Fore more details about the MasterClass and to book your space click this link MASTERCLASS INFO

I would define a vulnerable part of the body as somewhere that has high probability of changing the mindset of an attacker from one of aggression to self preservation through experiencing a high level of pain, loss of balance, disturbance of vision or breathing.

To all Instructors, if you see your trainees counter-attacking as described above, I would imagine that there is a probable chance that you do this yourself! Sorry to challenge the ego, but people learn by what they see, hear and then practice!

This blog will continue to discuss counter attacking, most notably why some who train in, or teach, Krav Maga struggle to deliver effective and proficient counter attacks.

In my view there are a number of reasons why people struggle with counter-attacking and the two most prominent are as follows:

1. They are not investing the time to train their individual fighting ‘skills’ to a standard that they become relatively comfortable and natural to perform.

2. They are counter-attacking without engaging the brain.  They are simply putting their limbs/joints through a range of motion without due consideration for achieving speed, power and accuracy and are not training the mind.

A greater insight into these common problems could be provided by discussing a simply analogy, namely that of pistol shooting.   If you had to fire a pistol at a target and needed to hit a specific area on the target would you fire blindly and hope? I would suggest that you would fine tune your aim through concentration and practice, as well as training with the pistol constantly so that the movements associated with its use felt as natural as possible!

Investing Time

Effective counter-attacker is developed through teaching the body to perform each attacking skill as efficiently and technically correct as possible, and learning to align that skill with the most appropriate vulnerable area of your attacker’s body based on the distance, time, availability and overall position of the given vulnerable point.

Ineffective counter-attacking is often the result of ‘running before you can walk’.  In the early stages of training start working with attacking skills relevant to your ability, size, strength, and physical condition. Begin with those that work in a linear direction (straight punches, palms, hammer fist, elbow, straight kick, knee), becoming very proficient at these before attempting more complex movements.

Initially, train the skills that would be useful for you tomorrow should a conflict situation occur.  When you begin to feel that these skills take less effort to carry out and are becoming more effective, start to progress to more complex movements.

Training the Mind

A good way to train the mind to improve counter attacking is through the use of the Krav Maga training exercise known as the ‘marking game’.   This is whereby you are presented with a static human figure and continue to practice to send various counter attacks to vulnerable points of the body over and over again, in various combinations, from different angles.  Practice actively commentating to yourself where you are delivering your counter attacks and with what part of your body, as an example ‘straight kick to the groin, palm to the jaw’.

Actively train the mind to realise what counter-attacks you are delivering and if they were technically correct and accurate.  Once this becomes less difficult, progress on to a moving target due to the fact that a conflict situation is unlikely to remain static for any length of time.

Remember that if you ever have to justify your actions in self defence to the authorities, then you must be able to recall what you did, and why you didn’t do something else, so being able to accurately recall any self defence action you carried out is extremely important.  I will cover self defence and the use of force in a future blog.

Conclusion

To conclude, being able to release yourself from a dangerous hold or grab or deflect an attack with a weapon is no use whatsoever if you are unable to counter-attack effectively to make your assailant unwilling or unable to continue.

Avoid living in the belief that because you touch the body of your training partner/attacker that this dictates effectiveness!

Invest time to train your counter-attacks, start with what you are initially physically capable of doing and become proficient. Then begin to challenge the body with more dynamic movements that require further training with flexibility, strength, balance and mobility whilst having a clear understanding of exactly what you are doing at all times.

See you all soon.

Jon Bullock

Date:        Saturday 24th September

Time:       12.00 – 15.30

Location:  Battersea, London

Venue:

Latchmere Leisure Centre
Burns Road,
Battersea,
Greater London,
SW11 5AD

For a map please click this link Krav Maga Pre Grading Venue London

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused however, the decision to move the venue was based on providing the best experience for everybody attending.

We look forward to seeing you there!