With presence of mind and bare knuckles, you can block an assault or a hold up.
Krav Maga, a hand-to-hand martial art, is slowly gaining popularity in the Philippines. The combat techniques, based on street fighting, wrestling and judo, were developed for the Israeli Defense Forces during wartime. This martial art is based on the principle of attack, counteract and synchronized defensive and offensive moves to overpower the assailant. In other words, hurt your attacker and escape.
In an interview with Lifestyle, Krav Maga instructor and lawyer Jose Hipolito Jr. showed a series of swift movements that would unlock an attacker’s grip by throwing up the arm, coiling out of his grasp, punching the attacker’s face and immobilizing him.
“It’s all about correct technique. Avoid unnecessary movements. Go straight to the attack and go for the counterattack. You only have a split second to react,” he said.
The classes start with intense cardiovascular conditioning, stances, hand movements, grappling and drills to develop quick reflexes.
The techniques involve economy of movement using one’s hardest parts, such as the fists, elbows or shins against the enemies’ weakest spots: eyes, stomach, sternum and groin.
The workouts highlight hard-line defense movements such as deflecting knife attacks from different directions, sharp objects, guns, grasps and punches, breaking out of chokeholds and kicking the opponent’s most vulnerable spots.
“Kick the knee, groin or chest, depending on your distance,” said Hipolito.
The training is adapted to the daily life in Metro Manila, giving the students a practical understanding of how to handle treacherous situations. “We once rented a bus and simulated a holdup with a gun and at a knife point inside a public vehicle,” said Hipolito.
For another day
He pointed out that when it comes to a holdup, one must be discerning. “If thieves are only after your valuables, then give them. There is no point in risking your life. Save the fight for another day.”
However, when your life is at stake or if you are a woman and the robber orders you to come with him, then that’s the time for aggressive defense.
“We identify the threat and how to protect yourself based on that,” said Hipolito.
A person who is running amok will stab from the upper or lower hand. A straight stab is deliberate. Hence, there are tactics in preventing these dangerous moves. “If the knife is close to your neck, hit your opponent’s groin, push the knife away from you and punch the attacker’s chin,” he said.
“The opponent wobbles after the counterattacks. That’s when I push the knife away from me.”
Attacks at gunpoint also require outsmarting the attacker. “In a knife scenario, you have to control the attacker’s wrist which holds the knife. In a gun scenario, I learn to disarm my opponent. Control the barrel of the gun that is pointed to you,” said Hipolito.
Some classes use real guns with live bullets. Students learn how to point the muzzle away from them. “People don’t know that if you get hold of the barrel of the gun and the person inadvertently squeezes the barrel, your hand will be burned from the explosion. It’s not as painful as a burn from candle wax.”
Women comprise most of the classes. To recreate a real-life situation, the male classmates pose as attackers. Both parties are advised to wear a crotch guard for protection.
His advice to women who are alone and are being followed by a stranger: “Be strong and command him to back off. If he still follows you, kick him in the groin. If you can’t see his groin, kick his shin. If he stoops, kick his face or neck for a knockout.”
Hipolito added that women should never play tug-of-war when their purses were being snatched. “The male will overpower the female. Kick the groin or use your knee to kick. Punch him and run.”
Krav Maga is not difficult to learn, since the techniques are based on natural movements and are instinctual responses.
“The challenge is when students are timid. We build their confidence,” he said.
It takes about three months of twice- or thrice-a-week training to learn this art of self-defense.
“Krav Maga is a journey, not a destination. You need to keep updating because the techniques keep evolving with the times and the changing behaviors of the attackers,” he said. —CONTRIBUTED
Krav Maga is taught at Anytime Fitness Bel-Air at 120 Jupiter, Makati. Call 7762838. Visit www.kravmaga-ikmf.ph and its Facebook account https://www.facebook.com/IKMF.Philippines