USE OF THE BATON AS
A TOOL Of DEFENSE AND ATTACK
The use of the baton in self- defense began before the 1940s, mostly by defense groups fighting for the independence of the state of Israel. At the time, this secret specific set of techniques using the baton was popularly known as “Kapap”. The use of firearms was prohibited by the British mandate that dominated the region during that period, which made the baton an important tool of defense and attack .
Facing this situation, a specific branch for the use of the baton was created in Krav Maga: attack and defense techniques for all circumstances; defenses and unarmed attacks against baton; baton against baton; baton against knife, among others. According to Krav Maga’s view, the baton acts as a rigid extension of the arm, which boosts defenses and attacks,and increases the reach of the user.
Even today, the baton is efficient in many situations in our daily lives. Its use still intimidates aggressors because it presents the image of strength and power in the hands of the user.
KNIFE FIGHTING
The knife-fighting techniques were elaborated by Imi, following the same basis of the whole philosophy of Krav Maga, and were created for exclusive and specific use in military situations. Its efficiency was proven in the 1948 War of Independence of the State of Israel, and in all the wars and special operations carried out by the elite groups of the Israeli military. These techniques are restricted to the special groups of the Israeli military elite, and very few people, even in Israel, had the honor to know them, an absolute and irreducible condition to this day.
The soldier learns where or not to hit the opponent’s body and which one is the most effective way to do this. The knife and its footprint differ for each person and kind of work; and the techniques are specific to each situation, allowing the soldier to choose the quickest and most effective way for any “problem” to be eliminated.
THREATS WITH FIREARMS
The threat with firearms, a pistol, revolver or even a rifle, is a common situation, since the 70’s.
In this kind of situation, we should remember that, with just a short finger movement, the first shot is fired. Therefore, the reaction against the firearm must be well calculated and executed quickly and safely. These reactions involve two main aspects: body deviation, deviation of the weapon and its control; attacks and disarmament of the aggressor.