Complete Krav maga : the ultimate guide to over 250 self-defense and combative techniques
Transcript of 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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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.
TIPS
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
Makingafist
1.Rollyourfingerstightlysothatthereisnospace.
2.Sealyourthumbtightlyoveryourfingersnearthefirstknuckle.DoNOTputyourthumbinsideyourfingers!
LEFTSTRAIGHTPUNCH
Combatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourleftfistforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.
2.Makecontactwiththefirsttwoknucklesofyourfist,rotatingyourfistabout45degreestoaddpower.Besureyourwristisstraight.Thepunchshouldpenetratethetarget,notjusttouchthesurface.Atthemomentofimpact,weightshouldbeinthepunch.
3.Recoilquickly,bringingyourhandbacktostartingposition.
TIPS
Tuckyourchintoyourchesttoprotectyourjaw.
Rolltheshoulderonthepunchingsideuptoprotectyourjaw.
Thebasicprincipleofmovementwhileinafightingstanceistostartwiththeforwardfootwhilepushingoffwiththerearfoot,thenclosethestepsoyouendupintheoriginalstance.
CROSS-BODYPUNCH
Combatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourrightfistforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.Pivotyourrearfootlikeyou’reputtingoutacigarette.
2Makecontactwiththefirsttwoknucklesofyourfist,rotatingyourfistabout45°toaddpower.Besureyourwristisstraight.Thepunchshouldpenetratethetarget,notjusttouchthesurface.Atthemomentofimpact,weightshouldbeinthepunch.
3Recoilquickly,bringingyourhandbacktostartingposition.
TIPS
Tuckyourchintoyourchesttoprotectyourjaw.Rolltheshoulderonthepunchingsideuptoprotectyourjaw.
PALMHEELSTRIKE
CombativesYoucanperformastraightpunchusingtheheelofyourpalminsteadofafist.Themotionofthispunchisotherwisethesameasastraightpunch.Thisexplanationdescribesarightpalmheelstrike,butthestrikecanbedonewitheitherhand.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourrightarmforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.Pivotonyourbackfoot.
2Asyourhandisabouttostrikethetarget,flexyourwristbackward,openyourhand,andcurlyourfingersslightly,makingcontactwiththehardsurfaceatthebaseofyourhand.Rotateyourwristinwardasyoustrike—thisaddsextrapowerandhelpsprotectyourwrist.Bymovingyourfingersoutoftheway,youforcetheheelofyourhand,ratherthanyourfingers,tomakecontact.Ifyoudon’trotate,yourwristmaybebentbackwardonimpact,potentiallycausingasprainorbreak.
EYESTRIKE
CombativesThisstriketotheeyes,anothervariationofthestraightpunch,ismadewithyourfingertips.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourlefthandforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.Pivotonyourbackfootasifyou’recrushingoutacigarette.
2Asyourhandisabouttostrikethetarget,pressyourfingersandthumbtogethertoformakindofspearblade.Yourfingersshouldbetensed,whichgivesthemstrengthandusuallycausesaveryslightbendintheknuckles.Thishelpspreventhyperextension.Stabyourfingersforwardata45-degreeangle,ratherthanstraightupanddown.Thisallowsyourhandtocoverthemostsurfacearea.
STRAIGHTPUNCHWITHADVANCE
CombativesYoucanmakeanystraightpunchwhileadvancingtocoverdistance.Beginpracticingwithaforwardhand,thentryotherpuncheswhileadvancing.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1Drivingwithyourlegsandkeepingyourelbowdownaslongaspossible,extendyourleftfistforward.Asyourhandtravelsout,rotateyourshoulderandhipforwardtoaddpower.
2Immediatelyburstinwithanadvance,pushingoffwithyourrightfootandmovingforwardwithyourleftfoot.Asthepunchlands,closethedistancebybringingyourrightfootforward.
TIPS
Inmostcases,theadvanceshouldbeonaslightdiagonaltokeepyouawayfromyouropponent’sentirearsenalofcounterattacks.
STRAIGHTPUNCHWITHRETREAT
CombativesAstraightpunch,particularlyajab,canbegiveninretreat.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingtheattacker.
1Theattackertakesasteptowardyou.Simultaneouslysendaleftpunchwhilemovingyourrightfootback,pushingoffwithyourleftfoot.
2Asthepunchrecoils,bringyourleftfootbacktorecoverintoafightingstance.
TIPS
Thepunchmayalsobeperformedwithaslightducktoavoidanincomingpunch.
VARIATION:Tomakeacrosswhileretreating,youwillneedtoretreatfirst,plantyourfeet,andthenpunchThisrequiresmoreprecisetimingthanajab,makingitabitmorecomplex.
STRAIGHTPUNCHLOW
CombativesAstraightpunchcanbedeliveredlow—tothemidsectionoreventothegroin.Whilethebasiclowpunchisthesameasaregularstraightpunch,specialconsiderationsrequirethatthispunchbepracticedseparately.
Thispunchcanbemadeinattackorindefense;seeStraightPunchwithAdvance(page45)andStraightPunchwithRetreat(page47)forfurtherdetails.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Beginastandardstraightpunch.Asyoupunch,sendyourfistlowwhiledroppingyourbodybybendingatthewaistandknees.Donotleaveyourheadupwhilepunchingdown—thiswouldleaveyoutooexposed.Donotsimplydropyourbodydownbeforesendingthepunch—thistelegraphsthemovement.
2.Retreatorcontinuewithafurtherattack.Donotstaydownandinfrontwhereyouropponentcaneasilypunchorkneeyourhead.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
TIPS
Addtorquebyrotatingthefist:Atthebeginningofthepunch,thebackofthehandfacesthetarget.Justbeforecontact,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandouttomakecontact.
Aswithallpunches,youshouldrecoilafterstriking.
HAMMERFISTTOTHEBACK
CombativesHammerfisttothebackisessentiallythesameashammerfisttotheside,butwithagreaterturntomeetanattackcomingfrombehind.Youshouldpracticeittodeveloptheconceptthatyoucanstrikeinafullcirclearoundyourbody.
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
1.Lookoveryourrightshoulder.Moveyourlefthandsidewaysandupward,elbowslightlybent.Asyourhandmovestowarditstarget,rotateyourhipandshoulder.Tuckyourchin.Yourrisingarmshouldcoveryouaswellasstrike.Pivotyouroutsidefootandstepintowardyourtargettomakesureweightisbeingtransferredintothepunch.
2.Oncontact,yourelbowshouldstillbesomewhatbent.Thebentelbowshouldpassyourtargettohelpthepunchpenetrate;italsohelpspreventhyperextensionofthejoint.
TIPS
Addtorquebyrotatingthefist:Atthebeginningofthepunch,thebackofthehandfacesthetarget.Justbeforecontact,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandouttomakecontact.
tomakecontact.
Aswithallpunches,youshouldrecoilafterstriking.
FORWARDHAMMERFIST
CombativesAforwardhammerfistisgenerallyastriketoyouropponent’sface.
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
1.Raiseyourlefthandinasmallwindup—roughlyfromchinheighttoabouteyebrowheight.Don’tthrowyourhandtoohighaboveyourhead—thatmotionwouldbetooslowanddetectable.
2.Asyourfistcomesdown,generatepowerbyrotatingyourshoulderandhipinwardandforwardwhiledrivingwithyourlegs.
TIPS
Addtorquebyrotatingyourfist:Asyoubeginthepunch,yourpalmshouldfacethetarget.Justbeforeyouconnect,rotatethemeatypartofyourhandinwardtomakecontact.
makecontact.
DOWNWARDHAMMERFIST
CombativesAdownwardhammerfistwillgenerallybetothebackofyouropponent’sneck,atthebaseoftheskullwithyouropponentdoubledover(forexample,afteragroinkick).Othertargetsmaybethekidneys(againstalowbearhug)orface(duringcounterattacksagainstHeadlockfromtheSideorBearhugwithLeverageontheNeck).
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
1.Raiseyourleftfistupwardinasmallwindup.
2.Asyourpunchdescends,generatepowerbyrotatingyourhipandshoulderinwardanddown,andbybendingyourknees.Donotbendatthewaist.
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.
1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.Raiseyourelbowup.
2.Striketotheside,avoidinga“flapping”motion.Leaninasyoustrike,makingcontactjustabovethetipofyourelbow.Useyourlegsforpower.
Recoilandreturntostartingposition.
HORIZONTALELBOWSTRIKEBACKWARD(ELBOW#3)CombativesSTARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.
1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.
2.Pivotasyoupunchyourelbowhorizontallytoatargetbehindyou,lookingbackoveryourshouldertoseeyourtarget(makesuretokeepyouchintuckedforprotection).Strikewiththepointjustabovethetipofyourelbow.
Recoilandreturntostartingposition.
VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEBACKWARDLOW(ELBOW#4)CombativesThiselbowstriketargetsanattackercomingfrombehind.
STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.
1.Sendyourelbowstraightbacktomakecontactwithyourtarget’sribsorstomach.Strikewiththepointjustabovethetipofyourelbow,pivotingasyoustriketogeneratemorepower.
Recoilandreturntostartingposition.
VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEBACKWARD(ELBOW#5)CombativesThiselbowstriketargetsanattackercomingfrombehind.
STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.
1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.
2–3.Punchyourelbowbackwardandupward,tiltingyourshouldersforwardtostriketheattacker’sthroatorface.Strikewiththepointjustabovethetipofyourelbow.
Recoilandreturntostartingposition.
VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEFORWARDANDUPWARD(ELBOW#6)CombativesSTARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.
1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.
2–3.Swingyourelbowup,pivotingyourhipandshoulderinanduptogeneratemorepower.Strikeyourtarget’schinwiththepointjustbelowthetipofyourelbow.
Recoilandreturntostartingposition.
VERTICALELBOWSTRIKEFORWARDANDDOWN(ELBOW#7)
CombativesThiselbowstrikeissimilartoaDownwardHammerfist(page57).Theattackerispoisedtoattackyoufromalowangle,orisdoubledover(followingagroinkick,forexample).
STARTINGPOSITION:Modifiedpassivestance,withyourhandsraiseduptofaceheight.
1.Bringyourrighthand(eitherinafist,oropenwithslightlybentfingers)intoyourshoulder,creatingafirmbendinyourelbow.
2.Bendyourkneesanddropyourweightdownasyouswingyourelbowdown.Strikethebackofyouropponent’sheadorneckwiththepointjustabove(i.e.,towardyourshoulder)thetipofyourelbow.
FRONTKICK(REGULAR)CombativesTherearetwobasicfrontkicks.Thefirstisaregularfrontkickwiththeinsteporshin(tothegroin).Thesecondistoaverticaltargetusingtheballofthefoot(page74).Regularfrontkickissimplerandmorepracticalinmostself-defensesituations,sopracticeitfirst.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Bringyourrightlegforwardwiththekneeup.
2.Punchthefoot,leg,andhipstraightout(i.e.,notupward,asintheregularfrontkick).Asyoukick,curlyourtoesupwardtothetopofyourshoe,exposingandtighteningtheballofyourfoot.Strikewiththeballofyourfoot.
Recoil.Youshouldbeabletomakeastrongkickandthenplantyourkickingfoottoanypoint,asneeded,eitherinfrontorrecoveringbacktoafightingstance.
TIPS
Practicekickingthegroundwiththeballofyourfoottohelpgetafeelforthestrikingsurface.
strikingsurface.
ROUNDKICK
CombativesAroundkickis,essentially,afrontkickthat“rollsover”atthelastminute.Liketheregularfrontkick,theroundkickusesyourinsteporshinasthestrikingsurface.Inamoreadvancedversion,youmakecontactwiththeballofyourfoot.Roundkickcanbemadetothesideofanopponent’skneejoint,thigh,ribs,orevenhead,althoughwedonotemphasizehighkicksinKravMaga.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1–2.Swingyourrightlegforward,bendingyourknee.Rollyourhipover.
3.Snapoutyourfootwhilepivotingquicklyonyourleftfoot.Strikewithyourshin.Whenyoumakecontact,yourkneeshouldstillbeslightlybent.Thisletsthemotionpenetratethetarget,andalsoprotectsthekneeagainsthyperextension.
Recoil.Youshouldbeabletolandforwardwithcontrol,orbringyourfootbackintoafightingstance.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1–2.Deliveraregularfrontkicktothegroin.Forthiscombination,recoilandlandwithyourright(kicking)footforwardandtotheoutsideofyourtarget,notrightinfront.
3.Asyourrightfootstepstotheground,useyourrighthandtodeliverahammerfisttothebackofyouropponent’sneck.
TIPS
TIPSThehammerfistshouldlandalmostsimultaneouslywiththefoottouchingtheground.
FRONTKICK/STRAIGHTPUNCHCombatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
Whenkickingtotheshinorknee,turnyourfootoutwardslightlytobroadenthekickingsurface,givingyouthebestchancetohitthetarget.
ROUNDKICKFROMTHEGROUND
GroundfightingAroundkickwhileonthegroundcanbeespeciallyusefulwhenanattackertriestomakean“endrun”aroundyourguard.Astheattackerdodgestotheoutsideofyourkickingleg,yourolloveranddeliveraroundkick.
STARTINGPOSITION:BackPosition,ontheground.
1–2.Asyoukick,rollyourhipover.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Dropstraightdownbybendingslightlyatyourkneesandslightlyatyourwaist,contractingyourabs.Keepyourhandsup!
2.Riseupandtotheside—NOTstraightbackup.Themovementshouldbetothedead(i.e.,punching)side.Inotherwords,againstalefthook,riseupandtoyourright.Againstarighthook,riseupandtoyourleft.Generally,therisingmovementshouldbeforwardaswellastotheside.Thisputsyouinagoodpositiontocounterattack.
TIPS
TIPS
Besurenottolookdownasyouduck.Youreyesshouldstayupsoyoucanseethefight.
SLIPPING
Combatives“Slipping”istheactofmovingfromsidetosidetoavoidapunch(generallyastraightoruppercut).Usuallyyoucanslipbysimplymakingasmallheadorbodydefense.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Astheattacker’spunchdevelops,moveyourheadsidewaysandin,towardthedeadsideofthepunch(i.e.,ifaleftpunchisthrown,movetotherightandinward;ifarightpunchisthrown,movetotheleftandinward).Themotionshouldbelargeenoughtoevadethepunch,butstillassmallaspossible(don’texaggeratethemotion).
TIPSBesurethemovementistothesideandINWARDsothatyoucangivecounterattacks.
HOOKPUNCH
CombativesAhookpunchisgenerallysuitablewhenyouropponentisclose.Ratherthanpunchingstraightahead,youbendyourelbowandpuncharoundyouropponent’sdefense,aimingatthesideofhisfaceorbody.Bodymovementisextremelyimportantwhenexecutingahookpunch.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Sendyourleftfistforward,bringingyourelbowupsothatyourforearmisparalleltothefloor.Theelbowshouldremainbent.Asyourhandtravelstothetarget,themeatypart(thepinkyendofthefist)shouldremaindown.Rotateyourleftshoulderandhipforwardandinward,addingpowerinthedirectionofthepunch.Makecontactwithyourfirsttwoknucklesagainstthesideofyouropponent’sjaworbody.Pivotingtheleft(front)footwilladdpowertoaleft(orforward)hookpunch.
2.Recoil.Thefastestwaytorecoverfromthehookpunchistosimplydropyourelbowdown.Thisbringsyourhandupintoaguardposition.Thenrotateyourbodybackintoanormalfightingstance.
TIPS
Forbeginners,weemphasizepunchingwiththepinkydowntoprotectthehead.Onceyouhavepracticed,youcanrotateyourfistsothatthepalmfacesdown.
UPPERCUTPUNCH
CombativesAnuppercutcanbethoughtofasahookpunchatadifferentangle.Whereasthebodyrotatesinwardinthedirectionofthehookpunch,theuppercutpunchrotatesthebodyupward.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
TIPS
Useyourlegstogeneratepower.
Don’tforgetyoucanmakearightuppercutaswell.
LEFT/RIGHT/LEFTHOOKCombativesThissequenceisarapidcombinationofleftstraightpunch,rightstraightpunch,andlefthook.Theattackchangesangles,andpossiblyheights.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Throwaleftstraightpunch.Besureyourlefthandcomesbacktoyourfaceasitrecoils(don’tletitrecoillowinpreparationforthehook).
2.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendarightstraightpunch,rotatingyourhipsforpowerbutnotchangingyourstance.
3.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendalefthook,turninginwithyourlefthipandshoulder.Besureyourrighthandrecoilstoyourfaceaftertherightstraightpunch,andNOTlowasthoughpreparingfortheuppercut.
4.Continuewitharightuppercutpunch.
Recoil,returningtofightingstance.
TIPS
Therhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidanyhesitationafterthetwostraightsandbeforethehook/uppercut.
LEFT/RIGHT/BOB/RIGHT
CombativesThiscombinationsimulatesthrowingaleft/rightcombination,thenduckingalefthookandcounteringwithanotherrightpunch.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Throwaleftstraightpunch.Besureyourlefthandcomesbacktoyourfaceasitrecoils(don’tletitrecoillow).
2.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendarightstraightpunch,rotatingyourhipsforpowerbutnotchangingyourstance.
3–4.Keepingyourhandsup,duckor“bob”toevadealefthook.Theduckingmotionmaymoveyouslightlybackward,butthisshouldaddmorepowertotheimminentrightcross.
5.Deliverarightcrosspunch.Makesurethereisnodelayindeliveringit—beginyourpunchevenasyouarerisingfromthebob.
Recoil,returningtofightingstance.
LEFTPUNCH/RIGHTELBOW
Combatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Makeastrongleftjab(don’tcheatitinpreparationfortheelbow).Asyouthrowthejab,makeasmalladvancetosetuptheelbow.Theadvanceshouldplaceyouslightlyoutsideyouropponent’sfoot.
2.Deliverarightelbowstrike.
Recoverquickly—don’tlettheelbowstriketakeyouoffbalance.
LEFT/RIGHT/LEFTHOOK/RIGHTELBOWCombativesThiscombinationissimilartoLeft/Right/LeftHook/RightUppercut,excepttheuppercutisreplacedwithElbow#1.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Throwaleftstraightpunch.Besureyourlefthandcomesbacktoyourfaceasitrecoils(don’tletitrecoillowinpreparationforthehook).
2.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendarightstraightpunch,rotatingyourhipsforpowerbutnotchangingyourstance.
3.Asthatpunchrecoils,sendalefthook,turninginwithyourlefthipandshoulder.Besureyourrighthandrecoilstoyourfaceaftertherightstraightpunch,andNOTlowasthoughpreparingfortheelbow.
4.Continuewitharightelbowstrike.Besureyou’recloseenoughtothrowtheelbow!
Recoil,returningtofightingstance.
TIPS
Therhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidanyhesitationafterthetwostraightsandbeforethehook/elbow.
RIGHTUPPERCUT/LEFTHOOK/RIGHTCROSSCombativesThiscombinationisuniquebecauseitisinitiatedwithanuppercutinsteadofastraightpunch.Therightcrosscaneasilybereplacedwitharightelbow.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,closeintoaccommodatetheuppercutpunch.
1.Throwarightuppercut.
2.Recoil.Makesureyourrighthandrecoilstoyourfaceafterthepunch.Immediatelyfollowwithalefthook.
3.Recoilandimmediatelyfollowwitharightcross.
Recoil,returningtofightingstance.
TIPSTherhythmofthepunchesshouldbethesame.Avoidanyhesitationbetweenthem.Theuppercutshouldloadthelefthook.
DEFENSIVEFRONTKICK
CombativesUnlikeFrontKicktoaVerticalTarget(page74),whichisdesignedtopenetrateandcausedamage,themainpurposeofadefensivefrontkickistoeitherstopanadvancingopponentortopushacloseopponenttoagreaterdistance.Forthisreason,wekickwiththewholefoot.Moresurfaceareameansthekickwillpushmorethanpenetrate.
Caution:Ifyouarenotexperiencedwithkicks,youareindangerofhyperextendingyourknees.Alwayspracticethekickagainstastationaryopponentbeforeworkingagainstanadvancingtarget.Thenbeginworkingagainstanadvancingtargetthatismovingslowly.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
TIPS
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1–2.Bringyourrightfootforwardwhilesimultaneouslybringingyourleftfootupinafrontkick.Themovementshouldbemadewitha“switching”actionsothatthemovementsofthefrontandbacklegarealmostsimultaneous.
Landwithyourkickinglegslightlytotheoutside.
TIPS
Donotstepfirstandthenkick.Makethemovementsascloseintimeaspossible.
Donotjumpupwardwhenmakingtheswitch;instead,thinkoftravelingforwardalongtheground.
FRONTKICKWITHADVANCE(FROMANEUTRALSTANCE)CombativesInthistechnique,youmaykickwitheitherfoot.
STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralstance.
1–2.Burstdiagonallyforwardwithonefootwhiledeliveringafrontkickwiththeother.
Landwiththekickinglegslightlytotheoutside.
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1–2.Asyouropponent’sleftpunchdevelops,makeaninsidedefensewithyourrighthand.Atthesametime,makealeftjabtoyourattacker’sface.
TIPS
Besurethatthebodydefenseaccompanyingyourhanddefensetakesyouforward,allowingyoutoputstrengthintoyourcounterattack.
INSIDEPUNCHDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKAGAINSTLEFTPUNCHUSINGLEFTHAND
DefensesYoumayhavetodefendagainstaleftpunchwithyourlefthand,eitherbecauseofaninjurytoyourrighthandorbymisreadingtheattackandattemptingtorecoverfromabadposition.Weneverpreferthisdefense.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Asanattacker’slefthookpunchcomestowardyou,drawyourrightfistbacksothatit’stouchingthebackofyourheadandyourforearmispressedagainstthesideofyourhead.Yourelbowshouldpointforward,notoutatanangle.Ifit’soutatanangle,yourchinwillbeopentouppercuts.
TIPS
Don’tjustbringyourhandbacktothesideofyourhead.Yourhanditselfdoesnotofferprotectionandcanbedamaged(remember,we’renotwearingboxingglovesonthestreet).Bringyourhandfarenoughbacksothattheforearmprotectsyourhead.
DEFENSEAGAINSTUPPERCUTPUNCH
DefensesThisdefenseredirectstheuppercutpunch.SomeoftheprinciplesofthisdefensearethesameasforInsideDefensesagainstStraightPunches:defendwiththesame-sidearm;themovementisinward;thedefenseredirectsthepunch.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1–2.Asanattacker’srightuppercutpunchbegins,moveyourleft(mirror-side)arminwardandupward.Yourelbowshouldleadthemotion.Makecontactwithyourarmtothesideoftheattacker’sarm.
3.Continuethemotioninwardandupward,rotatingyourhandandforearmandredirectingthepunchawayfromyourface.Asyoumakethearmmotion,allowyourarmtoturnyourbodyandtakeyourheadtotheoutside,creatingabodydefense.
360ºDEFENSEWITHCOUNTERATTACKDefenses“Defendandcounterattackatthesametime”isabasicprincipleofKravMaga.360ºDefensescaneasilybemadewithasimultaneouscounterattack.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1–2.Defendagainstanyattackwitha360ºDefense.Addapunchtothefacewithyourfreehand.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
Toprotectyourdefendingarmfromhyperextension,youmaybendyourelbowslightly.
VARIATION:Alternately,withyourrighthand,traptheattacker’srighthand,counterattackingwiththeleft.Thisisfaster,butmaybelesscomfortableandpowerful.
OUTSIDESTABBINGDEFENSEAGAINSTFRONTKICKDefensesThisdefenseismadefromafightingstancewhenyourlegsareunavailabletodefend,suchaswhenyou’velostyourbalanceoryourlegsareinjured.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,reachoutwithyourrighthandtowardtherisingkick;trytoavoidofferinganangletothekickthatcouldcauseyoutobekickedontheforearm.
2–3.Asyourhandpassesthekick,pluckbackward,lettingyourelbowandforearmslidetightalongyourbody.Asyoupluckorpullatthefoot,letthatmotionpullyourbodyforward(withyourleftsideleading),makingabodydefense;burstinwithyourfeet.Ifyouplucktoyourliveside,youwillburstforwardinaregularfightingposition.
4.Counterattackwithyourrighthand.
TIPS
Thistechniquemustbeperformedquickly;yourdefendinghandmovesinaquick“pickpocket”motion.
INSIDEDEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHFRONTKICK
DefensesThisisaredirectingdefense.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
TIPS
TIPS
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
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Astheattacker’skickdevelops,liftyourleftkneealmostasthoughpreparingtogiveasidekick(butdon’tchamberquitethathigh).
2.Withyourtoesturnedinward,stompontheattacker’sshinor,ifyoumeettheattackveryearly,hisknee.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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).
TIPS
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.
TIPS
Someattackerswillleantheirweightbackwardslikerodeocowboystomaintainbalance.Whilethisinhibitsyourabilitytotrapandroll,itdoesreducetheirpunchingabilitysincetheycan’tpunchwithmuchpowerwhentheirweightisback.
back.
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.)
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
Asyourecoil,turntofacetheattacker.
HEELKICK
CombativesHeelkickcanbemadewhenthedefenderissidewaystothetarget,butwhentheopeningisnotonanangleappropriatetoaSideKick(page156).Thekickmaybemadeonarisingdiagonaloronahorizontalplane,dependingontheopening.
STARTINGPOSITION:Standsidewaystoyourtarget.
1.Raiseyourcloselegslightlyinfrontofthetarget,makingsureyourlegisrelativelystraight.Asyourfootrises,bendyourtorsooveryouroutsidehip.Thiswillallowyourlegtoriseashighasnecessary.
2–3.Swingyoulegback,heelfirst,towardthetarget.Besureyourhipandshoulderturninthesamedirectionyourlegistraveling.Justbeforecontact,bendyourknee,addingpowertothekickandprotectingthekneefromhyperextension.Makecontactwiththebackoftheheel.
Asyourecoil,turntofacetheattacker.
VARIATION:ThiskickcanbemadewithanadvancesimilartoSideKickwithAdvance(page158),withthebasefootpassingbehindthekickingfoot.
INSIDESLAPKICK
CombativesThiskickismadewiththeinnerpartofthefootandankleandattacksopeningssimilartothoseavailabletoRoundKicks(page75).Thekickcanbeperformedwitheitherleg.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
1.Raiseyourrightkneeupandforward.Emphasize“chambering”yourkneetomakesureit’sbent.
2.Leadingwithyourknee,cantslightlyinwardwiththefootslightlyoutwardandsnapyourfootoutsothatitstrikesthetargetatanapproximate45°angle.Thestrikingpointisthe“L”shapeoftheinsideofyourfootandankle.
TIPS
Yourhipsdonotrolloverthewaytheydoonaroundkick.
OUTSIDESLAPKICK
CombativesThiskickismadewiththeouterpartofthefootandankleandattacksopeningssimilartothoseavailabletoHeelKicks(page262).Thekickcanbeperformedwitheitherleg,butfordemonstrationpurposesthisdescriptionassumesyouarekickingwiththeleftleg.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-foot-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
1.Bringyourleftkneeupandacrossyourbody.Yourkneeshouldbecantedslightlyoutward,withyourfootslightlyinwardtowardyourbody
2.Snapyourfootout,strikingthetargetatanapproximate45°angle.Thestrikingsurfaceisthe“L”shapeoftheouterpartofyourfootandankle.Besureyourhipsopenup,allowingmorepowertotransferthroughthetarget.
TIPS
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
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.
TIPS
Whenyourheaddropsdown,besurethatyourweightdoesn’tdropdownintoyourfeet,makingyoustickinplace.
yourfeet,makingyoustickinplace.
OUTSIDEDEFENSE#4
DefensesThisdefenseismadeagainstwildhaymaker-typepunchesinwhichthedefenderisn’tsureiftheattackiscomingfromtheinsideoroutside.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
1.Astheattackerthrowsarightpunch,punchwithyourlefthand,lettingyourelbowrollupinabentpositionasitbrushesagainsttheattacker’spunch.Thisdivertstheattacker’spunchupandawayfromyourface.
2.Continuethemotion,bringingyourpunchdownontheattacker’sface.
TIPS
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).
TIPS
Ifyouprefer,youcanusethereflexiveversionofthisdefense(page279)evenfromafightingstance.Thereflexivedefense,withthefleshypartoftheforearm,providesmorecushion.However,itissometimesmoredifficulttorotatetheforwardarmaroundbecausethenatureofthefightingstanceinhibitstheturningmotionofthehipsandshoulders.
DEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICK(FIGHTINGSTANCE—THREECONTACTPOINTS)DefensesAkickdefensecanbemadewiththreecontactpointsbyeliminatingtheshoulderrotation.Threecontactpointsdispersetheforceovermoreareaandcanprovideamorecomfortabledefenseiftheattackerismuchbiggerthanyou.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
1.Astheattackerbeginskickingwithhisrightleg,tuckyourchinandraiseyourlefthandparallelwithyourshoulder.Atthesametime,bringyourrighthandacrosstodefendwithyourpalm;thishandshouldlineupwithyourshoulderandlefthand.
Followupwithcounters(e.g.,ahammerfistwiththeclosesthand,followedbyastraightpunch,orastraightpunchwiththerearhand).
TIPS
Whenmakingthisdefense,youMUSTtuckyourchinandtrytocoveryourhead.Althoughthiskickdispersesmoreforce,itallowsthekicktocomemuchclosertoyourheadandyoumaybeopentokickswiththetoe(bootedfeet)or
closertoyourheadandyoumaybeopentokickswiththetoe(bootedfeet)ortheballofthefoot.
DEFENSEAGAINSTHIGHROUNDKICK(COVERINGDEFENSETOHEADORRIBS)DefensesSometimesthedefenderdoesnotrecognizethekickintimetomakeatwo-handeddefense.Inthiscase,theonlychoiceistomakeacoveringdefense.Thisdefenseisessentiallythesameasahookpunchdefense(page173)butwithaclosedfist,combinedwithabodydefenseiftimeallows.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingyourattacker.
1.Astheattackerbeginskickingwithhisrightleg,makeatight360°-typedefensewithyourlefthand.Yourdefenseshouldbemadewithatightfist,andyourforearmshouldbeangledslightlyinwardsothatrisingkicksmayslideupthearm,reducingtheimpactagainsttheforearm.Atthesametime,stepdiagonallyforward,awayfromthepowerofthekick.
2.Counterattackwithafrontorroundkickwiththerearleg.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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).
TIPS
TIPS
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.
TIPS
Besuretodriveyourweighttowardhishead,wherehehasnobase.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:HeadlockfromtheSideDefenseBasicPositioning(page323).
1.Reachyourtoplegover,asthoughtryingtohooktheattacker’sleg.
2.Failingtohooktheleg,continuethemotionsothatyourhipsshift.Atthesametime,drawyourkneesupsothatyouareonyourkneesnexttoyourattacker.Yourlowerhandshouldbereadytobaseoutandstabilizeyourposition.Fromhere,thegreatestdangeroftheheadlockisessentiallyneutralized,althoughyoustillhaveastrongfightonyourhands.
3–4.Fromthisposition,youcaneitherslipoutoftheheadlock,delivercounterattacks,orevenmakeadefenseagainstheadlockfromtheside(page323).
HEADLOCKFROMTHESIDEDEFENSE(ATTACKER’SWEIGHTBACK)GroundfightingAttackerswillsometimesshifttheirweightbackwardtoapplymorepressuretotheneckortoavoidbeingtakenforward.
STARTINGPOSITION:HeadlockfromtheSideDefenseBasicPositioning(page323).
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingatarget.
1.Pivotonyourforward(left)footsoyouturnoveryourrightshoulder.Focusonbringingyourheadandrightshoulderaroundsothatyourshoulderpassesthetarget.
2.Asyourheadcomesaroundandyourshouldercomesinlinewiththetarget,bringyourrightkneeuptoyourchest.
3.Asyourshoulderpassesthetarget,giveanOutsideSlapKick(page265).
4.Landinfightingstancefacingthetarget.
TIPS
Beforeturning,youcantakeasmalldiagonalstepforwardtodecreasethedegreeofyourturn.
SPINNINGHEELKICK
CombativesSpinningheelkickisoneofthemostdifficultkickstolearn.Itinvolvesacertainamountofcomfort/trustinone’sownbodymovement.However,spinningheelkickmaybeconsideredslightlymorepracticalthanspinningoutsideslapkickbecausetheweapon(theheel)tendstobeharderthanthesideofthefoot,andbecausethekickrequiresslightlylessspintobedeliveredwithstrength.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingatarget.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Astheattackerthrowsahighrightroundkick,angleyourbodyinward(ifnecessary)sothatyourshoulderpointsatthekick.Raisingyourleftshouldertoprotectyourchin,straightenyourleftarmdownandtightenthemuscles.Thebackofyourhandshouldfacethekicksothatyourelbowisnotexposed.Simultaneouslybringyourrighthandupandacrosstoprotectyourface.Besureyourchinistucked.
Continuewithcounterssuchasanelbowtotheface.
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Astheattackerthrowsamediumrightsidekick,reachoutwithyourrighthand,makingsureyourhandandforearmtravelparalleltothefloorsothattheydonotofferanangletothekick.
2–3.Asyourhandpassestheapproachingkick,pluckbackwards,lettingyourelbowandforearmslidetightalongyourbody.Allowthemotionoftheplucktopullyourbodyforward(withtheleftsideleading),makingabodydefense.Simultaneouslyburstinwithyourfeet.
Continuewithcounterattacks.
TIPSThistechniquemustbemadequickly—thedefendinghandmovesinaquick“pickpocket”motion.Ifyoudefendtoyourdeadside,youwillneedtotakeastepwithyourbackfootinordertoburstin.
SLIDINGDEFENSEAGAINSTSPINNINGHEELKICK
DefensesTheprinciplesanddynamicsofthisdefenseareexactlythesameasthoseinSlidingDefenseagainstHighRoundKick(page363).
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance.
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).
STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance.
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.
move.
TAKEAWAYVARIATION:Onceyoufeeltheattackerweaken,reachoverwithyourrighthand,grabtheendofthestick,andsnapitdownwardina“U.”
KICKDEFENSEAGAINSTKNIFEATTACKFROMADISTANCEKickDefensesLikeallkickdefenses,thisdefenseassumestheattackerisatadistanceandisapproachingwithdetermination.Ifyoudon’trecognizetheattackearlyon,youwon’tbeabletokick.
Inpreviousyears,wemadeadistinctionamongdifferentattacksandexecuteddifferenttypesofkicksrelativetoeachgrip.However,emphasiswasalwaysplacedondeliveringANYkindofkickasearlyaspossible.Morerecently,we’vesimplifiedthetechniquetofollowthatstrategysothatyoudeliveronemidlinekickagainstallattacks.Thisobeysthedictumthatyouwillprobablynotseeaknifeanyway,andthereforeyouwon’tbeabletojudgethetypeofhold.Thereisnotimefordecisionmaking—justsendakick!
STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance.
1–2.Astheattackerapproaches,burstforwardwithakicksimilartoaDefensiveFrontKick(page155),orFrontKick—VerticalTarget(page74).
Immediatelymakedistanceandlookforanobjecttouseasaweaponorshield,orrun.
TIPS
Ifthereisnotimetoadvance,makethekickinplace.Ineithercase,makeyourselfaslongaspossiblebyextendingyourhip.Thisallowsyoutostrikewhiletheknifeisasfarawayaspossible.
VARIATION:Continuetoattackinordertodestroythetarget,controllingtheknifearmwithyourhands.
KICKAGAINSTSTRAIGHTSTAB(BAILINGOUT)KickDefensesThisdefensecanbeusedifthedefenderrecognizestheknifeattackandwantstobailoutandawayfromthelineoftheattack.Ifthedefenderdoesnotrecognizeinadvancethatastraight-stabknifeattackiscoming,heshouldmakearegularfrontkickasinthepreviousexercise.
STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Neutralorpassivestance.
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.
TIPS
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingtheattacker.
1.Getinclose,droplow,andwrapyourarmsaroundyouropponent’slegs,withyourheadand/orshoulderinhisstomach.Yourarmsmaybeclasped,oryoucanhookonehandaroundeachofhislegs.
2–3.Pullhislegsintowardyouandleftslightly;atthesametime,useyourlegstodriveyourweightintohisstomach.
4.Ifyouwishtocontinuetheattackontheground,immediatelymoveupwardontohisbodyandcontinuetoattack;youmayalsotrytodisengageandstandupwhileheisstillontheground.
TIPS
Thissimpletakedownismoreeasilydefendedbytheopponent.Hecansprawlorsimplypushdownonyourheadtostopyourforwardprogress.However,it’sagood,generallyeffectivetakedownagainstanon-expertopponent.
agood,generallyeffectivetakedownagainstanon-expertopponent.
TAKEDOWN#2:DOUBLE-LEGTAKEDOWNTakedownsThistakedownisstillsimplebutrequiresalittlemoretechnique.Inthisexample,wearemovingslightlytotheattacker’srightside.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingtheattacker.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance,facingtheattacker.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Delivertheleftjabwithanadvance.
2.Sendyourrighthandinamotionsimilartoahookpunch,but“turnedover”sothatyourelbowispointeduptothesky.Yourrightfistshouldalsobeturnedoversothatthepinkysideisupandthethumbside,or“mouth”ofthehand,isdown.Makecontactwiththefirsttwoknuckles.
TIPS
Keepabendinyourelbowtogetaround(orover)adefense.However,theamountofbendinyourelbowwilldependonyourdistancefromthetarget.
FRONTKICK/ROUNDKICKWITHASWITCH
Combatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Deliverafrontkicktoaverticaltargetwithyourleftfoot.
2–3.Asthefrontkickmakescontact,leapoffyourrightfoot.Whileintheair,tuckyourleftfootunderneathyouanddeliveraroundkickwithyourrightfoot.Thekickshouldallowyourhiptorollover.
Bringbothfeetdownintoeitheraregularoroppositefightingstance,dependingonyourabilitytorecoilofftheroundkick.
TWOFRONTKICKSWITHASWITCHCombatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
1.Deliverafrontkicktoaverticaltargetwithyourleftfoot.
2–3.Asthefirstfrontkicklands,jumpupwithyourrightleganddeliverasecondfrontkick.Thefirstkickshouldberecoilingasthesecondkicklands.
Bringbothfeetdownintoeitheraregularoroppositefightingstance.
TIPSItissometimespreferabletobeginthiscombinationwithyourrightfootforward.
OUTSIDESLAPKICKANDFRONTKICKWITHASWITCHCombatives
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Left-leg-forwardfightingstance.
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.
STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerappliesfullnelson.
1.Bringyourelbowsdowntotrytoloosentheattacker’sgrip.
2.Dropyourhipsbelowtheattacker’shipsandpunchthemback,bringingtheattackeruponyourback.
3.Droponeshouldertotheoppositekneeandfliptheattackeroveryou.
4.Asheflipsover,continueyourspinsothatyouenduplandingontopofhim.Delivercounterattacks(elbowstotheface,strikestothegroin).
DEFENSEAGAINSTFULLNELSON:SWEEPSelf-DefenseThisdefenseisusuallyappliedwhenthefingersarenotavailable,andshouldbeperformedifyoufeelthatyoucantakeastepwithyourfoot.
STARTINGPOSITION:Attackerappliesfullnelson.
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
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
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
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
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).
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
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.
TIPS
Howtheattackerpresentstheweapon(holdingitwithhisrightorleftsideforward)willdeterminewhichshoulderyourotatethebarrelpastonthedisarm.Ifthelonggunispresentedonyourrightside,thesametechniqueworks,butinamirrorimage,ofcourse!
LONGGUNFROMBEHIND(TOUCHING)Shotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesThetechniqueforLongGunfromBehindisexactlythesameasLongGunfromtheSide,BehindtheArm(page501),withacoupleofsmalldifferences.
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
1.Astheattackertouchestherifletoyourback,lookbehindyou.Youaren’treallyconcernedaboutwhatistouchingyourbody—youneedtomakesurewhattypeofweapontheattackerhasinhispossession.
2.Leadingwithyourarm,turndeeplyenoughtoredirecttheweaponandtakeyourbodyoutofthelineoffire.Yourbodydefenseshouldcauseyoutoimmediatelyleanback(towardtheattacker)evenbeforeyourfeetmove.
Thecontrol,counterattack,anddisarmisthesameasLongGunfromtheSide,BehindtheArm.
TIPS
TIPS
Iftherifleisheldlow,yourarmwillmaketheredirectionalongwiththebodydefense.Iftherifleisheldhighonyourback,yourarmwillhavelittleornoeffect,andyou’llmostlymakeabodydefense.However,thearmstillhelpsyourbodyrotate.
DEFENSEAGAINSTRIFLE/BAYONETSTAB—LIVESIDEShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesTheDefenseagainstRifle/BayonetStabtotheLiveSideisexactlyliketheDefenseagainstLongGunfromtheFront—LiveSide(page490).Theonlysignificantdifferencesare:1)withabayonetstabwearelessconcernedwithtelegraphingmovementwhileinthelineoffire;and2)wemustreachpastthebladetodefendalongthebarrel.
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
1.Asyourlefthandmakesthedefense,leanforwardsothatyoucanreachpasttheblade.
DEFENSEAGAINSTRIFLE/BAYONETSTAB—DEADSIDEShotgun/AssaultRifle/SubmachineGunDefensesAswiththedefensetotheliveside,theinitialdefenseisalmostexactlyliketheDefenseagainstLongGunfromtheFront—DeadSide(page496).Theconsiderationsherearethesameasthosefordefensetotheliveside(leaningforwardtoreachpastthecuttingedge).
STARTINGPOSITION:Passivestance.
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.
TIPS
Intheinitialposition,itwouldnotmakesensetodoregularDefenseagainstGunfromtheFrontbecausethelineoffirewouldtrackacrossthedefender’sentirebody.(Alternately,imaginethegunpointeddirectlyatthecenterofyourchest;however,thereissomeonetoyourright,preventingyoufrommakingtheregulardefense.)
BonusBlackBeltTechniques
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.
DANGER:Youmaybeshotortakentoanotherlocation,wherefurthercrimeswillbecommitted.
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.