Table Of ContentCarsten Draheim
KR AV MAGA
Effective Techniques for Self-Defense
The official KRAVolution
training book
Krav Maga
For purposes of better legibility, we have decided to use masculine (neutral) forms of
address, and they to achieve gender neutrality where applicable, throughout this book.
Of course, the content is applicable to all people irrespective of gender.
This book was carefully compiled. However, we make no guarantee for all information
herein. Neither the author nor the publisher can accept liability for potential detriments
or damage resulting from the information presented in this book.
CARSTEN DRAHEIM
K R AV
MAGA
EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR SELF-DEFENSE
Meyer & Meyer Sport
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Originally published as Krav Maga: Effektive Techniken zur Selbstverteidigung by Meyer & Meyer Verlag, 2018
Krav Maga
Maidenhead: Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd., 2019
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© 2019 by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.
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ISBN: 9781782558170
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Images: All pictures and graphics were created with kind permission from www.enitiative.de—enitiative GmbH, Ms. Alexandra Wirtz.
Copyright 2018
Cover photo: Alexandra Wirtz
Cover design: Annika Naas
Interior design: Anja Elsen
Chapter opener design: Alexandra Wirtz
Layout: Amnet
Managing editor: Elizabeth Evans
Copyeditor: Amnet
Translator: AAA Translations, St. Louis, MO, USA
Contents 5
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������9
Foreword ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������12
1 The Principles of Krav Maga �������������������������������������������������������������������������18
1.1 Technical Elements of a Krav Maga Self-Defense Technique..........................................19
1.2 Tactical Elements of a Krav Maga Self-Defense Technique .............................................19
1.3 Effectiveness Under Stress ......................................................................................................20
1.4 Development Process of a Krav Maga Self-Defense Technique .....................................21
1.5 A Krav Maga Technique, Divided into Individual Defense Stages ................................21
1.5.1 The First Stage—Building on the Initial Reaction ........................................................22
1.5.2 The Second Stage—the Counterattack ............................................................................22
1.5.3 The Third Stage—Orientation .............................................................................................23
1.6 Distances and Alertness—Time Line .....................................................................................23
1.7 Krav Maga Combat Positions .................................................................................................26
1.7.1 The Unprepared Starting Position—Reflexive Position ...............................................26
1.7.2 You Are Alert and Prepared—Ready Position ................................................................27
1.7.3 A Fight Is Unavoidable—Combat Position .....................................................................28
1.8 Ranges of an Unarmed Assailant .........................................................................................29
1.9 Reflexes as a Basis of Krav Maga Defense Techniques ...................................................30
1.9.1 Upper Section—Head and Chest ........................................................................................31
1.9.2 Middle Section—Stomach, Hips, and Pelvis ...................................................................32
1.9.3 Lower Section—Legs...............................................................................................................33
1.10 Tactical Movement Patterns ...................................................................................................34
1.11 Floor Position—Standing Up as Quickly as Possible .........................................................36
1.11.1 Breaking Forward Falls .........................................................................................................36
1.11.2 Breaking Backward Falls ......................................................................................................37
1.11.3 Defense Position on the Floor and Subsequent Standing ........................................37
6 KRAV MAGA Effective Techniques for Self-Defense
2 Fundamentals of Defensive Techniques ��������������������������������������������������������48
2.1 Angle of Attack ..........................................................................................................................48
2.2 Deflecting Defense With Tactical Movement .....................................................................50
2.3 Blocking Defense With Tactical Movement ........................................................................52
2.4 Benefits of Everyday Items Over Using Your Body ...........................................................55
3 Fundamentals of Offensive Techniques ���������������������������������������������������������58
3.1 Vulnerable Points of the Human Body ................................................................................58
3.2 Long-Range Base Attacks .......................................................................................................60
3.3 Medium-Range Base Attacks .................................................................................................64
3.4 Close-Range Base Attacks ......................................................................................................69
3.5 Combinations of Various Offensive Techniques .................................................................74
3.6 A Hard Block With the 360-Degree Outside Defense as an Example .........................77
4 Attacks and Threats From Various Distances �����������������������������������������������82
4.1 Long-Range Attacks and Threats ..........................................................................................85
4.1.1 Attack on the Upper Section—
Bailout Kick Against a Running Assailant .....................................................................86
4.1.2 Defense Against a Straight Kick .......................................................................................88
a) Defense Against a Straight Kick From the Reflexive Position ...........................90
b) Defense Against a Straight Kick From the Ready Position.................................93
c) Defense Against a Straight Kick From the Combat Position .............................94
4.1.3 Defense Against a Stick attack From Above—Overhead Swing ..............................97
4.1.4 Defense Against a Swinging Baseball Bat—Baseball Swing .................................103
4.2 Medium-Range Attacks and Threats ..................................................................................109
4.2.1 Defense Against Striking Attacks With a Stick—Stick Push ....................................109
4.2.2 Defense Against Roundhouse Kicks ...............................................................................114
a) Upper Section—Defending Against a Roundhouse Kick to Your Head .........114
b) Middle Section—Defending Against a Roundhouse Kick to
Your Upper Body .............................................................................................................116
c) Lower Section—Defending Against a Roundhouse Kick to Your Legs ...........117
4.2.3 Defense Against a Straight Right Punch From the Front .........................................119
a) Defending From the Reflexive Position ...................................................................119
Contents 7
4.2.4 Defense Against a Straight Knife Stab .........................................................................123
a) Special Defensive Position During a Knife Attack ..............................................123
b) Disarming From the Inside Defense ........................................................................127
c) Special Feature—Scooping or Stabbing Defense .................................................128
4.2.5 Defense Against an Oriental Knife Attack ..................................................................130
4.2.6 Defense Against an Icepick Knife Attack .....................................................................133
4.2.7 Alleviating a Threat Situation—Gun Threat From Front, One-Handed ...............137
4.2.8 Alleviating a Threat Situation—Gun Threat From Front, Double-Handed .........144
4.2.9 Alleviating a Threat Situation—Gun Threat From Behind, Lifeside ......................146
4.3 Close-Range Attacks and Threats .......................................................................................151
4.3.1 Defense Against a Vertical Hammerfist .......................................................................152
4.3.2 Defense Against a Horizontal Elbow .............................................................................153
4.3.3 Defense Against a Knee Blow..........................................................................................154
4.3.4 Defense Against a Headbutt ...........................................................................................155
4.4 Attacks and Threats From Very Close Range—Contact Attacks ..................................157
4.4.1 Defense Against a Front Choke Close ...........................................................................160
4.4.2 Defense Against a Frontal or Rear Choke Attack on the
Throat With Shoving or Pulling .......................................................................................162
a) Choke Attack on the Throat From the Side ...........................................................171
4.4.3 Defense Against the Side Headlock ..............................................................................176
4.4.4 Defense Against the Headlock From Behind ..............................................................180
4.4.5 Alleviating a Threat Situation—Knife From Behind on Throat ..............................184
4.4.6 Bear Hugs ...............................................................................................................................188
a) Bear Hug Front Arms Free ...........................................................................................188
b) Bear Hug Front Arms In ...............................................................................................190
c) Bear Hug Side Arms Free (Only Quickly) and Arms In.......................................194
d) Bear Hug From Behind Arms Free ............................................................................196
e) Bear Hug From Behind .................................................................................................199
4.5 Defense Against Attacks on the Ground ..........................................................................203
4.5.1 Side Choke on Ground ........................................................................................................204
4.5.2 Defense Against Choke on Ground in Mount Position ............................................206
4.5.3 Defense Against Choke From the Guard Position: Assailant Between
Your Legs and Choking ......................................................................................................208
4.5.4 Defense Against Side Headlock on the Ground ........................................................210
4.5.5 Defense Against Choke From Behind on Ground ......................................................214
4.5.6 Ground Combatives .............................................................................................................216
8 KRAV MAGA Effective Techniques for Self-Defense
5 Training Tips �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������220
Appendix �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������230
1 List of All Krav Maga Techniques Described—Description
in KRAVolution Curriculum ..............................................................................................................230
2 Glossary ..................................................................................................................................................240
3 Bibliography ..........................................................................................................................................243
4 About the Author ................................................................................................................................244
9
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my family and dedicate this book to my children, who have been
studiously training in Krav Maga since they learned to walk. I am grateful to my wife for
her never-ending understanding and for her support and motivation for all my activities.
I would like to thank my entire team of instructors—in particular, Ändi Sperzel, Kevin
Herrmann, Karl-Heinz Gündenbach, and Patrick Conee—for the constant, active assistan-
ce with this book. Thanks also to Robert, Sami, and Adrien for the corrections. Thanks
to Sandra for the great pictures and patience with every step of the editing process. Not
lastly, I am grateful to Megan Berkmann and Jean-Paul Jauffret for the great motivation
and friendship. I extend my thanks and enthusiasm to all Krav Maga practitioners and
students at our Krav Maga Institute and the global KRAVolution! I am excited for many
more Krav Maga lessons with all of you!
