powerless for a few seconds while the psyche attempts to adjust to the sit-
uation. These few seconds can be enough to give an opponent time to kill
or injure. Krav maga practitioners are taught to overcome this initial hesi-
tation with action, whether it is action to fight or to escape.
The krav maga curriculum begins with learning to be aware of possi-
ble danger situations. Practitioners also are taught that it is important to be
able to size up a situation before entering into peril. This part of the train-
ing reflects Lichtenfeld’s initial experiences with fascist gangs in Europe
and also addresses the contemporary situation in Israel, where sudden ter-
rorist attacks are a constant threat. At this beginning stage, students are
also taught the basics of human anatomy (specifically weak points of the
human body), how to fall from various positions and land safely, how to
make a fist and punch, and the basics of boxing.
As students progress, they are taught advanced boxing techniques and
other empty-hand strikes, kicking techniques, and defenses against punches
and kicks. Students are then taught how to break free of choke holds, neck
locks, and holds against the legs, waist, and chest. Later, students are in-
troduced to higher-level concepts of fighting, including more kicks, throws,
and takedowns (attempts to destabilize the balance of an opponent and
force him to the ground). At the highest levels of training, students are
taught to recognize the threats that involve being attacked with a knife,
gun, or even a submachine gun, and disarming techniques against these
weapons. Krav maga practitioners are also expected to continue develop-
ment of their sense of danger awareness.
At higher levels, students also can learn techniques that can aid in var-
ious professions. For example, there are techniques that are designed for
police and other law enforcement officers, to help these professionals in
subduing opponents without seriously injuring the opponent. Advanced
techniques also exist for bodyguards and special operations soldiers.
Krav maga techniques are designed to be simple and direct. There are
no high kicks used in the art; kicks are directed at waist level or below.
Knee strikes, especially against the groin and inner thigh area, are espe-
cially used. Practitioners also use kicks against the legs, similar to those
used in Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing), to unbalance an opponent. Punches
are based on boxing moves and are intended for vital points or to place the
mass of the body behind a blow to gain punching power. Open-hand tech-
niques to the eyes, ears, throat, and solar plexus are used. Elbow tech-
niques are used extensively. These techniques require little strength but
have devastating results; an elbow strike to the face or floating ribs can eas-
ily disable an opponent.
Throwing techniques are not of the type usually seen in jûdô or sambo
(a modern Russian martial art); they have more in common with freestyle
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