Here’s an interesting video from Rodney King of Crazy Monkey Defense that ties into the shirt grab question that came up at the end of Tuesday night’s class:

Overall, I think the Crazy Monkey Defense stuff compliments the “fighting” portion of Krav pretty nicely. I like a lot of the concepts that I’ve seen online and even experimented with incorporating pieces into the last sparring rotation. While taking the opponent’s back as Rodney does in the video is not necessarily something encouraged in Krav Maga, the opening certainly is. Some compliance-type techniques (i.e. joint locks and pressure points) from styles like Kenpo and Modern Arnis Jujitsu, while effective in certain circumstances, require much more time to train; rely on fine motor movements that can degrade under stress; and often require both your hands, leaving you more vulnerable to subsequent attacks. Striking, however, has a less steep learning curve because it is more instinctive; relies on gross motor movements that are less affected by stress; and, if you’re hands always return to your fighting stance, offers a better degree of protection against a flailing opponent. (Keep in mind, though, that use of force issues are more likely to arise with strikes.)

This video demonstrates three key Krav Maga concepts that apply to nearly every self-defense scenario:

1. The “when” concept. If you can talk your way out of a scenario like this, by all means do so. If, however, you sense the shirt grab is just a precursor to greater violence, when is now.
2. See within the fight. Once you’ve made the decision to spring to action, don’t expect your opponent to stand there like a punching bag, and don’t get so tunnel-visioned with what you’re doing that you don’t register subsequent attacks (or attackers). Remember, it’s usually the one you don’t see that’ll knock you out.
3. Finish the fight. Once you’ve engaged, do not stop until A) you’ve created enough space to safely escape, or B) the threat has been neutralized.