Basic Principals

NOTE: THe Krav Maga described here is the Lotar / Krav Maga taught at ELite Training Center, Redondo Beach California) The techniques are often more involved that the simple Krav Maga found elsewhere.  ANd when different, they are always more effective.

I am amazed at how confused I have gotten with simple things.  So I am starting this post of basic principals…

1. PIVOT TO GET FORCE: force = mass * acceleration.. that means punches, kicks, etc. will be much more forceful if I shift and rotate as I execute

2. PUNCHING PIVOTING: When punching Pivot on the same foot as the punch (there is a string attached from the hand to the foot)  I am amazed at how many different things I thought I understood…. that were wrong.

smaller pivot for jab (or forward hand)…. bigger pivot for hook  (or back hand)

2a. Punch Motion: The foot pivoting is only a portion of the punch.. the hip and shoulder from the side the punch is coming from also turn.  the real power comes from the hip.  So a punch is a simultaneous pivot on foot, turn hip toward the punch and shoulder coming forward.

My niece pointed out that “”also try to punch THROUGH your target rather than hitting the surface. We once practiced strikes into a bucket of dried beans, and it was fascinating how that change in focus/target would make such a difference… “

 A hook motion is like scooping ice cream.. thumb side UP ALWAYS

3. RELAXED HANDS: Keep hands relaxed until just before contact.  I had been holding fists so tight while guarding that I couldn’t execute anything.

4. HAND LEVEL FOR GUARD: Keep hands open and about at eyebrow level where not punching…. ALWAYS keep one hand there unless the move requires both hands…. UPDATE: Note today I was told to keep my hands more at nose / mouth level since these are most likely to generate a knock out if hit there.  Two instructors with different opinions.  I think the face level is better as well since it doesn’t block my vision at all.

Rear Naked CHoke Defense

VIdeo here

Triangle Chokes and Triangle Choke Escapes

Triangle chokes are an MMA move, from BJJ. The goal is to make the opponent pass out.   The opponent will pass out in about 5 seconds when this is properly executed.

When fighting on the streets many fighters attempt the triangle choke since they have seen in in MMA.  So we learn both the triangle (so we can recognize it and perhaps use it) and the triangle escape so we can get out and back on our feet.

Triangle Choke  the steps need work

Nice very summary triangle choke video here

We will remove all space so the choke is most effective

Put your legs on the opponent’s hips to keep him back (so he cant hit you)

From full guard (your legs around opponent’s neck or back

pull one of opponents arms down between your legs

pull other arm out.. lift.. it will be used as part of the choke

foot on one hip and turn to 3:00 .. same side as arm?

grab own shin.. to tighten

squeeze knees together executing the choke with your knees and his arm

pull head tighter 

Lift his arm that is still on your chest (we are going to use his arm and sholder to choke him

Triangle Escape

This has got to be done early in the opponent’s execution of the triangle choke.. I saw an instructor who couldn’t get out of a small woman’s Triangle once it was fully executed. (The woman did also take yoga apparently)

“Stack” opponent (bring opponent’s knees to his nose and keep the pressure on)

bring your free arm across and grab oponnent’s neck

stand up using in direction of free sholder (one not holding neck)

Bearhug releases draft

back bearhug (generally pushing you)  both arms under the bear hug

umbrella out (lift arms / shoulders like opening an umbrella)

step out (duck head under and step around)

front bearhug (squeezing your from the front) Arms trapped

umbrella

underhook

cant remember rest

Step back.. breaks the bearhug

use hands for combatives

 Front Bear Hug arms free

 

drop weight so it is harder to lift you

hands on attchers hips

bend forward to break grip

simultantously chin jab

 

Rear Bearhug (arms free)

headlock releases

Side Headlock

turn head into the opponent

grab opponents arm

step forward and around so you are at opponents side while putting free hand on opponents hip

pull opponent into you with hand on hip

snake up their spine

put hand on bridge of nose or area between lip and nose.

butterfly the person off you and out of the choke.

Kick Defenses

Catch

Also called the Clamshell

Good defense against front or side kicks

Grab opponents leg that is kicking on top

Clamp other hand on bottom of leg

Throw leg to the outside

Followup with combatives… such as groin kick from the back

Punches to head

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Forearm Block / Redirect

Cup leg with one hand and throw

hand facing down

———————

Roundhouse Evade

Step back as soon as kick starts

after missed kick step forward and combatives

—————–

Absorb

Push knee into thigh

combatives… Bounce step in .. cross, hook, cross

———–

Jams

kick thigh hard just when opponent begins to kick

Buck and Over (probably wrong name) Escape from Guard

Opponent on  top on your hips

Move legs up like virgin guard (this causes opponent to lose balance and have to catch himself with his hands on ground

while hands on ground… grab back of head

grab arm

drop your leg on side you have arm

get foot on other side on ground and push up and over

 

PS great site for moves defined and videos http://austinjiujitsu.com/tech/tech-list.asp?sub=r&name=Latest%20Additions

slip jab to evade a jab

A slip jab is like the motion of a jab but instead of hitting use it to dodge the opponent’s jab.

keep hands at chin.. just turn shoulder. which moves the head out of the opponent’s jab.  dont crouch down

then you should be in line to do a cross back.

pivots to move around Opponents

to move around opponent…

pivot on the right foot is a right pivot.  bottom and hips go back… pivot out gets you some distance and puts you back in fighting position

Shrimping to get distance from opponent when on ground

Use shrimping to get distance from the opponent.

turn on one hip.. push body back with legs… needs detail

http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/?go=training.detail&gid=123972

http://www.akban.org/wiki/index.php/Shrimp_and_regurad_escape_-_from_side_control

basic ground guards and defense

when going down do a break fall… roll and hit the ground with extended arms to stop the rolling motion.. keep head off ground. 

Immediately:  ALWAYS go into a trigger guard

Trigger Guard:  thighs perpendicular to ground… Shins parallel to ground so we can kick.  knees ??out a bit and bottoms of feet slanted toward each other.   KEEP FEET ON HIPS ALWAYS START HERE after break fall.

VIRGIN GUARD… close legs tightly together.. move hips up so legs form a solid striaght line.. so they cant get close

 

KNEE ACROSS.. turn on hip..  get knee  across opponent’s chest.  put foot (feet?) on opponent’s side to control him. turn on hip and  push off (like a shrimp) to gain distance.. then kick opponent in head or body.

 

 

knee across.. turn onto hip and move knee like a seat belt.. then kick and push them off.. may need to do this a few times to get sufficient distance to kick.

CLOSED GUARD: (assumes opponent is on top and is the aggressor) grab opponent’s shoulders and pull him to your chest while wrapping your legs around him.  Now he cant do anything and will try to get away.. also you get a rest during that time while he struggles.  Either when he actually starts to get away or when you are rested.. push him.. then depending on distance .. back to knee across.. do a few until you have sufficient distance to kick him off.. then technical lift (get up)  or virgin guard…