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Circular Power Strikes and Krav Maga
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
July 14, 2026, Israel
Most styles of so called "Krav Maga" have no real Krav Maga strikes, they use strikes from boxing, kickboxing, karate, but they really have nothing that can be called Krav Maga striking. There is nothing uniquely "Krav Maga" about their striking.
Why do I say this?
Well, first, what is Krav Maga? To some, and this is how I used to define it many years ago, Krav Maga is a "Greatest hits" collection, (literally - hits) from other styles, it has some Judo takedowns, it has some jujitsu joint locks, and it has some boxing strikes. Do a You Tube search for Krav Maga striking and you will see boxing. Some might add in a palm strike but that is where it ends, there is nothing that fits what I consider Krav Maga.
Why?
I define Krav Maga not as collection of techniques borrowed from other styles but as a unique approach that holds certain rules such as:
The techiques you choose to use are based on your - Ability, Purpose, Circumstance: Avoid techniques that rely on Speed, Strength, Precision.
Avoid techniques that require more than basic coordination, strength or stamina.
The perfect system for imperfect people.
A system that must be Easy to Learn, Easy to Apply and Easy to Remember.
That is Krav Maga to me, or that is IKI Krav Maga, our evolution of Krav Maga up to date. and no, not all Krav Maga systems are the same.
In our way of thinking - There must be One Thread that runs through all techniques, which makes all the techniques that much easier to apply.
The idea behind Krav Maga striking is the same as the idea behind all our defenses and all our strategies - Keep it simple, use Gross Motor Moves that employ a Large Surface Area rather than Fine Motor Skills that employ a very small surface area (two knuckles of the fist), use movement that are natural and instinctive, not requiring a great deal of thought under stress.
Boxing striking is not as simple as it looks, that is why Boxing is characterized as a sport, there are rules, weight classes and men and women should never fight in the same league. But Krav Maga is not a sport, and if you see "Krav Maga tournament", know this - it is NOT real true, Krav Maga.
Boxing involves Precision, Strength, and Timing, as well as Speed, that is pretty much the "Three Amigos" we avoid in IKI Krav Maga, (Strength, Speed, Precision), this is not good enough for most of us. So let us not think of the IKI approach.
We make use of the Forearm, the Palm, the back of the hand, the front of the hand, the side of the hand. Many of these same movements and tools are found in various other martial arts. We use the Circular Forearm movement that was once part of Female Bare-Knuckle Boxing in Georgian London. The forearm has a larger surface area, a larger striking area. For our purposes a smaller person can bring more of their body into play in support for these Forearm strikes. The Forearm strike is supported by more of the body than the fist.
What we use are circular movements, these have several advantages.
1. You did not to "re cock" the strike every time, i.e. you do not need to pull your arm back in order to strike again. It is a continuous motion, like a clock that keeps going, each movement is the trigger for the next movement. It is like a windmill that generates energy without using energy.
2. This continuous motion is less tiring that strikes that need to be "reloaded".
3. The movement is like a serpent; it is quick and deceptive.
4. The arm strikes coming and going, up and down, front and back. You can strike with the front, side, back of the hand and the Forearm.
5. Our Circular Motion techniques employ depth to generate power, not "reloading", thus we do not need to take our arms all the way back.
When I demonstrate this technique, I show how I involve my Total Body in each move. It is not just my arms, but my flow of movement, my entire body is in each strike, that is why a smaller person will be able to use this to repel a larger attacker. Note that I said, repel, not defeat, not win an MMA trophy, but repel. That is what Krav Maga is about; Repel the attacker and survive.
I cannot see a five-foot woman defeat a larger male in an official fight, but there have been isolated cases. Our goal is not the exceptional but the ordinary. There are Cross fit - MMA - female athletes in their prime who might be able to subdue a male, but that is not our goal. Our goal are ordinary people.
We take logical techniques and concepts that make use of your entire body, and - we develop an attitude of not being a victim. I recently read a story about a woman in Wirral, near Liverpool, tough working-class woman of 70+ who beat up a couple of thugs who tried to rob her while she was withdrawing money at the ATM. She smashed one guy's head into the ATM, and the others ran away in fear. That is attitude!! This is what we are after, a style that works for everyone, so that everyone may walk in peace and give their troubles some trouble!
Circular striking techniques; we did not invent the wheel, or the circle, but we can teach you how to use to defend yourself and protect yourself and your assets.
Stay Safe, Train Smart, Stay Alert.
Moshe Katz, 8th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
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