An Approach Based on Principles

As we discussed earlier, the Krav Maga self-defense system is based on principles. We do have specific techniques, of course, but students should never mistake the technique for the absolute truth. When looking at the techniques in this book, keep this in mind: The technique is the beginning of your understanding of self-defense, not the end. For example, here you see a defense against a bearhug. The defender creates leverage on the attacker’s neck by reaching around with her far-side hand, catching his face and his nose, and peeling or rolling his chin off her chest.

This is an excellent technique…but it is only an example of the principle. You can perform a similar technique by using the near-side hand and digging/pushing against the attacker’s nose and eyes. Is one technique better than the other? No! In one situation the first may be better, in a second situation the second may give better results.

Tina defends against a bearhug.

The point is that you must not mistake the technique for the principle. The technique (as shown) is to reach around with your arm…but the principle is to create leverage on the neck.

As instructors, we know that we must start with actual techniques. If we give students abstract principles, they will have nowhere to begin their training. This would be like plucking the strings of a guitar, describing music theory, and then handing the instrument to a new student and asking him to figure out a song for himself. He would feel lost. Instead, we teach him the notes, we help him build simple songs and chords, and soon he understands that the variations of those notes and chords are

nearly limitless. So it is with defensive tactics: We start with a basic structure so that information can be delivered effectively. By the end of his training, the student will be able to grasp the theory and make his own music.

Fewer Techniques That Solve More Problems

Our approach has always been to find one general movement that deals with as many variations in the attack as possible. It is absolutely impossible to create one unique defense against every possible type of attack. Life just doesn’t work that way. If we teach you 300 defenses against 300 attacks, you’ll put this book down, go outside, and be assaulted by attack No. 301.

Instead, we try to create one movement that addresses as many variations as possible (using principles as discussed earlier). This yields a simpler, more refined system that is easier to recall under stress. The simpler the system, the more decisive your actions will be because you will not be confused by options.

There is a well-known theory in the study of human movement and reaction known as Hick’s Law or the Hick-Hyman Law. Essentially, this law states that the more choices a human being has to a particular stimulus, the longer his overall response time will be. Extended response times are a bad thing in self-defense situations. Therefore, we want to reduce overall response time. There are two ways to do this: a) train more and b) simplify the system.

There is certainly nothing wrong with training more. The more you train, the better you will be. However, Krav Maga is designed for those who cannot train more, and even if you do have time to train, you will still benefit from a refined, efficient system.

Our system is built to reduce your options so that you do not hesitate under stress. When presented with a life-threatening situation, you should react decisively and aggressively, determined to neutralize the threat so that you and your loved ones are safe.

Even if you train enough to overcome the hesitation-due-to-options issue, there is another reason to simplify your choices: stress. Simply put, stress reduces performance. Increased training can reduce the impact of stress, but rarely does that impact fall to zero.

Here is a simple example of the impact stress has on your performance. Imagine that we laid a long piece of wood, a 2x4, on the ground in front of you, then asked you to walk across it without touching the ground. Could you do it? Of course you could!

Next, we lay the same wooden plank across the gap between two tall buildings. Could you walk across it then? Why not? The wooden plank is strong enough to support you. Gravity is always constant, so you are not being pulled down any harder. Why can’t you do it?

The answer is simple: stress. The consequences of falling are now much greater. Your heart rate goes up, adrenaline floods your body, you begin to perspire, your muscles tighten. These and other physical and mental responses combine to impair your performance.

Again, training time reduces the impact of stress, but rarely brings it to zero. And since you will only need self-defense techniques when you are under stress, an effective self-defense system seeks to simplify the physical movements and the decision making so that you can perform as well as possible.