Principles of Krav Maga (Pt. II): The Fight.
In this month’s article we will continue with our three part series discussing the three components of any self-defense situation: Actions you must take prior, during and after each conflict.
Last month was the first installment of this article, where we gave a detailed analysis of what to do prior to any confrontation, or simply put, how to avoid most conflicts before they turn violent. This, as we mentioned last month, is the most overlooked aspect of self-defense and Krav Maga, but by far the most important. To revisit last month’s article please follow the link Pre-Fight Behavior.
This month our discussion will turn on how to act when the conflict turns violent. Unfortunately we live in a world where violence can strike at any moment. Home invasions, school shootings, terrorists’ attacks around the world and in Paris, and the recent shooting in San Bernardino are just some examples of the dangers lurking often too close to home. Of course the more proper Krav Maga training you have, the more you turn the odds in your favor when it comes to successfully dealing with a violent encounter and protecting yourself and loved ones.
Before we turn our attention to how to act when danger is imminent, please remember that the key points we are addressing are in reference to general violent situations, including muggings, home invasions, random acts of violence on the streets, mass shootings, etc. However each of these key points can be expanded to address a specific violent situation, as each situation has unique characteristics of its own.
- If you feel that violence is inevitable, you have two options: fight or flee!
- If you are to fight, strike hard and do not hesitate to strike preemptively, catching your attackers by surprise and overwhelming them with strong, aggressive and determined combinations.
- If you are to flee, make sure you have the time and the space to run away without putting yourself in further danger.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid carelessly tripping and falling over obstacles.
- Avoid being trapped against a wall or in a room without an exit.
- Ensure you are always scanning for other attackers so not to get blindsided or ambushed by another assailant.
- Scan for tools that may help you end the fight quicker. (we will revisit this again in another section)
- Simplicity is the key to effective self defense
- The more complex the solution is, the less likely it will work when your heart is racing and fear takes over.
- Simple and effective defenses combined with aggressive and direct counterstrikes to vulnerable targets are the keys to successful self-defense and are the essence of Krav Maga training.
- In addition in Krav Maga most if not all the techniques you learn in class originate from the natural response you already have, so calling upon the right response at the right time will be easier then you may imagine, provided you have the right training (which brings us to the next point)
- Trust your training!
- In class we routinely learn and practice fighting and defending ourselves from various positions and situations to get you accustomed to responding to any imaginable threat
- Most stress drills we do at the end of each class closely mimic the type of violence you may face in the real world.
- Each class gets you more and more prepared to deal with a variety of violent threats
- Do not give up fighting regardless the circumstances.
- Not all fights will be won in a manner of a few seconds. You may have an assailant or two that are resilient and do not easily back down or break as you start fighting back.
- Most likely you spend significantly more hours training fighting, self-defense and improving your strength and stamina then your attacker(s). So although you may be getting tired, your attacker is probably even more exhausted.
- Our aggression and determination drills specifically prepare you to fight past the point of exhaustion and significantly improve your physical and mental conditioning to continue fighting back to subdue your assailants
- Do whatever it takes to overcome your attackers.
- There is no honor in attacking innocent people, and your counteractions should have no honorable considerations either.
- This means that if you must kick to the groin or gauge eyes or pull hair, or bite, or do whatever else that may be considered “illegal” or “dishonorable” by sport fighting considerations, do it! It’s about survival, not competitive fighting.
- Use weapons of opportunity if possible. Grabbing a stick, a chair, a stone, a glass bottle, or anything else around you, may assist you to turn the odds in your favor especially when fighting multiple or armed opponents.
- Do not be excessive in your actions.
- You must do what is needed to stop your attacker(s) and protect yourself and loved ones. But once you feel that the assailants(s) have been subdued, you must stop counterstriking to avoid legal repercussions
- Self-defense is justified as long as it’s within the limit of the law and you did as much as you had to neutralize the danger.
- Any violent action on your end past the point of self-defense will be considered as assault and you may be prosecuted by the law as a result.
- This means you shouldn’t be kicking or stomping a downed opponent if he serves no immediate danger to you or those around you.
- If you disarm the assailant, you should not use the weapon against him or others, unless absolutely necessary. For example if you take a knife from an assailant, do not stab him with it, unless you are surrounded by other armed assailants and this is the only justifiable cause of action you have.
- Same goes for the firearm. If needed use the firearm as an impact weapon, and only fire if you absolutely must; if your life or the life of someone else is in immediate danger.
Next month we will discuss the actions you must take after the violent confrontation has ended. The post-fight behavior is an aspect of self-defense that is often overlooked, yet it is important to your overall self-defense education. So we will be sure to address this in detail in the next month’s issue.
Stay tuned and let us know what you think.
