International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), Practitioner 1 Overview

Practitioner 1 (P1) can be divided into categories or as IKMF like to call them- families. Here is an overview.

Stances.  

These cover the various standing positions from where we might have to defend ourselves. Passive/not ready, semi-passive/ ready but not physically engaged, and fighting/outlet stance.

Strikes:

Upper Body Strikes: How to strike with hands (palms, fists) and elbows in various directions, angles, and distances.

Lower Body Strikes. Using knees and kicks to protect yourself.

Striking All Directions: This allows you to demonstrate that you know how and when to use P1 strikes. 

Hand Defenses,  Outside and Inside Defenses

360 Knife Defence: Here we are looking at close range circular attacks-ice pick stab, upward stab

Punch Defense: This introduces the inside defense (contrast with 360 outside defense) vs straight punch. 

Preventing and Escaping Chokes

This begins with prevention using kicks (long distance) or strikes and deflections (medium distance).  Next, are chokes from the front, side, and back. Pluck, strike, escape! 

Depending on the Ground

Ground techniques: 3 ways of getting up according to distance- forward (close), backward (medium to far), sprint (far or very far.)  Also, escaping side choke on the ground.

Using Common Objects:

Krav Maga involves learning how to use everyday objects to protect yourself.  For P1, shield-like objects (chair, backpack, chair, and yes, shield).

Falls, Rolls: 

P1 introduces front break fall against a wall.   The principles here offer a foundation for break falls and rolls on the ground – e.g. protecting the head etc…

Multiple Attackers:   
The P1 test ends with the "zombie game" where numerous people, with hands extended (hence zombie), approach one defender who needs to stay to the outside.  Never go in the middle! 

Striking Fundamentals.

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We prefer not to engage with an assailant.   Avoidance is the best self-defense. There are situations, however, when you must physically protect yourself and to protect yourself you need to strike effectively.  Strikes can be used to create distance, to distract or disable an attacker, to help you escape a hold or choke, to defend against a weapon assault....

Here are some basic striking principles.

Strike a vulnerable area:  For an overview of vulnerable areas to strike go to:  

http://ikmfto.blogspot.ca/2014/12/striking-vulnerable-points-to-overcome.html

Distance: Why would you take a step to elbow when you can punch?  After all, our hands move 
faster than our bodies.  Learn what striking tools you can use for various distances. For an overview 
of striking tools go to: http://ikmfto.blogspot.ca/2013/02/effective-striking-using-right-tools.html

Direction: If for example, you need to protect yourself from an assault from the side, it

makes little sense to turn to the attacker then punch.  Strike with the closest striking tool. If they are
very close, perhaps a sideways elbow.  A little further, a hammer strike... Further yet, a sidekick.  

Angle: Horizontal, vertical, diagonal...whatever offers an effective strike and a better chance to 
protect yourself. 

Recoil:  Don't let your hand linger.  You need to defend and might need to continue to strike.  

Hard or soft striking tool?. A finger strike to the eyes or throat make sense but to the
 head or ribs? Nope.  A palm strike would be a better choice.

Finger strike to the eyes.

Hands Up!:  Keeping your hands up allow you the better attack and better defend.