Protect Yo’ Neck: Urban Krav Maga Self-Defence Tips

Real men don’t start fights, but they do know how to open a can of whoop-ass on would-be attackers.

Goju Ryu karate expert Stewart McGill (left) and four-time World Brazilian jiu jitsu champion Leo Negao (right) are the pioneers of Urban Krav Maga – a fighting and self defence system that’s based around fending off the 10 most common street attacks. They are also all-round double-hard bastards. Here’s how you can follow in their self-defending footsteps…

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Stand Tall

Although you do get the odd psycho who’ll assault anyone, the vast majority of attackers are like predators in the wild – they pick on easy prey. The best way to stay off their hit list is to stay in shape, puff out your chest, walk tall and act confidently.

Get Back In Black

It sounds ridiculous, but there are ways to dress that give the impression you are not somebody to be fucked with. Studies show that the darker your clothing, the more it intimidates people. With this in mind, people in light clothing are more likely to be attacked than those dressed in black.

Aim for the really weak points

It’s best not to discuss specific pressure points, because every human is made differently. That said, if you are in a fight, there are places on the human body that are worth focussing on, because they tend to be weaker than others: the throat, the eyes and the philtrum, which is the groove on your top lip just under your nose.

Change The Subject

When someone attacks you, they have a script in their head that begins with something like, “What are you looking at, you prick?” If you respond in a normal way (eg, “Nothing”), it allows them to continue their script and means you’re one step closer to getting a fist in the face. But if you break their rhythm by changing the subject and talking about something like energy drinks, it distracts them and takes you one step further away from a concussion.

Open Your Hands

If you think MMA stars wear gloves to protect their opponent’s head, you’re wrong. They wear them to protect their hands, because striking someone in the face with your fist can really damage your knuckles. Never land a proper punch in a street fight scenario. Instead, get your fingers in your aggressor’s eyes and strike hard with the heel of your hand.

Land The First Blow

Karate instructors maintain that you never throw the first punch in karate. In life, that’s nonsense. A good, solid blow to the head can cause a lot of damage, so if you have good reason to think that someone’s going to attack you, take them out first. The law is on your side; it says that if you believe your life is in danger, you’re entitled to take action.

Don’t Go For The Goolies

We’re not saying ignore the shot to the nuts, just don’t rely on it to disable your attacker. There have been various surveys done on blows to the groin and, according to these studies, it can take about 11 seconds for the pain to get from the balls to the brain – and 11 seconds is more than enough time to do some serious damage in a fight.

Use Your Head

Most attacks or fights take place at a relatively close distance, and very few start with people touching gloves or circling each other exchanging blows. This can make it difficult to get a clean punch in – it’s better to use your body’s other weapons. Elbows are the most obvious choice and do work pretty well, but if you’re a similar height to your aggressor, you should go for a headbutt. Also, if you’re wearing shoes that have good grip, use your knee.

Step by step: disarming a knife attacker

Step one

Run, or give them what they want. If a guy has a blade, he has a major advantage, so never take him on unless you really have to, which means a life-or-death situation.

Step two

If you can’t escape and it’s life or death, you need to take control of the knife-wielding arm ASAP. Grab the wrist of the limb holding the knife with your opposite hand (so your left if the knife’s in his right).

Step three

Quickly shoot your other arm under the upper part of his knife-wielding arm. Pull the upper arm towards you and push the lower arm away, potentially breaking his arm/elbow.

Step four

All this will ensure he’s unable to inflict any damage with the knife. Now, fully incapacitate your aggressor by giving him a couple of hits with your head or knee.

Step by step: striking with your hand

Step one

Get into the correct stance. If you punch better with your right hand, put your left foot slightly forward and your right foot slightly back. If you punch better with your left, do the opposite. Also, bend your knees a little.

Step two

Use your non-dominant hand to get the guy to move towards your dominant hand (in other words, if you punch better with your right, jab with your left, to get the guy to move towards your right).

Step three

Don’t just swing with your arm. Russian studies have shown 70% of punching power comes from below the waist, so make sure you push off your back leg, build power with your hips and backside and put your whole bodyweight into it.

Step four

Strike him in the chin with the heel of your hand (a quick knee to the groin could also be handy here). Get back into position and ready to go again.

Stewart and Leo teach at the Central London School of Krav Maga. To check out their Urban Krav Maga DVDs, visit urbankravmaga.com

Photography: Marco Vittur.

From the September 2014 issue of FHM India.