P1 Training Program

P1 Training Program: Introduction - A Word From Eyal...

Shalom, everyone. Welcome to our Practitioner Level One curriculum. It’s the first steps that you are doing in entering and starting training Krav Maga…

Video transcript

Shalom, everyone. Welcome to our Practitioner Level One curriculum. It’s really the start. It’s the first steps that you are doing in entering and starting training Krav Maga. Krav Maga is a wide system, as you know. And in this level, we are trying to give you a glance, a practice, techniques, subject, training methods for the beginning, for the basics. And naturally, different directions, different lines here, different subjects. For instance, we are dealing with how to do an attack, how to strike. We say that the best defense is an attack, so when there’s a need to attack, we should use the proper means. So how to do straight attacks with the hands, how to give elbows, how to give some kicks, some knee attacks. How to defend the most common attacks naturally, circular attacks, straight attacks with the hands, different types of strikes and punches. How to deal if somebody’s trying to grab you, choke you. How to prevent, how to deescalate, how to avoid.

And naturally, if you didn’t manage to do that, if the attacker grabbed you, we talk about most of the problem is now from the front, how to release one’s self from these type of grabs. We are dealing with how to defend kicks using the legs. We are dealing with how to deal with falls. If you fall to the ground, quite common happening, not to get injured, how to break fall, how to roll. The most simple and efficient way how to do this. You know, some people, they don’t fight for five years. Why should they? But they may fall twice or three times in the winter or summer in Israel. We’re dealing with releases on the ground. What happen if you are on the ground, somebody grabbed you. So it’s really the basics, it’s the foundation of the system. So I wish you all the best of luck in our journey together, and I will see you in our members area.

P1 Lecture/Theory I

B. Ready Stances and Movements

  1. The meaning of starting positions and the ready stance (AKA "outlet stance")
  2. Passive and semi-passive stances
  3. The general ready stance
  4. Techniques of moving in various directions from the ready stance
  5. Finishing modes -- 3 options: move away; scan the area; get equipped

C. Straight Strikes

  1. Palm-heel strike (first straight strike to be taught with left / right hand)
  2. Closing the fist and punching
  3. Straight left punch (to chin)
  4. Straight right punch (to chin)

Notes: Punches are first practiced from a semi-passive stance;
later from a general ready stance. Practitioner should understand
principles of attacks and proper way to make a fist.

D. Elbow Strikes

  1. Horizontal elbow strikes:
    1) inward; 2) sideways; 3) backward

E. Hammer Strikes

  1. Vertical:
    1) forward; 2) downward; 3) backward
  2. Horizontal:
    1) sideways; 2) backward

F. Kicks

  1. Knee strike -- upward
  2. Regular (front) kick with the ball of the foot / instep (to low or higher targets)
  3. Stomp kick -- downward
  4. Stomp kick backward - at knee level (foot position between a side and defensive back kick)

Note: Kicks should be taught first from the passive stance, later from other stances.

G. Combinations Using Learned Attacks

  1. Short combinations (with simple 2-6 strikes / kicks)

General Note: Emphasize recoiling in all attacks (especially straight punches and regular kicks).

H. Outside Defenses

  1. 360° outside defenses - with simultaneous counter-attack from a passive stance (against slaps and later against defined punches)
  2. 360° defenses as above, with finishing mode - multiple counter-attacks; move away; get equipped
  3. Defending against knife attacks - underhand hold (upwards / oriental) or overhand hold (downwards / regular / ice-pick) holds; simultaneous defense and counter-attack/s, then fast retreat

I. Inside Defenses Against Straight Punches from a Semi Passive Stance

  1. Inside defense -- with sending (vertical) palm sent diagonally forward
  2. Inside defense and counterattack - forcing the opponent's hand down (1.5 rhythm)

J. Leg Defenses Against Regular Kick

  1. Inside defenses (deflection) against a regular kick - using the shin of the front leg

K. Defending Against Front Chokes

  1. Timeline (Distance; see Section R: "Simulation and Tactics")
    • Avoidance -- move away
    • De-escalating -- verbal
    • Preventing I (don't get grabbed) - kick and/or punch
    • Preventing II (don't get grabbed) - defenses
      1.1 Preventing III (don't get grabbed) - educational block
  2. Release; pluck with 2 hooked palms and counterattack with knee/shin and/or punches
    2.1 Variation -- pluck with one hand; simultaneous counter
    with the other

K. Dealing with Falls

  1. Get up from the ground
    1. Forward, with attacks
    2. Fast disengagement
    3. Into a ready stance
  2. Forward soft break-fall (towards a wall; from a standing position; if needed, from knees)
  3. Forward roll - right shoulder for right-handed practitioners

L. Releases While on the Ground

  1. Release from a front choke; assailant kneeling by the defender's side - pluck, push and insert knee; push and kick

N. Using Common Objects as Self Defense Weapons

  1. Identifying and categorizing the use of common objects for self-defense, such as: shields, clubs, stones, sharp-edge weapons, small objects, rope and liquids.
  2. Using common objects of the shield type - such as a chair or bag.

O. Training - Watching, Awareness, Prevention

  1. Observing attacks being initiated, from a realistic distance
  2. Same as above, but also foreseeing and imagining possible reactions

P. Returning Attacker (defend -- attack -- defend)

  1. Following the defender's initial defense (a choke release; 360 defenses) and counter-attack, the opponent is still able to return and attack again, launch a circular attack (360)

Q. Simulation and Tactics

  1. Timeline (Distance) -- against an attacker attempting a front choke. See section L above.

1. Reaction Games / Fighting Games

  • Snatching a coin from open palm; touching/hitting games; pushing games; "rooster fighting"; etc.

2. Attacks and Defenses

  • Starting Position - Attacks are first done from a passive or semi-passive stance, later from a general outlet stance / ready stance; and then attacking to various directions.
    Later, practice to various heights, in retreat or while advancing, as well as from other positions, such as sitting or lying down.
  • Outside Defenses -- Against straight punches sent from the front or off-center when defender's hands are "crossed".
  • Shadow Sparring -- Footwork and positioning with basic attacks, defenses, counterattacks and combinations.

3. Four Against One

  1. Push with 2 hands or grab to choke (1 attack every 2 seconds)

Note: One can start with the "zombie" game, hands are straight.

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