How to Learn the Rules of Krav Maga

Follow the rule that there are no rules. The first rule of krav maga is the somewhat paradoxical rule that there are no rules. Since krav maga is a defensive system developed for use on the street or in combat, and not in competition, it rejects the notion of a "fair fight." Instead, krav maga teaches that all moves that increase your chances of defending yourself should be used.

Use your reflexes. One of the major "rules," or guiding principles, of krav maga is the notion that your reflexes should be used to your advantage. This notion has percolated into the mainstream of self-defense systems. The idea is that things like flinching or raising your hands when you think you'll be attacked should be extended into blocking and counter attacking. So, instead of fighting your reflexes, start learning to use them.

Make defense into offense. Krav maga affirms the basic principle that you cannot end a fight if you are perpetually fighting defensively. As such, one of the practical rules of the system is to convert any defensive move into an offensive one as quickly as possible. Use moves that simultaneously block and attack to implement this important krav maga principle.

Fight intelligently. When using the krav maga self-defense system you need to use all your knowledge and tools at your disposal. For instance, striking an assailant at the neck, joints or other weak points is more effective than striking at big muscles or fleshy parts of the body. Using any tool or object around you as a weapon is a similar principle designed to end a fight as quickly as possible.