleofthumb:Usetheclosestlegtodefend!

DEFENSEAGAINSTLOWROUNDKICK(ABSORBINGWITHTHIGH)DefensesSTARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.

1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,pivotontheballofyourleftfootsoyourkneepointstowardtheincomingkick.Flexyourquadriceps(thighmuscles)andbendyourkneeslightly.Taketheimpactonthestrongthighmuscle.Donottakethekickonthesideofyourleg,whichismorepainful.

STOPKICKDEFENSEAGAINSTFRONTKICKDefenses

1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,liftyourleftkneealmostasthoughpreparingtogiveasidekick(butdon’tchamberquitethathigh).

2.Withyourtoesturnedinward,stompontheattacker’sshinor,ifyoumeettheattackveryearly,hisknee.

Thisdefenseisveryeffective,butitassumesyouseethekickearlyorintime.

DEFENSEAGAINSTFRONTKICK(REDIRECTINGWITHSHIN)DefensesSTARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.

1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,bringyourleftkneeupandacrossyourgroin.Yourkneeshouldnotbetoobent(inotherwords,thefootshouldbealmostrightbeneaththeknee).Ifitisbent,thiscreatesanangleagainstthefrontkick,whichyoudon’twant.Yourshinshouldbrushthesideoftheattackingfootorleg.Asyoumakecontact,redirectthekickawayfromyourgroin,allowingthemotiontocontinue,ifpossible.

CHOKEFROMTHEFRONTAGAINSTAWALLSelf-DefensePracticethedefenseagainstChokefromtheFrontwithaPush(page102).

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,backtoawall,withanattackerchokingyoufromthefront,pinningyoutothewall.

1.Stabyourlefthandstraightuptothesky.Yourleftbicep/shouldershouldbeasclosetoyourleftearaspossible.

2.Turnsharplytotheright,droppingyourrightshoulderdownsothatyourbodyandneckstayagainstthewall.

3.Cleartheattacker’shands:bendslightlyattheknees,deliveringadownward

verticalelbowstrike(#7)withyourleftarm,whilebringingyourrighthandupinatrappingmotion.

4.Deliveranupwardangledelbowstrike(#2)toyouropponent’sface.Besurethereisweightbehindtheattack!Continuewithfurthercounters.

TIPSDroppingyourshoulderisvital.Ifyoukeepyourshoulderupasyouturn,youwillincreasethepressureonyourthroat,whichisnotgood.Dropyourshoulderasyourotateandthehandswillcomeoffyourthroatsmoothly.

CHOKEFROMBEHINDAGAINSTAWALLSelf-DefenseAlltheprinciplesofChokefromBehindwithaPush(page105)apply.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,facingawall,withanattackerchokingyoufrombehind.

1–2.Raiseonehandupalongthewallandturnsharplybacktowardtheattacker.UnlikeinChokefromtheFront(page189),youdonothavetheoptionofdefendingtoeitherside.Yourfacewillbeturnedtoonesideortheother,andyoumustpivotinthatdirection.Asyouturn,droptheshoulderonthenon-defendingsidedownsothatyourbodyandneckstayagainstthewall.

3.Bringyourelbowdowntocleartheattacker’shandsandpinthemagainstyourbody.

4–5.Atthesametime,counterattackwithapunch,followedbymultipleknees.

CHOKEFROMBEHINDWITHAPULLSelf-DefenseAstheattackerchokesandbeginstopull,intrainingletyourselfbepulledoffbalancebeforereacting(tosimulatearealsituation).

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,withanattackerchokingandpullingfrombehind.

1–2.Immediatelymakethepluckingmotion(thisisinstinctive)asthoughperformingaregularChokefromBehinddefense.Atthesametime,youmaytakeasmallstepbackwardwithonefoot.Thisisalsoinstinctive,tokeepyourbalance.Intraining,besurethestepissmall,asalargestepwillbeunlikelywhenyouaresurprised.

3.Asyoupluck,stepthenpivotsharplytowardyourbackfoot,keepingholdoftheattacker’shandonthatside.

4.Asyoupivot,burstforwardwiththeotherfootandreleasetheattacker’soppositehand.Bringyourhandoverandpressagainstthepinkysideoftheattacker’shandwiththeheelofyourpalm(seeclose-up).Keephishandrelativelysquareinfrontofyourbody.

5.Asyoucompletethelargestep,makeafrontkickor,ifappropriate,aroundkick(usingtheballofthefootifpossible)totheattacker’sgroin.ThiscanbefollowedbyaSideKicktotheknee,oradditionalattacks.

Theburstingmotionyouperformwhilepivoting(Step4)servesthreepurposes:1)itincreasespressureontheattacker’swrist;2)ithelpsyouregainyourbalance;and3)itgetsyoufartherawayfromtheattacker’sotherweapons.

HEADLOCKFROMBEHIND(BARARM)Self-DefenseHere,theattackerlayshisforearmacrossyourthroattocrushit.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,withanattackerapplyingaheadlockfrombehind.

1.Ifpossible,turnyourchinawayfromtheelbowandtowardtheattacker’sjoinedhands.Dropyourchindown.Sendbothhandsupandbackwardtotheattacker’sjoinedhands.Notethatbothyourhandsgooveroneshoulder;yourcloserhandcanleadtheotherslightly.Sendyourhandsbackfarenoughtoensurethey’llreachtheattacker’shands(thishasthepotentialbenefitofscratchingtheattacker’seyes).

2.Usingthepluckingmotion,pullyourhandssharplydownalongyourchest(notethatthemotionisexplosive);turnyourinsideshouldersharplyinwardtocreateadditionalspace.

3–4.Slideyourheadoutoftheopening.

5.Makeimmediatecounterattackswithkicks,knees,fists,orwhateverisconvenient.

TIPSBypluckingdownalongyourchest,youwillbeplucking90°againstthechoke.Thisknowledgebecomesimportantforanoverallunderstandingofthedefense,butneednotbestudiedinitially.

Bothhandsmaytravelatthesametime,butthehandclosesttotheattacker’s

Bothhandsmaytravelatthesametime,butthehandclosesttotheattacker’shandsmayarrivefirst.Ifso,thesecondhandshouldarriveimmediatelytohelp.

HEADLOCKFROMBEHIND(CAROTIDCHOKE)Self-DefenseAlthoughthecarotidchokepresentsagreaterdangerthanthebararm,thedefenseisessentiallythesame.Theattackerreachesaroundyourneck,puttingyourthroatinthecrookofhiselbow.Inthisposition,hecanputpressureonthecarotidarteriesatthesidesofyourneck,stoppingbloodflowtoyourbrainandputtingyouto“sleep.”

Beawarethatanexperiencedattacker,giventime,cancreateproblematicattacksbycrossinghisreararmagainstthebackofyourneck,increasingpressureandhidingtheweakpartofthechoke.Forthisreason,awarenessandimmediatereactionbecomethebestdefenses.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance,withanattackerapplyingachokingheadlockfrombehind.

1.Immediatelyturnyourchinawayfromtheelbowandtowardtheattacker’sjoinedhands.Dropyourchindown.

2.Sendbothhandsupandbackwardtotheattacker’sjoinedhands.Notethatbothyourhandsgooveroneshoulder.Sendyourhandsbackfarenoughtoensurethey’llreachtheattacker’shands(thishasthepotentialbenefitofscratchingtheattacker’seyes).

3.Usingthepluckingmotion,pluckalongyourownshoulder,whichmakesthepluck90°tothehold(notethatthemotionisexplosive);turnyourinsideshouldersharplyinwardtocreateadditionalspace.

4–5.Slideyourheadoutoftheopening.

6.Makeimmediatecounterattackswithknees,fists,orwhateverisconvenient.

TIPSAsyoureach,yournearhandmayarrivefirst(infact,againstthecarotidchoke,itprobablywill).Thisisfine,andwilloftenensurethatyoureachfarenoughback.Justbesureyoursecondhandarrivesintimetohelp.

BEARHUGFROMTHEFRONTWITHARMSFREESelf-DefenseWithyourarmsfree,ifthereisspacetooperate,youhaveweaponsavailablebutyouareinseriousdangerofatakedown.Theattackerhas“underhooks,”whichmanywrestlersusetoinitiatetakedowns.Youmustpreventthistypeofattackwhileallowingmaximumpowerincounterattacks.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufromthefront,leavingyourarmsfree.

1.Astheattackerappliesthebearhug,kickyourhipsandfeetbackandloweryourcenterofgravity,makingyourselfhardertolift(spaceandbase).Reacharoundhisarmstoputbothofyourhandson(ornear)hiships.

2.Deliverkneestrikesimmediately.

Whenappropriate,releaseyourhandsandcontinuetocounterordisengageandmakedistance.

Foradditionaldefensivetactics,seeBearhugfromtheFrontwithArmsFree—LeverageontheNeck(page207).

Iftheattackerislarge,itmaybedifficulttogetyourhandsnearhiships.Werelyonthekneetokeephimaway.Wealsorelyonthenexttechnique.

BEARHUGFROMTHEFRONTWITHARMSFREE(LEVERAGEONTHENECK)Self-DefenseThisvariationispossibleasafollow-uptothepreviousdefense,orwhenspacerestrictionsorimbalancepreventyoufromdeliveringknees.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufromthefront,leavingyourarmsfree.

1.Astheattackersqueezesyouin,hisheadwillgenerallyturntoonesideortheotheragainstyourchest.Withyouropposite-sidearm,reacharoundtheattacker’shead,grabbingthehairatthetemple.Iftheattackerhasnohair,reachslightlyfartherandgrabalongthenoseridgewhilepressingintotheeyes.

2.Twisttheattacker’sfaceaway.Hischinshouldrotateawayfromyourbody.Youmayuseyourotherhandtoaidthismotionbyplacingtheheelofyourpalmagainsthischinandpushing.

3.Astheattackerispeeledaway,stepoutwithyourfoot,allowinghimtodropdown.Counterattackwithstraightpunchesorhammerfistpunches.

TIPSItisalsopossibletousethesame-sidehandanddrivethewebbingbetweenyourthumbandfingerunderhisnosetodrivetheattacker’schinup.

BEARHUGFROMTHEFRONTWITHARMSCAUGHT(WITHSPACE)Self-DefenseIfthereisspace(i.e.,ifyourfeetarestableandthereisasmallgapbetweenyouandtheattacker),counterattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufromthefront,trappingyourarmsbutleavingsomespace.

1.Jamtheheelsofyourpalmsagainsttheattacker’shipstopreventhishipsfromgettingclosertoyou.

2.Deliverkneestothegroinormidsection.

3.Immediately,whenanyspaceiscreated,bringyourinsidehandupandlayyourforearmacrosstheattacker’snecktocontrolhisbody(preventinghimfromshootingin).

TIPSIfthereisspace,othercounterattackscanincludefootstompsorkickstothegroin.

BEARHUGFROMTHEFRONTWITHARMSCAUGHT(NOSPACE)Self-DefenseInordertocounterattack,youmustcreatespace.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufromthefront,trappingyourarms.

1.Asthebearhugismade,sendoneorbothhandstotheattacker’sgroin.Thisshouldcausetheattackertoshifthishipsbackward,creatingspace.

2.Jamtheheelsofyourpalmsagainsttheattacker’shipstopreventhishipsfromgettingclosertoyou.

3.Deliverkneestothegroinormidsection.

4.Immediately,whenanyspaceiscreated,bringyourinsidehandupandlayyourforearmacrosstheattacker’snecktocontrolhisbody(preventinghimfromshootingin).

Toallowyourhandtostrikehisgroin,shiftyourhipsslightlytoonesideandstrikewiththeopen-sidehand.Wesay“strike”butofcourseyoucanalsograb,twist,andtear.Thismaygetthereactionyouwant!

BEARHUGFROMBEHINDWITHARMSFREESelf-Defense

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufrombehind,leavingyourarmsfree.

1.Whengrabbedfrombehind,immediatelydropyourweightdownandforwardtomakeyourselfmoredifficulttolift(spaceandbase).

2–3.Sendelbowstrikesbackwardtotheattacker’sface.Alwayssenda“one-two”combinationusingbothelbows.

4.Ifyourelbowscreatespace,turnandcontinuewithstrikes.

Ifyourelbowstrikesdon’tcreatespace,continuewithadditionalstrikes,includingstompstothefeet,heelstrikestotheshins,anduppercutbackkickstothegroin.

BEARHUGFROMBEHINDWITHARMSCAUGHT(WITHSPACE)Self-DefenseSTARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufrombehind,trappingyourarmsbutleavingsomespace.

1.Whentheattackergrabs,immediatelydropyourweighttomakeyourselfmoredifficulttolift.

2.Useyourarmstocreatespacebystrikingatthegroin—theattacksshouldcausedamagebutalsocreatemovementsoyouarehardtohold.

3–4.Makeadditionalcounterattackssuchasstomps,heelkickstotheattacker’sshin,elbowstothebody,anduppercutbackkickstothegroin.Besuretomakeyourselfextremelydifficulttoholdontobyshiftingandstrugglingagainstthehold.

5.Assoonasenoughspaceiscreated,pivottofacetheattackerandcontinuecounterattacking.

BEARHUGFROMBEHINDWITHARMSCAUGHT(NOSPACE)Self-DefenseTheprinciplesofthistechniqueareexactlythesameasthoseinBearhugfromtheFrontwithArmsCaught—withSpace(page209).

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestancewhileanattackerbearhugsyoufrombehind,trappingyourarms.

1.Whentheattackergrabs,immediatelydropyourweighttomakeyourselfmoredifficulttolift.Notethatthismaybemoredifficult,assumingyou’vealreadybeensqueezedinfairlytight.

2.Shiftyourhipsandsendonehandbackwardtostriketheassailant’sgroin,causingabackwardshiftinhishipstocreatespace.

3.Oncespaceiscreated,continueasinBearhugfromBehindwithArmsCaught-withSpace(page216).

BACKFALLBREAKFallsAsyoufall,yourgoalistoabsorbtheimpactalongyourpalmsandforearms,andalongthebroadmusclesinyourupperback,whileprotectingyourheadandlowerbackfrominjury.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standing.

1.Whenfirstlearningfallbreaks,youmaywanttostartbysquattinglow.

2.Fallbackward,leadingasmuchaspossiblewithyourupperbodyandpullingyourhipsup.Tuckyourchinandkeepyourteethtogether.Thisprotectsyourheadandneck,andavoidstheriskofbitingyourtongue.

3.Asyoureachtheground,strikeithardwithyourpalmsatabouta45°angle.Donotleadwithyourelbows.Iftheystriketheground,youmayseriously

damagethem.

4.Immediatelyrecoilyourhandsintoafightingposition.

SIDEFALLBREAK

FallsSidefallbreakfollowsallthesameprinciplesasbackfallbreak.Theassumptionisthat,duetothenatureofthetakedownoryourbodyposition,yourfallistoonesideofyourbodyandyouarelimitedtotheuseofonehand.Asyoufall,yourgoalistoabsorbtheimpactalongonepalmandforearm,andalongthebroadmusclesinyourupperback,whileprotectingyourheadandlowerbackfrominjury.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standing.

1.Asatrainingmethod,tofalltoyourright,shootyourrightlegstraightoutandfallwithyourrightsideleadingtowardthefloor.Leadasmuchaspossiblewithyourupperbodyandpullyourhipsup.Tuckyourchinandkeepyourteethtogether.Thisprotectsyourheadandneck.

2.Asyoureachtheground,strikeithardwithyourpalmatabouta45°angle.Donotleadwithyourelbow.Ifitstrikestheground,youmayseriouslydamage

3.Immediatelyrecoilintoafightingposition.Becauseofthenatureofthefall,youmayendupina“sideways”groundfightingposition(page123).

TIPSOftenwhenbeingtakendowninawristlock(“cavalier”)orsomesortofjointlock,thebodywilltwistorspintowardthefloor.Asyoumakethefallbreak,allowthelegonthefallingsidetobend.Thishelpsabsorbmoreimpactjustafterthestrike.

DEFENSEAGAINSTPUNCHES,MOUNTED(BUCKINGHIPS)GroundfightingBeingonyourbackwithsomeonestraddlingyou(mounted)andthrowingpunchesatyouisthesecondworstpositionyoucanbein(theworstisthesameposition,exceptyou’refacedown).However,itisafairlycommonpositiontobeinwhenmistakesaremadeearlierinthefight.Whilethereisnomagicalsolutiontothisproblem,therearetacticsthatcaninhibitoratleastreducethenumberofpunchesthrown.Thistechniqueintroducestheideaofbuckingyourhips,whichisafundamentalprincipleingrounddefense.

STARTINGPOSITION:Ontheground,faceup,withanattackerstraddlingyou.

1.Ifyouaremounted,youstillneedtoestablishagoodposition.Keepyourelbowsdownandyourhandsnearyourface.Jamyourelbowsintoyouropponent’sthighsorkneestopreventhimfromslidingup.Goodgrapplerswilltrytogettheirkneesupunderyourarmpits.Thisinhibitsyourarmmovementandgetstheattackerawayfromyourhips.Youwanttheopposite:Youwant

yourelbowsdownandtheattackeronyourhips,whereyoucanbuckhimoff.

2–3.Aspunchesstartflying,buckyourhipstothrowtheattackeroffbalance.Yourhipshouldmoveupwardandtowardyourhead.Imaginethatthereisatennisballonyourstomachandyouwanttopopittosomeonestandingatyourhead.Theattackerwillprobablyhaveto“base”himselfoutwithhishands.Thisgivesyouachancetotrapandroll(seenextexercise),andattheveryleastitstopshimfrompunching.Besureyourhandsstayup—noteverymomentofbuckingwillinhibitapunch,andyoushouldstilltrytodefendagainstthepuncheswithinsideandoutsidedefenses.

Someattackerswillleantheirweightbackwardslikerodeocowboystomaintainbalance.Whilethisinhibitsyourabilitytotrapandroll,itdoesreducetheirpunchingabilitysincetheycan’tpunchwithmuchpowerwhentheirweightisback.

Whenattemptingthistechniqueorthevariation,donotreachoutwithyourarmsorstraightenthem,whichwouldexposeyoutoanarmbar.

VARIATION:Itisalsopossible,iftheattackerisfairlyclosetoyou,totryto“hug”himtightlytoyourchest.Thisinhibitshispunchingability.Fromthere,worktowardatrapandroll(page227).

TRAPANDROLLAGAINSTFULLMOUNTGroundfightingAlthoughintroducedhereinaspecificcontext,theprinciplesof“trapandroll”canbeappliedtoavarietyofsituations.Thebasicconceptisthatamountedattackermust“baseout”withbotharmsandlegs.Ifyoutrapthearmandlegononeside,thepersoncanberolled.

STARTINGPOSITION:Ontheground,faceup,withanattackerstraddlingyou.

1.Buckyourhipstomaketheattackerbaseout.

2–3.Withonearm,reachouttotraponeofhisarms.Youcanreacheitherover(trappingfromtheinsideout)orunder(trappingfromtheoutsidein).Generally,reachingoverthearmmakesforabetterholdbutmaytakelongertoexecute.Besurethatyoutrapthearmabovetheelbow.Usingyourleg,traptheattacker’slegonthesamesideasthearm—asmuchaspossibleatthesametimeasyourarmtrap.

4–7.Buckyourhipsupwardtowardyourhead.Attheendofthismotion,rollyourhipsovertowardthetrappedside.Driveoverwithyourfeettoendupontop,strikingasyougo.Yourgoalshouldbetodeliveranelbowtotheface,butiftheattacker’sresistancemakesthatimpossible,delivergroinstrikes.(Seelatertechniquesforescapingfromthisposition.)

TIPSProficientgroundfighterswillmakeitdifficulttotrapanarm.Ifyoucannotgetthearminasingletry,continuebuckingyourhips,forcingthemtobaseout.Rememberthat,attheveryleast,aslongastheyarebasingout,theyarenotpunchingyou.Also,anymethodyoucancreatetotrapthearmisfine:grabhisclothing,grabhiswristwithtwohands.

SafetyComment!Whenpracticingwithapartner,besuretheattackerturnshispalmupassoonashisarmiscaught.Thispreventswristinjurieswhenheisrolledover.

CHOKEWITHATTACKERINMOUNT

Groundfighting

STARTINGPOSITION:Ontheground,faceup,withanattackerstraddlingandchokingyou.

1–2.AddressthedangerimmediatelybymakingthesamepluckingmotionasChokefromtheFront(page92).Beawarethatbecauseofinterferencefromtheground,youwon’thavethesamerangeofmotion.Justaswiththechokedefensefromastandingposition,pinthehandstoyourshouldersasyoufinishthepluck.Atthesametime,bringonefootuptotraptheattacker’sleg.

3.Pluck,andpunchyourhipsuptothrowtheattackerupandtowardoneshoulder(theshoulderonthesamesideasthelegtrap).Becauseyouhavetrappedhishands,thisshouldinhibithisabilityto“baseout.”

4–8.Rolltheattackeroverandimmediatelycounterattack.Yourgoalshouldbetodeliveranelbowtotheface.Ifyourmovementisinhibitedbytheattacker’sresistanceoryourtechnique,groinstrikesarepossible.

Getupassoonaspossible(seelatertechniquesforescapingfromthisposition).

TIPSThepluckingandhipthrustarenotmadeininterruptedstages.Themovementsareexplosiveandcomealmostsimultaneously.

Notethatamoreexperiencedgrapplermayapplyamoredangerousversionofthisattackdesignednottochokeyouinaheadlock,buttoputpressureonyourneck,ortocrushyourfacewithhischest.

HEADLOCKWHILEMOUNTED

GroundfightingAnotherfairlycommonattack,especiallyamongless-experiencedgrapplers,isaheadlockfromthemountedposition.Inrapeorsexualassaultscenarios,versionsofthisattackaremadewhentheattackerwantstotauntthedefender,whispertohim/her,orkiss.Thistechniquealsoworkswhentheattackerisactuallychokingwithhishands,buthiselbowsareverybenttoallowhimtogetclose.Thedefenseagainstthisattackisasimpletrap-and-roll.

STARTINGPOSITION:Ontheground,faceup,withanattackerstraddlingyouandholdingyouinaheadlock.

1–3.Astheattackercomesinclosetoputhisweightonyou,trapthearmthatismakingtheholdandthelegonthesameside.Buckyourhipsupwardand,atthetopofthearch,rollyourhipstowardthetrappingside.Youwilllikelyendupinhisguard.Ifheisstillholdingyou,pushthebladeofyourforearmacrosshisface(a“crossface”)toforcehimtoletgo,thencontinuewithcounterattacks.

4–6.Strikeimmediately,ifpossible.However,becauseyou’rebeingheldinsotight,itmaybedifficulttostrike.Scratchandclawattheface,orpushyourforearmacrosshisjaw(a“crossface”)tocausehimtoletgo.

7.Fromhere,applyinitialtechniquestoremoveyourselffromtheguard.

Iftheattackerhasyouinaclosechoke,trapthearmonthesamesidethattheheadispositioned.

MOUNT—BOTTOMPOSITION:ELBOWESCAPE(SHRIMPING)GroundfightingAnalternativetothebuck-and-rolltechniqueistheelbowescape.Thistechniqueisabitmoredangerousthanthebuckandrollbecauseyourhandsareoccupiedforalongerperiodoftimeandarethereforenotabletoprotectyourface.However,againstbiggerormoreexperiencedattackers,theelbowescapeismoreeffectivethanthebuckandroll.

STARTINGPOSITION:Ontheground,withanattackerstraddlingyou.

1.Wedgeyourleftelbowbetweenthegroundandtheattacker’srightkneetocreatespace.Turnontoyourlefthip.

2–3.Withyourleftlegextendedandflatonthefloorandtherightfootflatonthefloor,push(“shrimp”)yourhipstotherightside.Useyourabstohelppullyourhipsupandout.Yourrighthandcanassistbyhelpingpushtheattacker’srightkneeaway.

4–5.Slideyourleftlegundertheattacker’srightleg.Besuretokeepyourleftlegflattoavoidgettingcaughtontheattacker’sleg.Immediatelyusethatlegtotraptheattacker’sleg,thenshrimpintheotherdirectiontoslidetherightlegundertheattacker’sleftleg.Again,usebothhandstopushtheattacker’skneeandtocreatespace.

6–7.Oncebothlegsareout,pulltheattackerintoyourguard.

VARIATION:Youcanalsousetheelbowescapewhentheattackerissittingupandleaningbackinthemountposition.Inthissituation,useyourrighthand(straightarm)topushattheattacker’smidsection.

Simultaneouslypushyourhipbackandawayaggressively,slidingyourlegsundertheattacker’s.Youcaneitherpulltheattackerintotheguardorcontinuetokickawayandgetup.

MOUNT—TOPPOSITIONGroundfightingInafight,youmayendupinadominantposition.Inthissection,wewilldiscusshowtooperateinthisadvantageousposition.

MAINTAININGMOUNTPOSITION1:Whenintoppositionofthemount,youwanttomaintainagoodbase.Youdothisbystayingclosetothedefender.Keepyourhipsbacktowardyourheels,kneesintightorwidetobase(dependingontheopponent’smovement),andarmspostedwide.Ifthedefendergrabsyourarms,youwanttopullthembackquickly,bringingyourelbowtoyourhip(“swimout”),andthenre-post.

Youmustbeabletofeelthedefender’sweightshiftandadjusttoit.

Youcanalsomaintainthemountpositionwhilesittingupandback.Ifyoustayoverthedefender’ships,youcankeepfrombeingbucked.However,yourstrikingwillnotbestrong(ormaynotreach)untilyouputyourweightforward.

POSITION2:Anoptionistotrytomoveuponthedefender’schestwithyourkneesunderhisarms.Inthispositionitishardforthebottompersontodefendagainststrikestotheface.

STRIKESPOSITION3:Withyourhandspostedandyourweightlowonthedefender,youcansendstrikestothedefender’sheadandbody.Palmstrikes,elbows,andheadbuttsworkbestfromthisposition.Besuretoalwaysrecovertoyourbaseposition.

POSITIONS4-5:Forstrongerstrikes,situpandbackandthencomedownwithpunchesandelbows.

TRAPOPPONENT’SARMSTOCHESTTOPOPUPANDOUT

GroundfightingAlthoughthemountisagoodpositioninafight,youmayneedtogetupfromthegroundtodefendagainstathirdparty,ortosimplydisengagefromthefight.

StartingPosition:Mountedontopofapronedefender.

1.Whilesittingupandback,pinyouropponent’sarmstohischest—useyourbodyweight,notjustyourarmstrength.

2.Popyourhipsup,keepingyourfeetonthegroundoneithersideoftheattacker;yourhandsshouldstillpinhisarms.

3.Liftonelegupandover,pivotingtoonesideofhisbodynearhishead.(Besuretoliftyourleghighenoughtopassoverhisbentknee).

4.Standstraightup,movingawayfromtheattacker.

GUARD—BOTTOMPOSITION:KICKOFFFROMTHEGUARD

GroundfightingThistechniquepresentsabasicmethodofmakingdistancewhenyou’vetrappedsomeoneinyourguard.Additionaltechniques,includingarmbars,willbetaughtathigherlevels.Thistechniquecanbeperformedmosteasilywhentheopponent’sweightisback,althoughitcanbedonewhenhisweightisforward(it’sjustmoredifficult).

STARTINGPOSITION:Holdinganattackerinyourguard.

1.Shifttoonehip,bringingyourtopkneeinagainsthisbody.Yourhandsshouldbeuptoprotectagainstpunches.

2.Kickyourbottomfootagainsthishiptocreatespace.

3.Kickyourtopfootagainsthischestorface.

Getupandcreatedistance.

FOOTGRAB:STRIPPING

GroundfightingThistechniquecanbeappliedwhenastandingattackergrabsthedefender’sfoot.

STARTINGPOSITION:Thedefenderislyingonherback.Theattackerisstandingup,grabbingthedefender’sfoot.

1.Whentheattackergrabsoneofyourfeet,youwanttoremoveatleastoneofhishandstokeephimfromspinningyou.Soraiseyourfreefoothigh.Atthesametime,“flex”yourcaughtleg—thisgivesyouextrapowerandalsohelpsyoutargethishands.

2–3.Bringyourraisedlegdown,heelfirst,tostrikehishandandstripitfromyourfoot.Immediatelykickathislegstocausedamage.

FOOTGRAB:SPINNINGOUTWARD(ROUNDKICK)GroundfightingThistechniqueisusedwhentheattackersucceedsincatchingthedefender’sfootandtwistsitoutward.

STARTINGPOSITION:Thedefenderislyingonherback.Theattackerisstandingup,grabbingthedefender’sfoot.

1–2.Whenyoufeeltheattackerspinyou,gowiththemotion.DoNOTresistit.Instead,spinfasterthantheattacker’smovement.Atthesametime,throwaroundkickinthegeneralvicinityofhiswrists.

3–4.Spinthrough,andendupinagroundfightingposition.

Thespinwilldomostoftheworkforyou.Thekickissimplyinsurance.Thekickmayalsobedeliveredtothefaceiftheattackeriscloseenough.

FOOTGRAB:SPINNINGINWARD(HEELKICK)GroundfightingSTARTINGPOSITION:Thedefenderislyingonherback.Theattackerisstandingup,grabbingthedefender’sfoot.

1–2.Whenyoufeeltheattackerspinyou,gowiththemotion;doNOTresistit.Instead,spinfasterthantheattacker’smovement.Atthesametime,bringyourlegaroundinachopping/swingingmotion,leadingwithyourheel.Althoughtheangleisdifferent,themotionisexactlylikethemotionmadetostripthehandoffyourankleinanearliertechnique.

3.Continuespinningthroughandendupinagroundingposition.

GreenBelt

GREENBELT

OVERVIEW

Forus,GreenBeltrepresentsthebeginningofrealmasteryofthesystem.Whenwetestpeopleforadvancementtothenextbeltlevel,GreenBeltiswherepeoplestarttofail.ItiscertainlypossibletofailaYelloworOrangeBelttest,butaslongasthestudentscanfightthroughthestress,showaggressiveness,andperformtechniquesadequately,theyshouldpassYellowandOrange.

GreenBeltiswhereyouneedtobringitalltogether:Youmustdealwiththestress,beaggressive,ANDexecutetechniquessharplyandcleanly.Expecttotrainforatleastninemonthsatthislevel,assumingaminimumoftwotrainingsessionsaweek.

Thematerialinthissectionincludesthefollowing:

CombativesAmongthecombativetechniquescoveredinthissectionareheadbutts.GreenBeltalsointroducesmoretraditionalmartialartskickssuchasslapkickandheelkick.Althoughwedon’tstressthesekicksnoremphasizethemforstreetsituations,wedobelievethesetechniquesimproveourself-defenseabilities.Thekicksencourageflexibilityaswellashelpuslearntodefendagainstthesetypesofattacks.Also,whileyoushouldalwaysstickwiththesimplestandmostpowerfulstrikes,thesekickswillhelpyoufeelthatyoucanatleastdeliversomekindofattackfromanyangleduringthefight.

DefensesandSelf-DefenseHairgrabdefensesareintroducedatthislevel,andInsideandOutsideDefensesarefeaturedmorefullyhere.OutsideDefensesagainstPunchesaremadeagainstattackscomingfromoutsideourhandposition.Althoughwideattacks(suchastheattacksgivenin360°Defenses)andevenshortattacksthattravelfromthe

theattacksgivenin360°Defenses)andevenshortattacksthattravelfromtheoutsideinward(suchashookpunches)arecommonattackstodefend,theyarenottheonlyones.

Sometimesthedefender’shandsareoutofposition(forexample,thelefthandisdown)whenastraight-lineattackapproaches.Ifyourhandswereup,you’dgivearegularInsideDefense.Butifyourhandsaredown,themostefficientwaytodefendistomoveyourhandfromthecenterofyourbodytowardtheoutside(hencethename).Also,evenifyourhandswereup,sometimesastraight-lineattackcancomeinfromanangle(forexample,astraightpunchcominginfromtheside),makinganInsideDefensedifficult.Inthiscase,theshortestmovementisanOutsideDefense.Thissectioncoversbothsituations:1)thedefender’shandsaredown,duetoerrororfatigue;and2)theattackcomesfromanangleoutsidethedefender’scorrectlypositionedhands.Ineithercase,theprinciplebehindthetechniques(indeed,allthetechniques)canbesummarizedthisway:Maketheshortestpossiblemovementthatdefendstheattack.

FallsandRollsRollsareimportantforanoverallunderstandingofself-defensescenarios.Duringcombat,whileretreatingfromafightorwhileadvancingtohelpathirdparty,thedefendermaytripoveranobstacleorbetrippedbyanopponent.Becausewewanttogetoffthegroundasquicklyaspossible,arolloffersthemostimmediatesolutionwhenthereisnoimmediatedangertoaddress.

GroundfightingThissectionpicksupwhereOrangeBeltleftoff.Hereyou’llincreasethenumberoftechniquesinyourgroundfightingrepertoire.

FORWARDHEADBUTTCombativesThisstrikeisdeliveredtoaclosetargetdirectlyinfrontofyou,suchasanopponentwhenbothofyouarestanding;orduringgrappling.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standfacingyouropponent,nearlychesttochest.Grabyouropponent’shead,eitherbytheearsorsidesofthehair,forextracontrolandpower.

1.Keepingyourneckstiffandyourjawtightlyclosed,driveyourheadforwardusingyourlegsandupperbody.Thestrikingsurfaceisthetopofyourforehead,rightatthehairline.Thetargetshouldbetheattacker’snose,cheekbone,etc

TIPSThetargetshouldalwaysbesomewherebelowtheopponent’seyebrows,preferablythenose.It’snotnecessarytograbyouropponent’shead.Ifyoudograbthehead,besuretolifthischinslightly;donotpullhischindown.Ifyoudo,youmakestrikehisskullandinjureyourself.

UPWARDHEADBUTT

CombativesThiscanbeusedwhenyoushootinunsuccessfullyonyouropponentandwanttodriveupwardtocatchhischin.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standfacingyouropponent.Duckdownsothatyourheadisathischestlevel.

1.Keepingyourneckfairlystiffandyourjawtightlyclosed,driveyourheadupward,strikingwiththetop/backpartofyourskull,strikingyouropponent’schin.

HEADBUTTTOTHESIDE

CombativesThiscanbeusedwhenyou’regrabbedinabearhugoranyotherclose-insituationwhereyourheadissidewaystoyourattacker’sface.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standwithyouropponentclosetoyourside,asifheisabouttoputyouinabearhug.

1.Turnyourheadsharplysothatyourforeheadfacesthetarget.

2.Keepingyourneckfairlystiffandyourjawtightlyclosed,driveyourheadforwardusingyourlegsandupperbody,strikingwithyourforehead.Becauseoftheangle,youmaystrikenearthesideofyourforehead.However,donotstrikewiththesideofyourhead.Thismayinjureyou.

HEADBUTTTOTHEBACK

CombativesThisstrikeismostoftendeliveredinthecontextofbearhugs.Itcanbedeliveredtosomeonegrabbingfrombehind,ortosomeonefacingyouwhenyouaredoubledover(inapositionsimilar,say,toreverseheadlock),whentheheadbuttisdrivenupward,butusingthebackofthehead.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standfacingawayfromyouropponent,whohasyouinabearhug.

1.Sendyourheadbacksharply,flexingyourneckmusclesandtighteningyourjaw,tostrikewiththebackofyourhead(nearthetop).

DEFENSIVEBACKKICKWITHASPINCombativesKravMagatrainingde-emphasizescomplicatedkicks.However,ofthe“fancier”techniques,spinningbackkickisthemostpracticalbecausethedirectionofthekickopposesanyforwardmotionofanattacker.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facinganopponent.

1.Stepyourleftfootacrossandforwardslightly.Turnsharplysothattheheelofyourforward(base)footispointingatthetarget.Yourbackisalsotothetarget,butturnyourheadsothatyoucanseethetarget.YoushouldbeinthesamepositionasaregularBackKick(page160).

2.Extendyourrightlegbacktomakeabackkick.

Asyourecoil,turntofacethetarget.

Spinningkicksarealwaysmadeusingtherearleg.

Thefirststepcanberemovedasyoubecomemoreproficient,butitALWAYSfacilitatestheturn.

OFFENSIVEBACKKICK

CombativesOffensivebackkickisdeliveredtoatargetbehindthedefenderwhentheopeningisonahorizontalplane(e.g.,thegroin,orthehead/chestwhentheattacker’sbodyisleaningforward).

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralstance,withanopponentbehindyou.

1.Raiseyourrightlegbackward,makingsureitisrelativelystraight.Atthesametime,dropyourbodyforwardandswingyourhipsbacksothatyourweightgoesintothekick.Besureyourkickingfootrisesstraightup.Justbeforecontact,bendyourkneetoaddextrapowertothekickandprotectyourkneefromhyperextension.

2.Makecontactwiththebackoftheheel.

Asyourecoil,turntofacetheattacker.

Iftrainingfromafightingstance,thelegfarthestfromthetargetwillbethestrongest.

OFFENSIVEBACKKICKWITHASPIN

CombativesThiskicksimplycombinesanOffensiveBackKick(page259)withtheactofspinning.Thekickismadewiththerearfoot(i.e.,thefootfarthestfromthetargetbeforethetechniquebegins).

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.

1.Takeasmallstepacrossandforwardwithyourleftfoot.Turnsharplysothattheheelofyourleft(base)footandyourbackaresquaretothetarget.

2.Raiseyourrightlegbackward,makingsureitisrelativelystraight.Atthesametime,dropyourbodyforwardandswingyourhipsbacksothatyourweightgoesintothekick.Besureyourkickingfootrisesstraightup.Justbeforecontact,bendyourknee,addingextrapowertothekickandprotectingyourkneefromhyperextension.

3.Makecontactwiththebackoftheheel.

HEELKICK

CombativesHeelkickcanbemadewhenthedefenderissidewaystothetarget,butwhentheopeningisnotonanangleappropriatetoaSideKick(page156).Thekickmaybemadeonarisingdiagonaloronahorizontalplane,dependingontheopening.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standsidewaystoyourtarget.

1.Raiseyourcloselegslightlyinfrontofthetarget,makingsureyourlegisrelativelystraight.Asyourfootrises,bendyourtorsooveryouroutsidehip.Thiswillallowyourlegtoriseashighasnecessary.

2–3.Swingyoulegback,heelfirst,towardthetarget.Besureyourhipandshoulderturninthesamedirectionyourlegistraveling.Justbeforecontact,bendyourknee,addingpowertothekickandprotectingthekneefromhyperextension.Makecontactwiththebackoftheheel.

VARIATION:ThiskickcanbemadewithanadvancesimilartoSideKickwithAdvance(page158),withthebasefootpassingbehindthekickingfoot.

INSIDESLAPKICK

CombativesThiskickismadewiththeinnerpartofthefootandankleandattacksopeningssimilartothoseavailabletoRoundKicks(page75).Thekickcanbeperformedwitheitherleg.

1.Raiseyourrightkneeupandforward.Emphasize“chambering”yourkneetomakesureit’sbent.

2.Leadingwithyourknee,cantslightlyinwardwiththefootslightlyoutwardandsnapyourfootoutsothatitstrikesthetargetatanapproximate45°angle.Thestrikingpointisthe“L”shapeoftheinsideofyourfootandankle.

Yourhipsdonotrolloverthewaytheydoonaroundkick.

OUTSIDESLAPKICK

CombativesThiskickismadewiththeouterpartofthefootandankleandattacksopeningssimilartothoseavailabletoHeelKicks(page262).Thekickcanbeperformedwitheitherleg,butfordemonstrationpurposesthisdescriptionassumesyouarekickingwiththeleftleg.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-foot-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.

1.Bringyourleftkneeupandacrossyourbody.Yourkneeshouldbecantedslightlyoutward,withyourfootslightlyinwardtowardyourbody

2.Snapyourfootout,strikingthetargetatanapproximate45°angle.Thestrikingsurfaceisthe“L”shapeoftheouterpartofyourfootandankle.Besureyourhipsopenup,allowingmorepowertotransferthroughthetarget.

Whiletheforwardlegdeliversafasterkick,therearlegisstrongerbutmoreeasilyseenbecausetherearhipmusttravelforward.

VARIATION:ThiskickcanbemadewithanadvancesimilartoSideKickwithAdvance(page158),withthebasefootpassingbehindthekickingfoot.

INWARDANGLEKNEE

CombativesAninwardknee(familiartoMuayThaifighters)allowsthekneetobebroughtupandthenin.Itisgiveninaclinch,whenthedefendermustcreateroomtodeliverthestrike.

STARTINGPOSITION:Begininaclinchwithanopponent.

1.Liftonekneeouttotheside,pointingyourkneetowardtheceilingandyourfoottowardthefloor.

2.Driveyourkneeforwardintotheattacker,tippingyourkneesharplysothatitleadsthemotionandaddsmoreimpactondelivery.

INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTLEFT-RIGHTCOMBINATION(TWOINSIDEDEFENSES)DefensesAleft-rightpunchingcombinationisoneofthemostcommonmovesinfighting.Studentsshouldtraintobeawareofitanddefendit.

1.Asyourattackerthrowsaleftpunch,makeanInsideDefense(page87)withyourrighthand.Yourlefthandshouldbeup,readytodefendagainsttheimminentrightpunch.

2.Asyourattackerthrowstherightpunch,makeanInsideDefenseagainstitwithyourlefthandwhileshiftingyourheadtotheoppositesideinabodydefense.

INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTLEFT-RIGHTCOMBINATION(LEANBACKANDTRAP)DefensesTheleft-rightpunchingcombinationissocommonthatfighterswilloftenemployitoverandoveragain,creatingarhythmofwhichtheyareunaware.Goodfightersshouldnoticeandexploitthis.Thepunchcanbepresentedintwoscenarios:eitherwhenthedefenderissurprisedbytheattack,orthedefendersetsuptheattacker.Sincesettinguptheattackeristheeasierversion,we’lldealwiththescenarioofcompletesurprisefirst.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facinganopponent.

1.Astheleftpunchcomes,leanawayfromyourattackertoavoidtheleftpunch.

2–3.Astherightpunchcomes,makeanInsideDefensewithyourlefthand.Assoonasthedefenseismade,hookyourlefthandtoclearthepunchinghandandcounterattack.Burstinasmuchaspossible.

TIPSLeanbackasmuchaspossiblebutmakesureyourfeetarestableenoughtoallowyoutoburstbackintothefight(yourabilitytodothis,however,willdependonyourstateofreadiness,andyoumaynotbeabletoshiftyourweightmuch).Toachievethis,standontheballofyourbackfoot.

Whentrainingto“time”theopponent’spunch,thistechniquecanbeveryeffective.Leanbackasthoughleavingthefight.Thiswilloftenmaketheattackercomeafteryou,committingstronglytohisrightpunchandleavinghimopen,sinceyouareanticipatingthatpunch.Youshouldonlyattemptthistechnique(leaningoutofthefighttosuckertheattackerin)onlyifyou’venoticedaconstanthabitofleft-rightpunches.Evenso,alwaysbeawarethata

noticedaconstanthabitofleft-rightpunches.Evenso,alwaysbeawarethatafightcanchange,andtheattackermaychoosethatmomenttomakeavariation.

INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTLEFT-RIGHTCOMBINATION(USINGONEHAND)DefensesForvariousreasons(mainlyduetoinjury),wemaybeforcedtodefendaleft-rightpunchingcombinationusingonlytheforwardhand.Weneverchoosetodefendthisway.

1.Astheattackerthrowstheleftpunch,makeanInsideDefenseusingyourleft(forward)hand.

2.Astherightpunchcomesin,immediatelymakeanOutsideDefense#1(page272)withthesamehand,creatingachoppingmotionagainsttheincomingarm.

VARIATION:UsingOutsideDefense#3(page274)ispossibleandoftensafer,

asitcoversmorevariationsofthestraightpunch.

OUTSIDEDEFENSE#1

DefensesThisdefense,whichredirectstheattack,ismadeagainstastraightpunchcomingfromthefrontwhenthedefender’sforwardhandisdown.Moststudentsfindthistobethequickestmotion.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,lefthanddroppedforwardanddown,facingyourattacker.

1.Astheattackerthrowsaleftpunch,bringyourforwardhandupinashortarc,withthethumbleadingsothatyourpalmfacesyou.ThemotionofthisarcMUSTcrossinfrontofyourfacesincethat’swherethepunchisprobablygoing.Redirectthepunchawayfromyouwhilemakingasmallbodydefensewithyourhead.

OUTSIDEDEFENSE#2

DefensesThisdefense,whichredirectstheattack,ismadefromthesamepositionandagainstthesameattackasOutsideDefense#1.MoststudentsfindthisdefenseslightlystrongerthanDefense#1.ThedecisiontomakeDefense#1orDefense#2islargelyarbitrary,dependingontheindividual’sbodytype.However,Defense#1isfaster,whileDefense#2isstronger.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,lefthanddroppedforwardanddown,facingyourattacker.

1.Astheattackerthrowsaleftpunch,bringyourforwardhandupinashortarc,withthebackofyourhandleadingsothatyourthumbfacesyou.ThemotionofthisarcMUSTcrossinfrontofyourfacesincethat’swherethepunchisprobablygoing.Redirectthepunchawayfromyouwhilemakingasmallbodydefensewithyourhead.

OUTSIDEDEFENSE#3DefensesThisdefensemaybemadeagainstastraightpunchcomingfromthefrontortheside,especiallyapunchcomingtothehead,inwhichcasetheshortestlineoffthebodyisup.Thisdefenseredirectstheattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,bothhandsoutofposition,facingyourattacker.

1–2.Astheattackerthrowsarightpunchtowardyourface,rollyourleftforearmup.Makecontactwiththebladeofyourarm,thencontinuetoroll,allowingthepunchtoslideupandback.Atthesametimethatyoumovetheattackingarm,dropyourheaddownandcounterattacktothebody.

Whenyourheaddropsdown,besurethatyourweightdoesn’tdropdownintoyourfeet,makingyoustickinplace.

yourfeet,makingyoustickinplace.

OUTSIDEDEFENSE#4

DefensesThisdefenseismadeagainstwildhaymaker-typepunchesinwhichthedefenderisn’tsureiftheattackiscomingfromtheinsideoroutside.

1.Astheattackerthrowsarightpunch,stabyourlefthandforwardandslightlyinwardtoguaranteecontact.Tuckyourheadlow,keepingyourchindownbuteyesforward.

2.Assoonasyoufeelcontactwithyourlefthand,movethatforearmslightlyoutwardtoincreasetheredirectionofthepunch.Allowthepunchtoslidealongyourforearm.

OUTSIDEDEFENSE#5DefensesThisdefense,whichredirectstheattack,isverysimilarto#1and#2.However,thedefenseismadewiththeblade(pinkyside)ofthehandandarm,usuallyagainstastraightpunchcominginfromtheside.Thehandsmaybeupordown,andevenifthehandsareup,thisdefensewillbenecessaryagainstastraightpunchfromtheside.

StartingPosition:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,withyourattackeratyourleftside,facingyou.

1.Astheattackerthrowsarightpunch,moveyourlefthandinanarctothesideandforward,makingcontactasclosetotheattacker’swristaspossibletoredirectthehand.Asyourhandrotates,allowyourshouldertoopentoaidinthedefenseandtoprepareforcounters.Makeabodydefensebytakingyourheadinward,alongthelineofthedefense.Thiswillhelptakeyourheadoff-lineiftheinitialpunchisfollowedbyanotherwiththeattacker’sotherhand.

TIPSThefartherupthearmyouarewhenyoufirstmakecontactwiththeattackingarm,thelateryourdefensehasbeen.

OUTSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTRIGHTPUNCH(PUNCHINGDEFENSE)DefensesWhenarightpunch(oracrosscomingagainstyourjab)comesfromoutsideyourforwardhand,youcandefendandcountersimultaneouslywiththathand.

1.Astheattackerthrowsarightpunch,punchwithyourlefthand,lettingyourelbowrollupinabentpositionasitbrushesagainsttheattacker’spunch.Thisdivertstheattacker’spunchupandawayfromyourface.

2.Continuethemotion,bringingyourpunchdownontheattacker’sface.

Tuckyourheadinagainstyourshoulderforadditionalprotection.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICK(REFLEXIVEDEFENSE)DefensesThisdefenseassumesthedefenderistotallyunpreparedfortheattack,whichcomeshightotheuppertorsoorhead.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralstance,facingyourattacker.

1.Astheattackerbeginskickingwithhisrightleg,raiseyourhandsdefensivelyandturnyourbodysothatyourshouldersaresquaretothekickandbothhandscancatchtheincomingleg.Yourpalmsshouldbeopenandfacingtheincomingkick.Blockthekickwiththefleshypartofyourforearms,makingsurethatthereisenoughtensioninyourarmstobothwithstandthekickandabsorbtheshock.Keepyourchindown!

2.Immediatelyafterdefending,stepdiagonallyforwardandmakecounterattacks(e.g.,ahammerfistwiththeclosesthand,followedbyastraightpunch,orastraightpunchwiththerearhand).

VARIATION:Thedefensecanalsobemadewithadiagonalstepforwardasyoudefend(totheoppositesideofthekick),butthisrequiresearlierrecognitionofthekick.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICK(FIGHTINGSTANCE—TWOCONTACTPOINTS)DefensesSTARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.

1.Astheattackerbeginskickingwithhisrightleg,turnyourshoulderssothattheyarerelativelysquaretothekick;makeadefensewithyourrearhand,similartothedefenseagainstahookpunch(page173),withyourfistclosedandyourarmstrong.Atthesametime,bringyouroppositehandacross,defendingwithyourpalm(theshoulderturnfacilitatesthismotion).

2.Followupwithcounters(e.g.,ahammerfistwiththeclosesthand,followedbyastraightpunch,orastraightpunchwiththerearhand).

Ifyouprefer,youcanusethereflexiveversionofthisdefense(page279)evenfromafightingstance.Thereflexivedefense,withthefleshypartoftheforearm,providesmorecushion.However,itissometimesmoredifficulttorotatetheforwardarmaroundbecausethenatureofthefightingstanceinhibitstheturningmotionofthehipsandshoulders.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICK(FIGHTINGSTANCE—THREECONTACTPOINTS)DefensesAkickdefensecanbemadewiththreecontactpointsbyeliminatingtheshoulderrotation.Threecontactpointsdispersetheforceovermoreareaandcanprovideamorecomfortabledefenseiftheattackerismuchbiggerthanyou.

1.Astheattackerbeginskickingwithhisrightleg,tuckyourchinandraiseyourlefthandparallelwithyourshoulder.Atthesametime,bringyourrighthandacrosstodefendwithyourpalm;thishandshouldlineupwithyourshoulderandlefthand.

Followupwithcounters(e.g.,ahammerfistwiththeclosesthand,followedbyastraightpunch,orastraightpunchwiththerearhand).

Whenmakingthisdefense,youMUSTtuckyourchinandtrytocoveryourhead.Althoughthiskickdispersesmoreforce,itallowsthekicktocomemuchclosertoyourheadandyoumaybeopentokickswiththetoe(bootedfeet)or

closertoyourheadandyoumaybeopentokickswiththetoe(bootedfeet)ortheballofthefoot.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICK(COVERINGDEFENSETOHEADORRIBS)DefensesSometimesthedefenderdoesnotrecognizethekickintimetomakeatwo-handeddefense.Inthiscase,theonlychoiceistomakeacoveringdefense.Thisdefenseisessentiallythesameasahookpunchdefense(page173)butwithaclosedfist,combinedwithabodydefenseiftimeallows.

1.Astheattackerbeginskickingwithhisrightleg,makeatight360°-typedefensewithyourlefthand.Yourdefenseshouldbemadewithatightfist,andyourforearmshouldbeangledslightlyinwardsothatrisingkicksmayslideupthearm,reducingtheimpactagainsttheforearm.Atthesametime,stepdiagonallyforward,awayfromthepowerofthekick.

2.Counterattackwithafrontorroundkickwiththerearleg.

DONOT“reachout”todefendthekickfarfromyourbody.Yourarmwon’tbestrongatthisdistanceandcanbeseriouslyinjuredbyastrongkick.

Dependingonhowearlythedefenderrecognizestheattack,thestepmaynotbepossible.However,evenifyouleanorsteponcontact,youshouldmoveyourbodytogetoutofthekick’spowerzone.

BACKFALLBREAK(HIGH)FallsandRollsTheprinciplesofregularfallbreak(page221)applytohighfallbreakaswell,bothforbackfallsandsidefalls.Theonlydifferenceisintheangleyourarmstakeasyoustriketheground.Withregularfallbreak,theangleoftheslapisapproximately45°awayfromthebody.Astheangleofthefallincreases(i.e.,asyourfeetgohigherintotheairandyourheadtravelsmoredirectlytowardtheground),theangleofyourslapshouldincrease.Duringadrasticfallbreak,yourhandsgooutaswideasyourshoulders.

STARTINGPOSITION:Fromstanding,tuckyourchintoprotectyourneck.Thisprotectsyourheadandneck(andavoidstheriskofbitingyourtongue).

1.Toimitatehighfallbreaks,youmustthrowyourfeetintotheairsothatyourfeetarehigherthanyourheadduringthefallbreak.

2.Asyoureachtheground,strikeithardwithyourpalmsatabouta90ºangle.Donotleadwithyourelbows;iftheystriketheground,youmayseriouslydamagethem.

3.Immediatelyrecoilyourhandsintoafightingposition.

FORWARDROLL

FallsandRollsThemaingoalofasaferollistolimittheamountoftimespentrollingoverthespine.Therefore,therollismadeonadiagonalfromoneshouldertotheoppositehip.Thismeansthemovementalongthegroundcrossesthespineatonlyonepoint.Theseinstructionsassumeyouareright-handed.Switch“right”to“left”andviceversaifyouareleft-handed.

STARTINGPOSITION:Stepforwardwithyourrightfoot.

1.Benddownandplaceyourrighthandflatonthegroundwithyourfingerspointingtotheleft.Placeyourlefthandonthegroundwiththefingersfacingforward.Thispositionshouldcauseyourrightshoulderto“lead”themotion.Tuckyourchinunderyourleftarmpit(themoreyoutuckyourchin,thesaferyourneckwillbe).

2–4.Rolloveryourrightarm,thenlettherightelbowbendtorolloverfromyourrightshouldertoyourlefthip,leadingwithyourrightshoulderandroundingyourback.Asyouroll,positionyourlegsinafigure4,withtheleftlegbentandtherightlegrelativelystraight(butnotcompletely).Thisfigure-4positionallowsyoutoriseintoafightingstanceatthecompletionoftheroll.

5–7.Asyoucompletetheroll,comeupintoakneelingposition,withyourrightfootandyourleftkneeontheground.Notethattheballofyourleftfoot,notthetop,shouldbetouchingtheground.

8–9.Fromthiskneelingposition,standup.Thefootpositionyou’vecreatedmovesyoueasilyintoafightingstancefacingtheoppositedirectionoftheroll.

FORWARDROLL/BACKFALLBREAK(HIGHSPEED)FallsandRollsIt’spossiblethat,whilerunningathighspeed,thedefendertripsandmakesarollwithsuchvelocitythatit’sdifficulttocompletetherollwithcontrol.Inthiscase,therollismodifiedtoincludeafallbreak.Aswiththedescriptionsofotherrolls,theseinstructionsassumearight-handeddefenderleadingwiththerightshoulder.Reversealldirectionsiftheleftshoulderleads.

STARTINGPOSITION:Beginatarun.

1–2.Makeaninitialhigh-speedroll,leadingwithyourrighthandandshoulder.

3–4.Halfwaythroughtheroll,assumingyouhavetoomuchvelocity(andthereforetoolittlecontrol)tocompletethemotion,makeabackfallbreak.

BACKWARDROLL

FallsandRolls

STARTINGPOSITION:Sittingorlyingonyourback.

1.Rollbackwardtowardoneshoulder,sendingbothhandsoverthatsameshoulder.DoNOTrollstraightbackoveryourhead.Besuretotuckyourchin!

2.Bringyourlegsoverthatsameshoulder.

3.Rollupontoyourfeetintoafightingstance.

STANDINGREVERSEHEADLOCK(GUILLOTINE)Self-Defense

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerhasyouinareverseheadlock,alsoknownasaguillotinechoke.

1.Turnyourheadtowardtheattacker’shands(theweakestpartofthechoke);makeapluckingmotionwithyouroutsidehandtorelievethepressure,whilestrikingtothegroinwithyourfreehand.Youcanalsothrowupanelbowtostriketheface,butthegroinistheeasiesttarget.

2–3.Onceyoupluck,driveyourrightshoulderintothespaceyouhavecreatedtoensureyoucannolongerbechoked.Driveyourshoulderandheadforwardandupwardasthoughtryingtogothroughhishold;emphasizedrivingupward,whichputspressureonhisshoulder.Yourfreehandmayhelpholdhishandsinplace.

4.Oncehisholdisbroken,spintowardhimanddelivercounterattackswithknees,punches,andelbows.

Iftheattackerisverystronganddetermined,youmaynotbeabletobreakhishold.However,ifyoucansucceedinpluckingtocreatespaceandtheninsertingyourshoulder,hewillhavedifficultychokingyou.Ifyoufindyourselfstuckhere,continuewithstrikesandkneestothegroin.Yourgoalistokeephishipsbacksothatitisharderforhimtofinishthechoke.

HAIRGRABFROMTHEFRONT

Self-Defense

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsyourhairfromthefront.

1.Bringbothhandsupandslamthemsharplydownoverhishand.Thispuncheshisknucklesagainstyourskull,causinghimpain.Keepyourelbowsinsothatyourforearmsprotectyourfaceagainstapunch(verylikelycombinationwiththehairgrab).

2.Immediatelybendyourbodysharplyatthewaist(thinkoftakingabow).Bendforwardtoproduceimmediatepressureagainsthiswrist.

3.Astheattackerdropsdown,quicklymovebackwardtostretchouthisbody.

4.Immediatelyfollowupwithfrontkickstotheface.

Donotsendyourhipsbackwardwhenyoubendasthisrelievesthepressureinthewrist.

HAIRGRABFROMTHEFRONTORSIDE(IMPENDINGKNEESTRIKE)Self-DefenseIfyoufeelyourselfbeingpulleddownbythehairgrab,it’squitelikelythattheattackerismakingakneestriketoyourface.IfyoubegantorespondimmediatelywiththeregulardefenseagainstHairGrabfromtheFront(page299),continuetomakeit.Althoughthisisnotanoptimumdefense,ifyouhavebegunthismotion,therewillbenotimetoadjust.Aslongasyourelbowsareintight,theymayprotectyoufromthekneestrike.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsyourhairfromthesideandbeginstomakeakneestrike.

1.Asyourupperbodyispulleddown,burstinwardwiththepull.Make360°Defense,position#7(page85)withtheclosestarmagainsttherisingthigh.Besuretoblockthethigh,nottheknee.Atthesametime,striketothegroinwithyourfreehand.Itispossiblethatyouendup“crossblocking”(i.e.,youdefendwithyourlefthandagainsttheattacker’sleftknee).Ifthisisthecase,yourcounterattackmaybedelayed.Makeitassoonaspossibleafterthedefense.

2.Continuedrivingforwardwithyourbodytorelieveanyremainingpressureorcontrolfromthehairgrab.Ifpossible,straightenuptoavoidanymorekneestrikestotheface,andcontinuewithcounters.

TIPSIfthehairgrabisfromthefrontandnomorekneestrikesarecoming,youcancontinuewithregularHairGrabfromtheFront.

HAIRGRABFROMTHESIDE

Self-DefenseIfyoufeelyourselfbeingpulleddown,makethedefenseagainstHairGrab—ImpendingKneeStrike(page301).It’salsopossiblethattheattackerissimplypullingyouoffbalance,orpullingyoutowardsomegoal(acar,analley).Ineithercase(adownwardpullorlateralpull),oneprincipleremainsthesame:Youmustburstinthedirectionofthepullataspeedfasterthanthepullitself.Ifthepullisfivemilesanhour,burstinatsixmilesanhour.Onlybyburstinginfasterthanthepullcanyouregaincontrolofyourbodymovement.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsyourhairfromtheside.

1.Astheattackerpulls,donotresist.Burstinthedirectionofthepull,ideallytowardtheshoulderofthehandthatisholdingyourhair.Thislimitsyourvulnerabilitytoapunchfromtheattacker’sfreehand.

2.Asyouburstin,reachupwithyourclosehandtoclearthehandholdingyourhair.

3.Withyourfreehand,counterattack—thefastestandsimplestcounterattackisusuallyapunchtothefaceorgroin.

TIPSRemember:Ifyoufeelyourselfbeingpulleddown,makea360°Defenseagainstthekneestrikethatismostlikelycoming.

HAIRGRABFROMTHEOPPOSITESIDEORBACKOFTHEHEADSelf-DefenseIt’spossiblethattheattackercomesfromthesidebutgrabsthehaironthebackofyourhead,orreachesaroundtotheotherside.It’salsopossiblethatanattackercomesfromthebackandgrabsthebackofyourhead.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackergrabsyourhairfrombehind.

1.Whenyoufeelthepull,donotresist.Instead,burstinthedirectionofthepull,ideallytowardtheshoulderofthehandthathasgrabbedyou.Youmayfeelyourself“spin”around.Gowiththismotion(e.g.,iftheattackeronyourleftreachesaroundandgrabstherightsideofyourheadandpulls,youwillfeelyourselfspinningtoyourright.Gointhatdirection).

2.Asyouspinaround,makea360°Defense(ifnecessary)withtheclosesthand.

3-4.Followupwithgroinandheadstrikes.

BEARHUGFROMBEHIND(LEVERAGEONTHEFINGER)Self-DefenseWhenanattackermakesabearhugfrombehind,leavingyourarmsfree,hemayalsohidehisheadagainstyourbacktolimityourabilitytomakecounterattackswithyourelbows.Stomps,heelstrikestohisshins,anduppercutbackkicksarestillpossible,buttheattackmayrequireanothertechniquetoremovetheattacker’sarmsfromaroundyourbody.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerbearhugsyoufrombehind,leavingyourarmsfree.

1.Immediatelydropyourweighttomakeyourselfdifficulttolift.

2.Makeelbowstrikestothefaceaswellasothercounterattacks,suchasstomps.

3.Slideyourhandsalonghisforearmsuntilyoufindafinger(usuallytheindexfinger).Usingeitherhand,peelthefingerup,startingatthetipsothatyouonlydealwithonepartofthefingeratatime.Ifyoutrytoprythefingerupfromthebaseofthedigit,orhalfwaytothetip,theattacker’sgripwillbetoostrong.

4.Asyouloosenthefinger,begintograbitwithyouroppositehand(i.e.,ifyougetthelefthand,grabthefingerwithyourright)sothatthemeatypartofyourhandisnearthebaseofthefinger,andthethumbsideofyourhandisatthetip.Thinkof“pushing”thefingerratherthan“pulling”it.Yourotherhandshouldcatchtheattacker’shand,isolatingthefingerjoint.Pressthefingerdownintoitssocket,thenpushbacktowardthetopofthehand.Thisreleasesthebearhug.

5–6.Stepout,pivotingonyourfootandkeepingpressureonthefinger.

7.Withyourclosestfoot,kicktothegroinorface.

BEARHUGFROMBEHIND(WITHLIFT)Self-DefenseSTARTINGPOSITION:Attackerbearhugsyoufrombehind(armscaughtorarmsfree).

1.Astheattackerliftsyou,immediatelymakeanuppercutbackkicktotheattacker’sgroin.Atthesametime,wrapyourfreelegaroundtheattacker’sleg,thenstraightenitasmuchaspossible.This“wrap”limitstheattacker’sabilitytothrowyouaroundortossyou.

2.Ifyoulandasolidstriketothegroin,theattackerwilldropyouquickly.Bereadytogetyourfeetunderyoufast!

TIPSAlthoughthewrapisimportant,doNOTwaituntilafteryou’vewrappedtomakethekick.Thekickmustbeimmediate.

VARIATION:Ifyouaredropped,turnandcontinuewithcounterattacks.

BEARHUGFROMTHEFRONT(WITHLIFT)Self-Defense

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerbearhugsyoufromthefront,encasingyourarms,andliftsyou.

1.Astheattackerliftsyou,immediatelymakecounterattackswithyourknees.Kneesarepossibleinthisinstancebecausetheattackerhimselfbecomesyourbase.

2.Ifyoulandasolidstriketothegroin,theattackerwilldropyouquickly.Bereadytogetyourfeetunderyoufast!

VARIATION:Ifyourarmsarefree,itisalsopossibletograbhishairorgougehiseyes,forcehischinup,andcounterattackwithhammerfiststrikestotheface

orthroatinamotionsimilartoBearhugfromtheFrontwithArmsFree—LeverageontheNeck(page207).

ARMBARFROMTHEGUARDGroundfightingFromtheguard,wegenerallyprefertokickoutandgetupratherthanremainonthegroundandattemptgrapplingtechniques.However,somelocks,suchasthisone,areverypracticaltoknow.Thistechniqueisveryeffectiveiftheattackermakesthemistakeofstraighteninghisarmwhilefightingorattemptingtoescapetheguard.Insportfighting,thistechniquecancausetheopponentto“tap,”orsurrender.Whenyourlifeisthreatenedonthestreet,thistechniquemaybeusedtodamageorbreaktheattacker’sarm.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,holdingtheattackerinyourguard.

1.Astheattackerstraightenshisarminanattempttoescape,grabholdofhisstraightenedarmandpull.Thegrabshouldbemadewithonehandonhiselbowandtheotherhandonhiswristforthemostsecurehold.

2–3.Asyoupull,bringyournearlegupandoverhisheadtowraparoundhisneck.Asyoudothis,shiftyourhipssothattheyareperpendiculartotheattacker,ifpossible.Keeppullingtomakesureyourhipsandgroingetclosetohisshoulder.Thisensuresthathiselbowwillbeabovethelineofyourgroin.

4–5.Ifpossible,usethelegmotiontotakehimdownontohisback,althoughthisactionisnotnecessaryfortheexercisetobesuccessful.Ifhestaysupright,orevenifherollstheotherwayandyouenduponyourstomach,thearmlockcanstillwork.

6.Squeezeyourkneestogether,pullthepinkysideofhishandtoyourchest,andpushoutwithyourhips.Thisputspressureonhiselbow.Becarefulintraining!

GUARDREVERSAL(SITUPANDSWEEP)GroundfightingKickingofffromtheguardwillbeyourmostcommontechniquewhenyoufindyourselfonyourbackwithsomeoneinyourguard.However,somedeterminedattackerswillnotallowyoutocreatemuchdistanceorgetaway.Inthesecases,youneedtoknowhowtoreverseyourposition,ratherthanjustescape.Thisreversalcanbedonewhentheattacker,inyourguard,sitsbacktopunch.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,holdingtheattackerinaclosedguard.

1.Astheattackersitsback,situpandputyourfeetonthefloor.

2.Postonehand(NOTyourelbow)onthefloorandliftyourhips;reachyouroppositehandupandacrosstotheattacker’soppositeside.Keepyourchindown;yourreachshouldalsoshieldyourfacefrompunches.Withyourreachinghand,grabthebackofhisarmonorabovehiselbow.

3–5.Pullhiselbow/arminanddown(asthoughtryingtopullhimunderyou)

whiledrivingwithyouroutsidehiptohelpturnhimover.

TIPSIfyouuseaclosedguard(anklescrossed),you’llneedtoreleaseyourlegsbeforeyoucanputyourfeetonthefloor.

CHOKEFROMTHESIDEDEFENSE

Groundfighting

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,withtheattackerkneelingonyourrightsideandapplyingachoke.

1.Makearight-handedpalmheelstriketotheattacker’ssternumorfaceasyoumakeapluckwithyourlefthand.Thestrikeismadeonlytocreatespace.

2.Immediatelyrollyourhipsup,tuckyourrightkneeinagainsttheattacker’schest,andbringyourleftfootintotheair.Asyoutuckyourrightkneeintotheattacker’schest,bringyourrighthandbackandgrabthedefender’slefthand.Bothyourhandsshouldnowbeholdingandpullingontheattacker’srighthand.

3.Bringyourleftlegdowninasharpmotionalongtheleftsideoftheattacker’sneck.Yourgoalshouldbebothtostrikeandtobringhimtowardtheground.

4.Asyoutakehimdown,focusonbringingyourleftheeltoyourbuttocks.Thiswillkeeptheattackerclosetoyouandgiveyoumorecontrol.Continuetopullontheattacker’srightarmtomaintaincontrolandkeephimclose.

5–6.Astheattackerhitstheground,bringyourrightfootupacrosshischest.Ifyouhavekepthimcloseandpulledonthearm,theattacker’sleftelbowwillbeabovethelineofyourgroin.HeisnowinapositionfortheArmBar(page314).

Onceyouapplythearmbar,youmayalsocontinuewithstompstotheattacker’sfaceandmidsection.

VARIATION:BecauseKravMagaemphasizessimplicity,aless-complexversionofthedefenseispossible.Insteadoftakingtheattackerdownwithyourleftfoot,simply“stomp”upwardtowardhisfaceandkicktheattackeraway.Ifyoumeetresistance,youmayhavetoperformthetakedown.

HEADLOCKFROMTHESIDEDEFENSE(BASICPOSITIONING)

GroundfightingThisisaverycommonwayforagroundfighttoendup.Unlesstheattackerismuchbiggerandstronger,theattackofferslessdangerthanwouldappear.Thedefendercanbepunchedandachokeispossible,thoughunlikely.However,a“neckcrank”ispossible.Therearethreebasictechniqueswithwhichtoescapefromthishold.However,twoofthemareverysimilar,andcanbeconsideredonetechnique.Wediscussbasicpositioningfirstsincethemovementsdescribedinlatersectionsallplayoffofthisposition.

THEPOSITION:Whentheattackerappliestheheadlockwhilesittingtoyourrightside,tuckyourchintoavoidbeingpunchedorchokedandshiftyourhipssothatyouareonyourside.

Raiseyourfree(upper)handupandplaceyourforearmacrossyourattacker’sneckandjaw.Thisarmcanbeusedtopushagainsttheattacker’sthroat/neck/headtopreventhimfromapplyingmaximumpressureagainstyourheadandneck.

Tuckyourother(lower)handin.Donotletthishandgetcaughtinsideyourattacker’soutsidehandbecausehewilltrapitthereeasily.

HEADLOCKFROMTHESIDEDEFENSE(ATTACKER’SWEIGHTFORWARD;LEGWRAP)GroundfightingIfyoufeelyourattackerleaningforward,executethefollowingfinishingmove.

STARTINGPOSITION:HeadlockfromtheSideDefenseBasicPositioning(page323).

1.Reachyourtoplegoverandhooktheattacker’sleg.

2.Pullonhislegasyoustraightenyours.Simultaneouslyuseyourtoparmtopushagainsthisneck,anddriveyourtophipintohis.Yourweightshouldtraveltowardhishead.Thisactionshouldalsocauseyourlowerhiptoslideoutfromunderneathhim.

3–4.Asheisforcedforward,driveyourshoulderdownwardintohis,creatingpressureonhisarmandneck.Inmostcases,thiswillreleasetheheadlock.

Besuretodriveyourweighttowardhishead,wherehehasnobase.

VARIATION:Iftheattackercontinuestomaintaintheheadlock,continuetoshiftyourhipsuntilyouareinacrouchedposition,ontheothersideofhisbody,withtheattackeronhissidebeneathyou.Becarefultomaintainyourbalance.Deliverhammerfiststrikestohisface,orgougeouthisfaceandeyes.

Iftheheadlockpersists,makeapalmheelstrikeagainsthisjawline,drivingupwardwithyourshoulderstostretchhimout.Thisiscalleda“cross-face.”

HEADLOCKFROMTHESIDEDEFENSE(ATTACKER’SWEIGHTFORWARD;WITHSPACE)GroundfightingAlthoughthistechniqueappearsdissimilarfromthepreviousexerciseandwillhaveaslightlydifferentresult,themovementsmadearealmostexactlythesame.Thistechniqueisdonewhenasmartattacker,attemptingtoavoidtheleghookoftheprevioustechnique,leansforwardbutalsoscootshislegsforwardtostayoutofyourreach.Althoughthismakesaleghookdifficult,itcreatesspacethatyoucanusetoyouradvantage.

1.Reachyourtoplegover,asthoughtryingtohooktheattacker’sleg.

2.Failingtohooktheleg,continuethemotionsothatyourhipsshift.Atthesametime,drawyourkneesupsothatyouareonyourkneesnexttoyourattacker.Yourlowerhandshouldbereadytobaseoutandstabilizeyourposition.Fromhere,thegreatestdangeroftheheadlockisessentiallyneutralized,althoughyoustillhaveastrongfightonyourhands.

3–4.Fromthisposition,youcaneitherslipoutoftheheadlock,delivercounterattacks,orevenmakeadefenseagainstheadlockfromtheside(page323).

HEADLOCKFROMTHESIDEDEFENSE(ATTACKER’SWEIGHTBACK)GroundfightingAttackerswillsometimesshifttheirweightbackwardtoapplymorepressuretotheneckortoavoidbeingtakenforward.

1–2.Withyourupperarm,pushtheattacker’supperbodybackward,towardyourownhips.Atthesametime,quicklyscootyourhipsoutoftheway.YourhipsMUSTmovequicklyoryouwillstallthetechnique.

3.Astheattackerrollsback,pullyourselfuptoyourknees,makingsureyourbottomhandisavailabletobaseoutincaseheattemptstorollyou.

4.Attackwithhammerfists,clawattheface,kneestotheback,orcross-face(seenoteunderHeadlockfromtheSideDefense—Attacker’sWeightForwardonpage324)untilhereleasesyourhead.

ESCAPEFROMTHEGUARD(STACKING)GroundfightingSTARTINGPOSITION:Attackerisonhisback,holdingyoutightinhisguard.

1–2.Driveforwardandmakeconstantattackstohisfacewithpunches,hammerfists,headbutts,scratches,eyegouges,etc.Besuretoprotectagainstarmbarsbyholdingyourelbowsintight.

3.Driveyourweightforwardto“roll”or“stack”himsothathishipsarehigherthanhishead.Yourhipsshouldlieagainstthebacksofhisthighssothathebearsyourweightaswellashisown.Squeezeyourkneesagainsthislegs.Yourfeetshouldmoveupandspreadouttostabilizeyou.

4.Delivermorecounterattacks.Youshouldbeinabetterpositiontodelivermorepunches.

5.Ifhereleaseshisguard,getupandout.

Don’tleanyourweighttoofarforwardoryou’llgetrolled.Don’tbringyourfeettoofarforwardorhe’llgrabthem.

VARIATION:Ifheloosens,butdoesnotrelease,hisguard,trytokneelbackdownwithyourweightback.You’llstillbeintheguard,butyouwillnowhavespacetopunchtothegroin.

SIDEMOUNT(BASICPOSITION)GroundfightingSidemountisanexcellentpositionfromthetop.It’softenmorestablethanafullmountbecausetheattacker(onbottom)islessabletousehishipstobuckyouoff.

THEHOLD:Withtheattackerontheground,sprawlyourupperbodyoverhistorso.Putyourweightthroughyourchestontohisbody,keepingyourelbowspressedinagainsthisbodyandheadtokeephimtight.

Pullyourbottomknee(theoneclosesttohiship)upsoitpressestightlyagainsthisbodyandhip,andextendyourtopleg(theoneclosesttohishead)outsothatyourhiptouchesthefloor.

Yourgoalistoremoveanyspacebetweenyouandtheattacker(remember,spaceequalsescape!).

VARIATION:Itisalsoacceptabletodoasidemountbyhavingbothkneesupandunderyou.Thispositionallowsforbetterstriking,butremovessomeofthe

pressurefromtheattacker’schest,allowinghimmorefreedomofmovement.Ifyouadoptthisposition,besurethatthetopkneeispressedclosetohisupperbody,andthatyourhandsandarmsarepositionedtostophimfromshiftinghishipsawaytocreatespace.

SIDEMOUNT(ARMLOCK)

GroundfightingThistechniqueisgoodifyoufeeltheneedtocontroltheattacker(or,alternately,breakhisarm)ratherthanstrike.

STARTINGPOSITION:AssumeaSideMount(page332)ontheattacker’srightsidesothathisleftarmisontheoutside.

1.Withyourlefthand,pushdownontheattacker’sleftwristusingathumb-lessgrip.

2.Withthebackofhishandonthefloor,reachunderneathhisarmwithyourrighthandandcatchyourownwrist—again,usingthethumb-lessgrip.Keepyourbodyandknee(s)closetohimsothathecannotpivotaway,andkeepyourweightontopofhim.Oneofhisdefenseswillbetoturnhisbodytorelievethepressure.

3.Keepingthebackofhishandontheground,slidehishandtowardhiship.Atthesametime,liftyourrightelbow,whichwillcrankhisleftelbow,causingextremepressureonhisshoulder.

SIDEMOUNT(STRIKES)GroundfightingInKravMaga,fromthetoppositionweprefertostrikewheneverpossiblesincethedefendercangeneratepowerandbecausestrikinggenerallyallowsthedefendertodisengagewhenhefeelsitisappropriate.Fromthesideposition,theprimary“technique”isnotthestrikeitself.Allthestrikesarebasic.Themainconcernisthatthedefenderlearnstostrikewhilealsomaintainingasolidpositiontopreventtheattackerfromgaininganadvantage.Thedefendershouldpracticedeliveringoneortwostrikesandthencheckhisposition.Youcanapplythefollowingstrikes:STARTINGPOSITION:BasicSideMountposition(page332).

STRIKE1:Elbowdownwardtothesideoftheattacker’shead.

STRIKE2:Elbowdownwardtotheattacker’sface.

STRIKE3:Kneestothehead.

STRIKE4:Kneetothebody.

STRIKE5:Headbutt(ifsafe).

STRIKE6:Bite.

STRIKE7:Eyegouge.

STRIKE8:Hammerfistpunches(althoughelbowsarestronger).

TIPSStrikewitheitherkneeandeitherhand,butremember,hemaytrytochangepositionsbyshiftinghishipsawayfromyou.Ifyourlowerhandisupandstriking,youmaygivehimtheopeningheneedstocreatedistance.

SIDEMOUNT(TRANSITIONTOFULLMOUNT)GroundfightingThesidemountisapositionofgreatadvantage.However,thedefendermayfeeltheneedordesiretotransitiontoafullmount.

STARTINGPOSITION:AssumeaSideMount(page332).

1.Slideyourbottomknee(theoneclosesttohiship)upandacrosshisstomach.Ifyouliftyourkneeintotheair,hemayslipunderyou;ifyoutrytomoveyourkneeacrossalowerpartofhisbody,hisownkneemayblockyou.

2.Asyourkneeandlegreachthefarsideofhisbody,bringyourkneetotheground.

3.Bringyourotherlegclosetohimtocompletethemountposition.

TIPSRemember,ifyouallowtoomuchspacetobecreated,youmaygivetheattackerroomtoimprovehisposition.Alwaysstaytight!

Throughoutthisentiremove,yourgoalshouldbetostayashighonhisbody(towardhischest)aspossible,ratherthandownbyhiships.

VARIATION:Ifheuseshiskneetoblockyourmovement,pushdownonhiskneewithyourlowerhand.

SIDEMOUNTDISENGAGE(KNEETOBELLY)GroundfightingThedefendershouldknowhowtosafelydisengagefromanyposition,includingsidemount.Thefollowingtechniquecanbeusedeithertoremaininpositionandcontinuestriking,ortoattacktheattackerbrieflyandthendisengage.

STARTINGPOSITION:AssumeaSideMount(page332).

1.Slideyourbottomknee(theoneclosesttohiship)upontohisstomach,almostasthoughmovingintoafullmount.

2.Pressyourkneeandshinintohisstomachandcomeupontoyourotherfoot.Besureyourweightisonyourkneesothathefeelsit!

3.Continuewithstrikestoneutralizeand/oroccupyhim.

4.Stepupandaway,movingoffquicklytoavoidhavingyourlegs/feetcaught.

VARIATION:Whilestriking,itmayhelpifyoucanfoldhisarmsinonthemselvesorotherwisetrapthem.

BlueBelt

BLUEBELT

OVERVIEW

WeconsiderBlueBelt(sometimescalled“Level4”)tobethefirstadvancedbeltinoursystem.Atthislevel,yourtrainingmovesbeyondbasicfightingskillsandself-defense—younowlearntodefendagainstthreatsandattackswithweaponssuchasgunsandsticks,andyouareintroducedtotheprinciplesofdefensesagainstaknife.Inaddition,sinceaBlueBeltpractitionershouldhavesolid,practicalexperienceinfighting,fightingbecomesasignificantfactorduringtheBlueBelttest.

AlthoughweconsiderBlueBelttobe“advanced”training,youshouldkeeponethinginmind:Evenathighlevels,ourKravMagatechniquesaresimple.Theydo,however,requireaggressiveanddecisiveaction,whichiswhywesavethemforstudentswhohavelearnedthebasictechniquesandareaccustomedtoaggressivetraining.Thetechniquesyouwilllearnherearethesameonesweteachlawenforcementandmilitarypersonnelaroundtheworld.Theaveragetrainingtimeforthislevel(assumingatleasttwotrainingsessionsperweek)isninemonths.

Thissectionintroducesthefollowingmaterial:

CombativesThecombativetechniquesdescribedintheBlueBeltcurriculumincludemore-advancedtechniques,especiallykicksthatmovebeyondthebasicsKravMagaemphasizes.Thereasonsforincludingthese“fancy”techniquesare:

1. Becauseothersystemsusethem,wemustbeproficientenoughtotrainhowtodefendthem.

2. Increasedabilitytoperformthesetechniquestendstoimprovethebasictechniquesaswell.Sweepsareamethodoftakingtheattackertothe

groundbykickingor“sweeping”hislegsoutfromunderhim.

DefensesThissectionfeaturesmoredefensesagainstkicks,andintroducesdefensesagainstthreetypesofweapons:sticks,knives,andguns.

StickDefenseA“stick”isthemostobviousmemberofafamilyofweaponsknownasbluntobjects.Thesecanincludenotonlybaseballbats,poolcues,tireirons,and“Club”carsecuritydevices,butalsohandheldrocks,hammers,andanyotherstrikinginstrumentthatdoesnotpossessalong,sharpedgeorpoint.Althoughsomeoftheseweapons(suchasarock)donotcreatethedistance-relateddangersofastick,thedefenseremainsthesameforalloftheseweapons.

Ofallthestandardbluntobjects,thestick(anditsobvioussynonyms,suchasabaseballbat)offerstheattackeronesignificantadvantage:reach.Alogicalapproachtostickdefensemustincludeamovement(i.e.,burstingin)toeliminatethisadvantage.Thisideaofburstingforwardshouldbestronglyemphasizedinanystickdefense.However,youcannotassumeyouwillalwayshavetimetoburstin.Yourdefensemustalsoworkifyouarelateandmustdealwiththestickitself.Therefore,thefollowingprinciplesalsoapply:

1. Againstanoverheadattack,thedefensemustcreatenoangleagainstthestick.Thisisdonebykeepingtheelbowsintightandstabbingtowardtheinsideofthewrist.

2. Againstabaseballbatswing,thedefendingstraightarmmustbeheldsothatthemeatypartofthearm,nottheelbow,isfacingthestick,andtheoppositehandmustbeuptoprotecttheface.

It’simportanttoknowhowtotakeawayastick,butonlyfortacticalreasons.Inotherwords,youmightwantthestickasaweaponagainstadditionalattackers.Butaslongasyoustayclosetoyourattacker,thestickinhishandrepresentslittleornodangertoyou.Therefore,don’tworryaboutthetakeawayuntilyou’veperfectedthedefense.

KnifeDefenses

KnifeDefensesOfthethreebasicweapons(gun,edgedweapon,bluntobject),theedgedweaponorkniferepresentsthemostdifficulttodefend(assuming,ofcourse,thatallthreearewithinreach).Smallchangesintheattackrequirerelativelylargechangesinthenecessarydefense.

Unlikeagun,aknifecannotbegrabbed.Unlikeastick,aknifestillrepresentsasignificantdangerevenwhenyoumoveinclose.Ifyouhaveenoughdistance,kickingispreferred,allowingyoutokeepdistancefromtheknife.Techniquesinthislevelwilldealwithkicksagainsttheknife.Thegeneralruleforkickdefensesagainsttheknifeisthatwhentheknifeislow,kickhigh;whentheknifeishigh,kicklow.

Oneprerequisiteforunderstandingknifedefensesisabasicunderstandingofcommonwaystoholdtheknife.Thethreebasicholdsareregular(overhead)stab,underhandstab,andstraightstab(picturedbelow).

Regular(overhead)stab

Underhandstab

Straightstab

GunDefensesAhandgunclearlyrepresentsadangerousthreat.Inanysituationinwhichyoufeelthatcompliancewillresultinyoursafety,youshouldcomply.Nopossessionisworthyourlife.However,it’spossiblethatyoumaycomplywitheveryorderandstillgetkidnappedorkilled.Inthesecircumstances,youmustknowaneffectivedefenseagainstthreatswithahandgun.

It’simportanttounderstandthatmostcrimesinwhichagunisinvolvedtakeplacewithinthreetofivefeetofthedefender.Gunmencomecloseeithertoterrorize,tointimidate,ortohidetheiractionsfrombystanders.Thisstatisticindicatesthattheaveragegun-relatedcrimeoffersthepossibilityfordefensivetactics.

Theover-archingprincipleinKravMaga’sdefensesagainsthandgunthreatsisthis:Onceyouareoutofthelineoffire,donotgobackin.Everytechniqueprescribestothisbasicprinciple.Inaddition,allKravMagatechniquesadheretothefollowingfourstages:

1. RedirecttheLineofFire

2. ControltheWeapon

3. Counterattack

4. Disarm

Often,twooftheseelements(usually,ControlandCounterattack)overlap.AswithallKravMagatechniques,thesedefensesmustworkunderstress.Theymustalsoworkifsimplevariationsarepresentedsothatthesmallestnumberoftechniquesworkagainstthelargestnumberofpossibilities.

MentalityoftheAttackerGunthreatsarenotmadeinavacuum.Agunmanwhosticksaguninyourfacewantssomething.Itmaybeyourpossessions,thesatisfactionofhumiliatingyou,orthethrillofterrorizinganotherhumanbeing.Whatevertheparticular

orthethrillofterrorizinganotherhumanbeing.Whatevertheparticularmotivation,thegunmanwhothreatensyougenerallydoessotoelicitsomedesiredresponse,notsimplytoexecuteyou.Thisaffordsustheopportunitytomakeadefense.Inadvancedtraining,youmaydealwithsituationsinwhichthegunmanmayindeedbedrawingaweaponsimplytofire.Butthisbeltleveldealswithbasicgunthreatsinarobbery/takeoverscenario.

ReactionIfyouaskpeoplewhatthedefenderis“racing”againstwhentryingtomakeadefense,mostpeoplewillanswer,“Theactofthegunmanpullingthetrigger.”Thisisincorrect.Thedefenderisnotracingagainstthetriggerpull.Ifthatweretrue,everygundefensewouldfail.

Thedefenderis,infact,racingagainstthegunman’soverallresponsetime:therecognitionthatheshouldpullthetriggerplusthetriggerpull.Therefore,gundefenses,especiallytheinitialredirections,mustinvolvetheleastdetectablemotionspossible.Thetechniquesthatfollowadheretotheseprinciples,yetofferdefensesagainsteverycommontypeofgunthreat.

Cavaliers“Cavaliers”arewristlocks.Whydowecallthemcavaliers?ThiswasImi’swordforthem.Hethoughttheywerefancymoves,andtheword“cavalier”soundedfancytohim!

GroundfightingMore-advancedtechniquesarecoveredtoimproveyourpositionwhileontheground.

TakedownsKravMaga,asasystem,doesn’tteachmanytakedownsand,admittedly,someothersystemsteachtakedownsmuchmorethoroughlythanwedo.Thereareanynumberoftakedownpossibilities,includingsingle-leg,double-leg,andtriptakedowns.SinceKravMaga’smandateistokeepthesystemsimple,wepresentonlythreebasictakedownshere.

Beforecontinuing,it’simportanttodiscusscontext:Whytraintotakesomeone

Beforecontinuing,it’simportanttodiscusscontext:Whytraintotakesomeonedowninthefirstplace?Oneimportantreasonistolearntodefendagainsttakedowns.Evenifyoudon’twanttotakethebadguytothefloor,hemightwanttotakeyouthere.Inordertodefendeffectively,yourpartnerhastomakeanadequaterealisticattack.

Anotherreasoniscontrol.Youmaywithtosubduesomeone(adrunkfriend,anemotionallydisturbedacquaintance)withouthurtingthem.Takingthemtothegroundandholdingthemthereisonepossibleway.

Finally,youmayfindyourselfinafightwithsomeonewhoisbetterthanyouatstandupfighting.Ifyou’reunabletorunaway,atakedownmaybeawaytoneutralizehisstandupskills.

Thedownsidetotakedownsis,ofcourse,thatyouwilloftenenduponthegroundyourself.Onceyou’reontheground,youbecomevulnerabletosecondaryattackers,andittakesjustalittlelongertodisengage,getup,andrunaway.

INSIDECHOPCombativesInsideandoutsidechopsaremadeagainstnarrowtargets,suchasthesideoftheneckwhenthechinisdownandtheshoulderisup.Theoutsidechopisverysimilartoahammerfist.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingatargetthatisinfrontofyou.

1.Raiseyourrighthand,palmdown,andextendyourfingers,flexingthemslightlytocreatetension.

2.Movingyourarmatadownwarddiagonal,rotateyourpalmsharplyandstrikethetargetwiththeoutside(pinky)edgeofyourhand.Pivotyourhipsforpower.

OUTSIDECHOP

Combatives

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingatargetthatistoyourright.

1.Raiseyourrighthand,palmdown,andextendyourfingers,flexingthemslightlytocreatetension.

2.Strikethetargetwiththeoutside(pinky)edgeofyourhand.Pivotyourhipsforpower.

MOUTHOFHAND

CombativesThispunchismadewiththetopofthefistwherethethumbandindexfingermeet.Inmanyways,itcanbeconsideredtheoppositeofahammerfistpunch.Thepunchismadeoneitheranupwardorlateralanglefromtheoutsideinwardorforward.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingatargetthatisinfrontofyou.Makeafist.

1.Swingyourhandforwardandupward,makingsuretobringyourshoulderforwardandpivotyourhip.

2.Oncontact,bendyourelbowtoprotectitfromhyperextensionandtodeliverextrapower.

AXEKICK

CombativesAxekickisconsideredoneofthelesspracticalkicksinKravMagabecauseitrequiresgreaterflexibilityandexposesthekickertodanger.However,itisusefulincertainsituationsanddoeshavesolidapplicationsingroundfighting.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingatarget.

1.Raiseyourrearlegjustacrossandoutsidethetarget(e.g.,ifyoukickwithyourrightleg,raiseittowardtheleft).

2–3.Keepingyourlegrelativelystraight,bringitupoverthetarget,thendownhard,makingcontactwithyourheel.Asyoumakecontact,bendyourkneetoprotectthejointandtoaddpower.Besureyourweightisinthekickbypressingforwardanddownwithyourhip.

VARIATION:Thisversiongenerallyrequiresevenmoreflexibilitythantheonedetailedabove:Ratherthanliftingyourlegtotheside,chamberyourlegintight,raiseyourkneehigh,thenkickoutwardtowardthetargetbeforedeliveringtheaxekickdownward.

SPINNINGOUTSIDESLAPKICK

CombativesThisspinningkickcanbeusedtogiveanopponenta“different”lookiftheopponentisusedtodealingwithroundkicksandfrontkicks.Thekickismosteasilydeliveredifthetargetisslightlyoff-angle(e.g.,ifyou’reinafightingstancewithyourrightlegbackandyourtargetistothefrontandleft)becauseitrequireslessrotation.Itiscertainlypossible,however,tomakethekickwithafull360°spin.

1.Pivotonyourforward(left)footsoyouturnoveryourrightshoulder.Focusonbringingyourheadandrightshoulderaroundsothatyourshoulderpassesthetarget.

2.Asyourheadcomesaroundandyourshouldercomesinlinewiththetarget,bringyourrightkneeuptoyourchest.

3.Asyourshoulderpassesthetarget,giveanOutsideSlapKick(page265).

4.Landinfightingstancefacingthetarget.

Beforeturning,youcantakeasmalldiagonalstepforwardtodecreasethedegreeofyourturn.

SPINNINGHEELKICK

CombativesSpinningheelkickisoneofthemostdifficultkickstolearn.Itinvolvesacertainamountofcomfort/trustinone’sownbodymovement.However,spinningheelkickmaybeconsideredslightlymorepracticalthanspinningoutsideslapkickbecausetheweapon(theheel)tendstobeharderthanthesideofthefoot,andbecausethekickrequiresslightlylessspintobedeliveredwithstrength.

1.Takeadiagonalstepwithyourforward(left)foot.Thisstephelpsthekickbyshorteningthedegreeoftheturn.

2.Spintowardyourright,pivotingonyourleftfoot.Focusongettingyourheadandshoulderaroundquickly.

3.Whenyourrightshoulderispointingatthetarget,raiseyourrightlegandswingthroughtodeliveraheelkick.

4.Strikethroughthetargetwithyourheel.

5.Endinfightingstancefacingthetarget.

TIPSMoreadvancedstudentscanomittheinitialdiagonalstep.

VARIATION:Theinitialdiagonalstepcanbeaccompaniedbyaleftpunchtodisguiseit.Iftheinstructionsabovearetoocomplex,youcantrythistrainingmethod.

1.MakearegularHeelKick(page262)withyourrightleg.

2.Nowcrossyourrightlegoveryourleft,thendeliverthesameheelkick.This“crossed”positionisexactlyhowyoushouldfeelduringaspinningheelkickjustbeforeyourlegisreleased.

Nowyoucanbegininafightingstanceandpracticespinning(withoutthekick)untilyourshoulderpointsatthetarget(youcanreachouttotouchthetargettoconfirmhowfaryou’vespun).Youshouldendupinexactlythesamepositionyouwereinwhendoingthe“crossed”heelkick.

SWEEPWITHFORWARDKICK

CombativesThisisa“true”sweepthatreliesonpositioning,balance,andleverage.Forcontext,assumethefollowing:Thedynamicsofthefighthavetakenyoutoapositionatyouropponent’sside,withyoueitherfacingperpendiculartohim,oralmostthesamedirectionhefaces.

STARTINGPOSITION:Standwiththeattackeronyourrightside,bothofyoufacingforward.

1.Controltheattacker’supperbodybygrabbinghisshirtorcatchingacrosshischest.

2.Asyouraiseyourright(inside)legback,pullhimsothathisweightfallsontohisnearfoot.

3.Sweepyourrightfootlowsothatthesoleofyourfootbrushesthefloorandthefrontofyourankletouchesthebackofhisankle.Yourtoesmustpointinthe

samedirectionashis.

4.Continuetosweepthrough,lettingyourfootriseofftheflooraftercontactwithhisankle.Atthesametime,useyourrightarmtodrivehimbackanddowntothefloor.

SWEEPWITHHEELKICK

CombativesSTARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingtheattacker.Grabyourattackerwithonehandoneitherofhisshoulders.Youroutsidefoot(left)mustbeatleastonthesamelineashis.Ifyou’retoofaraway,you’llendupgettingsweptyourself.

1.Usingyourhandsonhisshoulders,pullhisrightshoulderwhilepushinghisleftshoulder.Thiswillforcehimslightlyback,whilealsoputtingweightontheclosest(right)leg.

2–3.Takeyourrightfootoutsideandpasthisrightfoot,andsweepbackwardswithamovementverysimilartoanoffensivebackkick.Thesoleofyourfootshouldbrushthefloor;thebackofyourankleshouldmakecontactwiththebackofhis;yourtoesshouldbepointedintheoppositedirectionashis.Yourhipshouldbeslightlyinsideofhis.Thinkaboutliftingyourheeltotheceiling.Followthroughwiththemotion,continuingthepull/pushactionwithyourhandsanddrivingtheattacker’supperbodydown.

GENERALDEFENSEAGAINSTMEDIUMTOHIGHKICKSDefensesKravMagahasa“general”defenseagainstmediumtohighattacks.Thisdefensecanbemadewhenthehandsareupordown,andespeciallywhenthedefendercannotinstantlydeterminetheheightoftheattack.Althoughthisdefenseisverybasic,itisappliedindefensessuchasStick(BaseballBatSwing),Knife(Slash),HeelKick,SpinningHeelKick,andRoundKick,asdescribedhere.

1.Astheattackerthrowsahighrightroundkick,angleyourbodyinward(ifnecessary)sothatyourshoulderpointsatthekick.Raisingyourleftshouldertoprotectyourchin,straightenyourleftarmdownandtightenthemuscles.Thebackofyourhandshouldfacethekicksothatyourelbowisnotexposed.Simultaneouslybringyourrighthandupandacrosstoprotectyourface.Besureyourchinistucked.

Continuewithcounterssuchasanelbowtotheface.

Iftimeallows,burstintomeetthekickbeforeitdevelopsfullpower.Eveniftimedoesnotallowforastep,youshouldstillleanintobraceyourselfagainst

timedoesnotallowforastep,youshouldstillleanintobraceyourselfagainstthekick.

Thedefensecanbemadewiththestraightarmineitherafistorwithfingersextended.Afistispreferablebecauseittightensupthearmmusclestohelpthemabsorbtheimpact.However,ifyouaresurprised,the“fingersextended”versionisprobablywhatyou’lldo.

Onceyou’veblocked,itisalsopossibletotraptheleganddeliverknees,orsweep.

SLIDINGDEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICKDefensesInadditiontostoppinghighkicks,asshownintheGeneralDefenseagainstMediumtoHighKicks(page362),KravMagaalsoutilizesaredirecting(inthiscase,“sliding”)defenseagainsthighroundkicks.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstancewithyourhandsabitlowtosimulateeithersettinguptheopponentorfatigue.

1.Astheattackerthrowsahighrightroundkick,stabjustbeneaththerisingkickwithyourlefthand,whichisinafistwiththepalmfacingthefloor.Atthesametime,bringyourotherhandupandacrosstoprotectyourface.

2–3.Quicklyraiseyourarmasyoufeelthekickslidealongyourarm,andsimultaneouslyburstforwarddiagonallyinthedirectionofthekick.Theattacker’slegshouldbedrivenup,decreasingitspowerandstretchingouttheattacker’sgroin.

Fromhere,youcana)throwtheattackeroff,b)trapthelegandpunch,orc)trapthelegandperformanOutsideSweepwithHeelKick.

TIPSThesamedefensecanbemadeifthehandsaredown.

Beawarethatifthetechniqueisperformedlate,the“slide”willnotbeachieved,andthemovementbecomesaGeneralDefense.

PLUCKINGDEFENSEAGAINSTLOWTOMEDIUMSIDEKICKDefensesThisdefensecanbemadetotheliveordeadside,usingeitherhand.However,itisgenerallyeasiertomaketotheattacker’slivesidebecauseitallowsthedefendertopluckattheattacker’sfoot,ratherthanattheheel.Itisalsoeasiertodefendonthedefender’slivesidebecauseitmakesthebodydefensesimpler(thehipsarealreadyturned).However,thesetwoanglesarenotalwaysofferedatthesametime.

1.Astheattackerthrowsamediumrightsidekick,reachoutwithyourrighthand,makingsureyourhandandforearmtravelparalleltothefloorsothattheydonotofferanangletothekick.

2–3.Asyourhandpassestheapproachingkick,pluckbackwards,lettingyourelbowandforearmslidetightalongyourbody.Allowthemotionoftheplucktopullyourbodyforward(withtheleftsideleading),makingabodydefense.Simultaneouslyburstinwithyourfeet.

Continuewithcounterattacks.

TIPSThistechniquemustbemadequickly—thedefendinghandmovesinaquick“pickpocket”motion.Ifyoudefendtoyourdeadside,youwillneedtotakeastepwithyourbackfootinordertoburstin.

SLIDINGDEFENSEAGAINSTSPINNINGHEELKICK

DefensesTheprinciplesanddynamicsofthisdefenseareexactlythesameasthoseinSlidingDefenseagainstHighRoundKick(page363).

1.Astheattackermakesarightspinningheelkick,burstdiagonallyforward,bringingyourlefthandacrossyourfaceandforwardtoprotectagainstthekick(ifyou’relate)oragainstaspinningbackfistorelbow.Youradvanceshouldtakeyoutowardtheattacker’srighthipasitcomesaroundinthespin.

2.Stabwithyourrightarm,aimingtoslidejustunderneaththeknee.

3.Asyourarmmakescontact,raiseituptotakethemomentumfromthekick.

Ifyousucceedincatchingtheleg,youcana)trapitandstrike,b)throwthepersonoffbyshovingthelegintotheair,orc)trapthelegandperformasweep.

DEFENSEAGAINSTSPINNINGHEELKICK

DefensesAlthoughafightingstanceisusedtodescribethekickinthislesson,thisdefensecanbeperformedfromafightingstanceoraneutralstance.Thisdefenseassumesthatyouidentifytheattackrelativelyearly.

1–2.Astheattackermakesarightspinningheelkick,makeadefensivefrontkickwithyourrightleg.Kicktheattackeronthelegjustbelowtherightbuttock,atthetopofhisthigh.Besureyourhandsareupandcoveringincasethekickcomeshighandyourdefenseistoolatetocatchtheattacker’sleg.

STICKDEFENSEAGAINSTOVERHEADSWINGStickDefenses“Overheadswing”referstoalmostanyattackinwhichtheswingiscomingfromapointhigherthantheattacker’sshoulderinadownwardmotion.Theattackmightbestraightdownorataslightangle.

Note:Wheneverindoubt,usethisdefenseasyour“default”defense.Itoffersthemostoverallprotection.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance.

1.Astheattackerswingsthestickusinghisrightarm,bringyourhandsuptoyourhead,keepingyourfingersextendedandthebladesofyourhandsdownward.Besureyourelbowsareintighttoyourbodysothatyourdefendingarmisstraightandpresentsnoangletothestick.Bringyourheaddownbutkeepyoureyesforward.Leanforwardwithyourbodyevenbeforeyourfeetmove.Thissmallmotionwillhelpgetyoupastthestick.

2.Staboutwithyourdefending(usuallytheleft)handtotheinsideoftheattacker’swristandburstforwardwithyourfeet.Atthesametime,punchtotheattacker’sfacewithyourotherhand.Asyoustabandpunch,keepyourshoulderssquaretotheattacker.Thiskeepsyourheadfrombeingexposed.

3.Assoonasyoufeelthedefensehasbeenmade,immediatelygrabtheattacker’sshoulderwithbothhandsanddeliverkneestrikes.

TIPSIfyouarelatestabbingoutyourdefendinghand,youwilldefendthestickinstead.Aslongasyouhaven’tcreatedanangleagainstthestick,youshouldbeallright.

VARIATIONS:Onceyouunderstandthebasicdefense,havetheattackerswingatdifferentangles.Besureyoualwaysstabjustinsidetheswinginghandand

notautomaticallystraightoverhead.

TAKEAWAY1:Ifyoufeeltheassailantweaken,slideyourlefthandalonghisrightarmuntilitreachesthehand.Ifyoufeelthetipofthestickprotrudefromhishand,claspitandpullwhilegivingapalmheelstriketothesideofhisheadwithyourrighthand.

TAKEAWAY2(NOTPICTURED):Reachbackwithyourlefthand,grabthe

endofthestick,andmakeasharp“U”shapewithittopoptheotherendoutoftheattacker’shand.

STICKDEFENSEAGAINSTOVERHEADSWINGOFFANGLE/DEAD-SIDE(ONESTEP)StickDefensesInalmosteverycase,itispreferabletodefendoverheadswingsontheliveside.However,iftheattackcomesatanextremeangle(forinstance,ifaright-handedattackerswingsfromthedefender’sfarrightside),thedefendermayhavenochoicebuttomakeanoff-angle,ordead-side,defense.

1–2.Astheattackerswingsthesticktowardyourrightusinghisrightarm,raiseyournear-side(right)handandstabtotheoutsideoftheattacker’swrist,makingsurenottocreateanangleagainstthestick.Asyouraiseyourhand,turnyourshoulderstosquarethemtotheattackerandleanforwardtogetinpastthestick.Stepwithyouroutside(left)foottoburstforwardandclosemoredistance.

3.Asyouredirectthestick,pivotinthedirectionofthestick,trappingorcoveringthestick.

4–7.Catchthearmandcounterattackwithpunches;disarmtheattacker.

VARIATION:Burstinwithyourinside(right)footinsteadofyourleft.Asyouredirectthestick,takeastepwithyourleftfootandcounterattack.Thisdefenseputsmoredistancebetweenthedefenderandapossiblethirdpartyapproachingfrombehind.

STICKDEFENSEAGAINSTBASEBALLBATSWING(HORIZONTALSWING)StickDefensesUnlikeoverheadswing,inwhichthedefenseredirectstheattack,thisdefensestopstheattack.However,westillemphasizeleaningforwardandburstingin.Also,noteagainthatifyouareeverindoubtastowhethertheattackisanoverheadorbaseballbatswing,usetheStickDefenseagainstOverheadSwing(page370).

1.Astheattackerswingsthesticktowardyourleftusinghisrightarm,turnyourleftshoulderinandtowardthedirectionofthestick.Asyoudothis,leanintowardtheattacker’sarm/shoulderandextendyourleftarmdownalongyourbody,butnottouching.Besurethemeatypartofyourarm,nottheelbow,ispointedtowardtheoncomingstick.Alsobringyourrighthandacrossyourbodyanduptoprotecttheleftsideofyourface.NotethatthisisverymuchliketheGeneralDefenseagainstMediumtoHighKicks(page362).

2.Burstforwardtowardtheinsideofthestick.Onimpact,“pop”yourleftarmslightlyforwardforadditionalimpactagainstthebodyor,ifyouaredefendingagainstthestickitself,tocatchthestickearlierinitsmotion.

3.Afterimpact,immediatelybringyourlefthanduptotrapthestickarmwhilesimultaneouslygivingarightelbowstriketotheattacker’sface.

4.Followupwithkneestrikes.

TIPSEventhoughyourleftarmisextendeddownward,besureyourleftshoulderisuptohelpprotectyourjaw.

Sometimesyouwillnothavetimetoburstforward.Thisiswhyturninginwardissoimportant—itoftentakesyouforward,pastthestick,evenifyourfeetdon’tmove.

TAKEAWAYVARIATION:Onceyoufeeltheattackerweaken,reachoverwithyourrighthand,grabtheendofthestick,andsnapitdownwardina“U.”

KICKDEFENSEAGAINSTKNIFEATTACKFROMADISTANCEKickDefensesLikeallkickdefenses,thisdefenseassumestheattackerisatadistanceandisapproachingwithdetermination.Ifyoudon’trecognizetheattackearlyon,youwon’tbeabletokick.

Inpreviousyears,wemadeadistinctionamongdifferentattacksandexecuteddifferenttypesofkicksrelativetoeachgrip.However,emphasiswasalwaysplacedondeliveringANYkindofkickasearlyaspossible.Morerecently,we’vesimplifiedthetechniquetofollowthatstrategysothatyoudeliveronemidlinekickagainstallattacks.Thisobeysthedictumthatyouwillprobablynotseeaknifeanyway,andthereforeyouwon’tbeabletojudgethetypeofhold.Thereisnotimefordecisionmaking—justsendakick!

1–2.Astheattackerapproaches,burstforwardwithakicksimilartoaDefensiveFrontKick(page155),orFrontKick—VerticalTarget(page74).

Immediatelymakedistanceandlookforanobjecttouseasaweaponorshield,orrun.

Ifthereisnotimetoadvance,makethekickinplace.Ineithercase,makeyourselfaslongaspossiblebyextendingyourhip.Thisallowsyoutostrikewhiletheknifeisasfarawayaspossible.

VARIATION:Continuetoattackinordertodestroythetarget,controllingtheknifearmwithyourhands.

KICKAGAINSTSTRAIGHTSTAB(BAILINGOUT)KickDefensesThisdefensecanbeusedifthedefenderrecognizestheknifeattackandwantstobailoutandawayfromthelineoftheattack.Ifthedefenderdoesnotrecognizeinadvancethatastraight-stabknifeattackiscoming,heshouldmakearegularfrontkickasinthepreviousexercise.

1–2.Astheattackerburstsinwiththestab,stepdiagonallyforwardwithyourleftfootand“bailout”withyourbody,takingyourrightshouldertowardyourleftkneetogetoutofthelineoftheattacker.Asyoumakethisbodydefense,deliveraroundkickwiththeballofyourfoottotheattacker’sgroin.Recoilyourfootquicklyandmoveoff,lookingtoescapeorpickupanobjecttouseasashieldorweapon.

VARIATION:Itispossibletocontinuewithattacksandattempttocontroltheweapon.Thisis,however,difficulttoperforminrealisticscenarios,andwenolongerrequireitasapartofthetechnique.However,wedescribeithereforreference:Afterdeliveringtheroundkick,recoilyourfootandchamberforasidekick.Deliverasidekicktothesideoftheattacker’skneewhilecontrollingtheknifehandwithyourrighthand.

GUNFROMTHEFRONTGunDefensesCaution:Intraining,DONOTletyourpartnerputhisfingeronthetriggerasitmaygetbroken.

1.Astheattackerpresentsthegunwithhisrighthand,smoothlysendyourlefthandtotheweaponinastraightline,puttingthesideofyourindexfingeratthesideoftheweaponandpushinginastraightlinetoyourright.Themovementshouldtakethegunoffyourbodyparalleltothefloor.Anydiagonalmovementupordownmeansthatthegunstaysonyourbodyforalongerperiodoftime.Thismovementalsomovestheweaponfromvitalareas(centerofthechest)toareasthatarelessvital,untiltheguniscompletelyoff.Justasyourhandreachestheweaponandbeginstoredirect,makeabodydefensebyallowingyourleftshouldertocomeforward.Thishastheaddedbenefitofputtingyourmotionandweighttowardthegunmaneventhoughyourfeethavenotyetmoved.

2.Grabtheweaponsharplyand“punch”itdownsothatthegunpoints90°awayfromyouandisroughlyparallelwiththefloor.Youshouldalreadybeputtingweightdownontheweapon.Burstforwardwithyourfeetsothatyouendupinafightingstancewithyourleftfootjustoutsidethegunman’srightfoot.Often,thegunwillendupontheattacker’sstomach.Thisisfine,butisnotarequirementsincethegunman’sbodypositionisnotalwayspredictable.Amoreconsistentruleisthis:Thegunshouldbeinfrontofyourrightthigh(butnotpointingthatway),withyourweightonit.

3.Keepyourweightontheweaponbutdeliverapunchtothefacewithyourrighthand.Alwaysmakesureyourweightstaysontheweapon!

4.Recoilyourpunch,slideyourhandalongyourbodytoavoidthelineoffire,reachdown,andgrabtheweaponatthehammerorthebackoftheslide.

5.Rotatethegunsharply90°to“break”itfromthegunman’sgrasp.Thismaybreakthegunman’sfinger.

6.Pulltheweaponbacktowardyourleftside.Notethatyourfeethavenotyetmoved.Assoonastheweaponisinyourpossession,retreattoasafedistance.

TIPSTheinitialredirectionmustinvolvenootherbodymovement:noleaning,notensing,noshiftingofyourfeet.

AsyouredirectinStep2,yourrighthandcanalreadybecominguptopunch,butitshouldbeclosetoyourbodysothatitisnotinthelineoffire.

TOTHEHEADVARIATION:ThistechniqueisthesameastheregulardefenseagainstGunfromtheFront(page382),withonedifference:Youmakeanearlierbodydefensebymovingyourheadevenbeforeyourhandhasreached

thegun(althoughthehandalwaysleadsthemotion).Thisispossiblebecausethemovementtogetyourheadoutofthelineoffireisshorterandsimplerthanmovingyourwholebody.

GUNTOTHESIDEOFTHEHEAD

GunDefensesFordemonstrationpurposes,theseinstructionsassumethatthegunisintheattacker’srighthand.Exceptfortheinitialredirection,thistechniqueisessentiallylikeGunfromtheFront(page382).

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance,withthegunmanonyourleftside.

1–2.Astheattackerpresentsthegunwithhisrighthand,liftyourlefthandupalongyourbody,keepingyourelbowback.Asyourhandnearsthegun,begintomakeabodydefensebytiltingyourheadbackward.Thetimingofthisheadmovementisearly,similartothatofGunfromtheFront(TotheHead).Withyourfingersup,redirectthegunforwardandgrabit.

3.Immediatelyturnthegunsharplysothatitpointsapproximately90°awayfromyouand“punch”theweapondownwithyourweightontopofit.

4–6.Turnyourbodyandbursttowardtheattacker,completingthetechniqueexactlyasinGunfromtheFront.

GUNFROMTHESIDE,BEHINDTHEARMGunDefenses

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance,withtheattackertoyourleft.

1.Astheattackerputsthegunbehindyourleftarmwithhisrighthand,makeasmallredirectionwithyourarm,pushingthegunofflinebehindyou.Thismovementshouldberelativelysmall.

2.Turntowardthegunmanandreachtowardhimwithyourlefthand(theonethatmadetheredirection),slippingyourarmunderneaththegunman’s.Yourgoalshouldbetoreachasdeepaspossibleevenbeforeyou’vemovedyourfeet.

3.Continuingtoreachwithyourlefthand,burstinVERYDEEPsothatyour

leftfootisoutsidethegunman’srightfoot.Wrapyourleftarmup,bringingyourfisttightlytoyourchesttosecuretheforearmholdingthegun.Withyourreararm,deliveranelbowstriketothegunman’sface.Asyoudeliverthestrike,youcanslideyourotherarmbacktosecurethewristratherthantheforearm.

4.Followwithkneestrikes.

5.Withyourfreehand,reachover,pinkyup,andgrabthebarrel.

6.Snapdownhardwithyourelbowtobreakhisgrip.

7.Liftthegunuptogetitoffthefingerinthetrigger.

8.Strikewithanelboworthemuzzleandgetout,creatingdistance.

TIPSBesureyourholdonthewristisstrong.Pressyourfisttoyourchest.Pushyourshoulderforward—notethatthisisyourshoulder,notyourwholeupperbody.

GUNFROMTHESIDE,INFRONTOFTHEARM(TOUCHING)GunDefensesThistechniqueistheonlyoneintheKravMagasystemwhereinyouredirect,control,anddisarmfirst,THENcounterattack.Thisisneverthedesiredorderofevents,butthereisnobettermovementfromthisposition.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance,withtheattackertoyourleft.

1.Astheattackerputstheguntoyourside(infrontofyourarm)withhisrighthand,slideyourlefthandupalongyourbodywithyourfingersdownandpalmfacingforward.

2–3.Catchtheattacker’swrist(hereyourhandactsasabrace,preventingthewristfrombending)andpushforwardtoredirecttheweapon.Atthesametime,contractyourabsandmakeadiagonalsteptowardthegunman.

4.Asyouadvance,slideyourrighthandinalongyourbody,avoidingthelineoffire,thenreachforwardandgrabthebarrel.Yourfingersshouldbedownandyourthumbshouldbeuptohelppreventthegunfrombeingturnedbacktowardyoubeforeyouhavecontrol.Asyougrabthegunman’swrist/handwithyourlefthandandthebarrelwithyourrighthand,yourkneesshouldbeslightlybenttomaintainbalance,andyoushouldbeontheballsofyourfeet.

5.Pullagainstthewristwithyourinsidehandandturnyouroutsideshouldersharplyin,rotatingtheguninandslightlydown.Thisshouldbreaktheweaponfromthegunman’sgrasp.Takingthegunslightlydownpressesitoverthethumb,whichcausesadditionalpain.

6–7.Usingyourrighthand,pullthegunawayfromthegunmanandtowardyourbody.Deliverapunchtothegunman’sfacewithyourlefthand,andfollowwitharightpunch,strikingwiththemuzzleofthegun.

Retreatquicklytoasafedistance.

GUNFROMTHEFRONT,PUSHINGINTOTHESTOMACH

GunDefensesAlthoughthebasicthreathereisGunfromtheFront,thegunmancreatesdifficultyifhepressesthegunhardintothestomach,perhapstopushthedefenderbackward.Ifthegunispresseddeeply,itwillbedifficulttomaketheregularGunfromtheFronttechnique(page382).Inthiscase,applythedefenseforGunfromtheSide,inFrontoftheArm.Youwillneedtoaddapivotofyourhipstoallowthegunroomtomove.Thisexampleassumesyoushiftbackonyourrightside.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passiveorneutralstance,withthegunmanholdingtheguntoyourstomachandpushing

1.Asthegunmanpushesintoyourbody,pivotyourrighthipbackwhileyourlefthandslidesinandredirectsthegunbycatchingthegunman’swristexactlyasinGunfromtheSide,inFrontoftheArm(page392).Thegunman’spush,combinedwiththepivotofyourhip,maycauseyourrightfoottostepback.Thisisfine—justbesurethebodymotionprecedesthefootsteptoavoidtelegraphing.

2.Slideyourrighthandalongyourbodyandthenforwardtocatchthemuzzleoftheweapon.Besureyourelbowsaretightagainstyourbodytocreateastrongframeandsupportforyourgrip.

3.DisarmexactlyasdescribedinGunfromtheSide,inFrontoftheArm(page392)andthencontinuewithcounterattacks.

GUNFROMBEHIND(TOUCHING)GunDefensesThetechniqueforGunfromBehindisexactlythesameasGunfromtheSide,BehindtheArm(page389),withacoupleofsmalldifferences.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance,withtheattackerbehindyou.

1.Astheattackerputsthegunagainstyourbackwithhisrighthand,lookbehindyou!Youaren’treallyconcernedaboutwhatistouchingyourbody.Youneedtomakesurethegunisn’tintheotherhand.

2.Leadingwithyourleftarm,turndeeplyenoughtoredirecttheweaponandtakeyourbodyoutofthelineoffire.Thebodydefenseshouldcauseyoutoimmediatelyleanbacktowardtheattackerevenbeforeyourfeetmove.

3–5.Continuingtoreachwithyourlefthand,burstinVERYDEEPsothatyourleftfootisoutsidethegunman’srightfoot.Wrapyourleftarmup,bringingyourfisttightlytoyourchesttosecuretheforearmholdingthegun.Withyourreararm,deliveranelbowstriketothegunman’sface.Asyoudeliverthestrike,youcanslideyourotherarmbacktosecurethewristratherthantheforearm.

6.Followwithkickstothegroin.

7.Withyourfreehand,reachover,pinkyup,andgrabthebarrel.

8.Snapdownhardwithyourelbowtobreakhisgrip.

9.Liftthegunuptogetitoffthefingerinthetrigger.

10.Strikewithanelboworthemuzzleandgetout,creatingdistance.

TIPSIfthegunisheldlow,yourarmwillmaketheredirectionalongwiththebodydefense.Ifthegunisheldhighonyourback,yourarmwillhavelittleornoeffect,andyou’llmostlymakeabodydefense.However,yourarmstillhelpsyourbodyrotate.

CAVALIER#1Cavaliers

STARTINGPOSITION:Grabtheattacker’srightwristwithyourlefthand.Withyourrighthand,“cap”theattacker’srighthandbyplacingyourhandoverhis.Thiscanbedonewithanexplosivepunchingmovementwithyourhand.

1.Pullthewristtowardyouwithyourleftandpushdownwithyourright,puttingstrainontheattacker’swrist.Applypressureusingyourupperbodyandevenyourlegs,notjustyourarms.Thisholdshouldtakeplaceapproximatelyaforearm’slengthawayfromyourbody.

2.Pivottoyourleftonyourrightfootwhiledrivingtheattacker’sarmdown,slamminghimtotheground.Asyoucompletethemove,bendyourknees,NOTyourback,tokeepcontroloftheattacker.

3.Immediatelytwistsharplyback,layingyourshinagainsthisneckandyourkneealonghisarmtopreventhimfromrollingout.

Thecavalierismadebypushingthefistdowntowardthewrist,notbytwistingit.

CAVALIER#2

Cavaliers

STARTINGPOSITION:Grabtheattacker’srightwristwithyourlefthand.Withyourright,“cap”theattacker’srighthandbyplacingyourhandoverhis.Thiscanbedonewithanexplosivepunchingmovementwithyourhand.

1.Pullthewristtowardyouwithyourleftandpushdownwithyourright,puttingstrainontheattacker’swrist.Applythepressureusingyourupperbodyandevenyourlegs,notjustyourarms.Thisholdshouldtakeplaceapproximatelyaforearm’slengthawayfromyourbodyformaximumforce.

2–3.Burstforward,pushingthearmtotheoutsideoftheattacker’sshoulderandthendown.Bepreparedtomovefartherforwardwithyourfeetiftheattacker’sfallrequiresit.

4.Immediatelytwistsharplyback,layingyourshinagainsthisneckandyourkneealonghisarmtopreventhimfromrollingout.

CAVALIER#3

CavaliersThiscavalieroftencausestheattacker’shandtoopen,andiseffectiveifyouwishtomakehimletgoofanobject.

Thiscavaliercanbethesameaseither#1or#2,exceptthatinsteadofplacingonehandonthewristandoneonthehand,bothhandsareonthewristandboththumbspushthebackofthehanddowntomakethetechnique.

STARTINGPOSITION:Catchtheattacker’shandandwristinyourtwohands.Placeboththumbsonthebackofhishand;besureyourfingersaroundhiswristdonotbracethewristandpreventitfrombending.

1.Pullwithyourfingersandpushwithyourthumbssotheattacker’shandgoesdowntowardhiswrist.Thiswillcausehishandtoopen.

Fromhere,youcantakehimdownasin#1and#2.

CAVALIER#4

CavaliersCavalier#4ismadewhentheattacker’swrististoostrong,orwhenthedefenderwantsthecavaliertoknockanobjectoutoftheattacker’shand.

STARTINGPOSITION:Grabtheattacker’srightwristwithyourlefthand.

1.Withyourrightarm,deliveranelbowstriketotheattacker’swrist.

Assoonasyoufeelthatyou’vebrokenthewrist,pressdownwithyourforearmuntilyoutaketheattackerdown.

STRADDLED,WITHWRISTSPINNED(SLIDEHANDSONGROUND)Groundfighting

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,withtheattackerstraddlingyouandpinningyourwriststothefloorwithhisweight.

1.Buckyourhipsuptowardyourheadandovertooneside.Atthesametime,slideyourhandsdowninanarctowardyourownhips,similartothewayachildmakes“snowangels.”Besureyourhandsslideontheground.Theyshouldnotliftup.

2–3.Astheattackertopplesoff,rolloverandcounterattack.

VARIATION:Beforeyoubuck,foraddedleverage,youcantraponeofthedefender’slegswithyourleg.

STRADDLED,WITHWRISTSPINNED(WRISTLOCK)GroundfightingWithyourwristspinnedclosetogetherorcrossedoveryourhead,the“snowangel”techniquedoesnotworkbecauseyouhavenoleveragetomoveyourarms.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,withtheattackerstraddlingyouandpinningyourwriststogethertothefloor,aboveyourhead,withhisweight.

1.Moveonehandsothatyoucantraptheattacker’swrist;itdoesnotmatterwhichofhishandsyoutrap.Iftheattackerissostrongthatyoucannotmoveonehand,youcan“fake”withthathand—whenhepushesdownonthatside,moveyourotherhand.

2–3.Onceyoutraphishand,buckyourhipsandexecuteatrap-and-rollmovementtothatside.

Youcansometimesuseyourforearm/elbowagainsthisarmforadditionalleverageasyoubuckyourhips.

TIPSEvenifyoucannotmoveyourhands,youcanstillexecutethetrapandroll.Remember,bypinningyourhandscloseoveryourhead,hehasalsotrappedhisownhandinapositionthatmakesitdifficultforhimtobaseout.Thetrapandrollwillwork!However,hemayreleasehisgripandbaseout,whichmeansyourwristsarefreeandyoucanworkonastandardtrap-and-roll.

CHOKEWHILEATTACKERISINGUARD

GroundfightingSomeattackers,whenpunchingfromtheguard,willovercommittheirweighttothepunch.Whilethisisaneffectivetechnique,itencouragesthedefendertograppleratherthangetup.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,theattackerinyourguard.

1–2.Astheattackermakesarightpunch,redirectitsothatitpassesbyyourheadtoyouropposite(right)shoulder.Usehismomentum,plusthestrengthofyourlegspullingin,tobringhiminclose.

3.Wrapyouroutsidehandaroundhisneckandgrabthebicepsofyourredirectingarm.Bendtheredirectingarmbackandgrabyourownhead.

4.Squeeze.

VARIATION:Youcanalsouseyourheadforadditionalpressurebypushingin.

TRIANGLECHOKE

GroundfightingThismovementisavariationoftheArmBar(page314)discussedinGreenBelt.Itismadewhenyouhavetheopponentinyourguard.Itisespeciallyeffectiveiftheattackertriestoescapetheguardbyslidingonearmbetweenhisbodyandyourleg.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,theattackerinyourguard.

1–2.Whentheopponenttriestoescapetheguardbyslippinghisleftarmunderyourrightleg,grabholdofhisotherarmabovetheelbow.Atthesametime,shiftyourhipssoyourbodypivotstowardyourright.Yourgoalistobeperpendiculartoyouropponent.Bringyourrightlegacrossthebackofhisneck.Keepatightholdontheleftarm.

3.Bringtheleftlegupandcrossitoverthetopoftherightfoot.Therightfoot

mustreachthecrookofthetopleg.Squeeze.

Iftheattackerresists,oryourholdisn’tstrongenough,reachupwithafreehandandgrabthebackofhishead,bendingitinward.

VARIATION:Iftheholddoesnotseemtobeworking,youcanalwayspunchtohisface.

GUARD—BOTTOMPOSITION:GUILLOTINE

GroundfightingYoucanmakethisattackonitsown,butitalsoworkswellifyoutrythe“SitUpandSweep”technique(page317)andthentransitiontothisattackifthatonefails.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,attackerinyourclosedguard.

1.Whentheattackersitsbackinyourguard,situpanduncrossyourankles;putyourlefthandonthegroundandreachyourrighthandupandacrossasthoughtryingtoreachpasthisrightshoulder.

2.Wrapyourrightarmaroundthebackofhisneckandthenunderhischin.

3.Grabyourrighthandwithyourleft(youmayneedtoscootyourhipsbackalittletodothis).

4.Wrapyourlegsaroundhiswaistagain,crossingyourankles,andlieback.

5.Pullwithyourarms,sealingthechoke,andpushawaywithyourlegstostretchhimout.

GUARD—BOTTOMPOSITION:DEFENSEAGAINSTGUILLOTINE

GroundfightingIfyoufindyourselfinsomeoneelse’sguard,theymayattemptaguillotineagainstyou.Herearetwobasicdefensesagainstaguillotine.First,avoidtheguard.Ifyoufeeltheattackerattempttheguillotine,hopoutofhisguard,movingtothesamesideastheattackingarm.Ifyoucannotescapetheguard,makethefollowingdefense:STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerholdsyouinhisguardwhilehesnakeshisrightarmaroundyourneck.

1.Theminuteyoufeeltheattackerwraphisarmaroundyourneck,tuckyourchin.Withyourlefthand,pluckathishandstorelievesomepressure.Atthesametime,wrapyourrightarmaroundhisneck.Thismakesitdifficultforhimtostretchyououtwithhislegs.

2.Liftyourhipsupandspreadyourfeetwideto“stackup”;thinkaboutcreatingatripodwithyourtwofeet,usingyourrightarmandshoulderasthethirdfootofthetripod.

3.Usingyourbodyweight,driveyourshoulderintotheattacker’sneckandthroat.Itwillbeverydifficultforhimtomaintaintheguillotine.

4–7.Whenhereleaseshisarms,eithersitbackonyourknees(stillinhisguard)orhopoutofhisguardtosidemountifpossible(shown).

HEADLOCKFROMBEHINDONTHEGROUND

GroundfightingWhileKravMagadoesnotemphasizemanygrapplingorsubmissionmoves,therearheadlock(alsocalleda“carotidchoke”or“rearnakedchoke”)isgoodtoknow.Youmayneedtouseit,anditisalwaysgoodtoattackproperlywhenyourpartnerislearningtodefend.Thebasicpointshereapplywhetheryouareontoporbottomfrombehind.

STARTINGPOSITION:Onyourback,withtheattackerontopofyoubutwithhisbacktoyou.

1.Wrapyourlegsaroundhisbodyanddigyourheelsintohisthighsjustbelowthegroin.Thisisknownasgettingyour“hooks”in;thepositionmakesitdifficultfortheattackertoperformanescape.Wrapyourrightarmaroundhisnecksothathisthroatisinthecrookofyourelbow.

2.Grabyourleftbicepwithyourrighthand.

3.Putyourlefthandontheleftsideofyourhead.Squeezeyourelbowstogetherandpuffoutyourchest.Theideaistosimultaneouslysqueezeyourforearmononesideofhisneckandyourbicepontheothersideofhisneck,applyingpressuretothecarotidarteriesinhisneckandtemporarilycuttingoffthebloodsupplytohisbrain.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHEADLOCKFROMBEHIND

GroundfightingThispositionreferstoaholdinwhichtheattackerisonhisbackplacingabararmorcarotidholdonthedefender.Theattackerwillalsogenerallyhavehisheelshookedintothedefender’slegs.Notehowprinciplesandmovementsfromthestandingheadlockapplyonthegroundaswell.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerisonhisback,withdefenderfaceupinattacker’sguard.

1.Astheattackerbeginstheheadlock,turnyourchinawayfromtheattackingsidetorelievethepressureofthechoke.Sendbothhandsupandbackwardtopluckattheattacker’sjoinedhands.

2.Withyourfeet,driveyourshouldersupandbacktowardtheattacker’sshoulderontheholdingside(i.e.,ifhisrightarmisaroundyourthroat,driveuptowardhisrightshoulder).Continuedrivinguntilyourheadand/orshoulderstouchtheflooronthatside.Shiftyourhipstotheside.Yourgoalistogetyourhipsandrearflattothefloor—evenifthismeanslyingontopofhisleg.Atthispoint,theheadlockisgone.

3–4.Turnsharplyinward;youwillmostlikelyendupontopintheattacker’s

guardorsidemount.Followupwithcounterattacks.

TIPSBecauseofthegroundposition,reachingyourhandsupandbackwillprobablyhavelesseffectontheattackerthanthestandingversion.Yourgoalisrelievesomepressure.

TAKEDOWN#1:SIMPLETAKEDOWNTakedownsThisisasimpletakedownthatreliesverylittleontechnique.

1.Getinclose,droplow,andwrapyourarmsaroundyouropponent’slegs,withyourheadand/orshoulderinhisstomach.Yourarmsmaybeclasped,oryoucanhookonehandaroundeachofhislegs.

2–3.Pullhislegsintowardyouandleftslightly;atthesametime,useyourlegstodriveyourweightintohisstomach.

4.Ifyouwishtocontinuetheattackontheground,immediatelymoveupwardontohisbodyandcontinuetoattack;youmayalsotrytodisengageandstandupwhileheisstillontheground.

Thissimpletakedownismoreeasilydefendedbytheopponent.Hecansprawlorsimplypushdownonyourheadtostopyourforwardprogress.However,it’sagood,generallyeffectivetakedownagainstanon-expertopponent.

agood,generallyeffectivetakedownagainstanon-expertopponent.

TAKEDOWN#2:DOUBLE-LEGTAKEDOWNTakedownsThistakedownisstillsimplebutrequiresalittlemoretechnique.Inthisexample,wearemovingslightlytotheattacker’srightside.

1.Droplowandshootinquickly,wrappingyourarmsaroundyouropponent’slegs;youmustgetyourhipsinclosewithyourfeetunderneathyou.Keepyourhandsupasyouapproachtoguardagainstakneetotheface.Yourheadmaybetotheoutsideofhisrighthip(seenotebelow).

2.Withyourhipsunderneathyou,useyourlegstolifttheattackerslightlyofftheground(hedoesn’thavetogohigh;justgethisfeetoffthefloor).Useyourarmstosweephislegstoyourleft;atthesametime,useyourheadtopushorsteerhisupperbodytoyourright.

3.Astheattackergoestothefloor,youshouldfindyourselfinasidemountposition.

TIPSItisveryimportanttogetyourhipsclosetotheattackerandunderyourshoulderswithyourchestup.Thismakesitdifficultfortheattackertodefendbypushingyourheaddownorcounterattackwithaguillotinechoke.

TAKEDOWN#3:TOE-PICK

TakedownsThistakedownonlyrequiresyoutocatchoneleg,andcanworkevenifyoufailtogetyourhipsclosetotheattacker.

1.Droplowandshootinquickly,wrappingyourarmsaroundoneoftheattacker’slegs.Weassumethatyoudroppedverylow,perhapsasiftheattackerpushedyoudown,andthatyoucatchhisfootratherthanhisleg.

2–3.Pullhisfoottowardyouandslightlyupwardwhiledrivingyourshoulderintohisshinjustbelowhisknee.Useyourlegstohelpdriveyourshoulder.BECAREFULintraining,becausethistakedowncandamagetheattacker’skneeifdoneaggressively.

4.Ifyouwishtocontinueattackingontheground,moveuptosidemount.Otherwise,stepbackandstandup.

BrownBelt

BROWNBELT

BrownBeltisthefinallevelbeforetheBlackBelttest.AtourKravMagaWorldwidecertifiedschools,youwillsometimesseethislistedas“Level5,”whichdenotesclassesdesignedforBrownBelts,BlackBelts,andabove.Atthislevelyouwillcontinuetolearntodefendagainstguns,knives,andsticks.Theanglesofattackbecomehardertodealwith,andthestresslevelincreases,butbecausethisisKravMaga,theprinciplesremainthesame.Inadditiontohandguns,inthefirearmssectionwelearntodealwithlonggunssuchasshotgunsandassaultrifles.Expecttotrainatleast12monthsatthislevel,assumingaminimumoftwotrainingsessionsperweek.BytheendofBrownBelttraining,youshouldfeelthatyoucanstandinthemiddleofaroom,eyesclosed,andbeabletodefendagainstanysortofattack:abearhug,achoke,evenanattackwithaweapon.

CombativesThecombativetechniquesdescribedintheBrownBeltcurriculumincludemore-advancedtechniques,especiallykicksthatmovebeyondthefundamentalsKravMagaemphasizes.Amongthemareanumberofkickcombinationsthatinclude“switchkicks.”Thinkofswitchkicksinthisway:thesecondkickisalreadyenrouteasthefirstkickisrecoiling.Itistheswitchthatmakesthekicksatruecombination,ratherthanjustonekickfollowedbyanother.

ThrowsBrownBeltintroducesthrowsandholdsnotemphasizedinearlierbeltlevels.Ingeneral,KravMagapreferstostrikeratherthanthrow,sinceinself-defensethedefenderisnotresponsiblefortakingtheattackerintocustody,nornecessarilyineliminatingtheattacker—onlyineliminatingthethreat.Giventhisgoal,astrikeisofteneasierandmoreavailablethanathrow.However,therearesituationsinwhich,duetobalanceorposition,athrowmaybetheeasiestwaytoreduceoreliminatethethreat.Youshouldunderstandthatthemaingoalistoslamtheattackerstraightdowntotheground,nottothrowthemfaraway.

DefensesBrownBeltincludeshanddefensesagainstknifeattacks,aswellasadvanceddefensesagainsthigh-riskhandgunthreatsandlonggunthreats.

Edged-WeaponDefensesAlthoughweteachakickdefenseagainstknifeattacksinBlueBelt,weassumethatmostoftentheattackerwillsurpriseus,makinghanddefensesnecessary.Oneprerequisiteforunderstandingknifedefensesisabasicunderstandingofcommonswaystoholdtheknife.Thethreebasicholdsareregular(overhead)stab,underhandstab,andstraightstab(page344).

Verytightslashescanlookalotlikestraightstabs.Advancedtrainingshouldincluderecognitionoftheangleoftheknifehold.Forexample,ifthearmiscomingverystraighttowardthedefenderbutthebladeisangledoutward,itismostlikelyaslash.Thisattackcannotbetreatedlikeastraightstabbecausetheknife,angledout,preventsthedefenderfromgettingtothearm.Bythesametoken,iftheattackerkeepsthepointofthebladeverymuchforward,evenifheintendstoslash,thedefendercantreatitasastraightstab.Whiledisarmsshouldbetaught,real-lifeattacksandrealistictrainingprovethattheyarenotalwayspossible.Youshouldtraintodisengageatvariouspoints,suchas:

1. Defendandcounter,thendisengageandlookforcommonobjectsorotherweapons;

2. Defend,counter,anddeliverknees,thendisengageandlookforcommonobjectsorotherweapons;

3. Defend,counter,deliverknees,gettwohandsontheweapon,thendelivermoreattacks.

Agoodunderstandingofstateofreadinessisvitaltorealisticknife-defensetraining.Oncethetechniqueisintroducedandthebasicshavebeenmastered,youshouldlearntomakethedefensefromvaryingstatesofreadiness:

Veryearly:thedefenderisabletosendthehandsbutalsoburstforwardwiththefeetanddefendtheknifewhileitisback.

Moderatelyearly:thedefenderisabletosendthehandsandgethisweightverymuchforward,butthereisminimalfootmovementatthebeginning.

Moderatelylate:thedefenderisabletosendthehandsforwardandgetsomeweightintothedefenseandcounter,butwithnofootstepsatall.

Verylate:thedefendersucceedsinmakingthe360ºDefenseandcounterattacking,butwithoutmuchforwardshiftofweight.Inthiscase,thedefendergetsasmuchweightintothedefenseandcounteraspossible.

ThislastdetailunderscoresanimportantelementofKravMagatraining.Allmovementsshouldcausethedefender’sweighttomoveforwardsothat,eveninverylatestages,youareinthehabitofputtingasmuchweightaspossibleintothedefenseandcounterattack.Fromallstatesofreadiness,thedefendermustmoveforwardaggressively,regardlessofhisability(orinability)tomovehisfeet.

LEFTJAB/OVERHANDRIGHTCOMBINATIONCombativesThefocusofthiscombinationistheoverhandrightpunch.Anoverhandpunchbelongsinthesamefamilyasahookoranuppercut.Allthesepunchesarethesame,justmadeondifferentplanes.

1.Delivertheleftjabwithanadvance.

2.Sendyourrighthandinamotionsimilartoahookpunch,but“turnedover”sothatyourelbowispointeduptothesky.Yourrightfistshouldalsobeturnedoversothatthepinkysideisupandthethumbside,or“mouth”ofthehand,isdown.Makecontactwiththefirsttwoknuckles.

Keepabendinyourelbowtogetaround(orover)adefense.However,theamountofbendinyourelbowwilldependonyourdistancefromthetarget.

FRONTKICK/ROUNDKICKWITHASWITCH

Combatives

1.Deliverafrontkicktoaverticaltargetwithyourleftfoot.

2–3.Asthefrontkickmakescontact,leapoffyourrightfoot.Whileintheair,tuckyourleftfootunderneathyouanddeliveraroundkickwithyourrightfoot.Thekickshouldallowyourhiptorollover.

Bringbothfeetdownintoeitheraregularoroppositefightingstance,dependingonyourabilitytorecoilofftheroundkick.

TWOFRONTKICKSWITHASWITCHCombatives

1.Deliverafrontkicktoaverticaltargetwithyourleftfoot.

2–3.Asthefirstfrontkicklands,jumpupwithyourrightleganddeliverasecondfrontkick.Thefirstkickshouldberecoilingasthesecondkicklands.

Bringbothfeetdownintoeitheraregularoroppositefightingstance.

TIPSItissometimespreferabletobeginthiscombinationwithyourrightfootforward.

OUTSIDESLAPKICKANDFRONTKICKWITHASWITCHCombatives

1.Makeanoutsideslapkickwitheitherleg.

2–3.Asthefirstkickbeginstocomedown,deliverafrontkicklowtothegroin.

Inthiscombination,you’llmostlikelyendinanoppositefightingstance.

TIPSToholdforthiscombination,theholdershouldhavetwofocusmitts(oneheldhighfortheslapkick,theotherheldlowforthefrontkick).Forsafetyreasons,thekickershouldnotmakeastrongfrontkick.Iffocusmittsarenotavailable,useonesmallkickingshieldforthefrontkickand,inthiscase,thekickermayhavetomaketheslapkicktotheair.

Theoutsideslapkickisusuallymaderelativelyhigh.

TWOSTRAIGHTKNEESWITHASWITCHCombatives

STARTINGPOSITION:Closetoyouropponent(whileinaclinchorafteraself-defensetechnique).

1.Grabandgiveakneestrike.

2.Immediatelydeliverthesecondkneejustasthefirstkneeisrecoiling.

TWOBACKKICKSWITHASWITCH

Combatives

STARTINGPOSITION:Right-leg-forwardfightingstancefacingawayfromthetarget.

1.Deliveronebackkickasusual.

2–3.Asthefirstkicklands,immediatelymakeaswitchanddeliverthesecondbackkick.Yourheadshouldturnfromonesidetotheothertoallowforvisionandbalanceinthesecondkick.

MACHINEGUNTAKEDOWNThrowsThistakedownisso-namedbecauseitisusefulagainstathreatwithasubmachinegunwhenthedefendermustmovetothedeadside.However,itisequallyusefulagainsthandgunthreatsfromthefrontorbackwhenthedefenderisforcedtothedeadsideandcannotcontroltheweapon.

Youmustbeawarethatthistechniquedoesnoteffectivelycontroltheweapon.Itisthereforehighriskandshouldonlybedonewhennootheroptionsareavailable.

STARTINGPOSITION:Facingthegunman;youareforcedtomovetohisleftside.

1.RedirecttheweaponasinLongGunfromtheFront—DeadSide(page495).

2.Burstinsothatyouarebesideorslightlybehindthegunman.Yourhipsmustbeclosetohim.

3.Yourlefthandshouldslideupandundertheweapon,trappingittohisbody.Yourrighthandreachesbetweenhislegsasfaraspossible(imaginetryingtoreachupandgrabhisbeltbuckle).

4.Useyourlegs(notyourback)tolifthimoffhisfeet.Asyoulift,pullwithyourrightarmsothathisfeettiltupandhisheadtiltsdown.

5.Drivehimintotheground.

6.Landonhim,deliveringelbowstrikes.Iftheweaponisoutfromunderhisbody,besuretocontrolit.

Additionalbeginningscenariosthatcanutilizethistakedowndefensewhenthereisnootheroption:GunfromBehind,inRearHand,ForwardHandonRightShoulder

GunfromtheFront,inRearHand,ForwardHandPushing/holdingCenterorLeftSide

ONE-ARMSHOULDERTHROW

Throws

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerhasmadeawideoutsideattacksimilartoahaymaker;youhavedefendedandcounterattacked.

1.Grabtheinsideoftheattacker’swristwithyourlefthandwhilesteppingin.Asyoustepin,reachyourrightarmundertheattacker’sarmpit.Yourgoalistogetthecrookofyourelbowinhisarmpit,withyourrightforearmreachingup.Youshouldalsonowhaveyourbacktotheattackerwithyourhipssquarewithhishipsandyourownfeetrelativelyclosetogether.DoNOTpullhisrightarmorarmpituptoyourshoulder/neckarea.

2.Dropyourhipssothattheyareslightlybelowhisandpunchyourhipsbackwhilepullingonhisarm/shoulder.Thisshouldgettheattackeruponyourback/hips.Whenpunchingyourhipsback,thinkof“low-bridging”theattacker.

3–4.Continuetopullforwardwhiledroppingyourrightshouldertoyourleftknee.Thiswilltaketheattackeroverthetopanddrophimdowntotheground.

VARIATION:Insteadofreachingthecrookofyourelbowundertheattacker’sarmpit,youcanuseyourrighthandtograbhisshoulderorupperarm.

Duringthethrow,youcanalsotrydroppinglowandinwhilepullingtheattackerdown.Thiscauseshimtorolloverthetopofyou.Itcreateslessimpactwhenhehitstheground,butispossiblewhenyoucannotgethimuponyourhips.

HIPTHROW

ThrowsThehiprollisavariantoftheone-armshoulderthrow.Insteadoftrappingtheattacker’sarm/shoulder,yougrabhimaroundthewaistorneck.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerhashisrightarmextendedtowardsyou,perhapsaftermakingawidehookthatyouhaveblocked.

1.Grabtheinsideoftheattacker’swristwithyourlefthandwhilesteppingin.Withyourrightarm,reacharoundtheattacker’slefthip.Ideallyyou’dgrabatthebeltorpants,butifnothingisavailable,grabskinorjustwrapyourhand/armtightlyaroundhim.Youshouldalsonowhaveyourbacktotheattackerwithyourhipssquarewithhishipsandyourownfeetrelativelyclosetogether.Dropyourhipsbelowhisandpunchthemback,“lifting”himupontoyourhips.

2–3.Usingyourarmsforextraforce,driveyourrightshouldertoyourlefthip,rollinghimoverthetopofyouanddownintotheground.

VARIATION:Youcanalsowrapyourrightarmaroundtheattacker’sneck,ratherthanhiswaist,andgrabathisshoulder.

FACE-TO-FACEFLIP(“SACRIFICE”THROW)ThrowsThisthrowisusuallydonesuccessfullyinaclinchwhentheattacker’sweightisovercommittedforward.Theattackerneedstoknowfallbreaks,andyoushouldhavegoodmatsonwhichtotrain.

1–2.Astheattackercomesin,grabhisshirtcollartightlywithbothhands.Dropyourweightdownlikeyou’resittingstraightdowntowardthefloor.DoNOTfallbackward;youwanttostayneartheattacker.Asyoudoso,bringyourbackfootup(withyourkneebenttightlysoitcanfitbetweenyourbodyandyourattacker’s)andplaceitagainsttheattacker’ship/beltbuckle.Ithelpstocenteryourfootontheattacker’sbodytoavoidslippingoffthehip,andtoangleyourfootwiththeheelinandtoespointedout.

3–4.Roundyourbackasyouhitthefloor.Continuingtoholdonwithyourhandssothattheattackerlandsclosetoyou,useyourlegtokick/pushtheattackeroveryourheadsothatheflipsandlandsonhisback.

5–6.Rollbackwardtoendupinafullmount.It’salsopossibletorollintoasidemount(seepicture7).

VARIATION:Thiscanalsobedoneinaclinch,withtheattackerleaninghisweightonyou.Itisalsopossible,althoughmoredifficult,tomakethetechniquewhiledoingaMuayThai–styleholdaroundtheattacker’sneck.Besureyouturnyourheadtoonesidetoavoidanaccidentalheadbutt.

Onceyoufliptheattackerover,continueoverinasomersaulttolandeitherinafullmountorsidemount.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHEADLOCKFROMBEHINDSelf-DefenseThisdefenseismadewhentheattackerjumpsonthedefenderfrombehindandattemptstoapplyaheadlock.

STARTINGPOSITION:Theattackerjumpsonyoufrombehindandattemptstoapplyaheadlockwithhisrightarm.

1.Tuckyourchinandturnittoavoidthechoke(inthisexample,thedefenderturnshischintotheleft).Immediatelydropyourrightshouldertoyourleftknee,rollinghimoverthetopofyouandstraightdown.

2.Continuewithcounters(punches,stomps,kicks,etc.).

DEFENSEAGAINSTHEADLOCKFROMTHESIDE:BEINGSPUNINWARDSelf-DefenseThisdefenseisappliedtoaheadlockfromthesidewhentheattackertriestopull/spinthedefenderinandtotheground.ThistechniquecanalsoworkagainstthestaticYellowBeltheadlock(page108)whentheattackerleanshisweightfarforward.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerappliesaheadlockfromtheside.

1.Gowiththemovement,tuckingyourchinin,swingingyouroutsidehandtothegroin,andbringingyourinsidearmup.

2.Asyoufeelyourselfbeingpulledfartherin,swingyourarmunderhisgroinuptoyourshoulder(thegoalissimplytomakesureyouareasclosetohimaspossible).Atthesametime,continuetakingyourbodyclosetohim,withyourinsidelegveryclosetohisbody.Thinkofbringingyourkneetothegroundrightbetweenhisfeet.Youroutsidearmshouldhavebeencomingupandwilllikelyhavegrabbedtheattacker’swaistorshoulder.

3.Continuespinningin,usingmomentumaswellaspullingwiththehandgrabbingthewaistorshoulder,untilyou’vepulledtheattackeroveryourbodyandtotheground.

4.Rolltoyourkneesbesidehim,usingyourfreearm(theonethatreachedbetweenhislegs)tobaseoutsohecannotrollyou.ThispositionisverysimilartoHeadlockfromtheSideDefense—Attacker’sWeightBack(page328)inGreenBelt.

5.Deliverkneestrikes,hammerfists,headbutts,etc.,tocounterattack.

DEFENSEAGAINSTHEADLOCKFROMTHESIDE:NECKBREAKSelf-DefenseThisdefenseismadeagainstheadlockattackswhentheattackergetsaforearmunderthedefender’schinandtriestothrowhis(theattacker’s)weightback,breakingthedefender’sneck.Inmostcases,tuckingyourchininanddowndefendsagainstthisattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerplaceshisforearmunderyourchininordertomakeaheadlockfromtheside.Youmayhavealreadyinitiatedaheadlockdefense,bringingyouroutsidehandupasthoughtograbhisface.

1.Asyoufeeltheattackersitback,liftingyourchinandcreatingpressureonyourneck,immediatelykickyourinsidefootforward,betweenhislegsandintotheair.

2.Dropyourhipsstraightdowntothegroundandinhardwhilepullingwithyourleftarmathisshoulder(orathisface,ifyoureachedthathighupintime).Besuretokeepyourforearmpressedagainsthisbackinordertopreventyourelbowfromsmashingintotheground.

3.Continuewithcounterattackssuchaspunches,headbutts,andelbows.

TIPSIfthereisanyimpactonyourarmduringthetakedown,itshouldoccuralongthelengthofyourforearm,notyourelbow.

DEFENSEAGAINSTFULLNELSON:LEVERAGEONTHEFINGERSSelf-DefenseAfullnelsonisaholdinwhichtheattacker,standingbehindthedefender,slidesbotharmsunderthedefender’sarmpits,thenupbehindthedefender’sneck,claspinghishandstogether.Theattackimmobilizesthedefender’sarmsandcanputintensepressureonthedefender’sneck.Ofthethreedefensesagainstfullnelson,thisistheeasiestandistheonethatshouldbetriedfirst.

STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerappliesfullnelson.

1–2.Immediatelysendbothhandsbackward,stabbingattheattacker’seyesandface,thenimmediatelystrike,scratch,andclawattheattacker’shandsatthebackofyourneck,pryingatoneofthefingers.Anyfingerwillwork,althoughtheflexibilityofthethumbsmakesthemlessdesirable.Trytograbthefingersothattheindex-fingersideofyourfistisnearthebaseofthefingeryougrab.

3.Stripthatfingerawaytotakethehandfromyourneck.

4.Asthehandpullsaway,bringyourfistdownandrollitinandup,bendingthefinger.

5.Foraddedpressure,tuckyourelbowintighttoyourbody,andlift.

6.Stepouttothesamesideasthehandyougrabbedanddelivercounterattackswithyourfreehand.

DEFENSEAGAINSTFULLNELSON:FORWARDTHROWSelf-DefenseThisdefenseisusuallyappliedwhenthefingersarenotavailable,andshouldbeperformedifyoufeelyoucanshootyourhipsbackagainsttheattacker.

1.Bringyourelbowsdowntotrytoloosentheattacker’sgrip.

2.Dropyourhipsbelowtheattacker’shipsandpunchthemback,bringingtheattackeruponyourback.

3.Droponeshouldertotheoppositekneeandfliptheattackeroveryou.

4.Asheflipsover,continueyourspinsothatyouenduplandingontopofhim.Delivercounterattacks(elbowstotheface,strikestothegroin).

DEFENSEAGAINSTFULLNELSON:SWEEPSelf-DefenseThisdefenseisusuallyappliedwhenthefingersarenotavailable,andshouldbeperformedifyoufeelthatyoucantakeastepwithyourfoot.

1.Clampyourelbowsdown—thismightloosentheattacker’sgripandalsoguaranteesthathewillnowstayclose.

2–3.Shiftyourhipstoonesideandstepbackwithyourinsideleg(i.e.,ifyoushiftyourhipstotheleft,stepbackwithyourrightfoot),makingsureyourkneeandfootarepointedinthesamebasicdirectionastheattacker’s.

4.Sweeporpunchyourbacklegforward.(Iftheattackerallowsyoutostanduptall,youcansweep;moreoftenyouwillbecrouchedalittle,inwhichcaseyoushouldpunchyourkneeforward).Yourgoalistopophislegforward,removinghisbase.Atthesametime,driveyourupperbodybackwardanddown.

5–6.Landheavilyontheattackerwhiledeliveringanelbowtothehead.Continuewithmorecounterattacks.

KNIFEDEFENSEAGAINSTDOWNWARDSTAB(ICEPICKSTAB)KnifeDefensesThisisthemostcommontypeofknifeattack,usuallytargetingthechest,clavicle,neck,andface.

STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance.

1.Astheattackerburstsforward,usethe360°Defensetoattacktheknifehandandstriketheattacker.Thedefenseshouldbemadewristtowrist.Thinkofattackingtheattackwithyourdefense.Also,thinkofpunchingwithfullpower!

2.Continuetoburstforward,drivingtheattacker’sarmbackanddownwhilerotatingyourwristintocatchhiswristinyourhand.Besuretokeepyourweightbackanddownonhisarm.Thiswillmakeitdifficultforhimtorecoilandstabagain.

3.Withyourinsidearmbracedagainsthisbody(elbowdown,forearmagainstneck),deliverkneesexplosively.

4–5.Onlyattemptadisarmifyouhavesufficientlysoftenedtheattackerandhavegoodcontrol.Todisarm,bringhisknifehandinwardandcapitwithyourrighthand.

6–7.Makeacavalierandstriptheknife.

TIPSIfyouencounterresistancewhileattemptingthedisarm,deliverkickstothegroin,headbutts,etc.

KNIFEDEFENSEAGAINSTUPWARDSTAB

KnifeDefensesAnothercommonattackistheupwardstab,eitherverticaloratadiagonalangle.Notethatthetechniquedescribedfirstassumesthatthestabismadeupward,butataslightinwardangle,fromoutsidetheattacker’sbodyupandin.Thisisthemostcommonandnaturalformoftheattack.

STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance.

1.Attackerstabsupward,ataslightinwardangle,fromoutsidetheattacker’sbodyupandin.Astheattackerburstsforward,usethe360°Defense(#6or#7)toattacktheknifehandandstriketheattacker.Thedefensemustbemadewristtowrist(ifnot,thestabwillcomeupandunderneaththedefense).Thinkofattackingtheattackwithyourdefense.Also,thinkofpunchingwithfullpower!

2.Immediatelypushhisarmoutwardandbackwardwithyourforearm,thenreachyourarmoutinamotionverysimilartoGunfromBehind(page<?>).Bringyourarminsharplytotraptheknifehandatyourchest/shoulderexactlylikeGunfromBehind.

3.Deliverkneesorgroinkicksexplosively,keepingyourweightforwardandontheattacker.

4.Keepingthearmtrapped,reachyourrighthandoverand“cover”theknifehand(yourhandandfingersshouldpointthesamedirectionastheattacker’s).

5.Rotatehiswristsharplysothatthepinkysideofhishandistowardtheceiling.

6–7.Turnyourleftshouldertowardtheattacker,puttingpressureonhiswristandarm.Quicklyreleaseyourtrappinghand(left)andslideitdowntograbhis

wrist.Asyoudo,stepoutalittlebit,butkeepweightonhisarmandwrist.

8.Makeacavalierandstriptheknifefromhishand.

Ifyoumeetresistance,kicktothefaceorgroin.

VERTICALUPWARDSTABVARIATION:Insomecases,theattackerstabsinaverticalmotionupthemiddleoftheattacker’sbody.Inthiscase,theinitialdefenseisexactlythesame.However,thecontrolisdifferentbecausethenatureoftheattackdoesnotallowthedefendertopushtheattackingarmoutward.

Oncethedefenseismade,ifthedefenderfindshimselfmoreonthedeadside,thedefendershouldmakethecontrolanddisarmusedinDefenseagainstStraightStab(page478).

KNIFEDEFENSEAGAINSTSTRAIGHTSTAB

KnifeDefensesStraightstabsarelesscommonthanupwardordownwardstabs.However,theycanbedoneandmustbedefended.Thereisaholdspecifictostraightstabwhereinthepommel(buttend)oftheknifeispressedintothepalmoftheattacker’shand.However,thisholdislesssecureandnotalwaysusedbyattackers.Mostoften,theywillholdtheknifeinaregulargrip(bladeupward).Inthiscase,theonlyindicationtheattackermaygiveyouofhisintentiontomakeastraightstabistostandwiththeknife-sidelegforward.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstanceasattackermakesright-handedstab.

1.Redirecttheattackusingyourlefthand,rotatingyourhandsharply(“chop”)againstthebackoftheattacker’shandtoincreasethemovementawayfromyourbody.

2.Burstforwardataslightangle,slidingyourarmforwardandreachingdowntocatchtheattacker’sarm.Besureyourelbowstaysdowntopreventtheattackerfromslashing,andbesureyoukeepweightforwardonthearmtomaketheattackerfeeljammed.Atthesametime,deliverastrongrightpunch.

3–6.Asyourecoilyourpunch,bringyourrighthanddownandcovertheattacker’shand.Continuetoputweightforwardtowardtheattacker.Makeacavalierandstriptheknife,kickingtothegroinifnecessary.

Ifyoufeelresistance,youcanmakeanothercavalierwithatakedown.

TIPSSinceweareusuallyalittlelateindefending,ageneralguidelineis:“Ifyouaimfortheknifeyou’llgetthehand.”Becausethisdefenseisslightlymoredifficult,

fortheknifeyou’llgetthehand.”Becausethisdefenseisslightlymoredifficult,werecommendthatyoubegintrainingfromafightingstance.Onceyouhavemasteredthetechnique,trainfromapassivestanceaswell.

KNIFEDEFENSEAGAINSTSTRAIGHTSTAB(LIVESIDE)KnifeDefensesItmaybenecessarytodefendastraightstabtotheliveside,mostcommonlybecausetheattackerisleft-handed.Sincewetrainsooftenagainstright-handedattacks,itisunrealistictoaskdefenderstorecognizetheleft-handedattackandmakethedefensefromtheoppositeside.However,itmightalsobearight-handedattackthatcomesfromtherightside.Thedescriptionsherewillassumethefirstexample,whichismostcommon.

STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstanceasattackermakesleft-handedstab.

1.Redirecttheattackusingyourlefthand,rotatingyourhandsharply(“chop”)againsttheinsideoftheattacker’shandtoincreasethemovementawayfromyourbody.Moreemphasisshouldbeplacedonalargerhandandbodydefensebecauseofthepossibilityofabendintheattacker’selbow.Asyoudefend,keepyourrighthandclosetoyourbodytoavoidtheredirectedknife.

2.Immediatelysendachoporhammerfisttotheattacker’sneckorfacewhilesimultaneouslysendingyourrighthandtowardtheattacker’sbiceptocatchthearm.Gotothebicepbecauseyouknowwherethatpartofthearmwillbe—ifyoureachforthewrist,itwillberecoilingawayfromyouandhardertocatch.

3.Putweightontheattacker,explodinginwithkneesorgroinkicks.Trytogettheforearmofyourrighthandagainsttheattacker’sknifearminawaythatmakesitdifficultforhimtostab,butattackaggressivelyregardlessofarmposition.Slideyourhanddowntocatchhiswristanddelivermorekneestrikes.

4–6.Whentheattackerissoftened,bringhisknifehandinwardandcapitwithyourrighthand.Makeacavalierandstriptheknife.

TIPSTheonlydifferencebetweenthisdisarmandthedisarminDefenseagainstDownwardStab(page470)isthat,becauseofthenatureoftheknifegrip,thebladewillbeclosertoyourarmandbody.Besuretokeeptheknifeclosetohimandfarfromyou.

KNIFEDEFENSEAGAINSTFORWARDSLASHKnifeDefensesTheDefenseagainstForwardSlashisalmostexactlylike360°withCounterattack(page177).Theonlydifferenceisthat,ifyouseetheknifecoming,youshouldgetyourheadinsideandtuckyourchintoavoidtheknifeaccidentally“flicking”orflyingintoyourfaceorneckasyoudefend.

STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestanceasattackermakesright-handedforwardslash.

1.Makea360°Defenseagainsthiswristasyoumakearightpunchtohisface.Tuckyourchindownandgetyourheadinsidethedefensetoavoidtheknife.

2–3.Pushtheknifearmbackanddown,catchatthewrist,anddeliverknees.

4.Todisarm,bringhisknifehandinwardandcapitwithyourrighthand.

5–7.Makeacavalierandstriptheknife.Beawarethattheknifebladeispointingtowardyou,somakesuretobringtheknifeinandclosetotheattacker,notclosetoyou.

KNIFEDEFENSEAGAINSTBACKHANDSLASHKnifeDefenses

STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestancefacingtheattacker.

1.Astheattackermakesaforwardslash,leanbackandaway(thismayhappenreflexively).

2.Immediatelyburstbackintothefight.Blocktheattackwithbothforearms—oneaboveandonebelowtheattackingelbow.Keepyourchintuckedandtrytoleanyourheadandbodyinwardtowardtheattacker.

3–4.Pivotyourforwardarm(usuallyyourlefthandagainstaright-handedslash)downtocatchclosetotheattacker’swrist,thenpunchwithyourrearhand(usuallyyourright).NotethatthispositionisexactlylikethecontrolandcounterattackpositionusedinDefenseagainstStraightStab(page478).

5.Todisarm,bringhisknifehandinwardandcapitwithyourrighthand.

6–7.Makeacavalierandstriptheknife.

TIPSNotethatthebackwardmovementinStep1shouldNOTputyourweightbackinyourheels.Oncetheforehandslashpassesbyyourface,immediatelyburstforwardandusebothforearmstoblockthebackhandslashasdescribedabove.

LONGGUNFROMTHEFRONT—LIVESIDEShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefenses

1.Astheattackerpresentstherifle,sendyourlefthandtotheweaponinastraightline,keepingyourhandopenandyourfingersextendeddownwardatabouta45-degreeangle.Keepingyourleftarmstiff,putthepalmofyourhandatthebarreloftheweaponandpushinastraightlinetoyourright.Asyouredirect,makeabodydefensebyallowingyourleftshouldertocomeforwardandblading(orturning)yourbody;thishastheaddedbenefitofputtingyourmotionandweighttowardthegunmaneventhoughyourfeethavenotyetmoved.Yourlefthandshouldmovefirst,butasitdoes,yourrighthandshouldthenmoveinwardtoavoidthelineoffire.Thinkofmovingtherighthandtothecrookoftheleftelbow.

2.Burstforwardwithyourfeettowardtherifleman,slidingyourlefthandtowardthebuttwhileyourrighthandreplacestheleft.ALWAYSmaintaincontactwiththeweapon.

3.Grabtheweaponsharplywithbothhands,keepingyourelbowsdowntomaintaincontrol.Besureyourlefthandhasgonedeeptodefendagainstorpreventastrikewiththebuttend.Youshouldalreadybeputtingweightontheweapon,drivingittowardtheattacker.

4.Withafirmgraspontherifle,deliverakicktotherifleman’sgroinareawitheitherleg.Sinceyourleftlegwillbeclosesttotherifleman,akickdeliveredwiththislegwillgettothetargetsoonerbutwon’thaveasmuchpowerasakickdeliveredwiththerightleg,whichwilltakeslightlylongertoreachthetarget.Ifyoukickwithyourrearleg,besureyourweightisdistributedforward.Ifyouleanbackwhilekickingwiththerearleg,youmaybeshovedbackward.

5.Afteryoukick,plantyourfeetandsharplyjerktheweaponupwardsothemuzzlerises.Thiswillnotreleasethehold,butgenerallyputstheweaponinabetterpositionforyou.

6.Immediatelypullyourlefthandalittletowardyourbodywhileyourrighthand,nearthemuzzle,punchesthebarreltowardstherifleman’sface(similartoanoverhandrightpunch).

7–8.Recoilslightly,thendrivethemuzzlesharplypasttherifleman’srightshoulderanddownto“break”itfromhisgrasp.Assoonasyouaresuretheweaponisinyourpossession,retreattoasafedistance.Bepreparedtousetherifleasacoldweapon.

TIPSTheredirectingmovementshouldtaketherifleoffyourbodyparalleltothefloor.Anydiagonalmovementupordownmeansthattheriflestaysonyourbodyforalongerperiodoftime.Thisinitialredirectionmustbea“punch”withyourhandbecausetheriflemanwillhavebothhandsontheweapon,whichgiveshimgreatercontrol.

Notethesedifferenceswhendealingwithanassaultweaponwithalongmagazineorhandleattached,asopposedtoashotgunorrifle:

Becauseofthebottom-feedingmagazinesattachedtomostassaultweapons,youmayneedtoraisetheweaponbeforedeliveringanytypeofkick,orelsethemagazinemayblockyourlegasyouattempttokickthesuspect’sgroin.

1.Afterdeliveringthecounterattackkicks,useyourlefthandtoliftthetopoftheassaultweaponandpullthebuttoutfromunderthegunman’sarmpit.

2.Pushtherearoftheweapondownandoverthetopofthegunman’swristinorderbreakhishold.]

3.Thendrivethebarreltowardthegunman’sface(similartoanoverheadrightpunch).

LONGGUNFROMTHEFRONT—DEADSIDE(DISARMINGUNDERGUNMAN’SARM)Shotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefenses

1.Astheattackerpresentstherifle,sendyourrighthandtotheweaponinastraightline,keepingyourhandopenandyourfingerspointingtowardsthegroundata45ºangle.Keepingyourrightarmstiff,putthepalmofyourhandatthebarreloftheweaponandpushinastraightlinetoyourleft.Thishastheaddedbenefitofputtingyourmotionandweighttowardthegunmaneventhoughyourfeethavenotyetmoved.Yourrighthandshouldmovefirst,butafteritbegins,bringyourlefthandtothecrookofyourrightelbowtokeepitoutofthelineoffire.

2.Burstforwardandtotherightwithyourfeettothe“deadside”oftheriflemanandgrabtheweaponsharplywithyourlefthand.Keepyourarmstraighttocontrolthebarrelandstayoutofthelineoffire.Youshouldalreadybeputtingweightdownandawayontheweapon.

3–4.Withafirmgriponthebarrel,deliverakicktotherifleman’sgroinareawithyourleftleg.Asyourecoilyourkick,jerkontheweapontobegintoloosenitasyoudeliveranoverhandrightpunchtothehead.

5–6.Afteryourpunch,recoilyourrighthandtoreachundertherifleman’sleftarmandgrasptherifle,thenpulltheweaponupwardslightly.

7.Takethelefthandthatisgrippingthebarrelanddrivethebarreltowardstherifleman’sface(similartoanoverhandleftpunch).

8.Rotatetheriflesharplypasttherifleman’srightshoulderto“break”hisgrasp.Iftheriflemancontinuestoholdontotheweapon,continuetostrikehimwiththerifle,includingkicks,knees,andheadbutts,tosoftenhisgrip.Assoonasyouaresuretheweaponisinyourposition,retreattoasafedistance.Bepreparedtousetherifleasacoldweapon.

TIPSTheredirectingmovementshouldtaketherifleoffyourbodyparalleltothefloor.Anydiagonalmovementupordownmeansthattheriflestaysonyourbodyforalongerperiodoftime.Thisinitialredirectionmustbea“punch”withyourhandbecausetheriflemanwillhavebothhandsontheweapon,whichgiveshimgreatercontrol.

Itisunlikelythatthecontrolanddisarmportionsofthisdefensewillbesuccessfulagainstasubmachinegun.Subgunssimplyofferverylittlesurfacetocontrolonthedeadside.ThisisexactlywhyMachineGunTakedown(page444)wascreated.

DISARMINGOVERGUNMAN’SLEFTARMVARIATION:Thisvariationofthe“deadside”disarmisnecessaryifthegunmanhasclampedhisleftelbowdown,preventingyoufromcomingunderhisarm.Theredirection,control,andcounterattackfordisarmingfrom“underorover”therifleman’sarmarethesame.

1.Afteryoupunchtheriflemanwithyourrightfist,recoilyourrighthandandreachovertherifleman’sleftarmandgrasptherifletowardstherearoftheweapon.

2.Pushdownandawaywithyourrighthandinordertoclearthebuttoftheriflefromundertherifleman’srightarmpit.Youshouldtwistbothwristsasthoughrevvingamotorcycleengine—thistwiststheweaponoutandawayfromthe

gunman’sgrip.

3–4.Pullthestockoftheweaponup,strikingtherifleman’sface,andcontinuethroughwiththismovement,bringingtherifletoyourbody.

5–7.Takethelefthandthatisgrippingthebarrelanddrivethebarreltowardtherifleman’sface(similartoanoverhandleftpunch).rotatingtheriflesharplypasttherifleman’sleftshoulderto“break”hisgrasp.

Iftheriflemancontinuestoholdontotheweapon,continuetostrikehimwiththerifleandcombativestosoftenhisgrip.

LONGGUNFROMTHESIDE,BEHINDTHEARMShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesTheinitialmovementsforthistechniqueareverysimilartoGunfromtheSide,BehindtheArm(page389).

1.Astheattackerplacestheriflebehindyourarm,makeasmallredirectionwithyourarm,pushingtherifleofflinebehindyou.Thismovementshouldberelativelysmall.

2.Turntowardtherifleman,reachingtowardhimwithyourinsidehand(theonethatmadetheredirection)sothatyourarmslipsunderneathhis.Yourgoalshouldbetoreachasdeepaspossibleevenbeforeyou’vemovedyourfeet.Burstinverydeepsothatyourforwardfootisoutsidetheattacker’s.

3.Wrapyourforwardarmup,bringingyourhandandfingersupandoverthe

topoftherifle,tightlytrappingthebarrelinthebendofyourelbow.Unlikewithahandgun,donotmakeafist.Afistwillnotmakethesameholdontherifle.

4.Withyourreararm,deliveranelbowstrikeoroverheadrightpunchtothegunman’sface.Followwithkneesifnecessary.

5.Takeyourshoulderontheweaponsideandpushitforward,forcingthebarrelup,thenslideyourhandupandgrabthebarrel.Youcanskiptheshouldermovementandgostraightforthegrabifyoufeelthatheisnotholdingonfirmly.

6–7.Takeyourlefthandthatisgrippingthebarrelanddrivethebarreltowardstherifleman’sface(similartoanoverhandpunch).Atthesametime,pullthebuttoftherifleinyourrighthandtoyourrighthip.

8–9.Rotatethebarrelsharplypasttherifleman’srightshoulderto“break”itfromhisgrasp.Iftheriflemancontinuestoholdontotheweapon,continuetostrikehimwiththerifleandcombativestosoftenhisgrip.

Howtheattackerpresentstheweapon(holdingitwithhisrightorleftsideforward)willdeterminewhichshoulderyourotatethebarrelpastonthedisarm.Ifthelonggunispresentedonyourrightside,thesametechniqueworks,butinamirrorimage,ofcourse!

LONGGUNFROMBEHIND(TOUCHING)Shotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesThetechniqueforLongGunfromBehindisexactlythesameasLongGunfromtheSide,BehindtheArm(page501),withacoupleofsmalldifferences.

1.Astheattackertouchestherifletoyourback,lookbehindyou.Youaren’treallyconcernedaboutwhatistouchingyourbody—youneedtomakesurewhattypeofweapontheattackerhasinhispossession.

2.Leadingwithyourarm,turndeeplyenoughtoredirecttheweaponandtakeyourbodyoutofthelineoffire.Yourbodydefenseshouldcauseyoutoimmediatelyleanback(towardtheattacker)evenbeforeyourfeetmove.

Thecontrol,counterattack,anddisarmisthesameasLongGunfromtheSide,BehindtheArm.

Iftherifleisheldlow,yourarmwillmaketheredirectionalongwiththebodydefense.Iftherifleisheldhighonyourback,yourarmwillhavelittleornoeffect,andyou’llmostlymakeabodydefense.However,thearmstillhelpsyourbodyrotate.

DEFENSEAGAINSTRIFLE/BAYONETSTAB—LIVESIDEShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesTheDefenseagainstRifle/BayonetStabtotheLiveSideisexactlyliketheDefenseagainstLongGunfromtheFront—LiveSide(page490).Theonlysignificantdifferencesare:1)withabayonetstabwearelessconcernedwithtelegraphingmovementwhileinthelineoffire;and2)wemustreachpastthebladetodefendalongthebarrel.

1.Asyourlefthandmakesthedefense,leanforwardsothatyoucanreachpasttheblade.

DEFENSEAGAINSTRIFLE/BAYONETSTAB—DEADSIDEShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesAswiththedefensetotheliveside,theinitialdefenseisalmostexactlyliketheDefenseagainstLongGunfromtheFront—DeadSide(page496).Theconsiderationsherearethesameasthosefordefensetotheliveside(leaningforwardtoreachpastthecuttingedge).

1–2.Aftertheredirectionismadewithyourrighthand,sweepyourrighthandacrosshisfacetolifthischin(beneficialinmilitaryapplicationsagainstopponentswearinghelmets).Withyourleftarm,delivera“clothesline”withyourleftarmandsteppasttheattackerwithyourleftfoot.

3–4.Dragtheattackeruponyourhipand“hang”himthere,ortakehimdownwithahiproll.

Itismoredifficulttoexecutethistakedownonthelivesidebecausetheattacker’shipisback,makingithardertosteppastthathipforthetakedown.

DEFENSEAGAINSTTHREATWITHAHANDGUN:FROMBEHINDATADISTANCEHandgunDefensesThisthreatrepresentsadifficultsituationforthedefender—notbecausethemovementisdifficult,butbecauseitisoftendifficulttogaugedepthwhenglancingbehindyou.Wesay“FromBehindataDistance”todistinguishfromGunfromBehind,Touching,whichwepresentedinBlueBelt.Keepinmindthat“distance”muststillmean“withinreach.”

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralstance.

1.Astheattackermakesthethreatwithhisrighthand,glanceoveryourshoulder—doNOTmakethemovetooaggressive.

2.Usingthehandonthesamesideyouhavelooked,sendthathandbackwardinastraightlinetotheweapon.Besureyourhandgoesstraightupandback,andthatitdoesNOTarcouttothesideandup.ThinkofthesameprinciplesasGunfromtheFront(page382).Asyourhandmovesup,keepyourthumbhookedtoincreaseyourchancesofmakingcontactwiththegun.Asyourhandreachesthegunandredirectsittotheside,makeabodydefensebyturningyourshoulderintowardthegun.

3.Bursttowardtheattacker,pushingtheweaponbackasyoupunchwithyourfreehand.

4.Recoilyourpunchandcatchtheattacker’swrist.Besureyoukeepyourweightontheweaponasyoudeliverkicks,headbutt,orkneestrikes.

5.Todisarm,continuepushingthemuzzleforwardwhilepullingatthewrist.Thiswillsnaptheweaponandloosenhisgrip.

6.Pulltheweapondownatanangleandretreat.BesureyoudoNOTrolltheweaponstraightdown,orthemuzzlewillpointatyourlegs.

VARIATION:Itispossibletomaketheredirectionandcatchthewrist

immediately,skippingthepunch.Theadvantageofthisisthatyousecuretheweaponmorequickly.However,yourcounterattacktakeslonger,givingtheattackermoretimetofightagainstyou.

ANoteRegardingtheLiveSideandDeadSide:Thistechniqueworksequallywellwhetheryouendupontheattacker’slivesideordeadside.Ifyoumakethedefensetotheattacker’sdeadside,youwillusuallyendupdrivingtheweaponinwardtohisbody.Beawarethatthereissomedangeroftheattackerturningsothathisbackistoyou.Bepreparedtomoveyourfeet!Ifyoumakethedefensetotheattacker’sliveside,theattacker’sarmhasrangeofmotion(hisbodyisnotintheway).Besureyoudrivetheweaponbackaggressively,oryouwillendup“chasing”theweaponashisarmmovesintotheopenspace.

DEFENSEAGAINSTTHREATWITHAHANDGUN:“CUPPING”TECHNIQUE(TWOHANDS)HandgunDefensesThistechniquecanbeusedagainstthreatsfromthefrontatanyheight,ortothesideofthehead.Inthreatsfromthefront,itisusedwhenthelineoffireisplacedoffline,orwhenthedefenderdoesnotwanttoredirecttheweapontowardthirdparties.Itisalsousedwhenthedefendermovesthelineoffireandfindshimselfontheattacker’sliveside.Inguntothesideofthehead,itisusedwhenthedefenderredirectsthelineoffireandfindshimselfontheattacker’sliveside.

STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralstance.Theright-handedgunmanpointstheweaponleftofcenteronyourbody.

1.Usingyourrighthand,redirecttheweaponofftoyourleftside.AllthedetailsregardingmovementinGunfromtheFront(page382)apply.

2.Immediatelyreachyourlefthandunderneathandcatchthegunatthebackoftheslideorhammerarea.Yourweightshouldalreadybetransitioningforward.Burstforwarddiagonallywithyourleftfoot,keepingweightdownandforwardontheweapon.Simultaneouslydeliverarightfrontkicktothegroin.Besureyourchinisdownandyourinside(right)shoulderisuptoprotectagainstapunch.

3–4.DisarmusingthesamemovementsusedinGunfromtheFront.

Intheinitialposition,itwouldnotmakesensetodoregularDefenseagainstGunfromtheFrontbecausethelineoffirewouldtrackacrossthedefender’sentirebody.(Alternately,imaginethegunpointeddirectlyatthecenterofyourchest;however,thereissomeonetoyourright,preventingyoufrommakingtheregulardefense.)

BonusBlackBeltTechniques

Thischaptercoverssomeadvancedtechniquesthataddressasmallselectionofhandgunandedged-weaponthreats.It’saverysmallsamplingfromKravMagaWorldwide’scarefullydesignedandvastlyevolvedBlackBeltLevelcurriculum.Needlesstosay,thetopicspresentedareextremelyhighriskandinvolvethepotentialuseofdeadlyforce.Someexerciseswillbebasedmoreonprinciplethantechnique,takingintoaccountthemanyvariablesthatmayaffectintricatetechnicalresponses.Note:ThischapterwasnotwritteninanefforttoreplacetrainingwithanupdatedandpresentlycertifiedKravMagaWorldwideinstructor.Rather,theinformationismeanttoserveasaresourceforadvancedinstructorsandanintroductionforotherinstructorsandstudentswishingtofurthertheirknowledgeinthesystem.Itbearsrepeatingthatthescenariospresentedinthisbookareofextremehighrisk,andnomediumcanreplaceactualsupervisedtraining.

UseofForce:TheRulesofSelf-DefenseIfyouarereadingthisbook,especiallythischapter,itissafetoassumethatyouhaveaninterestindevelopingyourabilitytodefendyourself.Ifyouarephysicallyattackedasatargetofanaggravatedassault,arape,anattemptedmurderorsomeotherviolentcrime,havingthephysicalandtacticalskillstosurvivetheencountermaytrulybeamatteroflifeanddeath.

Self-defenseinstructorsoftenteachtheirstudentstowinatallcosts—todoanythingandeverythingtosurvive,topunishtheassailantforassaultingyou.Somemaybelievethesestatementstobetrue;however,suchadviceisusuallyproclaimedoutofcontextandmayhavesignificant,negative,long-term,life-changingramificationsthatinvolvelegalbattlesinbothcivilandcriminalarenas.Youshouldbefamiliarwithuseofforcelawanditseffectonyourrighttouseself-defense,evendeadlyforce,shouldtheneedarise.Youmustbepreparedtowinthebattleonthestreet,whileconductingyourselflawfullyandethicallysothatyousurvivethelegalbattlesthatmayfollowinthecourts.Bottomline:knowthelawinyourstate!Herearesomethingstokeepinmind:

RetreatRule:Ifyouknowyoucanretreatwithoutriskinginjury,youmustdoso.

“TrueMan”Doctrine:Ifyoudidnotinitiatetheencounter,youarenotobligatedtoretreat(solongasyourassailantstillposesathreat)evenifyoucandososafely.

CastleDoctrine:Anexceptiontotheretreatrule:Ifyouareinyourownhome,youarenotobligatedtoretreat,evenunderastatefollowingtheretreatrule.

PetersonDoctrine:Ifyou’retheinitialaggressoryoucan’tuseself-defenseasajustificationforauseofforce,unlessyou’vemadeagood-faithshowingthatyouwantedtostopfighting.

Ifyoudogetintoasituationthatescalatesintoaphysicalaltercation,followtheseafter-actionsuggestions:

• Contactthepoliceandyourlegalcounselassoonaspossible.

• Ifyouortheassailantareinjured,obtainmedicaltreatmentbynotifyingthe

properauthorities.

• Ifavailable,obtainwitnessstatements.Theuseofaudiorecordingisstronglyrecommendedtopreservewitnessstatementsandtopreventachangeinawitness’stestimonyatalaterdate.

• Obtainthenamesandaddressofallindividualspresentanddocumenttheirobservationsorlackofobservations.

• Ifyouhavepainorvisibleinjury,useacamera,wheneverpossible,tophotographtheinjuredarea.Thephotographsoftheareashouldbebeforeandaftertreatmentbymedicalpersonnel.Thepost-medicaltreatmentphotographshouldshowtheareawithoutthebandageorcovering,orifyouhavedisheveledandtornclothing,thisshouldalsobephotographed.

• Iftheaggressorcomplainsofpainorhasvisibleinjury,summontherequiredmedicaltreatmentandevenapplyfirstaidifsafeandnecessarytodoso.

HandgunsThehandgunssectiondealswithaselectionofextreme,high-riskscenariosinwhichanassailant,armedwithahandgun,posesanimminentthreattothelifeofthedefenderunderintenseconditions.Asvariablesincrease,difficultiesanalyzingandreactingtothethreatsalsoincrease.TheKravMagaprinciplesappliedtoaddressingthreatsandattacksareconsistentthroughout,andarethereasonwhyKravMagaworkswellunderextremelystressfulconditions.Theyenablepractitionerstoassimilatehigher-levelthreatsmorereadily.

TheWeaponHandguns,whichcomeinmanyshapes,sizesandtypes,appearinallscenariospresentedhere.Forthisbook,thereissomevalueinmakingadistinctionbetweenasemiautomatichandgunandarevolver.WhilerevolversstilloutnumbersemiautomaticsintheU.S.,thosenumbersarenarrowing.

It’srecommendedthatifyou’retrainingtodefendagainsthandgunthreats,youshouldhaveatleastacursoryknowledgeofthedifferenttypesofhandgunsandhowhandgunswork.

Asemiautomatichasa“slide”onthetopofthegunthatloadsaround(bullet)intothechamberinpreparationforthenextshot.Whenheld,theslidewillnotfunctionproperly,likelypreventinganewroundfrombeingloadedandperhapscausingtheweapontomalfunction.Thisissignificantifthedefender,oncemakingthetakeaway,choosestousetheweapon.Itwillbenecessaryto“tapandrack,”orloadanotherroundbyclearingthechamber.

Semiautomatichandgun

Note:Ifthereisalreadyaroundinthechamber,holdingtheslidewillNOTaffectthatroundorpreventitfromfiring.

Arevolverhasacylinder,insteadofaslide,thatpreparesthenextroundforfiring.Whenheld,thecylinderwillnotturn,preventinganewroundfrommovingintoplace.Thiswillnotcauseamalfunctionintherevolver.Note:Iftherevolverisalreadycockedandloaded,holdingthecylinderwillNOTkeepitfromfiringthatround.

Revolver

ImportantNote:NEVERtrainwithalive(real)handgun,evenifit’sunloaded.

TheAssailantHandguns,whencarriedbycriminals,areoftenusedtointimidate,threaten,move,takepropertyorkill.Anassailantusingahandguntypicallyderives“power”fromtheweapon.Thisisnoteworthy,sinceonceanattempteddefenseismade,theassailantlosesthis“power”andwillalsobeinalifeordeathstruggle.Inthesituationspresentedhere,theassailantiswithintwotofourfeet(orevenless)ofthedefender,choosingacloseproximitytointimidatethedefenderanddisguisehisintentionsfromotherparties.

ImportantConsiderationsCriticalthinkingisessentialwhenattemptingtoanalyzeaself-defensesituationanddeterminethebestcourseofactioninthemoment.Whendealingwithgunthreats,therearemanyfactorsthatgointoestablishingthebestcourseofaction.Inordertodothisin“real”time,understress,youshouldcommittomemoryafewtangible(thoughnotconcrete)referencepointsthatmayservetoreducereactiontime.

Inthehandgunsection,referenceswillbemadeto“centerline,”“live”side,“dead”side,“short”sideand“long”side:

Centerline

Movementtoliveside

Movementtodeadside

Shortsideofftodefender’sright

Shortsideofftodefender’sleft

Centerline:therelativecenterofthedefender’sbody.

Liveside:thesideofyourbodywhereattacksfromtheassailantaremostreadilyavailable(generallythoughtofasinsidetheelbowsorthefrontofthebody).

Deadside:thesideofyourbodywhereattacksfromtheassailantareleastreadilyavailable(generallythoughtofasoutsidetheelbowsorthebackofthebody).

Shortside:thisreferstotheproximityofthelineoffireinrelationtothecenterlineofthedefenderandtheareaofthebodywiththeshortestlineoffthebody.

Longside:thisreferstotheproximityofthelineoffireinrelationtothecenterlineofthedefenderandtheareaofthebodywiththelongestlineoffthebody.

Afteradisarmismade,thedefenderhasseveral“afteraction”optionsavailable.Someoftheseare:

• tappingandrackingtheweapon(makeitreadytofire),keepingtheassailantinthelineoffire

• usingtheweapondryorcold(i.e.,strikingwithit)

• usingpersonalweapons/combatives

• accessingownweapon.

Regardlessofwhichactionyouchoose,allshouldservetoputyouinasaferposition.

ImportantSafetyinTrainingNote:DoNOTputyourfingeronthetriggerorat“ready”whentraininganyhandgundefensesasitmaygetbroken.

EdgedWeaponsAnedgedweapon,whiletypicallyaknife,couldbeanyshortinstrumentusedtocutorstab,suchasabrokenbottle,scissors,boxcutter,screwdriver,etc.Thereareseveralkeyfactorsthatshouldbeconsideredwhendealingwithathreatasopposedtoanattack.Thebehavioroftheassailantisdifferentfromonewhoisactivelystabbingorslashingatthedefender.Theassailantmaywanttogaininformationorpropertyfromthevictim,takethevictimhostageand/ormovethevictimtoanotherlocation.Dependingonthenatureandcontextofthethreat,aknife-wieldingassailanthastheabilitytothreatentheintendedvictimfromclose,intermediateandlong-rangedistances,atvariousanglesandheights,andbyplacingtheedgedweaponatdifferentpartsofthevictim’sbody.

Ourexperienceshavetaughtusthateachpassingsecondmayallowthesituationtoescalateintoamoredangerousanddynamicscenario,onewheretheassailantactivelyattackswiththeedgedweaponbystabbingandslashingrepeatedlyattheintendedvictim.Justlikeinbasichandgun,thetechnicalprinciplesforaddressingknifethreatsareRedirect,Control,AttackandTakeaway.Thetacticalresponsesgenerallyrecommendedare:(1)escape,(2)useanimprovisedweaponorshield,and/or(3)engagewithpersonalweapons.It’simportanttonotethatonceaninitialdefenseismade,therearefourcommonresponsesfromtheassailant:switchknifehands,thrusttheknifeforward,pulltheknifeaway,and/orstrike.Thetechniquesprescribedherearedesignedtoaddressalloftheseconcerns.

TheWeaponAnedgedweaponmaybeadedicatedweapon,suchasaknifecarriedonone’sperson,oraweaponofconvenience,suchasscissorsorbrokenglass.Whiletheactualattackrangeislimited,theedgedweaponpresentsmultipleproblemsfordefenders.

Edgedweaponsareeasilyconcealedand,quiteoften,victimsareunawareofthepresenceofaknife(forexample).Edgedweaponsaretypicallyeasytowieldanddifficulttoisolateforthedefender.Suchweaponsarealways“live,”neverrunoutof“ammo”andalmostneverfail.Forthesereasons,amongothers,edgedweaponsareoftenconsideredthehardesttodealwith.Inaddition,accordingtopolicereportssubmittedannuallytotheFBI,apersonintheU.S.whoisstabbedbyaknifeis20percentmorelikelytodiethanonewhosuffersagunshot.

TheAssailantApersonwillingtousesuchaweaponischaracteristicallyofadifferentmindsetthanthosepreferringother,longer-rangeweapons.Anassailantchoosingtobrandishanduseanedgedweaponiswillingtogo“handson”—togetbloody,tofeelmetalagainstboneandtendon,andtofeelthelifeleavethevictim.Apersonwiththiscapacitymustbemetwithequalorgreaterferocityifthedefenderistohaveachanceofsurvival.

BasicDefensePrinciplesRedirect:Movethelineoffireoffofyourbodyortheedgeawayfromyourbody.

Control:Getcontroloftheweaponorweaponhand.

Attack:Sendaggressivecounterattackstotheassailant.

Takeaway:Disarmtheassailant.

Generally,thedefender’shandsaredownbythesides.Bringingthehandsupandthenmakingadefenseisa“bigger”movementthatismuchmoreobvioustotheassailant.Iftheassailantordersthedefender’shandsup,thisisanidealtimetomakethedefense(ifinrange),sincetheassailantexpectsmovement.

HandgunThreatsInordertosimplifyassimilationoftheinformation,assumethehandgunisbeingheldintherighthandinallofthescenariosgiven.

ImportantNoteforhandgunthreatsfromtheback/side:Whenthreatenedfromthedeadside,it’softenhardorimpossibletoseetheweaponwithoutfirstturning.Inallofthedefensesdescribed,wherepossible,itisadvisedtolookandseewhichhandholdstheweaponbeforedecidingacourseofaction.

BASICGUNTHREATFROMFRONT(DEAD-SIDEOPTION)HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandgunatyourcenterlineorclosertoyourright.Inthiscase,itisatyourchest,althoughitcouldbeatyourheadorabdomen.

DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.

SOLUTION:Thelineoffireistoyourcenterlineortowardsyourright,whichdictatesredirectingthelineoffireinthatdirection.

1.Usingthesmallestmovepossible,bringyourlefthandupandplaceyourindexfingeratthesideoftheweapon.Movetheweaponinastraightlinetoyourright,bringingyourleftshoulderforwardtoincreaseyourreachandbladingyourbodytomakeyou,thetarget,smaller.

2.Grabtheweapon’sbarrelandturnitsharplyawayfromyou,moreorlessparalleltotheground;beginputtingyourweightontheweaponassoonaspossible.

3.Leadingwithyourleftfood,immediatelyburstforward,preferablypinningthegunagainsttheassailant’sbody(atornearthestomach).Maintainingyourweightontheweaponthroughout,punchtotheassailant’sface.Note:Itmaybenecessarytothrowmultiplepunches,butyoushouldkeepyourweightontheweaponandbepreparedtocontinuemovingforwardincasetheassailantisdrivenbackasaresultofthestrikes.

4.Asyourecoilyourpunch,keepyourhandandarmclosetoyourbody.Reach

underthehandgunandgrabthehammerandsightportionoftheweapon.Breaktheassailant’sgripontheweaponbyrotatingitsharply(about90°).

5.Pulltheweaponbacktoyourbody.Donotmoveyourfeetuntilyouhavecompletecontroloftheweapon.

BASICGUNTHREATFROMFRONT“CUPPING”DEFENSE(LIVE-SIDEOPTION)

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandgunatyourcenterlineorclosertoyourleft.Inthiscase,itisatyourchest,althoughitcouldbeatyourheadorabdomen.

SOLUTION:Thelineoffireistoyourcenterlineortowardsyourleft,whichdictatesredirectingthelineoffireinthatdirection.

1.Usingthesmallestmovepossible,bringyourrighthandupandplaceyourindexfingeratthesideoftheweapon.Movetheweaponinastraightlinetoyourleft,bringingyourrightshoulderforwardtoincreaseyourreachandbladingyourbodytomakeyou,thetarget,smaller.

2–3.Grabtheweapon’sbarrelandturnitsharplyawayfromyou,moreorlessparalleltotheground.Immediatelybringyourlefthandupandundertothehammerportionoftheweapon,buildinga“wall”tomaintaincontrol.Maintainingcontroloftheweaponthroughout,immediatelyfrontkicktothegroin.

4.Breaktheassailant’sgripontheweaponbyturningitsharplytowardshim

anddown.

5.Pulltheweaponback5toyourbody.Donotmoveyourfeetuntilyouhavecompletecontroloftheweapon.

NOTE:Itispossibletopunchthenmakethecuppingtechniqueinsteadofkicking,butinmostcasesthisispreferredbecausethecontrolisstronger.Itisalsopossibletoredirecttotherightandmakeacuppingtechnique,buttheregulardefense(dead-sideoption;page523)isgenerallypreferred.

GUNTHREATWITHHANDATCHEST(SPACEFORREDIRECTION)

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandgunatyourcenterlineorclosertoyourrightanduseshislefthandtobraceagainstyouorpushyoubackward.Heholdsthehandgunback,closetohisbody.

SOLUTION:Youdeterminethatthereisenoughspacebetweentheweaponandtheassailanttofacilitatearedirection.Thelineoffireistoyourcenterlineortowardsyourright,whichdictatesredirectingthelineoffireinthatdirection.Becauseyourweightisbeingforcedback,thepushing/bracinghandmustbeaddressed.

1.Usingthesmallestmovepossible,bringyourrighthanduptothehandtouchingyouandperformasweepingmotiontocleartheassailant’shand(thisissimilartoanoutsidedefense,startingonpage272).

2–5.Bladeyourbodyandperformtheregulargunfromthefrontdefense(dead-sideoption;seepage523).

NOTE:Itispossiblethatyourhandsareupwhenthethreatoccurs.Inthiscase,you’llbeunabletoclearthehandbysweepingfromtheinside.Thesolutionhereistoclearthehandusingapluckingmotion,similartotheoneusedinmanybasicself-defensetechniques.Therestofthedefensewouldremainunchanged.

GUNTHREATWITHHANDATCHEST(NOSPACEFORREDIRECTION)

HandgunThreatsThisdefenseisnearlyidenticaltotheMachineGunTakedownonpage444.

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandgunanduseshislefthandtobraceagainstyouorpushyoubackward.Heholdsthehandgunback,bracingitagainsthisbody.

SOLUTION:Youdeterminethereisnotenoughspacebetweentheweaponandtheassailanttofacilitatearedirection,andthehandbracingatyourchestorevenyourleftshoulderisforcingyourweightback.

1.Usingyourrighthand,grabtheassailant’sleftelbow.

2.Whileloweringyourbodyandpullingyourselfforward,pulltheassailant’sarmtowardsandpastyourbodyusingthisgrip.Stayveryclosetotheassailant,endingupeitherbesideorjustbehindhim.Slideyourleftarmupandundertheweaponarmandpinittotheassailant’sbody.

3.Withthesideofyourheadagainsttheassailant’sbody,shootyourrighthandupandbetweenhislegs,asifyou’retryingtograbhisbeltline.

4–5.Withyourhipsclosetotheassailant,liftwithyourlegs(NOTyourback)andpullyourrightarmbacktowardsyou.Thisactionshouldcausetheassailant’sfeettogoupandbackandhisheadtogodowntowardstheground.Note:Youdonotneedtolifttheassailantveryhighofftheground—justafewinches.Inactuality,liftingtheassailanttoohighmayallowhimtospinintowardsyou.

6.Drivetheassailantintotheground,bringingyourbodydownontopofhim.Asyoudothis,useelbowstrikestothebackofhishead.Note:Theweaponshouldbeundertheassailant’sbody,butit’spossiblethatitwasdroppedduringthetakedownandfellawayfromyou.Takenotetosecureitafterrenderingtheassailantunabletocontinuefighting.

GUNTHREATFROMFRONTWITHDEFENDERONKNEES

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandgunwhileyou’reonyourknees.

SOLUTION:Inthiscase,theweaponisdirectedatyourcenterline.Burstingforwardandcounterattackingisnotfeasibleorpossiblebecauseofyourbodyposition(itsimplytakestoolongtogetupfromyourknees).

1–2.Performthecuppingtechniquebyredirectingwithyourrighthandandcontrollingfurtherwithyourleft.

3.Oncethe“wall”isbuilt,beginrisingfromyourknees,makingsureallmovementsareforward,towardstheassailant.Note:Itislikelytheassailantwillpullbackontheweapon.Thisactionwillhelpbringyouupoffyourknees.

4.Redirectingthelineoffireslightlyupward,deliverakneeorkicktothegroin.Aheadbuttisalsoaviableoption,but,inthiscase,thelineoffireshouldnotberedirectedup.

5–6.Breaktheassailant’sgripontheweaponbyrotatingitsharply(about90°)andpulltheweaponbacktoyourbody.Donotmoveyourfeetuntilyouhavecompletecontroloftheweapon.

NOTE:Thisdefensecanbemadetoeitherdirectiondependingontheenvironmentandthelocationofthelineoffire.

GUNTHREATFROMBACKWITHDEFENDERONKNEES

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpointsthehandgunatthebackofyourheadwhileyou’reonyourknees.

SOLUTION:Turningandburstingtocounterattackisnotfeasiblebecauseofyourbodyposition.

1.Bringyourhandsuptowardsthehandgun,keepingthemclosetoyourbodyandoutofsightoftheassailant.

2.Usingyourrighthand,grabthebarrelandpointthemuzzleforward,awayfromyou.Placeyourlefthandatthebackofthehandgun,buildinga“wall”ofcontrol.

3.Immediatelyandsharplyturnthehandguntowardstheright.Thisactionwillcreateimmensepressureontheassailant’swrist,creatingthedisarm.

4.Extendbotharmsforwardtocompletelyremovetheassailant’shandfromtheweapon.

5–7.Turnandcounterattackimmediatelywithstrikestothegroinbeforegettinguptoyourfeetforfurthercountersand/ordisengaging.

VARIATION:Aftermakingthetakeaway,itmayalsobepossibletoshoulderrollforwardandawayfromtheassailantbeforeturningtofacehim.

GUNTHREATWITHDEFENDERONBACKANDASSAILANTMOUNTED

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Whileyou’reonyourback,theassailantstraddlesyouandholdsthehandguntoyourhead.

SOLUTION:Therearemultiplevariablesinthissituation.Youmustcontroltheweaponandmakeatakeawaybeforemakingatraditionalcounterattack.Inthiscase,escapingthepositionisveryimportant.

1.Usingyourrighthandtoredirecttheweapontotheleft,performthecuppingtechnique.Note:Theredirectionisimportant—ifit’sdonetotheotherside,theassailantislikelytousethenon-weaponhandtopostonthegroundandpreventescape.

2.Taketheweaponupandawayfromyou,towardstheground,whilebuckingyourhipsup.Ifpossible,traptheassailant’sfootonthesamesidewithyourfoot.

3.Buckyourhipsupward,towardsyourheadandleftshoulder,continuingtopushthegroundwithyourfeetuntilyouendupontop.

4–7.Strikewiththeweapon,workingyourwaydowntheassailant’sbodytothegroin,makingsuretokeepthelineoffireawayfromyou.

NOTE:Youshouldconsideryourphysicalstateinthe“afteraction”portionofthisdefense.Sinceit’slikelythatastruggleputyouthere,itmaybeadvisabletomaneuverfirsttoyourkneesthen,ifyoufeelokay,uptoyourfeet.Otherwise,operatefromyourkneesuntilyoufeelthatyoucanstandwithoutfallingbackdown.

GUNTHREATWITHWALLPIN

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandguntoyoursidewhileusinghisleftforearmtopinyouagainstawall.Theshortsideistoyourleftasaresultofthepositiontheassailantisputinbecauseofthepin.

SOLUTION:Youdeterminethereisrestrictioncausedbythepinagainstthewall.Theshortsideistoyourleft,whichdictatesredirectingthelineoffireinthatdirection.

1.Redirectthelineoffirebygrabbingthebarrelwithyourlefthandandturningthemuzzletoyourleft.

2–3.Counterattackwithastriketotheheadwithyourrighthand.Tomakethetakeaway,pulltheassailant’swristtowardsyouandturnthemuzzlesharplytowardstheassailant.

4.Counterattackwithfurtherstrikestothehead,usingtheweapon.Note:Whenusingahandgun“dry,”besurethelineoffirestaysawayfromyouatalltimes.

VARIATION:It’spossiblethattheassailantuseshisforearmtoapplypressureloweronyourchest.Inthiscase,youmaychoosetoredirecttheassailant’sforearmwithyourlefthand.

GUNTHREATFROMBEHIND,TOUCHING(BASICDEFENSE)

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantpresentsthehandgun,touchingtheweapontoyourlowerback.Notethattheweaponcouldbeheldhigheronthebackoratthebackofthehead.

SOLUTION:Thelineoffireistoyourcenterlineortowardsyourright,whichdictatesredirectingthelineoffireinthatdirection.Remember,youmustlooktoinsurethe“offhand”isnotactuallytheweaponhand.

1.Keepingyourfeetinplaceandleadingwithyourleftarm,turntofacetheassailant,redirectingthelineoffirebymovingtheweaponwithyourarmandbladingyourbody.Reachingyourlefthanddeepundertheassailant’sarm,bursttowardstheassailant.Yourleftfootshouldbeoutsideoftheassailant’srightfoot.

2–3.Bringyourleftarmup,trappingtheweaponarmagainstyourbody.Withyourrightarm,strikewithanelbowtotheassailant’sfacewhileslidingyourleftarmbacktothewristoftheweaponhand.Itisimportantthattherearenogapsorspacesbetweenyourwrist,thedefender’swristoryourbody.Yourcontrollinghandshouldbeinafistandpinnedtightlytoyourbody.

4.Counterwithkneesand/orkickstothegroin(additionalupperbodycombativesarealsopossible).

5.Bringingyourleftshoulderslightlyforward,reachoverwithyourrighthand,pinkysideup,andgrabthebarreloftheweapon.Keepyoureyesontheassailantandbesurenottoturnyourback.

6.Tobreakthegrip,snapthemuzzleoftheweapondowntowardstheground,bringingyourentirearmdown.

7.Lifttheweaponstraightupforthetakeaway.

8.Delivercounterattacks,suchaselbowsand/orweaponstrikes,andgetout.

GUNTHREAT,HOSTAGEPOSITION

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantstandswithhischesttoyourback.Heloopshisleftarmaroundthefrontofyourthroatandpointsthehandgunatthesideofyourhead.

SOLUTION:Becausetheassailantistoyourdeadsideandiscontrollingatleastaportionofyourbody,theredirectionandtakeawayaremadebeforethecounterattack.

1.Bringyourhandsuptowardsthehandgun,keepingthemclosetoyourbodyandoutofsightoftheassailant.

2.Usingyourrighthand,grabthebarrelandredirectthemuzzleforward(thisturnshouldbeabout90°).

3–4.Placeyourlefthandatthebackofthehandgun,buildinga“wall”ofcontrol.

5.Pushthehandgunforward.Immediatelyandsharplyturnthehandguntowardstheright.Thisactionwillcreateimmensepressureontheassailant’swrist,creatingthedisarm.Whileshootingyourhipsbacktofurtherseparatetheassailantfromtheweapon,extendbotharmsforwardtocompletelyremovetheassailant’shandfromtheweapon.

6.Turnandcounterattackimmediatelybeforemovingtoasafedistance.

GUNTHREATWITHDEFENDERFACE-DOWNANDASSAILANTMOUNTED

HandgunThreats

THREAT:Theassailantstraddlesyouwhileyoulieface-downontheground.Heholdsthehandgunatthebackofyourhead.

SOLUTION:Therearemultiplevariablesinthissituation.Youmustcontroltheweaponandmakeatakeawaybeforemakingatraditionalcounterattack.Inthiscase,escapingthepositionisveryimportant.

1.Bringyourhandsuptowardsyourhead,keepingthemclosetotheground.

2.Usingyourrighthand(assumingyourfaceisturnedtotheright),grabthebarrelandredirecttheweaponforwardandslightlytotheright.Themuzzleshouldbeangledawayfromyourface.Note:Theangleofredirection/placementisimportant.Iftheinitialroundisdischarged,anydebrisshouldgoawayfromyourface,nottowardsit.

3.Withyourlefthand,controlthewristoftheweaponhandwhileliftingyourupperbody.

4.Withyourrightshoulderatorneartheassailant’selbow,drivethatshoulderforwardandpullthegunback,underyourbody.

5–6.Astheassailantgoesoveryourhead,takeyourbodybackandundertheassailant.

NOTE:Youshouldconsideryourphysicalstateinthe“afteraction”portionofthisdefense.Sinceit’slikelythatastruggleputyouthere,itmaybeadvisabletomaneuverfirsttoyourkneesthen,ifyoufeelokay,uptoyourfeet.Otherwise,operatefromyourkneesuntilyoufeelthatyoucanstandwithoutfallingbackdown.

Edged-WeaponthreatsInordertosimplifyassimilationoftheinformation,assumetheknifeisbeingheldintherighthandinallofthescenariosgiven.Theemphasisisalmostalwaysoncontrollingtheweaponandcounterattackingaggressively.Whiledisarmsareshown,the“real”defenseisintheoffense.Counterattacksshouldbeofanaturethatrenderstheassailantunableorunwillingtocontinuetheattack.

EDGEDWEAPONTOUCHINGORATSHORTDISTANCEOFFTHEBODYEdged-WeaponThreats

THREAT:Theassailantisclosetoyouandpresentstheknifetothefrontofyourbody.

DANGER:Theknifemaybetouchingyouorsimplyheldclosetoyourbody.Theknifeisnotnecessarilyheldstatically—theassailantmaybemovingitaround,givingdirections,pointing,threatening,etc.Theassailantmaywishtomoveyoutoanotherlocation.

SOLUTION:Becauseoftheproximityofthethreat,youshouldattempttocontroltheweaponhandandcounterattackaggressively.

1.Withyourlefthand,grabtheassailant’sweapon-handwrist,redirectingtheweapontowardsyourrightside.

2–3.Assoonaspossible,reachyourrighthandtocontroltheweaponhand,coveringthehandasmuchaspossible.Extendyourarmsawayfromyou,applyingweightandcreatingdistance.Tuckyourchinbehindyourrightshouldertominimizethechanceofbeingstruckintheface.

4.Assoonasyouattaincontrol,sendafrontkicktothegroin.(Iftheassailant’sbodyisangled,aroundkicktothegroin,usingtheballofyourfoot,maybemoreapplicable.)Aftertheinitialcounterattack,followwithadditionalcounters,maintainingcontroloftheweaponhandandkeepingtheweaponawayfromyourbody.Kickstothegroinandface(iftheassailantisdoubledover)arepreferable.

5.Maintaincontrolatthewristusingyourwholebody,withthepalmofyourrighthandapplyingpressuretotheknucklesoftheassailant’sweaponhand.Thepressureshouldforcethefingerssurroundingtheknifetoopen.Whilemaintainingcontact,scrapetheweaponoutoftheassailant’shand.

EDGEDWEAPONTOUCHINGORATLONGERDISTANCEOFFTHEBODYEdged-WeaponThreats

THREAT:Theassailantstandsfurtherawayfromyouandpresentstheknifetothefrontofyourbody.

DANGER:Thethreatmaybethesameaswiththeknifeclosertothebodybut,becauseofthedistance,gettingthesecondhandonquicklyisdifficulttodo.Theknifeisnotnecessarilyheldstatically—theassailantmaybemovingitaround,givingdirections,pointing,threatening,etc.

SOLUTION:Becauseofthedistance,insteadofcontrollingtheweaponhand,youshouldemphasizeredirectingtheweapon,counterattacking,andescapingorattaininganobjectthatmaybeusedasaweaponorshield.

1–2.Usingthepalmofyourlefthand,redirecttheweaponhandtowardsyourrightwithaquick,explosivestrikingmovementtothebackoftheassailant’shand.Note:Theredirectionisslightlyup,whichyieldslessresistance.Yourleftshouldershouldmoveforward,whichanglesyourbodyandincreasesyour

reach.

3.Immediatelyafterredirectingtheweaponhand,advancewithafrontkicktothegroin,movingatanangleintheoppositedirectionoftheredirectedweaponhand.Immediatelyseektoescapeoracquireanobjectthatmaybeusedasashieldorweapon.

EDGEDWEAPONAGAINSTRIGHTSIDEOFNECK(MOVEMENTTODEADSIDE)Edged-WeaponThreats

THREAT:Thisclose-rangesituationhastheweaponlikelytouchingtherightsideofyourneck.

DANGER:Here,duetotheproximitytothecarotidartery,onlyasmallmovementbytheassailantisrequiredtoinflictsevereinjuryordeath.

SOLUTION:Itbecomesnecessarytorecognizethe“open”area.Inotherwords,youmustanalyzetheorientationoftheweaponasitrelatestothedirectionneededtoinflictharmandredirecttheweaponintheoppositedirection.

1.Usingyourlefthand,grabtheweaponhandatthewrist,redirectingitawayfromyourneck,whilemovingyourheadintheoppositedirection(deadside).

2.Bringyourrighthandupimmediatelytocovertheweaponhandoftheassailant,extendingyourarmstocreatespaceandleverageonthewrist.Note:Rotateyourredirectinghandsothatyourpalmfacesinthedirectionoftheassailant.Thisactionhelpsfacilitategettingthesecondhandonandoffersthepalm,asopposedtojustthethumb,asa“backstop.”

3.Immediatelyaftergainingcontroloftheweaponhand,sendafrontkicktothegroin.Sendmultiplecounters,maintainingcontroloftheweaponhandandkeepingtheweaponawayfromyourbody.Kickstothegroinandface(iftheassailantisdoubledover)arepreferable.

4.Maintaincontrolatthewristusingyourwholebody,withthepalmofyourrighthandapplyingpressuretotheknucklesoftheassailant’sweaponhand.Thepressureshouldforcethefingerssurroundingtheknifetoopen.Whilemaintainingcontact,scrapetheweaponoutoftheassailant’shand.

EDGEDWEAPONAGAINSTLEFTSIDEOFNECK(MOVEMENTTOLIVESIDE)Edged-WeaponThreats

THREAT:Thisclose-rangesituationhastheweaponlikelytouchingtheleftsideofyourneck.

DANGER:Here,duetotheproximitytothecarotidartery,onlyasmallmovementbytheassailantisrequiredtoinflictsevereinjuryordeath.

SOLUTION:Itbecomesnecessarytorecognizethe“open”area.Inotherwords,youmustanalyzetheorientationoftheweaponasitrelatestothedirectionneededtoinflictharmandredirecttheweaponintheoppositedirection.

1.Usingyourrighthand,grabtheweaponhandatthewrist,redirectingitawayfromyourneck,whilemovingyourheadintheoppositedirection(liveside).

2.Withyourlefthand,immediatelycovertheassailant’sweaponhandandstraightenyourarmstocreatespaceandpressure.Immediatelycounterattackwithafrontkicktothegroin.

3.Transitionboththumbstothebackoftheassailant’sweaponhand(attheknuckleline)whilemaintainingpressureonthewrist(Cavalier#3,asshownonpage405).

4.Maintainingweightandpressureontheassailant’swrist,moveyourrighthandtocovertheassailant’sweaponhandandcontinuetocontroltheassailant’swristwithyourlefthand(Cavalier#1,asshownonpage401).

5.Ifnecessaryorpossible,sendanotherkicktothegroin,maintainingthewristcontrol.

6.Usingyourwholebody,maintaincontrolatthewrist,withthepalmofyourrighthandapplyingpressuretotheknucklesoftheassailant’sweaponhand.Thepressureshouldforcethefingerssurroundingtheknifetoopen.Whilemaintainingcontact,scrapetheweaponoutoftheassailant’shand.

EDGEDWEAPONATBACK,TOUCHINGEdged-WeaponThreats

THREAT:Theassailanttouchestheknifetoyourback.

DANGER:Whiletheassailant’sintentmaybetomoveyouortakeproperty,youareveryvulnerabletostabstotheback.

SOLUTION:Whenrespondingtothisthreat,it’simportanttotakeaquicklookoveroraroundyourshouldertodeterminethattheweapon(nottheassailant’shandorfingers)isactuallyatyourbackandnotheldinhisbackhand.KravMagapractitionersfamiliarwithbasichandgundefenseswillfindtheresponsetothisthreatverysimilar.

1.Afterdeterminingthattheweaponisindeedplacedatyourback,turntowardstheleft,withyourleftarmleadingthemotion.

2.Asyourleftarmredirectstheweapon,continuetoreachwithyourleftandburstinverydeep,reachingyourleftarmtowardstheassailant’sunderarm.Besuretopushtheweaponoutandawayfromyourbody.

3.Bringyourleftarmup,trappingtheassailant’sarmtoyourbody.Yourarmshouldslidetotheassailant’swristwhiledeliveringanelbowtotheassailant’sfacewithyourrightarm.

4.Followtheelbowwithmultiplecounterattacks,includingknees,kicks,etc.

5.Maintainingcontrolandleverageonthewrist,reachoverwithyourrighthandandcovertheweaponhand.

6.Whileapplyingpressuretotheassailant’swristandshoulder,rotatetheweaponhandsothatthepalmfacesupandhisfingersareforcedopen.

7.Withoutlosingcontactorcontrol,scrapetheknifeoutoftheassailant’shand.

EDGEDWEAPONATTHROATFROMBEHIND(HOSTAGESITUATION)Edged-WeaponThreats

THREAT:Theassailantdrapeshisweaponarmoveryourshoulderandplacestheknifeagainstyourthroatorneck.Often,youwillbepulledbackward,compromisingbalance.

DANGER:Whiletheassailant’sintentmaybetomoveyouortakeproperty,and/orgivedemandstothirdparties,youareveryvulnerable.Withthisthreat,duetotheproximitytothecarotidarteryand/orthroat,onlyasmallmovementbytheassailantisrequiredtoinflictsevereinjuryordeath.

SOLUTION:Redirectandcontroltheweaponhandwhileturningtofacetheassailantandcounterattacking.KravMagapractitionersfamiliarwithbasic

headlockdefenseswillfindcommonalitywithaspectsofthisdefense.

1.Bringyourhandsup,keepingthemclosetoyourbodyandconcealedfromtheassailant’ssight.

2.Reachingfirstwithyourrighthand,pluckattheassailant’swrist,redirectingtheweaponhanddownandawayfromyourneckwhileimmediatelyaddingyourlefthandforbettercontrol.Tuckyourchin.

3.Raiseyourrightshouldertocreateadditionalspaceandleverage.

4.Stepoutandaroundtheassailantwithyourleftleg.Yourheadandneckshouldbetightagainstthebackoftheassailant’sforearmandtricepsarea—nospace!

5.Transitionyourlefthandtocovertheweaponhandandcontrolhiswristwithyourrighthand.Stabwithyourentirebodybyadvancingtowardtheassailant.

AbouttheContributorsDarrenLevine,a6th-degreeblackbelt,isthefounderofthenonprofitKravMagaAssociationandservesastheChiefExecutiveOfficerandU.S.ChiefInstructorofKravMagaWorldwide.Hehastrainedthousandsofciviliansandhundredsoflawenforcementandmilitarypersonnelaroundtheworld.Inaddition,DarrenisaDeputyDistrictAttorneywhohaswontheCaliforniaDeputyDistrictAttorneyoftheYearAward.Darrenhaslecturedwidelyonuse-of-forceissuesandiswell-knowninthelawenforcementcommunity.IntheLosAngelesDistrictAttorney’soffice,heservesasaseniormemberoftheCrimesAgainstPeaceOfficersSection(CAPOS),aneliteunitthatprosecutesoffenderswhomurder,orattempttomurder,policeofficers.InhisdualrolesasKravMagaChiefInstructorandasaDeputyDistrictAttorney,hehasdedicatedhislifetothesafetyofothers.

JohnWhitmanisa4th-degreeblackbeltinKravMagaandthepresidentofKravMagaWorldwide.Heholdsinstructor’sdiplomasfromboththeKravMagaAssociationofAmericaandWingateUniversityinIsrael,andhastrainedattheIsraeliMilitaryInstituteinpersonalprotectionandinstallationprotection.JohnhasbeenteachingKravMagasince1994,andhastrainedthousandsofciviliansaswellaslawenforcementandmilitaryunits,includingtheAirForceOfficeofSpecialInvestigationsAntiterroristSpecialtyTeamandtheSpecialOperationsGroupfortheJapaneseSelf-DefenseForce.Johnhasalsopublishedanumberofbooks,includingseveral24novels.

BasRutten,theauthoroftheforeword,isaDutchmixedmartialartsfighterwhoistheformerUltimateFightingChampionship(UFC)HeavyweightChampionandathree-timeKingofPancrase.HeisacertifiedMTBNThaiBoxinginstructorandaPancraseinstructor.Heisalsoa5th-degreeblackbeltinKyokushinkarateanda2nd-degreeblackbeltinTaeKwonDo.HefoundedTheBasRuttenSystemandhaswrittenseveralmartialartbooksandmadeinstructionalvideos.BashasbeenthecolorcommentatorforthePrideFightingChampionshipsinJapan,andiscurrentlythespokespersonfortheInternationalFightLeague(IFL).HeisconsideredbymanytobethebestDutchfighterinmixedmartialartshistory.

Complete Krav maga : the ultimate guide to over 250 self-defense and combative techniques

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