How to Use Krav Maga Striking Techniques

Krav maga employs a range of deadly strikes that make use of the elbow, knee, fist, palm of the hand, head and feet. These strikes form the basis of krav maga's striking technique. This striking technique is used as an aggressive form of defense whereby the strike is quickly thrown before an opponent can strike or return to a guarded position. Follow these steps to use krav maga striking techniques.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use the elbow. The elbow is a sharp, strong part of the body that leverages your body weight through movement in your shoulders and hips. Use the elbow strikes in close-quarter fighting situations. Strike with a clenched fist or with your hand in a solid blade formation. As you strike, keep your non-striking hand guarded and turn your shoulder and hips into the strike by pivoting on your back foot so that your body drives the force of your elbow.

    • 2

      Make use of the straight punch. You can execute a straight punch with a closed fist or with the heel of your palm. Either way, to properly execute the straight punch, keep your shoulders slightly hunched, your head down and your fists up to guard your head. Throw the punch with your leading hand, keeping your fist vertically straight. Just before contact, clench the fist tightly and make sure to keep the other hand in a half guard position.

    • 3

      Use the vertical front kick. The vertical kick is the most basic version of krav maga kick strikes. The vertical front kick allow you to either defensively or offensively strike with a kick straight out in front of you. For the offensive version, thrust forward with your toe, using the movement of your hip to add force to the kick. The defensive kick focuses on the heel and makes contact with the entire foot to stop your opponent from advancing towards you.

    • 4

      Try the round kick. The round kick is an important part of krav maga kicking technique. Begin in the usual krav maga stance. Bring your back leg forward and raise your knee to begin the kick. Once your knee is raised at a 90-degree angle to your body, rotate by pivoting on your base leg and kicking with the top of your foot or shin to your opponents knee. The round kick can easily break the knee and quickly end the fight.