How to Use Krav Maga Clinch Defense

Krav Maga is the latest trend in martial arts training and self defense. Krav Maga is a commando style martial arts that has been used to train the Israeli Army and elite fighting forces all over the world. In Krav Maga, the clinch defense is used to defend oneself in various fighting situations. Use the following guidelines to understand clinch fighting and what is termed as the clinch defense.

Instructions

1. Understand that Krav Maga follows a philosophy of three areas, being ethical, pragmatic and dynamic, relating to fighting and defending yourself. You are trained to "think" like a commando when you find yourself in a situation to fight or defend yourself. To protect yourself, you would strive to stay out of the kicking or punching range of an aggressor. However, when you cannot prevent the altercation and you are within a close proximity, you must defend yourself by moving into a clinch situation where you control the aggressor. You goal is to take away their ability to kick or punch.

2. Put your head smack into the aggressor's chest. This makes it difficult for the aggressor to punch at you as you have made their punching zone very limited.

3. Make tight fists with both of your hands and move them up to your forehead area. Press your firm fists against your own forehead, pushing your elbows forward to protect your face from any unexpected punches.

4. Use a strong effective leg kick as you move or press into your aggressor or opponent. You are putting them on the defensive by doing this.

5. Push your fisted hands in a sweeping style motion outward, like a breaststroke if you were swimming. The purpose of this motion is to put a block on the opponent's biceps. Next, you will catch or trap their arms by using your hands or forearms over theirs to hook their arms in the triceps area to put a control over their movements. Keep your head firmly against their chest the entire time you are doing this movement. You must be deliberate in your movements and maintain constant pressure as you go through the sequence of arm and fist movements.

6. Finish your clinch defense by using one arm to reach behind the opponent's back while you move into that side. Pin the "former aggressor," as you are now the aggressor, and continue to protect yourself, especially your face, by pushing your face into the biceps area of the arm you have pinned. In addition, you must tighten your thighs to press against your opponent's leg, the one that is closest to you. This allows you to control or limit their ability to attack or knee your groin area.

7. Secure the finish on your clinch defense or clinch hold by grabbing the opponent's clothing or belt as they are in a position of not being able to move.

Tips & Warnings

• Krav Maga style martial arts takes study and practice to understand and perform the various movements and defenses properly.