Understanding Inside Defenses

Our most recent blog addressed Outside Defenses against strikes.  http://ikmfto.blogspot.ca/2014/11/understanding-outside-defenses.html

This article will focus on (surprise!)inside defenses.  Inside defenses involve redirecting strikes/grabs from an outside position to inside using your arms or legs.  Often, these are straight attacks such as straight stabs, punches, and kicks.  

Some examples:

• Inside Defense vs straight punch
• Inside Defense vs straight stab with knife (see pick below)
• Inside leg deflection vs straight kick. (see video below)

Here are some visual examples:

Tamir Gilad performing inside defense vs straight stab

Jean Paul Jauffret: Inside Defense vs Front High Kick

Here is video demonstrating inside reflexive defense vs low straight kick.

Stay safe,


Christopher Gagne

Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto

torontokrav@rogers.com

416-657-1028
Ikmftoronto.com

Understanding Outside Defenses

Krav Maga training includes various terms to help students understand techniques and tactics. Some topics, however, are inherently confusing.  One of these is differentiating between outside and inside defenses.  
 
Outside defenses involve your arms or legs moving outward away from the body to block or redirect an incoming strike/grab - armed or unarmed. 

Some examples:

• 360 defenses
• Defense Against Roundhouse Kick
• Defense vs Knife Slash
• Outside Defense vs Straight Punches

Here are some photos of outside defenses.  Our next article will focus on inside defenses.

360 vs ice pick attack from side
                                                      

360 defense vs ice pick from front

P2 diagonal/up (no.4) vs straight punch

Live in safety: Explaining our vision

“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.” Jack Welch

Why did you begin your Krav Maga business?  This is a frequent question people ask us and the answer does involve a history of meetings (chance and arranged), decisions and important people.  In essence, however, there is a vision. 

Every business begins with a vision.  Initially, it might be vague, an impulse, but there is a sense of "what can be" and what you can do to make it real.  These visions vary from improving lives through technology to providing a unique restaurant experience.  Our vision inspires how we teach self defense:

We stand for for every one's inherent right to live in safety.  We aspire to keep our families and communities safer by helping men, women, and children (regardless of age and physical strength) learn practical life-saving self-defense.

Concise and straightforward, much like Krav Maga itself.  Our vision doesn't require much elaboration but it is worthwhile to highlight some points.

First, we want you to be safe.  Of course, there are professionals (police, security guards), and family or friends who can protect us but we would like you to have the skills and knowledge to protect yourself.  The first step is developing awareness.  We help you to recognize threats and to make safe choices.  Avoiding confrontation is the best self defense.

Secondly,  you might be physically fit or unfit, young or old, coordinated or not....  It doesn't matter.  Again, we believe you have an inherent right to be safe - regardless, for example, of your physical abilities.  Krav Maga is a simple system, based on the body's natural reflexes.  You don't need to be "athletic" to learn. We will patiently improve your technical proficiency.

Lastly, we offer a trustful training environment promoting a safety-first atmosphere.  You are trusting us to train you and we want you to experience this in a place of mutual respect, integrity, and camaraderie.


As we grow, it is this vision that keeps us grounded and focused on why we are here.


Stay safe,


Christopher Gagne

Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto

torontokrav@rogers.com

416-657-1028
Ikmftoronto.com

September 27 Workshop: Defending in Close Quarters

Avoidance, we like to say, is the best self defense.  Sometimes, however, situations force us to be in physical contact with an aggressor. 

Consider the following scenarios:

• An elevator
• Home invasion
• Leaving/entering your vehicle
• On a subway/streetcar/bus
• A small room (e.g. a public bathroom)

This workshop will offer tips on avoiding and escaping danger but will focus on what to do if these options are not available.

Topics include:

• protecting your body
• close range striking - elbow, knees....
• how walls and other physical structures can hinder and benefit your safety
• escaping holds/grabs

This workshop is open to ages 16 and up.  Beginners welcome!


International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto
2156 Yonge St. (1 block south of Eglinton)
Saturday September 27th, 3-5pm
40/person

To register online via Paypal or credit card visit: http://www.ikmftoronto.com/prices.php

For more information please contact:

Christopher Gagne

Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto

torontokrav@rogers.com

416-657-1028
Ikmftoronto.com

Perseverance in Training

“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
― Confucius, Confucius: The Analects

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
― Confucius


To become proficient in anything requires sustained effort and focus.

It also involves working through various obstacles or challenges. Some examples:

• Perhaps you are not as athletically gifted as some of the other students. 
• You might have a busy life that only allows you to only train once a week.  
• There are certain techniques that you are struggling to understand and perform. (I always had problems with wrist releases.)
• You have a temporary or permanent disability (e.g. back problems) that can slow down or limit your training

Such factors can frustrate.  They can be more frustrating if you are comparing yourself to other students (or instructors) who have rapidly moved up the testing ranks.

We can’t always expect rapid, monumental progress in our training.  Besides the above-mentioned limitations, we simply find ourselves struggling with particular techniques, concepts, and exercises.

Persist.

Here are some suggestions to help you persevere:

Be a tortoise:  There will always be students who are more athletic and seem to perform techniques and exercises with annoying ease.  You might not be as gifted but persist over the long run and you will marvel at your progress.
Adjust Your Standards:  Monumental leaps in proficiency are not always forthcoming. Strive to improve a little every month, every week, every class, and every exercise…  Your sustained effort will reap benefits.
Don’t Compare:  There is always someone better.  Don’t torment yourself by comparing yourself to someone who is more skilled.  Focus on your own development.
Adapt Your Learning.  Your body is tired?  Watch some Krav Maga videos.  Read some blogs.😉 Stretch.  You have a leg injury?  Consider how you would defend yourself from a sitting position.  Adapt.
Don’t Forget the Fundamentals!  Continue to refine you basic strikes, releases, body defenses etc…  This will help you when you are learning more complex techniques.
Don't Binge. Train Consistently.  I have seen students who try to binge by showing up 4 times a week before a test vs those who show up consistently once or more week on a consistent basis.  The latter do better.

Persist with small steps and you will improve and become proficient.

Stay safe,


Christopher Gagne

Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto

torontokrav@rogers.com

416-657-1028
Ikmftoronto.com