A self-defense technique suitable for space-constrained urban areas, Krav Maga was developed by the Israeli military and blends various martial arts techniques. It is a pure self-defense fighting system, in the sense that it seeks to replicate real-life situations, where rules are largely defined by what works most effectively in initiating or repelling an attack.
Trainable basics of Krav Maga that apply across situations and scenarios include the fighting stance. Providing a stable platform for various movements in threatening tactical situations, the stance begins with stepping the non-dominant leg forward. The knees are bent slightly, and the feet are raised on their balls. Hold your hands in front of you as if fending off an attacker, with the elbows tucked in tight, protecting the spleen, liver, and ribs. The eyes are steady and looking forward, while the chin is tucked in slightly, which protects the neck and face’s soft elements.
This stance serves as both a starting and a reset position. It primes the body for a variety of explosive hand and foot strikes while leaving open the option of springing away and taking flight in any direction. As part of a no-holds-barred system, the stance also provides a launchpad for specialized movements such as throat strikes, head butts, and eye gouges.
From the ready stance, move into specific hand strikes, starting with the foundational straight punch. This involves making a fist while rotating the shoulders and hips and shadow boxing. Each recoil brings you back to the basic fighting stance. As you become comfortable with the rhythm of successive punches, try adding elbow strikes and other elements of upper-body attack combo moves.
Another fundamental move that can be practiced in sparring situations is the kick to the groin. This involves driving the knee up and out, straight in front of the body. The knee is initially kept bent, and the lower leg folded backward. The head and shoulders counterbalance this lower body movement by rocking back slightly. Once this initial portion of the kick feels comfortable and natural, allow the leg to continue to unfold and extend, delivering impact with the shin or top of the foot. The foot should always be wide and flat, not pointing upward. You are directing the lower leg as a unit straight upward as if the kick is extending from the opponent’s groin to the top of their head.
Targeting a vulnerable spot, the kick to the groin is ideal for incapacitating an attacker long enough to take the offensive or run away. It’s also a part of a long-range strike strategy that does not require the physical proximity of pulls, chokes, punches, or grabs.
Another move worth practicing with a sparring partner is the takedown or bearhug defense. This applies in situations where the attacker is in close proximity, perhaps wrapping you up in bearhug fashion, which can either involve crushing joints and bones, be a prelude to abduction, or initiate a takedown to the ground and protracted struggle. The key to fending off bearhugs from behind is keeping the back and neck low and employing a “base and space” approach. The base element means crouching, knees bent, and making yourself heavy and more difficult to lift or throw down. Create space by driving the elbows up and back into their face in succession, as if punching. Use the momentum and space from the elbow drives to turn around to face the attacker and then combine moves such as punches and knee to the groin, taking advantage of whatever vulnerabilities present themselves.
If the attacker captures and restrains your arms, this approach is modified. The upper arms chopping against the attacker’s thighs creates space that loosens the grip and allows you to turn around and use your arsenal of close-range offensive moves.
