The Biggest Problem With Krav Maga Disarms 

You can go follow Aaron at instagram.com/jannettiaaron/ You can follow the guy who made our training weapons at instagram.com/clantoncombatives/

I had to disarm someone with a gun once using the krav maga technique. He beat the ever-loving sh!t out of me with his head and free arm. I did get it away but it went off a couple of times right next to my chest. After I got it I managed to get away and run like crazy. It might have been because I broke his finger. Don't know, don't care. I'm alive if not a little traumatized. Would I suggest it? HELL NO! I walked away with more bruises and bumps than I have had in my life. That and PTSD. Still I made it through so that's something...

We need a "How to eat a hamburger" with Mike now, he appears to know a new fast food skill

As a Krav Maga instructor....you earned that like within the first minute. That demo was so great xD

I’m a Krav Maga Instructor and I hate teaching disarms. Most of it is theoretical and we don’t have anyone that’s lived to say any technique worked. KMMA and KMWW have essentially turned this into katas, false hope, and BS. The best way to teach this is to teach aggression. The student has to understand that you have to become the most aggressive, evil SOB in the world, at that moment, to make the technique work. Your technique may absolutely suck, but aggression can make up for that. Aggression is really too mild a word for how barbaric you have to become in that moment to win the fight. If you have the mentality of “surviving” the fight- you’re dead. Victory at all costs is what you should striving for. If you hit them with the gun you swing it like you’re trying to bury it in their skull. Aggression is the element nearly all Krav schools neglect and aggression wasn’t even talked about in this video.

I was an unarmed security guard at a unnamed shopping area about a decade ago. I carried a couple pocket knives even though I wasn’t supposed to. A tiny can of pepper spray that worked occasionally. I had a flex baton and a two AA mini mag light. A guy tried to rob a “women’s undergarments” store that his ex girlfriend was working at. He had a 6 inch barrel six shot 357 magnum pointed at his “twig and berries” in his sweatpants. I was behind him and he did not know I was there. I threw my Mag light onto the counter next to him so he turned and looked at it. Cracked him in the back of the head with the flex baton. And managed to wrestle the gun away. I cracked him with the butt of the revolver. And stepped back to “ create distance” and see if it was loaded, because “now I had superior fire power.” While I was checking the cylinder. He produced a snubnose 38 five shot. And pulled the trigger on me five times. It was not loaded. I then held him on the ground with the “superior fire power”. With piss running down my leg. Until the big boys got there. Shit happens.

The disarm technique this guy uses is different to the one taught in the London Krav club I trained at. Perhaps ours was adapted to the assumption the perpetrator was steaming drunk and shouting, ‘You wot, mate’ or ‘woz you lookin’ at me bird?’ and therefore easier to take down.

"Little Krav Maga feet" best Icy Mike line I have ever heard😂

Tuesday I will start my first muay thai class. I was scared to go but thanks to you and your videos I learned some basics(the jab and cross exercise was really helpful) and gain some confidence. Thank you mike. Love from an Italian boy

I think the biggest issue I have with Krav Maga is that a LOT of gyms teach you the 1-2-3-4-5-6 step approach. They don't teach you what you should do if step 3 doesn't work, or if you fuck up step 2 or if your opponent doesn't let you do step 5, etc.

Whenever Mike says “you wanna hear a story?” My heart rate goes up

The hitting after the disarm also plays an important part in the psicological aspect. Is being the aggressor instead of the victim and putting the assailant in the victim roll. If you take the gun away and instantly try to create distance the attacker will keep his attack and rush you. If you decide to take action against an armed attacker you shouldn’t be thinking defensively. You should be trying to KILL the guy. I think this mindset part was left out in the análisis. Love your videos, great job

I was taught by an ex special forces person to stand in a bladed stance and hold the gun in the back hand with the other hand out in front - never to have the gun as the closest thing to the opponent.

I don't think I learned anything but you guys are entertaining together . Good video

The "uh oh" face is utterly terrifying. Reminds of the look on the doctor's face after he said he could maybe persuade my badly healed broken hand into position until it loudly cracked. The pain nearly made me pass out but wondering if the elderly doctor was going to have a stroke was the scariest part

This is a really good collaboration and what this channel is really the best at. The real problem with Krav Maga is that it (when I dipped my toe in at least) doesn't train against resistance. It was essentially "self-defense" like we'd do in traditional martial arts. As a tangent, does anyone reading in the comments remember "Shock Knives"? They allow you to adjust the voltage and back in the day, I thought they'd take off as a training tool. I guess they didn't. I would *love* to see a video from this channel about them! Anyone else with me?

you guys are fracking amazing and hilarious. Thank you for sharing. I am a self-defense instructor, sharing totally the same concerns, and refused to teach the " striking with the gun thing " as a systematic response every time you decide to react toward a threat with a gun. But...it is an option. We are faced with a problem when it s about knife or gun " counter-measures" . Yes, as instructors, we are trained, and often in multi-disciplines, including shooting. We still train hard every day. But when it s about your students, you know they won't be there for years. Should you show them the very low chance of success technique or should you let them figure it out by themselves (which they probably won't) / or by someone with fewer skills than you? Personally the more I know about knives and guns the more it terrifies me. But I also feel I have a responsibility toward my students. I decided to share what I know. In the best manner, I could. Even if the chances they fully deeply understand the techniques and their risks are not certain. I just remain honest about it. Fantastic video thank you guys, you pumped my mood!

Good job Mike. U always keep it fun mike. I think that's one of the reasons to your success keep up the good work bro I hope you never stop

This is so good. In my training we practice running away, several jumps away with the gun. And an action loading a round into the chamber. One of the black belts I trained with actually got into a situation. A gun pulled on him. He started the disarm, he didn't follow through. It became basically 2 guys trying to not let the other have the gun. He believes that he probably could have taken it. But when a bullet can actually fire into your body the calculation becomes different. It was a stalemate. But the fact is, the is form, and there is application. He reacted, no one got shot. His training may have saved his life also maybe the criminal.

I just changed my occupation I'm a roughneck and a drilling company now we drill all over the US if I ever get sent out to your part of the woods I definitely stop in for some lessons

Man , I just found this channel and I've learned more in the first 2 minutes than a 20 minute vid , new sub my friend.

I've practiced knife disarms with wooden knives, and I can see why all these disarm techniques are problematic. Some techniques act like the attacker has one arm. Or like you can disarm someone without needing a weapon yourself. When we do our disarms, we're always using the weapon. Even with a stick, it's better to disarm the person with a weapon yourself, because reaching for the weapon is a really dumb idea.

The Dynamic application of an untrained but justifiable technique is essential to be prepared for! Never limit yourself and always examine what happened and what you did to learn a lesson after every encounter. Hate to use "always" and "never" but we have to learn from ourselves and others ..

I like this format where you stay on topic but diverge of subject. it makes it sound like your not just repeating the same thing. thank you.

I love the editing during the intro, great sound fx haha

F- I just love this channel for so many reasons. Thank you for this public service!!

I'm going to be annoying and pedantic for a second... What you did in your cop story was a muzzle strike, which I would argue is different than pistol whipping because the strike comes while the gun is still being held in the shooting grip in a way that maintains coverage of the target with the gun's primary function (ie, shooting). A muzzle strike comes out of gun handling fundamentals and becomes a point blank headshot very easily if it comes to that. As you showed, pistol whipping happens with the gun in whatever grip you happen to have it in and you're hitting in whatever motion -- the gun is essentially just a blunt object the same as whatever else you might pick up. I'd argue there's a lot more utility in teaching muzzle strikes than pistol whipping.

Love the term “Pistol Whipped”!

Excellent observations.

Gun disarms with paintball pistols would be a fun video!

Answered a lot of questions. Thanks!

really good video, and the intro really made me laugh. Even though I teach krav maga myself, I tend to try to stay away from weapon disarm. To me, teaching weapon disarm in krav maga it's a little bit like teaching board breaking in karate. With the exception that teaching someone weapon disarm may actually get them killed.

Oh the flinch you made when you booped him is legendary. I had a similar moment, I work as a S/O at a hospital and we had a guy punching the window on the 6th floor and I have picked him up from behind and slammed him back onto his bed for us to restrain him. I didn't realize he had a broken leg (unsure if it was broken it was in a cast) but I reacted the same way you did here haha! I felt terrible.

New fan binge watching your amazing videos. I'm new student martial arts (1 year), and find your videos very informative. Also, Mike is funny and makes me laugh.

Interesting, funny and a good take to something that has been meme over a lot Great video!

Dude! Just happened to be on the channel and a new upload happened! Cool!

Excellent episode!

It depends on how you disarmed the gun; hitting him like that could make sense. The strikes are meant to distract and/or stun so you can better your chances at making distance, rack the slide & wield the gun. Maybe just 1 or 2 strikes, then move back, etc. Otherwise, if you were still too close after the disarm, they can attempt to disarm you => constant fighting for the gun.

I'm really impressed by this. I see many things that just seem bad on their face, then worse when I practice them. These techniques look solid, lots of keeping the elbows in, down, and retaining control of the weapon and opponent.

My general tactic when a gun is pulled on me is to crap my pants. They are then so disgusted they just walk away.

The only issues I have is that anyone who has any sort of training with a firearm knows not to get so close to avoid getting disarmed. And with a knife chances are you would not even get the chance to see it. Always good skills to have, but be aware they may not save your life should it depend on it.

Great video as always. I love them.

I train and teach Classic Krav Maga in Finland. And we NEVER do that. Secure the weapon, make space and if needed hit with it but we never do that jackhammer thing. And always hold the weapon the way it's supposed the be held and not sideways. Solid video and ideas. Definitely will take this to my teaching.

Picked up those trainers. Thanks for the info Mike!

I have a lot of respect for a dude who can take criticism of his art constructively and with humor. I'm a novice at best, I couldn't imagine being advanced and being able to handle someone talking about my art and how it's not practical and being able to talk through it.

Man, my respect goes way up for all law enforcement that have to deal with this shit. Such small margins for errors! Stay safe out ther ...

Great chemistry between these two

I carry the Empress Tomahawk from wingard wearables. I would love to see a video with the trainer being used in this manner. Vs gun, vs knife, and empty handed ect. Maybe live sparring

You should try doing a larp of a home defense situation. Make safe versions of weapons in your home and place them where they would truthfully be. Get some friends to be your bad guys and have them draw different realistic scenarios out of a hat and you draw a random room to start in. Then defend yourself.

Okay "Little Krav Maga feet" busted me out laughing

Aaron was my 1st Krav instructor and a great instructor he is! Now that I'm an instructor of a Krav hybrid I like to try and run as many possible scenarios as I can think of. Make it as realistic as possible. Cuz the assailant is definitely try and keep their weapon!

Personally I think the best move after you have control of the gun, is to try to throw your opponent in a way that will leave you on your feet and them on the floor. That way you can point the gun at them without having to worry about further grappling. And therefore you have complete control over the situation.

When I got pistol whipped it was plastic and it cut me open… then I had to blur it on RU-vid 😂

We need more Mike Cop Stories with a "sufficient change of details"

My problems with gun disarms is that you aren't likely to disarm somebody that is brandishing from 20'+ away. You also aren't likely to disarm somebody that isn't alone, especially if their companion/gang is also armed. Travel in groups. Get CCWs.

All good points! Self defence is tricky at best. For beginners you need to give them some set tools to use. Then they have to be confident enough with then to use under pressure so you cant overload them with ifs and buts. In situations not involving weapons any swift and confident response is better than no response. And even with knife defence (if the attacker is hell bent on stabby stabby) an aggressive coherent response is better than none.

My Kempo instructor has taught me basically after getting the gun create distance because it's a distance based weapon. I am not sure how legit weapon disarms are but if you end up getting a successful disarm you should probably train up on how to properly use that weapon the way it was designed to be used.

For what it's worth Mike I think your scenario is justifiable. It could've gone worse and you shot someone on the ground but he only ended up with a cut.

Really the biggest problem with Krav instructors teaching disarms is that they are not required to be shooters in order to get that qualification for teaching disarms. That leads to them either completely overeastimating the effects of a shot going off while you are fighting over the gun and saying crazy stuff like "the slide will rip your hand off" etc. or to them completely underestimating the effects of a shot going off while fighting over the gun. If you are gripping the slide and are not gripping hard enough, the front sight will cut you. If you are gripping it hard enough, it will still hurt, especially if you are doing any of the grips that put your hand not over and around the slide but have you hook behind it. Its not going to break your hand, but it will be a stiff hit to your palm or fingers. The muzzle blast into the face from holding the gun probably pretty tight to you when it goes off is also something to consider. If you havent experienced those things, especially if you are not a shooter at all, you could easily get spooked and let go off the gun like you touched a hot stove. In my opinion to properly teach gun disarms a range day has to be included where basics of shooting a handgun are covered, then malfunctions and malfunction clearing/inducing and then you have the students one by one under your direct supervision actually fire the gun while doing the various disarm grips with the other hand on it. Probably one with a stupid long slide like a G34 to make it easier and faster to get people to grip it without digits spilling over the end in front of the muzzle and only one round loaded at a time in case they do drop it. Make them experience it and let them remember that it hurts, but does not cause real injuries. Then they will understand what it is that they are practicing.

The Krav maga feet part killed me! 😂 Anyway good advice in my opinion nicely done.

You two are very funny together. You ever consider doing periodical cop story videos Mike? I dig your stories.

Another story which involved is that I went to a week long training class put on by a very well known police instructor. Each morning we did 2 or more hours working on weapon retention and weapon recovery. The goal was that once you got loose with your gun still in the holster or recovered your from the other guy was to create distance. A lot of distance, like running away distance. Of course this course was geared more to civilians were a cop might not have that option but I think creating distance would still be important for an officer.

The foot shuffle cracks me up.

I have my youtube on 2x speed and 0:23 0:40 0:45 really got me on the floor lmfao. The sound of him moving forward in fast tiny steps and the "AaAaAa" pure gold

Where I trained we did muzzle strikes with the pistol, not hamburgers. Got to keep the barrel pointing in a safe direction and avoid muzzle sweeping yourself like Icy Mike did 50 times in this vid, right? Like at the bad guy. If it goes off it’s a case of “oh well”.

*Boop* "Don't you do that!"

"Do a tactical roll!" Mike 😂 joke or not that was a smooth transition 😎

Love your videos 👌

That story reminds me of something Jocko said that got me interested in BJJ. Apparently in the military that’s pretty common to hit people with the muzzle of your rifle and all it does is make people bleed and cause a mess. He emphasized the importance of knowing how to control somebody and it made me start training bjj(and MMA)

"Boop! Don't you do that!" Classic. That was a very brief version of a terrifying story, but so funny.

I was the guy Mike pistol whipped and my lawyer assures me it wasnt legal. Dont worry Mike, youll be hearing the details soon.

I just noticed your statement at the end about arresting a guy with a headboard. And realized you posted the video telling that story not to long ago

Those punch and kick counters from Kuk Sool Won are comical. Every time we practice any technique it was always with a completely compliant partner. I would love to see you talk more about KSW specifically, as someone who's wasted a lot of their time practicing it.

You need this guy in "Ultimate Self Defense Championship" ;)

He said "with their little Krav Maga feet" 😂😂

Have you covered motocycle/tactical gloves with that armor on the knuckles sometimes the armor is made from carbon fiber oakly tactical versions were pretty popular back in the day. But i think motorcyclists were using them first only diffrence is the tactical ones are usual tan green or black where is the moto ones are colorful to match your leathers or bike.

Good point. I have seen this by alot of schools whereas they have no consideration of the student's safety because punching someone with a gun in your hand will hurt/break your hand or worse make you lose possesion of your gun. Lose your gun lose your life? I would reccomend when you have successfully disarmed them re-rack the gun, point the muzzle on your target while moving at an angle, i.e. 45 degree and increase distance away from the threat while telling them to show them to show their hands and checking your surroundings for other threats. Depending on your role of citizen, police officer, military be cognizant of your State laws or Military rules/regs and rules of engagment because real life gives no shorts. Imagine surviving an engagement only to be arrested because your did not follow your State's self defense laws, or your agencies use of force policies to the letter? Good video, keep posting

For the simplest version of a gun disarm. Or literally to take anything off a guy. Aikido wrist lock then strip the weapon out through that thumb gap. For a gun or knife it points it back on the person. For a glass or bottle (which was my jam) it takes it out without throwing stuff everywhere. Otherwise it is a super handy trick if they are holding something you want to.

That's true, that's why you should train under pressure. Some schools do that, and it automatically shows what works and what does not.

One thing that annoys me even more are the people who do the disarm, whatever it is, and soon as they take the gun, they stand straight and just hand the gun back almost in one motion. No follow action, no creating distance, no counter attack, nothing. They just take the gun and give it back in one fluid motion

The intro! Priceless! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

"With their little Krav Maga feet" 🤣

Yooooo Aaron! Good stuff dude. Hope all is well.

@02:55 he nailed the problem with most 'martial art' self-defense techniques (that the opponent will be 'cooperative'/passive/just stand there)...

Question for Viewers: Legal or nah?

The Krav I trained in was real life simulation so we ALWAYS FOUGHT BACK at any capacity. Usually defense involved, getting the weapon and retreating to safe distance, clear the weapon.

The hands aren't made to hold hamburgers very well.

This was the video that made me subscribe

Just one thought why in Krav Maga, after disarming, the opponent is immediately hit with the weapon: Krav Maga was developed for soldiers. Soldiers usually don't just have one weapon. So I would imagine that the reason for immediately hitting the opponent with his weapon is to prevent him from drawing another weapon and take him out as quickly as possible. I may be wrong but that's just a thought. Greetings from Austria and PS: Congratulation to your Channel! Real good stuff!

Thanks

My previous comment written before I saw the demonstration of the front kick. To add: That was exactly what we were taught as a base technique. A person would do that base technique for about most of the class and in the end we would present the concept of the struggling threat. And then discuss what happened. Then next class we would continue from the base technique then again struggling threat and then switch the angle of the threat, or the hight of which the gun was held. We usually did two weeks of gun defenses. Then two weeks of knife defences, then two weeks of something else. So it was a cycle. Again, my experience from one gym, in Bulgaria, that might have been above average.

I love this. I am Israeli and I didn't try Krav Maga yet. I am a martial artist for nearly 25 years now, and let me tell you something I think Mike will agree with me on- Do not try to disarm a gun, and disarming any weapon is not the smartest idea. But it's a question of distance. If you are far away from the potential shooter don't even try. Try to talk with him or max give him what he wants, better to lose a wallet than lose a life. Realistically you need someone to provide a distraction, and then you can close the gap to disarm your attacker. From close you need to be crazy. And if you already decide to be crazy and take a huge risk, until the gun is in your hand aim it outside of your body and try to control the hand not the gun. If there is anything I recommend for making him lose the weapon- When you got your hand on his hand, knee strike to the wrist until he let it go. Break his wrist, and sure it's extreme but the situation is also. So don't feel sorry for your attacker.

Too funny! Thank you.

I've learned some krav maga in Israel (few different places), and never saw those gunslaps actually. It is either a hammer strike with the gun or (more often) punches, but all the teachers highlighted the point that you should adjust it to the situation and do what's right for the moment.

I look at self defense methods as a tree with branches. In any technique there is a start... but depending on what happens you may take a different branch. Never force a technique to be just one way and no matter what happens you must follow the technique through. Situations change in fractions of a second.

I've been training Krav Maga for 7 years now, and our club's response right after the disarm is to hold the gun in the back hand, close to belt in case of eventual witneses thinking we are the one with a gun, ofc gun prepared for dealing blunt damage and first hand mainly striking (often instantly leaving the place of action).

used to do a bit of krav! my instructor was fucking great, and counteracted this really well: • first off, we mostly did this for fun. i'm in the UK, the chances of me being in a situation where i could feasibly disarm someone with a gun (!!) are next to nil. we trained it w/ resistance regardless ofc! • instead of this weird pistol-whip technique, we were taught to take the gun and immediately back up, holding it close against the body in the rear hand, while putting the lead hand up to help keep distance. • then immediately shout, get them to back off or run or w/e. you've got the gun. if it's inoperable or fake and they come forwards, smash em with a barrel-out straight punch, or try to push kick them to buy a little time and throw the gun far away • we were also advised to try to rack the slide at some point too, though obviously that's not possible with a prop gun so that wasn't really properly trained i feel like this method went some way towards remedying the problems mike identified here, but i must admit i wouldn't have rated my chances in a real scenario under pressure regardless.

Lol - Krav Maga is my training, and that leg joke was on point! Haha! Had me in tears!😂

13:39 in my head I like to imagine he actually said “BOOP! NO!” high pitched and in a way that would be SUPER embarrassing for the guy on the ground. 😆😂🤣

The problem with most martial arts gun disarm techniques is that you’ll probably get shot trying to do them.