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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Adapting to Real Life - 6 Tips to Becoming a More Versatile Defender

IKMF Director, Avi Moyal, Defends Against Knife Assault from Sitting Position 


Assaults are unpredictable.  They come at various times, from different types of people, posing varying degrees of danger, and can take many forms - grabs, shoves, stabs, punches, kicks.........

Accordingly, you have to develop the versatilty to recognize a problem and respond quickly.  Assailants can be cunning and will act when you are vulnerable.


Here are 6 tips to help you become a more versatile defender.

  1. Train In Different Settings:  It is unlikely that you will be attacked in a dojo, studio, or wherever you train.  Practice outside, on stairs, on various surfaces (cement, grass, gravel, snow, sand), in small spaces, large spaces.......   
  2. Practice Defending from Various Directions:  In reality there is the likelihood that your attacker won't approach from directly in front of you.  Learn to defend from all angles.  
  3. Standing, Sitting, Walking, Running, on the Ground......  Over the course of an average day you stand, sit, and walk.  Some people run - for fitness, or after the bus they are always trying to catch.  During assaults we might get knocked, pushed, or pulled to the ground.  
  4. Carrying Items:  Often we walk with coffee, water, mobile devices, backpacks, briefcases.....  Use props to mimic these situations(please don't throw hot coffee into the face of your training partner - ouch!). 
  5. Clothing:  From time to time practice in the clothes you wear everyday.  Can you kick in jeans?  How is your punching while you are wearing a heavy jacket.  Running in heels?.....
  6. Learn about real life assaults.  It is an unpleasant topic but it will give you some insight into how assailants behave.  

Consider the innumerable ways assaults take place and strive to mimic these situations.  Learn to adapt.  


Stay Safe,


Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga FederationToronto
torontokrav@rogers.com
416-657-1028

Ikmftoronto.com


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