Page 19 - Complete Krav maga : the ultimate guide to over 250 self-defense and combative techniques

An Approach Based on Principles

As we discussed earlier, the Krav Maga self-defense system is based on
principles. We do have specific techniques, of course, but students should never

mistake the technique for the absolute truth. When looking at the techniques in
this book, keep this in mind: The technique is the beginning of your
understanding of self-defense, not the end. For example, here you see a defense
against a bearhug. The defender creates leverage on the attacker’s neck by
reaching around with her far-side hand, catching his face and his nose, and

peeling or rolling his chin off her chest.

This is an excellent technique…but it is only an example of the principle. You
can perform a similar technique by using the near-side hand and digging/pushing
against the attacker’s nose and eyes. Is one technique better than the other? No!
In one situation the first may be better, in a second situation the second may give
better results. The point is that you must not mistake the technique for the

principle. The technique (as shown) is to reach around with your arm…but the
principle is to create leverage on the neck.