I missed class on Monday night, so I knew I had to come in tonight, even if I took it easy. Since I’m trying to prepare for the test in December, I’ve gotta step it up.

It seems like there’s a lot to defending a choke from behind. When someone puts their hands around your throat, you have to reach behind your head (hopefully clawing your assailant in the process) and pluck down on the weakest part of their grip. This happens all while stepping to the side. With the force of the pluck behind your swinging hand, you slap their groin, bring your elbow up to hit them in the jaw, and then turn around to face them. Finally, go crazy and let ‘em have it!

This defense is really awkward to practice, because you’re taught to throw your hands up behind your head and pluck down in a quick, solid movement. If you’re not careful, you could easily poke out your partner’s eye!

Safety is the most important thing in Krav Maga. Instructors want you to learn defenses to as close of a real life situation as they can present you, but that doesn’t mean you should harm your partner in the process. So, although I worked really hard at it, I’m not sure if I “get it” yet. I’ll have to sleep on it and try practicing on Chris tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll love to hear that…

On the plus side, my back didn’t hurt at all the whole night! We’ll see how it feels tomorrow though!