Each week MASTERCLASS gives you brief but key information on how to optimise a simple Krav Maga strike or technique.
In our two previous Masterclasses we covered how to fall backwards correctly and how to move and stand up efficiently from the floor.
This week’s class will cover how to defend yourself with kicks whilst in the defensive position on the ground.
Start all the kicks from the defensive position shown below.
Picture: Defensive position on the floor.
KICK TO THE KNEE
Extend the elevated foot (the one at a parallel angle to the floor, protecting your groin) straight forward and aim at the knee. The connection to the knee may vary according to your attacker’s position, either front or to the side. Your leg should remain in a 90° angle to the knee throughout, optimising your striking surface. Aim beyond the knee and fully extend your leg, by lifting up your pelvis as you strike. Recoil immediately back to the starting position. Breathe out as you kick.
Picture: Kick to the knee.
KICK TO THE GROIN
Extend the elevated foot (the one at a parallel angle to the floor, protecting your groin) upwards towards the attacker’s groin, as you change the toe position also upwards to fit the foot between the attacker’s upper legs. Aim beyond the groin and fully extend your leg, by lifting up your pelvis up from the floor as you strike. Recoil immediately back to the starting position. Breathe out as you kick.
Picture: Kick to the groin. (As shown, the kick can also be done with both legs as well, although one is adequate).
KICK TO THE TORSO - BOTH FEET
Lift and retract both legs by bringing your knees up towards your chest with the pelvis off the ground and only your upper back in contact with the floor. Explosively extend both legs together as you aim the feet together with toes facing straight upwards at the chest area of the attacker. Connect with flat feet. Aim beyond the chest and fully extend your legs by lifting up your pelvis up from the floor as you strike, leaving only the upper back or shoulder on the floor. Recoil immediately back to the starting position. Breathe out as you kick.
Picture: Kick to the torso area.
KICK TO THE HEAD - BOTH FEET (LEVITATION KICK).
This is a high level, more limited in application and more advanced kick to perform. The target would be the downward-looking face of an attacker directly above your body. Lift and retract both legs by bringing your knees high up towards your chest with the pelvis completely off the floor and only your upper back in contact with the ground, as if you’re rolling backwards. Cease the rolling movement when your recoiled feet are facing straight up and before you tip over. Explosively extend both legs together as you push off the ground with your upper back and aim the feet closely together with the soles facing straight upwards towards the head of the attacker. If you push sufficiently with your upper body you will briefly levitate from the floor by up to a foot (20-30cm or so). Recoil immediately and land back to the starting position as you drop back to the floor with your feet. Always breathe out as you kick to avoid being winded on your return landing. This is an impressive looking kick, but will be less applicable in most ground defensive situations compared to the other kicks.
Picture: Levitation kick to the head. (Not specifically filmed as part of our instructional videos, so picture is from one of our seminars).
After all kicks, land back in order to continue fighting, moving or standing up.
Picture: Standing up to face forward (see the previous Masterclass), but still able to drop to the defensive position on the floor ready to continue kicking.