etkm new student guide

Glossary of Common Krav Maga and Self-Protection Terms

Address the Threat: The process of recognizing, assessing, and immediately responding to a potential threat with the appropriate level of defense or offense.

Aggressive Mindset: A focused, assertive approach to self-defense where the practitioner is prepared to act decisively and proactively in a threatening situation.

Attack Mentality: The mental readiness to counteract a threat, transitioning from defensive mode to offensive action when necessary.

Balance: Maintaining stability and control in stance and movement, which is essential for effective strikes and defenses.

Bear Hug: A type of close-range grab where an attacker wraps their arms around the defender’s torso from the front, side, or rear.

Breakfall: A technique to absorb impact safely when falling to the ground, reducing the risk of injury.

Building a Fence: Using hands, forearms, and elbows to create physical space and a barrier between oneself and an aggressor.

Checking Hand: Using a lead hand to gauge distance and apply pressure, often to control or "check" the opponent’s movement.

Choke: A restriction of airflow applied by an attacker’s hands, arms, or objects, requiring specific defense techniques to escape.

Combat Mindset: A state of mental alertness, calm, and readiness to engage if necessary; a key mindset in Krav Maga.

Combat Stance/Fight Stance: The basic defensive stance in Krav Maga, focusing on balance, readiness, and protection.

Combatives: Offensive movements, including strikes, kicks, and other attacks, intended to neutralize a threat.

Control Tactics: Techniques designed to control or restrain an attacker without inflicting severe harm, often used in non-lethal situations.

Counterattack: Responding to an attack with an immediate and forceful defensive or offensive action.

Create Space: Techniques for gaining distance from an attacker to enhance safety and prepare for the next action.

De-escalation: Techniques and strategies to reduce the intensity of a confrontation or defuse a potential threat verbally.

Defense: Actions taken to protect oneself from an attack, using blocks, evasions, or counterstrikes.

Distance Management: The concept of controlling space between oneself and an attacker to optimize safety and response.

Elbow Strike: A close-range strike using the bony part of the elbow, effective for powerful hits in tight quarters.

Escape: Techniques used to break free from holds, grips, or other forms of physical restraint.

Footwork: Movement patterns used to maintain balance, control, and readiness in self-defense scenarios.

Front Kick: A kick delivered straight forward, usually aimed at vulnerable areas like the groin or abdomen.

Get Off the X: Moving off the line of attack to disrupt the attacker’s targeting, making oneself a more difficult target.

Grappling: A form of close-range fighting that involves controlling, restraining, or escaping an opponent’s holds.

Ground Fighting: Techniques used for defense while on the ground, including maintaining distance, controlling position, and executing strikes.

Guard Position: A defensive stance with hands up, protecting the face and body while ready to block or counter.

Hammer Fist: A downward or sideward strike with the bottom of a closed fist, often targeting the attacker’s head or other vulnerable areas.

Head Locks: Control techniques that use the head and neck as leverage points for attacks or holds.

Instinctive Movements: Movements based on natural reactions, allowing for faster responses under stress.

Knee Strike: A close-range strike using the knee, typically aimed at vulnerable areas like the groin or torso.

Neutralize: To render a threat incapable of continuing an attack, often by incapacitating or disorienting them.

OODA Loop: A decision-making process (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) used to assess and react to threats efficiently.

Palm Strike: A strike using the heel of the palm, aimed at sensitive areas like the nose or chin.

Personal Space: The physical area around oneself that one seeks to protect from intrusion or aggression.

Plucking: A technique using a hooking action with the hands to remove a choke or grip by digging deep and using explosive movements.

Principle-Based System: An approach that emphasizes adaptable, universal concepts rather than rigid techniques, allowing for effective response in varied scenarios.

Punch Defense: Techniques to block, evade, or deflect incoming punches while preparing for counterattack.

Reaction Time: The speed at which one can respond to a stimulus or threat, critical in self-defense.

Rear Choke: A choke applied from behind, requiring specific defenses to free the airway and counter the attacker.

Redirection: Using movement or minimal force to guide an attack away from its intended target.

Round Kick: A powerful, circular kick, often aimed at the side of an opponent or vulnerable areas.

Self-Defense: Actions taken to protect oneself from physical harm in a threatening situation.

Simultaneous Defense and Attack: A principle of Krav Maga where a defense (such as a block) is combined with a counterattack to minimize reaction time.

Situational Awareness: The ability to be aware of one’s surroundings, recognizing potential threats and opportunities to stay safe.

Soft Techniques: Defensive techniques that use minimal force, typically to control a situation without causing harm.

Stomping Kicks: Defensive or offensive kicks using the bottom of the foot to create damage and distance, including front kicks, side kicks, and back kicks.

Stress Drills: High-intensity training exercises designed to simulate real-life stress, helping students build resilience and reaction skills.

Targeted Strikes: Strikes aimed at specific vulnerable areas to maximize effectiveness and stop an attack quickly.

Threat Recognition: The ability to identify a potential threat based on behavior, posture, or other cues.

Vulnerable Targets: Specific areas of the body that are sensitive and easily impacted by strikes, including the eyes, groin, and throat.

Wrist Grab Defense: Techniques to escape when an attacker grabs the defender’s wrist, focusing on leverage and control.

Glossary of Common Krav Maga and Self-Protection Terms

Address the Threat: The process of recognizing, assessing, and immediately responding to a potential threat with the appropriate level of defense or offense.
Aggressive Mindset: A focused, assertive approach to self-defense where the practitioner is prepared to act decisively and proactively in a threatening situation.
Attack Mentality: The mental readiness to counteract a threat, transitioning from defensive mode to offensive action when necessary.
Balance: Maintaining stability and control in stance and movement, which is essential for effective strikes and defenses.
Bear Hug: A type of close-range grab where an attacker wraps their arms around the defender’s torso from the front, side, or rear.
Breakfall: A technique to absorb impact safely when falling to the ground, reducing the risk of injury.
Building a Fence: Using hands, forearms, and elbows to create physical space and a barrier between oneself and an aggressor.
Checking Hand: Using a lead hand to gauge distance and apply pressure, often to control or "check" the opponent’s movement.
Choke: A restriction of airflow applied by an attacker’s hands, arms, or objects, requiring specific defense techniques to escape.
Combat Mindset: A state of mental alertness, calm, and readiness to engage if necessary; a key mindset in Krav Maga.
Combat Stance/Fight Stance: The basic defensive stance in Krav Maga, focusing on balance, readiness, and protection.
Combatives: Offensive movements, including strikes, kicks, and other attacks, intended to neutralize a threat.
Control Tactics: Techniques designed to control or restrain an attacker without inflicting severe harm, often used in non-lethal situations.
Counterattack: Responding to an attack with an immediate and forceful defensive or offensive action.
Create Space: Techniques for gaining distance from an attacker to enhance safety and prepare for the next action.
De-escalation: Techniques and strategies to reduce the intensity of a confrontation or defuse a potential threat verbally.
Defense: Actions taken to protect oneself from an attack, using blocks, evasions, or counterstrikes.
Distance Management: The concept of controlling space between oneself and an attacker to optimize safety and response.
Elbow Strike: A close-range strike using the bony part of the elbow, effective for powerful hits in tight quarters.
Escape: Techniques used to break free from holds, grips, or other forms of physical restraint.
Footwork: Movement patterns used to maintain balance, control, and readiness in self-defense scenarios.
Front Kick: A kick delivered straight forward, usually aimed at vulnerable areas like the groin or abdomen.
Get Off the X: Moving off the line of attack to disrupt the attacker’s targeting, making oneself a more difficult target.
Grappling: A form of close-range fighting that involves controlling, restraining, or escaping an opponent’s holds.
Ground Fighting: Techniques used for defense while on the ground, including maintaining distance, controlling position, and executing strikes.
Guard Position: A defensive stance with hands up, protecting the face and body while ready to block or counter.
Hammer Fist: A downward or sideward strike with the bottom of a closed fist, often targeting the attacker’s head or other vulnerable areas.
Head Locks: Control techniques that use the head and neck as leverage points for attacks or holds.
Instinctive Movements: Movements based on natural reactions, allowing for faster responses under stress.
Knee Strike: A close-range strike using the knee, typically aimed at vulnerable areas like the groin or torso.
Neutralize: To render a threat incapable of continuing an attack, often by incapacitating or disorienting them.
OODA Loop: A decision-making process (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) used to assess and react to threats efficiently.
Palm Strike: A strike using the heel of the palm, aimed at sensitive areas like the nose or chin.
Personal Space: The physical area around oneself that one seeks to protect from intrusion or aggression.
Plucking: A technique using a hooking action with the hands to remove a choke or grip by digging deep and using explosive movements.
Principle-Based System: An approach that emphasizes adaptable, universal concepts rather than rigid techniques, allowing for effective response in varied scenarios.
Punch Defense: Techniques to block, evade, or deflect incoming punches while preparing for counterattack.
Reaction Time: The speed at which one can respond to a stimulus or threat, critical in self-defense.
Rear Choke: A choke applied from behind, requiring specific defenses to free the airway and counter the attacker.
Redirection: Using movement or minimal force to guide an attack away from its intended target.
Round Kick: A powerful, circular kick, often aimed at the side of an opponent or vulnerable areas.
Self-Defense: Actions taken to protect oneself from physical harm in a threatening situation.
Simultaneous Defense and Attack: A principle of Krav Maga where a defense (such as a block) is combined with a counterattack to minimize reaction time.
Situational Awareness: The ability to be aware of one’s surroundings, recognizing potential threats and opportunities to stay safe.
Soft Techniques: Defensive techniques that use minimal force, typically to control a situation without causing harm.
Stomping Kicks: Defensive or offensive kicks using the bottom of the foot to create damage and distance, including front kicks, side kicks, and back kicks.
Stress Drills: High-intensity training exercises designed to simulate real-life stress, helping students build resilience and reaction skills.
Targeted Strikes: Strikes aimed at specific vulnerable areas to maximize effectiveness and stop an attack quickly.
Threat Recognition: The ability to identify a potential threat based on behavior, posture, or other cues.
Vulnerable Targets: Specific areas of the body that are sensitive and easily impacted by strikes, including the eyes, groin, and throat.
Wrist Grab Defense: Techniques to escape when an attacker grabs the defender’s wrist, focusing on leverage and control.