Rules

The Krav-Maga rules laid down by Imi Lichtenfeld are:

1.  Use a specific defense for a specific attack.
2.  Minimum path, maximum speed and power for strikes.
3.  No movement will be foreign to your body and mind.
4.  Do what you can, but do it right. There are no shortcuts.

Principles

We always recommend avoiding physical conflict at all costs. The general principles described below refer to situations where physical conflict could not be avoided and your health or life is at risk.

• In Krav-Maga there are no notions of fighting, rules or defence without attack. We avoid physical conflict as much as possible, but once we have decided to act we will always approach the aggressor, thus taking the initiative and control of the actions. We will continue to attack until the danger is neutralised, without giving the aggressor the opportunity to retaliate.
• We must use as many elements as possible to our advantage. We will not reveal our knowledge and intentions, using surprise to our advantage. We will attack the aggressor's most sensitive areas to get maximum effectiveness from each action. Our mind and reflexes are our most important weapons but we will use all the objects around us to multiply our neutralization efficiency.
• We must prepare ourselves to face aggressors who dominate us physically and emotionally. No matter how much we prepare, our physical capabilities are limited and temporary. We will not block but avoid or deflect aggressors' forceful attacks. We will rely on superior techniques to effectively attack exposed and sensitive areas.
• We need to prepare ourselves to face multiple aggressors in the most adverse contexts. We need to be distributively alert and correctly assess the priority of surrounding threats. We will eliminate individual aggressors as quickly as possible, and use them as a shield against others. We will avoid getting on the ground so as not to expose ourselves and limit ourselves further.

In addition to these general principles there are many principles specific to certain techniques in Krav-Maga. These principles are taught along with the respective techniques and allow you to handle situations where the aggression in reality is not the same as the one you have practiced for in the course.

Categories of techniques

In Krav-Maga there are almost 500 simple and complex techniques, covering almost every variable we might face in our lives:

• aggressions - one or more aggressors, with or without weapons, who immobilise or injure us, etc.
• situations - mild or serious threats, close range or in contact with the aggressor, standing or on the ground, responding with our body or weapons, etc.
• approaches - from mild (prevention) to very harsh (complete neutralisation).

The general categories into which the techniques and principles fall are detailed below:

• Prevention, Lawful Defence

• Live and Dead Side, Safety Distance
• Positions, Movement

• Falls, Rolls, Combinations

• Sensitive Areas
• Hand / Foot / Combined Strikes
• Weapon Attacks
• Front / Back / Side Neutralizations
• Attacks / Threats Neutralizations

• Throws
• Levers on Hand / Palm Joint
• Police Holds

• Releases from Hand / Shoulder / Bag Grips
• Releases from Palm / Forearm Chokes
• Releases from Hugs
• Releases from Lying Down / Nelson Restraints
• Releases from Hair / Coat Grabs
• Escapes from Police Holds

• Appearances of Attacks from Lying Down / Front
• Defences of Fist / Foot Strikes
• Knife / Baton / Bayonet Attack Defences
• Gun Threats Defences
• Multiple Aggressor Defences
• Attack Defences using Weapons