Krav Maga Techniques
Krav Maga Techniques: Strikes, Releases and Defenses
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Krav Maga is built around a small number of responses that work while you are surprised, off balance and frightened. The techniques below are the ones taught in almost every syllabus, and each one lives or dies on whether you move at the same time as you defend rather than one after the other.
One cue and one common mistake each. This is a checklist for reviewing your own reps, not an instructional, and nothing here covers weapon disarms, which need a qualified instructor and a live partner. Your instructor decides the version you train.
Strikes
Straight punch
A direct punch from a neutral or fighting stance, thrown without a wind up.
Cue: Throw from wherever your hand already is, with your body weight behind it.
Common mistake: Loading the hand back first, which costs the half second the whole system is built around.
Palm heel and hammerfist
Open hand and bottom-of-fist strikes that are harder on the target than on your own hand.
Cue: Strike with the heel of the palm or the meat of the fist, wrist straight.
Common mistake: Bending the wrist on contact, which is how people break their own hand.
Elbow strikes
Horizontal, vertical and rear elbows used at close range where punches have no room.
Cue: Turn your body through the elbow instead of swinging the arm.
Common mistake: Reaching with the elbow, which loses the body weight and the target at once.
Front kick to the groin and knee strikes
Low line kicks and close range knees aimed at the fastest available target.
Cue: Drive the hips through the target and recover your base immediately.
Common mistake: Kicking high under pressure, which costs you balance for very little return.
Punch and kick defenses
Inside defense against a straight punch
A short redirect with the forearm from the centre line while moving off the line of attack.
Cue: Deflect and counter on the same beat, not in sequence.
Common mistake: Blocking first and then thinking about the counter, which gives them the second punch free.
360 defense against outside attacks
Eight forearm positions that intercept a hooking or swinging attack close to its origin.
Cue: Meet the attack with the forearm at 90 degrees, arm bone to arm bone.
Common mistake: Absorbing the strike near your own head instead of intercepting it out and away.
Kick defense and shin block
Lifting the shin or absorbing a low kick while staying in position to counter.
Cue: Lift the whole leg as one unit and keep your hands up.
Common mistake: Dropping the hands to check the kick, which trades a bruise for a concussion.
Bursting forward
Closing distance aggressively into an attacker rather than retreating in a straight line.
Cue: Move forward at an angle, striking as you go.
Common mistake: Backing up in a straight line, which keeps you in range of everything with none of your own weight behind it.
Chokes, holds and releases
Choke release from the front
Plucking the hands from your throat while striking and turning out of the line of force.
Cue: Tuck the chin, pluck at the thumbs, and strike while your hands are working.
Common mistake: Pulling at their wrists with both hands and no strikes, which turns it into a strength contest.
Choke release from behind
Turning into the attacker to relieve pressure on the throat, then countering.
Cue: Turn toward the elbow, not away from it.
Common mistake: Pulling forward, which tightens the choke and takes your balance with it.
Headlock release
Freeing your head from a side headlock by defending the neck and turning out.
Cue: Protect the airway first, then walk your hips out and around.
Common mistake: Standing upright and pushing, which keeps your head under their arm.
Bear hug release
Escaping a grab around the torso by dropping your base and creating space.
Cue: Drop your weight and get your hips back before you try to break the grip.
Common mistake: Trying to peel the arms while standing tall on your toes, when they already own your base.
Ground defense
Falling and getting up safely
Breakfalls and the tactical stand up used to return to your feet facing the threat.
Cue: Get up facing the threat, with one hand free.
Common mistake: Turning your back to stand, which is the worst moment you can offer anyone.
Kicks from the ground
Defensive kicks from your back or side to keep a standing attacker at distance.
Cue: Stay on your side with your hips loaded and kick the closest low target.
Common mistake: Lying flat on your back, which removes both the kick and your ability to move.
Mount and guard escapes
Basic grappling escapes adapted for strikes, aimed at getting up rather than sweeping for position.
Cue: Protect your head while you create the space, then stand.
Common mistake: Trying to win the grappling exchange instead of getting back to your feet.
Awareness and disengagement
Recognising a developing threat early and leaving before contact happens.
Cue: Distance and exits are techniques. Use them before anything on this page.
Common mistake: Treating self-defense as a fight to win rather than a situation to get out of.
FAQ
Krav Maga technique questions.
- Krav Maga teaches simple strikes such as straight punches, palm heels, elbows and low kicks, along with defenses against punches and kicks, releases from chokes, headlocks and bear hugs, and ground defense aimed at getting back to your feet. The syllabus is deliberately small so the responses work under stress.
- Krav Maga is good for self-defense because it trains a few gross-motor responses under pressure rather than a large technical catalogue, and because it treats awareness, distance and leaving as part of the system. It is most effective with regular live partner work, which is where most people fall short.
- Yes, mmaGPT reviews Krav Maga video and returns timestamped notes on each mistake plus a drill for it, usually in 30 to 45 seconds, from a clip filmed on your phone. It reads striking mechanics, posture and how you move off the line of attack, and it is a second set of eyes between classes rather than a replacement for a qualified instructor.
Get one clip checked.
Film a 20 to 60 second clip on your phone with your whole body in frame, upload it in the browser, and in about 30 to 45 seconds mmaGPT returns timestamped notes on what went wrong plus a drill to fix it. It is a second set of eyes between classes, not a replacement for your coach. First session free, no card needed.