New Student Guide
ETKM Student New Student Guide Krav Maga Info Training Options Resources Resources Striking Combinations Curriculum Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5 Level 6 Upcoming Events Pro Shop Cart New Student Guide

Level 1

Level 1 · Yellow Belt

Introduction toKrav Maga

Where every protector starts. Level 1 builds your foundation — fighting stance, core strikes, basic defenses, and the mindset to act when it matters. Training twice a week, most students complete this level in four to six months.

4–6
Months to Complete

Per Week Recommended

Yellow
Belt Level

L2
Next Level

Mindset & Tactics
Before technique, there is mindset. Before skills, there are tactics. Level 1 trains both from day one.

Mindset

Situational Awareness

Develop the habit of staying alert to your surroundings — recognizing exits, reading body language, and identifying potential threats before they develop.

Mindset

Fight Back

Overcome the natural freeze response. When avoidance fails, you take immediate, decisive action to protect yourself and the people around you.

Tactic

Get Off the X

Move off the line of attack to disrupt the opponent’s targeting. Don’t stay where they expect you to be.

Tactic

Create Space

Gain distance to assess the situation, create options, or prepare for further engagement on your terms.

Mindset determines willingness and clarity. Tactics determine smart choices. Skills determine capability. This is the order — and Level 1 builds all three.

ETKM Training Progression

What You’ll Learn
Level 1 covers fundamentals, combatives, defenses, controlling techniques, and ground fighting. Every technique is built on principles that work regardless of size or strength.

01

Fundamentals

  • Fighting Stance
  • Moving in Fighting Stance
  • Sprawling
  • Changing Levels

02

Combatives

  • Straight Punches — Single, Left/Right Combo
  • Striking & Moving — Movement with check hand, striking with appropriate weapon
  • Create & Maintain Space — Framing (wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck) with movement
  • Palm Heel Strikes — All angles: combo, power slap, horizontal, upward, overhand
  • Hammer Fist — All directions
  • Elbow Strikes — Horizontal 1–3, Vertical 4–7
  • Front Kick (Groin)
  • Round Kick
  • Front Kick to Vertical Target
  • Knee Strikes — Center control (Muay Thai clinch, Gable grip, shirt grab) and side control

03

Defenses Against Strikes

  • Inside Cover — Straight punches & elbows
  • Outside Cover — Haymakers
  • Cover & Attack

04

Self-Defense Techniques

  • Choke from the Front — Rotational option, 1-hand pluck
  • Choke from Behind
  • Headlock from Behind
  • Takedown Defense

05

Controlling Techniques

  • Arm Drag
  • Duck Under
  • Applying Headlock from Behind

06

Ground Fighting

  • Movement on the Ground — Back and side
  • Front Kick from the Ground — Single and both legs
  • Getting Up from the Ground

Level 1 Drills
Drills pressure-test your skills under stress. These are the drills you’ll run at Level 1.

Shark Tank

All combatives and all defenses — rotating partners, continuous pressure.

Blitz Drill

Urgent, aggressive striking under time pressure. Train the switch from freeze to action.

Moving Targets

Upper body strikes against targets changing levels and pressuring forward and back.

Cover, Crash & Counter

Back against wall. Absorb, close distance, and counterattack under pressure.

Training Progression
Every ETKM level follows the same progression model. Level 1 introduces each phase.

01
Mindset

02
Tactics

03
Skills

04
Drills

05
Proficiency

Progression to Level 2

When you’ve completed the Level 1 curriculum, you’ll attend a Yellow Belt workshop and test into Level 2 — Orange Belt. Level 2 builds on everything here with expanded combatives, choke defenses, and introduction to ground survival.