List of Krav Maga Techniques

This section provides details for many of the techniques used in Krav Maga. This list includes martial arts kicks, punches & strikes, grappling & ground fighting and assorted other self-defense techniques.

Click on the techniques below for instructions and/or videos. These pages are meant to reinforce and supplement what you have learned in your Krav Maga classes. To properly understand these techniques, you need to learn them from a Krav Maga instructor who can give an in-depth explanation of the technique, correct your mistakes and detail how the technique should be utilized. Moreover, be aware that there are a variety of Krav Maga schools and associations so you might learn variations to these techniques.

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Krav Maga Stances

• Neutral Stance - Krav Maga - Also known as Passive Stance.
• Fighting Stance - Krav Maga

Krav Maga Punches & Strikes

• Cross Body Punch - Krav Maga - Also known as a Rear Hand Punch or Reverse Punch.
• Elbow Strike - Krav Maga - Instructions for elbow strikes 1-7.
• Eye Strike - Krav Maga
• Hammer Fist - Krav Maga
• Headbutt - Krav Maga
• Hook Punch - Krav Maga
• Inside Chop - Krav Maga - Also known as a Knife Hand Strike.
• Mouth of Hand - Krav Maga - Mouth of Hand Punch or Strike
• Outside Chop - Krav Maga
• Palm Heel Strike - Krav Maga
• Straight Punch - Krav Maga
• Uppercut Punch - Krav Maga
• To see how punches & strikes are done by other martial arts, visit the main Punches & Strikes section.

Defenses Against Punches

• Defense Against Hook Punch - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Straight Punch - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Uppercut Punch - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Punches When Mounted - Krav Maga - Defense Against Punches When An Attacker Is On Top Of You
• 360 Defense - Krav Maga
• How To Counter An Elbow Strike

Krav Maga Kicking Techniques

• Axe Kick - Krav Maga
• Back Kick - Krav Maga
• Front Kick - Krav Maga - Hit target with your instep or shin
  1. Advancing Front Kick - Krav Maga - Also known as Front Kick with Advance.
• Vertical Front Kick - Krav Maga - Hit target with the ball of your foot
• Heel Kick - Krav Maga - Also known as a hook kick.
• Round Kick - Krav Maga
• Side Kick - Krav Maga
• Slap Kick - Krav Maga - Also known as a crescent kick.
• Spinning Heel Kick - Krav Maga
• Spinning Outside Slap Kick - Krav Maga - Also known as a spinning crescent kick.
• Leg Sweep - Krav Maga
• Sweep With Forward Kick - Krav Maga
• Sweep With Heel Kick - Krav Maga
• Sweep with Round Kick - Krav Maga
• Switch Kicks - Krav Maga
• Uppercut Back Kick - Krav Maga
• To see how these kicks are done by other martial arts styles, visit the main Kicking Techniques section.

Defenses Against Kicks

• Defense Against A Front Kick - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Round Kick - Krav Maga
• Defense Against High Round Kicks - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Low Round Kick - Krav Maga - This page focuses on how to use your shin to protect against low kicks.
• Defense Against Side Kick - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Spinning Heel Kick - Krav Maga

Krav Maga Knee Techniques

• Knee Strike (Round or Horizontal) - Krav Maga
• Knee Strike (Vertical) - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knee Strike - Krav Maga
• To see a variety of knee strikes used by other martial arts, visit the main Knee Strikes section.

How To Fall If Knocked To The Ground

• Back Fall Break - Krav Maga
• Side Fall Break - Krav Maga
• Backward Roll - Krav Maga
• Forward Roll - Krav Maga

Krav Maga Groundwork & Grappling Techniques

• Arm Bar From Guard - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Full Nelson - Krav Maga
• Escape From A Mounted Choke - Krav Maga
• Escape From Mount - Krav Maga
• Escape From Mount Hands Pinned - Krav Maga (or Defense Against Being Straddled With Wrists Pinned) - This is a good technique for women's self-defense.
• Escape From Guard - Krav Maga
• Guard Reversal - Krav Maga
• Guillotine Choke - Krav Maga
• Guillotine Choke Escapes - Krav Maga
• Headlock From Behind On The Ground - Krav Maga
• Escape Headlock On The Ground - Krav Maga
• Side Mount Escapes - Krav Maga
• How To Bridge - Krav Maga - The bridging technique is used in order to dislodge an opponent.
• Hip Throw - Krav Maga
• Sacrifice Throw - Krav Maga
• Shoulder Throw - Krav Maga
• Single Leg Takedown - Krav Maga
• Double Leg Takedown - Krav Maga
• Triangle Choke - Krav Maga
• Triangle Choke Escapes - Krav Maga
• For additional grappling techniques and escapes, visit the main Grappling section.

Krav Maga Ground Fighting Techniques

• Ground Defensive Positions - Krav Maga - How to position yourself if you have been knocked to the ground.
• How To Get Back Up From The Ground - Krav Maga
• Front Kick From The Ground - Krav Maga
• Round Kick From The Ground - Krav Maga
• Side Kick From The Ground - Krav Maga
• Also learn grappling techniques in order to succeed in a ground fight.

Krav Maga Defenses Against Weapons

• Defense Against A Gun To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To The Side - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Gun To Back While Mounted - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife Downward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife Straight Stab - Krav Maga - Defense against a straight thrust.
• Defense Against A Knife Upward Stab - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Rear - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat - Krav Maga - Knife to the neck from the front.
• Defense Against A Knife To The Throat From Rear - Krav Maga] - Knife to the neck from the rear (attacker is behind you).
• Defense Against A Rifle - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Stick Or Bat - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Low Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your knees or legs with a stick or club.
• Defense Against A High Stick Strike - Krav Maga - This is a defense against an attacker who is trying to strike your head or upper body with a stick or club.

Defenses Against Bear Hugs

• Defense Against A Bear Hug From Behind With Arms Free - Krav Maga - Or Defense Against A Rear Bear Hug With Arms Free (Not Trapped In The Bear Hug).
• Defense Against Bear Hug From Behind With Arms Caught - Krav Maga - How To Deal With A Bear Hug If Your Arms Are Trapped.
• Defense Against A Bear Hug From The Front - Krav Maga - Or Defense Against A Front Bear Hug
• Defense against a Rear Bear Hug If Picked Up Off Ground

Defenses Against Chokes

• Defense Against A Choke From Behind - Krav Maga - Or Defense Against A Rear Choke
• Defense Against A Choke From Behind Against Wall - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Choke From Behind With A Push - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Choke From The Front - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Choke From The Front Against Wall - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Choke From The Front With A Push - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Choke From The Side - Krav Maga
• Defense Against A Choke With Attacker In Mount - Krav Maga - Or Escape From A Choke When An Attacker Is On Top Of You

Defenses Against Headlocks

• Escape From A Full Nelson - Krav Maga
• Escape From A Rear Headlock - Krav Maga (Standing Headlock) - Or Defense Against A Headlock From Behind
• Escape From A Side Headlock - Krav Maga (Standing Headlock) - Or Defense Against A Headlock From The Side

Defenses Against Wrist Grabs

• Opposite Side Wrist Release - Krav Maga
• Same Side Wrist Release - Krav Maga
• Wrist Release When Held By Two Hands - Krav Maga - How to escape an opponent who has grabbed your wrist with his two hands.
• Escape When Both Wrists Are Held - Krav Maga - Double wrist escape or How to escape an opponent who has grabbed both of your wrists.

Defenses Against Hair Grabs

• Escape From A Front Hair Grab - Krav Maga
• Escape From A Side Hair Grab - Krav Maga
• Escape From A Rear Hair Grab - Krav Maga

Defenses Against Other Grabs

• Escape From A Foot Grab - Krav Maga

Defenses Against Carjackings, Hostage Situations, etc.

• Defense Against Carjacking - Krav Maga
• Defense Against Hostage Situations - Krav Maga - When grabbed by an assailant armed with a gun.

Defenses Against Multiple Opponents

• Drill for Multiple Opponents Training