MKM Core Brown Belt Requirements (Excluding Fighting)

Brown Belt Core Requirements

Collar Chokes on the Ground

• Two hand (palms in) cross-grab
• Two hands (one palm in and one palm out) grip
• Two hands (opposite grip as above with one palm in and one palm out) grip
• Two hand sameside  loop around the back
• From rear  single wing cross grab while pulling down with the lower hand and cross pull across O’s body
• From ground  sameside grab and turn 180° around the body from rear to use body torque for maximum pressure.
• Sliding punch defense into collar choke

All Collar Choke Defenses

Use modifications of pluck and counter-attacks along with Orange Belt shirt-release variations

Advanced Ground Survival

• Catches and releases
• Face bars
  1. Inside with leg pincer
  2. Perpendicular
• Arm bar variations with opponent’s head between legs
• Leg-lock using blade of arm underneath knee joint positioning opponent’s leg underneath sameside leg as locking arm and crossing legs into pincer while sitting back grass cutter
• Neck flip into lock (break)
• Neck flip into lock (break) when O is on all fours
• Flip over when partners are locked together with knees on the mat (use body weight and have option of sweeping opponent’s other support arm)
• From reverse mount when opponent on all fours into choke or arm lock using opposite side leg to hook underneath the opponent’s armpit
• Reverse rear mount extended legs back (grapevines) to collapse opponent into face down choke
• Locks when opponent is in the guard position including
  1. Police hold #6
  2. Haim Special (Police #7)
  3. Half-nelson with strong pincer
• Defense against opponent on his back using his knee as brakes  mount and find opportunity to pincer legs into reverse
• Handlock defenses if opponent catches the arm
• Front guillotine take down (tomangi) into roll of O switching into lying guillotine or alternate lock
• From the side position, cross near leg across opponent’s face while securing opponent’s nearside arm under your armpit with your knee flush against his armpit (leg is somewhat underneath the opponent). Grab pressuring knee to tighten the hold and lean back with armbar across the thigh
• Police hold #3 with the leg (omoplata)
  1. Mount allowing opponent to turn into police hold #3 with the leg (omoplata)
  2. From closed guard into arm bar or leg police hold #3
  3. From the half-guard into leg police hold #3
  4. Leg police hold #3 (omoplata) if the triangular choke is unavailable
• Keylock (policehold #6) across the opponent’s body securing far arm with leg pincer movement  Arm/shoulder bar against opponent while securing his far side arm with leg pincer
• Keylock (policehold #6) while using reverse mount with opponent’s head between you legs  Opponent is on his back and between your legs (reverse mount). Secure topside arm to apply policehold #6.
• Cross side to arm lock with knee underneath opponent  Opponent is on his back and you are above him sitting partially up.  Wrap far side leg around the side of the opponent’s head (not in front) while securing nearside arm for arm bar.  Keep far side leg tightly wrapped and insert knee under opponent’s nearside armpit to execute arm bar.

1. Police hold #3 from the front is another option using same pincer motion

• Mount allowing opponent to turn you over to set up triangular choke  Strategy to allow opponent to turn you over to set up triangular choke
• Sidecontrol position crossing the opponent’s body to execute modified “baby pressure” hold”  from the crosside position, move across the opponent by pushing the weight forward (perpendicular) followed by crossing the nearside knee to pincer mount into modified “baby pressure” hold
• Knee bar when opponent is between your legs  Opponent is on his back with one leg between yours.  Spin your body to the outside of his to apply the knee bar.  This is a useful technique when the opponent’s leg is too high for an Achilles lock.
• Double foot splay into ankle or knee lock  You are on your back in position to perform a double foot splay (blackbelt takedown).  Wrap your outside leg around the opponent’s leg to take him into an ankle lock.  An option is to keep turning while keeping the opponent face down into an ankle/Achilles/knee lock from a reverse upright mounted position.

*Drill where partner uses one lock; other partner releases; move into next lock   retzev with locks on the ground; similar to standing police lock retzev

Releases against Police Holds

• Defenses including counter elbows and drop-downs
• New defenses focusing on stops before lock is applied
• Turn into bear hug
  1. Counter  switch into standing guillotine with option of pincer take-down.

Kick Combinations

• Straight switch kick
• Knee switch
• Roundhouse into spin with sidekick
• Roundhouse into spinning rear roundhouse
• Outside crescent kick into straight kick
• Switching for feints and delivering roundhouse or straight kicks in mid-air switch
• Flying scissors sweep (use forward leg to deliver heal kick to opponent’s midsection while scissoring other leg behind and grabbing shirt [real situation could involve punch to the face], after opponent drops with you, deliver additional heal kicks and combatives)
• Feints or deceptive kicks (including straight into high roundhouse, high straight into low straight, roundhouse into sidekick, straight into sidekick, etc.)

Notes: 

• Change different heights and angles
• Build feinting techniques. Ex:  straight, straight, straight feint into roundhouse
• Use leg feint and attach with hands. Ex: straight kick into straight punch or roundhouse kick into straight punch
• Body movements to confuse and then attack

Defenses against Sweeps

• Body defense and pick up front leg
• Close range elbow to knee to cover
• Defensive kick (front/back) to body
• Close the distance with hand attacks (timing)
• Jump or change legs (rear leg) to avoid sweep
• Preemptive sweep

Defenses against Back Offensive Kicks and Spinning Kicks

• Same defenses against straight and side kicks
• Against spinning kicks to buttocks with front leg and counterattack

Defenses against Cavaliers

Advanced Defenses against Front Guillotine

• Take up and throw
• Defense against front guillotine on the ground

Take-downs with Strikes

Neutralizing Opponent on the Dead Side

Close Range Techniques/Infighting

• Using short punches, kicks, knees, elbows,headbutts, catches and throws.
• Utilize the longest (i.e. kicks) and intermediate (punches) weapons first and than close in for infight
• Defend against long and intermediate range attack and continue with counterattacks while closing the distance and continuing the fight as an infight
• Defender’s action/removing oneself from an infight:

1. Defending against close punches, kicks, knees, elbows, clinches and headbutts with counterattacks
2. Falling to the ground in an advantageous position to make strong counterattacks against opponent’s groin and legs
3. Retreat diagonally backwards delivering counterattacks including roundhouse, straight, and side kicks in addition to punches
4. Retreating straight punch and kick
5. Clinch or trap opponent to neutralize or limits his ability to strike while delivering counterattacks

• Slow fighting infight drill

Defense against Back Kicks (with and without a spin)

• Defense with arms or legs using previously learned techniques to defend straight and sidekicks.
• Defense with arms or legs using previously learned techniques to defend against spinning kicks. Note:  The easiest defense against a spinning kick is a kick to the opponent’s buttocks or midsection followed by immediate counterattacks.

Defenses against High Kicks

• Non-spinining  close distance while covering with outside block or gunt
• Spinning  timing pre-emptive kick or close distance while covering with outside block or gunt

Defense against Various Grabs and Holds with Defender Throwing Attacker

• Defense against bear hug from the rear with arms pinned and being driven forward
• Defense against bear hug from the rear with arms free and being driven forward
• Defense against bear hug from the front with arms pinned and being driven forward

1. May use suplex if superior leverage through body positioning is available

Defenses against Various Grabs and Holds with Defender Throwing Attacker

• Defense against headlock from the side when attacker is spinning defender down and forward
• Defense against side headlock with attacker attempting to put leverage back and downward on defender’s neck
• Defensive flip against headlock/choke from rear with attacker jumping onto defender

Knee slam defense against side headlock

Defenses against Police Holds (two opponents)

Additional Control Chokes Including Teamwork

• Grab opponent by throat and groin

1. Pinion against wall (beware of counterattacks)

• Cross shirt grab pulling one side of the shirt across the throat

1. Option of punching to the throat and then yanking across

• Shirt grab from the front wrapping around opponent’s neck
• Double thumb carotid choke by inverting the thumbs

Defense against a Stone, Helmet, etc. as a Blunt Weapon

*Do not need to worry so much about the weapon removal

Defenses against an Overhead Chain or Whip-like attack

• Swirling high (tackle and continue attack)
• Twirling in front (slide in with scissors sidekick, kick to testicles, and leg lock)
  

Defense against Two Attackers with and without Weapons

Defense against Stab with a Stick/Bayonet

• Inside slapping redirection
• Slapping redirection with straight palm going to the live side

1. Variation of live side movement using Arimi (forearm across choke into strangle/neck break)

Advanced Offensive Edged Weapon Attacks (retzev with the knife)

• Slash

1. Horizontal – (three levels)
2. Diagonal X (three levels)
3. Up diagonal
4. Combinations

• Thrust

1. Upward (three levels)
2. Hook stab (three levels)
3. Inside hook stab (three levels)
4. Straight stab (three levels)
5. Combinations

• Combine slashes and thrusts for retzev.
• Overhand attacks

1. Stab
2. Reverse stab
3. Low Stabs
4. Horizontal slash
5. Vertical slash
6. Diagonal (“X”) slashe

• “Blender” attack using non-knife hand to strike and trap
• Overhand circular slashes to face (similar to stick attacks)
• Using knife to defend (slash/stab) against kicks
• Feints with blade into attack with blade
• Feints with blade into attack with blade into other combatives and then blade attack.
• Attacks with combatives using kicks, punches, elbows, knees etc.

Advanced Knife Defenses

• Seated
• Using weapons of opportunity
• Off-angle knife attacks
• Defending combined upper-body and lower-body attacks with knife
• Defenses against grabs and clinches when attacker has a knife

Defense with a Stick against a Knife (use body defense and simultaneous counterattack)

• Attack knife hand and then head and back to hand
• May attack head directly
  • Combined with straight and roundhouse kicks
• Upward stab
• Overhand (icepick) attack
• Thrust (fencing movement)
• Forward slash
• Back slash
• Diagonal slash

Defense with Knife against Knife

• Always keep your knife in motion & make sure O drops the blade
• Attack knife hand and then head and back to hand
• May attack head directly
  • Combined with straight and roundhouse kicks

• Attack O’s knife hand  with slashes and stabs while moving in and out
• Attack O’s knife hand  with slashes and move deadside with slash to the throat using tsai-bake with continued attacks
• Attack O’s non-knife hand  with slashes and stabs with deadside tsai-bake movement and backslash to the throat
• When O attacks D’s knife hand  circle away (counterclockwise) and counter slash. May also move clockwise and counterclockwise with backslash at the hand.
• When O attacks D’s knife hand  withdraw or circle away (counterclockwise) and counter slash at O’s face.
• When O attacks  pull knife away and look for counterattack
• When O attacks low at leg  withdraw leg first and then counterattack
• Defenses against inside slash using timing with counterattack against knife arm and slash back across O’s face. Note, may also use simultaneous offensive block and roundhouse kick.
• Defenses against backslash using timing with counterattack against knife arm and slash back across O’s face.
• Defenses against straight stab using timing with counterattack against knife arm and slash across O’s face.
• Defenses against underhand stabs timing with counterattack against knife arm and slash across O’s face.
• Defenses against overhead attack timing with counterattack against knife arm and slash across O’s face.
• Hooking O’s knife outside and spin into counterattack
• Defense with knife against O’s straight followed by straight punch
• Defense against double handed overhead attack  slash and move deadside
• Feints with blade and counterattack knife hand
• Drills  partners working against hands with slash/stab counterattacks (1) static & (2) dynamic
• Drills  playfight with kicks & punches attacking all openings.

Firearm Defenses

Note:  Firearm defenses are optimally performed when an assailant is speaking – this enables the defender to gain the fraction of a second advantage to execute the defense while the assailant’s brain attempts to relay a command to pull the trigger.

• Frontal defense #1
• Frontal defense #2
• Frontal defense if O pulls away from #1 or #2, goose hook in to defense
• Rear defense may be used “as cold” weapon. (Note the movement is “one step”)
• Defense against gun held behind the arm (variation of #2) in front of the arm
• Defense against gun to the side of the defender
• Defense against gun held to front of the head
• Defense against gun held to the side of the head

1. Including hostage situation

• Defense against gun held to the rear of the head
• Defense against gun held to the throat from front
• Defense against gun held to throat from behind

1. Including hostage situation

• Defense against gun from rear with assailant’s arm out in front (submachinegun defense)
• Defenses against submachinegun/long gun using these techniques
• Defenses against all of these situations from different angles including seated, through car windows, etc. . . .

*Note perform all defenses as if you are punching and be aware of variations with a small gun

Drill using defenses against a gun in motion from angles

Using a Pistol as a Cold Weapon

• Straight stab with the barrel
• Thrust forward with trigger well
• Horizontal strike with the pistol butt keeping barrel away
• Slash with the barrel
• Hammer strike down with pistol butt keeping barrel away
• Strike with butt or barrel to the side
• Rear strikes with butt

Police approach to opponent spread eagled (approach rear leg, step on front arm, make sure head is turned away, take police hold with cavalier)

• Both high and low

Using a Rifle/SMG as a Blunt weapon

• Straight stab with the barrel
• Thrust forward with magazine or middle of the weapon
• Horizontal strike with the rifle butt
• Slash with the barrel
• Hammer strike down with the rifle butt
• Strike with butt or barrel to the side
• Rear strikes with butt or barrel
  1. Both high and low

Bayonet versus Bayonet

• Sliding bayonet defense
• Baiting bayonet defense

Disarming Someone and Creating Proper Distance

Defenses While Talking and Opponent Attacks

Attack, Defend, Attack (30 variations)

Person A initiates an attack either know or unknown to person B, person B must defend appropriately and make counterattacks to person A, person A must defend accordingly and counterattack person B.  In short:  technique counter-technique  counter to the counter-technique:

Sequences 1-5 Person A	#1 Front kick	#2 Front kick	#3 Round kick	#4 Side kick	#5 Side kick
Person B	Outside defense with sliding/stabbing movement and counterattack	Body defense to the side and counterattack kick to the groin	Diagonal step and catch with counterattack	Stop kick	Outside defense with counterattack side kick
Person A	Inside defense and counterattacks with punch defense #2	Defenses and counterattacks as needed	Close distance with counterattacks while simultaneously kicking to free leg	Counterattack	Movement to avoid counter sidekick with additional combatives
Sequences 5-10 Person A	#6 Front kick	#7 Initiates punch	#8 Round kick low	#9 Round kick medium	#10 Round kick
Person B	Retreats with pull and counterpunch	Blocks and counters	Blocks outside with punch	B catches and punches	B retreats to avoid
Person A	Counters with punch defense #2 or other defense against rt/left punch	Retreats with elbow defense and counters with (high) roundhouse kick	Counters against punch and continues retzev counterattack	Counters with attacks and pulls leg out by driving knee and then releasing downward	Continues with sidekick and retzev
Sequences 11-15 Person A	#11 straight kick to face	#12 straight kick to face	#13 left hook	#14 right hook	#15 straight punch
Person B	Retreats and punches	Retreats	Defends with block and counterpunch	Defends with block and counterpunch	Defends with parry
Person A	Defends punch using over-the-top punch w/sidestep	Feints front straight kick into spinning sidekick	Defends with his own counterpunch	Defends with his own counterpunch	Counters against straight punch

 

Sequences 16-20 Person A	#16 retzev	#17 retzev	#18 retzev	#19 straight kick	#20 high roundhouse kick
Person B	Takedown attempt to body	Takedown attempt to leg	Takedown securing leg	Defends with sliding/stabbing	Defends with double forearm block and backfist
Person A	Knees if body grab and continues counterattack	Brakes with modified sprawl into counterattack	Sinks body on top and breaks angle to release	Defends with over-the-top punch w/sidestep	Defends against backfist with counterattack
Sequences 21-25 Person A	#21 low roundhouse kick	#22 mid-roundhouse kick	#23 roundhouse kick/round-house punch combination	#24 rear naked choke	#25 Hip throw variations
Person B	Defends with shin and counterpunch	Defends by catching leg & counter-punching	Defends with leg and parry and counters with straight punch	Steps outside for takedown	Scoots body around

 

Person A

Defends counterpunch using various options (3 examples)

Negates counterpunch and retracts leg sharply down

Defends straight punch and counterattack

Swings body with outside step to continue choke or other counterattack

Uchimata takedown

Sequences 26-30 Person A	#26 Double leg takedown	#27 Double leg takedown	#28 Clinch	#29 Straight punch	#30 Front bearhugdefenses(arms free or pinned) into osoto gari
Person B	Z guard	Z guard creating separation w/straight kick	Defend with eye attack and gunt	Over-the-top defense	Slide down into one leg take
Person A	Leglock	Defend straight kick and counter	Pluck eye attack into cavalier #1	Lean away from punch and sidekick	One leg takedown defense

 

Neutralizing Opponent on Your Deadside

• Turning with #3 elbow or backfist/hammerfist
• Attack with uppercut back kick or defensive back-kick, utilizing spin or retreating step as needed.
• Create distance by tsai-bake or roll(s)

Using everyday Objects for Maiming and Lethal Strikes

Advanced (from positions of disadvantage) Recognition and reaction drills

Multiple Attackers Moving Quickly

Stick and Knife Attacks initiate defense

Strong Sparring with Protective Equipment

Playfight Recognizing and Using Weapons of Opportunity Positioned around the Room

Drills 

• Students form two lines and student walks between the two and defends against attacks (including cold weapons)
• One defender against two attackers
  1. Look and watch
  2. Body defense only variation
• Response exercises using pads and hand  student reacts to targets partner presents at different angles/heights.

Students should train to defend against attacks which come from a variety of angles and to defend against attacks unknown to the defender.  The defender should attempt to incorporate specific techniques to defend an unanticipated but clear attack.  Students should combine all aspects of krav maga through retzev to create explosive series of attacks using the same limb, hands and feet together coupled with cavaliers, throws, takedowns and ground scenarios.

__________________________

Firearm Defenses

If someone pulls a gun on you and does not shoot, he or she wants something.  It is possible that he or she may still shoot you, but, not before achieving a desired ends.  When possible, compliance with the gunman’s demands is the best solution.  Compliance, however, is not always possible; especially, if your instinct tells you the gunman intends you bodily harm no matter what.  Of course, carefully consider your options and course of action.  Again, there may be situations in which attempting a disarm is impossible and you must comply with the gunman’s wishes.  Firearms are often referred to in krav maga parlance as “hot weapons.”

Similar to our previous edged weapon defenses, to defend a firearm threat you must deflect-redirect the weapon using a body defense (as with edged weapons defenses) move off the line of fire combined with simultaneous combatives to facilitate the disarm.  Most important, krav maga’s philosophy is to give you any and every advantage.  You might have to wait until the assailant closes the distance or lowers his guard in response to your feigned acquiescence, when, in fact, you are simply waiting for the best opportunity to disarm him.  Be aware of your surroundings and how they might affect your disarm including walls, curbs, parked vehicles, the confines of a small space such as an elevator or a vehicle.  With all firearms disarms, carefully gauge the distance and your reach capability to deflect-redirect and secure the weapon.

If the assailant has a handgun and you decide to run, the greater the distance between you and the gunman, the more likely you will not be hit.  To be sure, a bullet moves faster than any human reaction.  Handguns are difficult to fire with accuracy, especially at longer ranges and only skilled shooters can fire with decent accuracy at distance.  Fortunately, criminals tend not to be the best shots, but the high capacity pistol magazines give them up to seventeen chances or more to hit you.  

Shooting Accuracy at Close Range

Notably, trained law enforcement professionals when under the stress of a violent encounter often achieve less than a twenty percent hit rate according to the FBI.  It is the author’s opinion that such statistics should not be interpreted as criticism of these departments’ professionalism.  Rather these facts, underscore the realities of a violent, often surprise encounter.  You can therefore extrapolate that if you must run, it is a fair assumption that you may reach safety unscathed about fifty percent of the time.

It is helpful to envision several scenarios in which an assailant could deploy a firearm against you – and avoid them in real life.  To be sure, the best defense against a firearm or any time of weapon is to avoid a situation that exposes you to danger.  Common sense should always prevail.  Going to an ATM at night alone does not meet good common sense.  Venturing into parking lot without scanning your environment or not parking near light or in a heavily trafficked area are also not good strategies.  You must envision as many “negative five” scenarios as possible.  Do your best to plan or envision what you might do if faced with these extreme life threatening circumstances.  This could include a gunman surfacing from behind a neighboring parked car as you begin to enter your vehicle or confronting you from behind as you insert the key into your front door.  Most criminals seek the element of surprise and plan accordingly.

If you flee, you can choose to run in a non-linear pattern as fast as possible.  In other words, flee using a zigzag pattern to make yourself a more difficult target or to locate cover to stop a bullet such as a building or the engine block of a vehicle.  A gunman has more difficulty swinging his gun arm and body in the direction of his dominant arm to shoot accurately.  If you are facing a right-handed gunman, move laterally to your left (his right) – it is more difficult for him to swing the gun across his body.  With a left handed gunman move to your right.  Obviously, if your back is the gunman the directions reverse as moving to his right side will also now be moving to your right side.  These evasions are also applicable for rifle/SMGs and sub-machineguns.

Firearm Disarm Philosophy

The brain slows down when processing several stimuli or engaged in two thought processes. If you must disarm an assailant brandishing a weapon – in this case a firearm – the most opportune time to act is when the assailant is distracted. He or she may be giving you an order or responding to your entreaty not to harm you. You might also spit in the assailant’s face or use another distraction such as throwing loose change, keys or anything else that is handy to initiate the disarm.

Basic Firearms Knowledge

It is helpful to have a basic understanding of firearms. There are two types of handguns, revolvers and semi-automatics, with the latter much more in circulation these days. A revolver uses a rotating cylinder to cycle the next round into the chamber while a semi-automatic uses a spring loaded clip that pushes another round into the chamber as the previous round is ejected.   A revolver usually holds 5-8 rounds while a semi-automatic can hold from 8-17 rounds of ammunition. Some high capacity magazines can hold more than 17 rounds. If you disarm a gunman by securing the barrel and his finger is on the trigger, a semi-automatic handgun is likely to discharge.  Krav maga frontal handgun defenses secure the slide preventing the ejection of the spent round rendering the gun temporarily inoperable. In the case of a revolver, securing it at the trigger guard while wrapping the hand around the cylinder can prevent it from cycling a new round as well.

It is best to work with an expert to educate yourself on the firearms operations, especially, to learn how to clear the weapon and make it operational. This ability could be crucial after you have disarmed the assailant and created distance (more about this shortly.)   You should learn how to “tap and rack” a handgun to ready it for use or put it “in battery.” When a firearm is not operational, it is called “out of battery.”

Keep in mind, if you do attempt to disarm the assailant, he or she now considers you a deadly threat and will fight as if his or her life is at stake. Firearms are ergonomically designed for the operator – not someone trying to take the weapon away, especially, if the operator has a two handed vice grip on it.   Therefore, whenever possible, you must move deep to the assailant’s deadside.   In nearly every instance, the firearm will discharge as you deflect-redirect it because of the assailant’s reflexive flinch-trigger-pull-response. Do not worry about this. Your deflection-redirection hand will not get hurt. Prioritize securing the weapon while simultaneously debilitating your assailant with combatives to the throat, groin, eyes and other secondary targets.   As always, your krav maga must be decisive and brutally efficient. In addition, you need to secure the firearm in the best possible way reducing the chances of bystanders being shot. Keep in mind that the assailant’s immediate instinctive or “flinch” response will be to retract his gun and pull the trigger. Therefore, your strategy must also incorporate “time in motion.”

Time in motion is the movement pattern where the firearm (or any other type of weapon) is likely to end up as a result of your deflection-redirection and the assailant’s reflexive response. Once again, the need to move deep to the deadside is evident to keep yourself clear of the weapon’s line of fire.Once you have secured the handgun, standard Israeli operating procedure is to tap the magazine from bottom (the insertion point into the grip) and then turn the handgun parallel to the ground to check the ejection port and rack a new round. After redirecting-deflecting and securing a semi-automatic handgun, rotate it ninety degrees allowing gravity to help dispense a spent cartridge’s case which has likely jammed the weapon. Even if you do not tap and rack the handgun, while the handgun is likely to be out of battery, you should still consider the handgun “live” or functional for safety purposes, particularly, if you use it for cold weapon combatives.

After you create separation from the assailant, you can use the handgun as a tool – but not your only tool – to fend off additional attacks. For example, if the assailant continues aggressive actions towards you, you can straight kick him in the groin, sidekick him in the knee or use the handgun to strike him the head always keep the muzzle pointed towards him. Simply consider the handgun an extension of your body, but do not allow the barrel to face any part of your body. Importantly, if you have your own firearm, you should revert to using it rather than the assailant’s for the obvious reasons that you are familiar with it and have confidence it is operational.

Keep in mind that you might not know if the firearm is real or functional. It could be a starter pistol or “airsoft” type of facsimile weapon. One of the dangers of using an unfamiliar firearm is that it could explode in your hand. Criminals are not always the brightest and a live round could be loaded in a starter pistol. If you rack and tap the weapon loading a live round into a starter pistol and pull the trigger, the results could be disastrous for you. One indicator that the weapon is, indeed, functional, is if you immediately order the assailant down to the ground and he or she complies. An opposite indicator suggesting the weapon is not operational is if the assailant ignores your commands and rushes at you in which you need to use your krav maga combatives. If you decide to shoot the assailant, shoot center mass. If the assailant is wearing body armor, shoot him in the head or multiple times into the same location of the bulletproof vest. Your first shot will damage the body armor and the successive shots may penetrate the vest.

Note all of the following techniques assume the handgun is held by the assailant’s right arm.There are myriad angles and heights that an assailant could threaten you with a firearm. The following disarm techniques cover the positions and angles handguns most commonly used by an assailant. These are simply presented as a blueprint against firearm threats. Krav maga’s philosophy is to adapt to a situation using core techniques and principals. If you find yourself in a situation not covered in this book, fall back on the above four pillars for firearm defenses and use common sense to prevail. Notably, you could find yourself defending against a handgun threat covered or obscured by a magazine, newspaper or cloth. The defenses remain the same, but take into account that your grip and subsequent control on the handgun could slip from weapon of the angle of deflection-redirection and control is not correct. Importantly, if you attempt at disarm, the assailant is likely to instinctively retract his arm. You must understand “time in motion” — both yours and his — or how a body instinctively reacts to a stimulus to properly time and execute a firearm disarm properly.

The Four Essential Components of Gun Defenses

Disarming an assailant armed with a firearm is extremely difficult. Be sure that you have exhausted all compliance options and that you have no choice but to attempt the disarm technique. If you decide there is no choice but to disarm an assailant you must follow the four pillars of krav maga’s firearm defenses:

1)    Redirect-deflect the line of fire combined with a body defense.

2)    Control the firearm whenever possible moving deep to the deadside while stunning and neutralizing the assailant.

3)    Understand “time in motion” – or what the gunman’s reaction will be the instant you react.

4)    Disarm the assailant and create distance maintaining the firearm.

We will examine five different distances throughout the various firearm defenses:

• The firearm is extended from the assailant’s torso and held at distance but within arm’s length of you.
• The firearm is held close to the assailant’s torso but within arm’s length of you.
• The firearm is extended from the assailant’s torso and the muzzle is making physical contact with your body.
• The firearm is held close to the assailant’s torso and the muzzle is in physical contact with your body.
• The firearm is not yet deployed and you are in arm’s length of the potential assailant.

Author’s Note: Due to pictorial restraints, for certain Chapter 5 techniques, the initial deflections-redirections are depicted, however, the final take away process is omitted as it is the same for all frontal disarms moving to an opponent’s deadside. Be sure to thoroughly understand the series 5.01 disarm procedure, as it will be referenced to finish many techniques.

NOTE: FOR ALL FIREARM DEFENSES, THE GUNMAN IS LIKELY TO PULL THE WEAPON BACK TO THWART YOUR ATTMEPTED CONTROL WHILE PULLING THE TRIGGER TO DISCHARGE THE WEAPON.

Active Shooter Situation

In an active shooter situation, it is preferable to begin your evasion plan (or a disarming technique) as soon as the threat is recognized.  In short, non-telegraphed (body movements indicating what you are going to do before you actually do it) and unpredictable evasive maneuvers improve your chance of successfully disarming him or fleeing respectively.

If you can’t flee the active shooter scene, find cover or concealment.  There is a difference between cover and concealment.  Cover effectively shields you from incoming fire.   Concealment hides you but is not impervious to gunfire.  If you are located within reach of the gunman and you conclude fleeing or reasoning with him is futile, you must, of course, use the appropriate disarming technique.  If you find yourself in an active shooter situation and you cannot close the distance for a disarming technique, you can throw objects at the gunman such as bags, books, chairs, staplers, coins, etc. to either close the distance for a disarm or as distractions in your attempt to flee.  If you are hit, you may wish to feign being dead to prevent the shooter from pumping more rounds into you, but under no circumstances should you give up.  Remember, many victims die because they lose the will to live.

In an active shooter situation within a crowd, one disarm technique, requiring great nerve, is to upend him.  Close on him from behind, reach down and clasp his legs just above ankles and brace one shoulder against his buttocks and yank sharply backwards to dump him on his head.  The assailant will let go of the weapon or, if he holds onto it, likely break his wrists on impact.  As a last resort, a number of the intended victims may swarm the gunman to overwhelm him.  This tactic, for untrained people and sometimes trained people alike, is contrary to human nature.  Without a determined brave soul to initiate and rally the group into action, this strategy is unlikely to succeed.

Practice Suggestions:

• For each technique presented, we suggest that you practice a minimum of 20 repetitions per respective threat against a partner using both his left and right hands to hold the firearm.  In other words, you are defending against a minimum of 40 repetitions (20 from a right side threat and 20 from a left side threat). 
• Defend from a passive stance.
• Be sure, though, to keep in mind that 85% or more of the world’s population is right side dominant.  Therefore, it stands to reason that the majority of attacks will be launched with a right arm or leg.
• Practicing at least 10-15 minutes per technique is recommended (with, as noted above, a minimum of 20 repetitions per side).  Therefore, you should begin to both understand and embed approximately 4-6 techniques per practice hour.  (Note, though, for our group classes we generally teach 3-4 techniques per cumulative one hour lesson plan.)
• Observe and help your partner other analyze his/her movements.
• It may be helpful to film each other in action to further evaluate the fluidity and execution of each technique, if your timing is correct, if your footwork and fighting stance is solid, and how well you can adopt to slight angle changes and heights of various attacks.
• You may also wish to refer to drills, as applicable, in the book Krav Maga Weapon Defenses, Chapter 7.