Section · 10 articles
Principles
Retzev, simultaneous defense and attack, neutralize the threat — the rules that govern every technique.
Retzev — Continuous Combat Motion
The doctrine that once you start, you don't stop. Retzev is the spine of Krav Maga's approach to fighting.
Simultaneous Defense and Attack
Block first, then hit, is one tempo. Block and hit in the same motion is half a tempo. That half-tempo wins fights.
Neutralize the Threat — End the Engagement
Krav Maga doesn't score points or submit opponents. The goal is to end the threat — and end it definitively — then leave.
Target Vulnerable Areas
Eyes, throat, groin, knees, fingers, ears. Krav Maga's target priorities don't change because they're rude — they change because they work.
Verbal De-Escalation — The Fight You Win Without Fighting
The best self-defense outcome is the engagement that never starts. Krav Maga's pre-fight doctrine is built around tools to keep it there.
Situational Awareness — Cooper's Colour Code
The mental-state framework that lets you notice trouble before it notices you — borrowed from Jeff Cooper and used in every serious self-defense doctrine.
Distance Management — The Three Ranges
Every engagement happens at one of three distances. Knowing which one you're in tells you which tools work.
Stress, Fear, and Breathing Under Load
Adrenaline degrades fine-motor skill, tunnel-vision compresses your field, and the freeze response is a real physiological event. Krav Maga's stress doctrine is built around managing all three.
The 3-Second Rule
Most civilian engagements end in roughly three seconds. Krav Maga's technique selection, training methodology, and grading standards all assume this timeline.
Use Whatever Is Available
A belt, a chair, a coat, a bottle, a pen, a phone. Krav Maga treats the environment as part of your toolkit.