Krav Maga - Inside Defense (Redirecting at the Correct Angle)
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Inside Defense·Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The most common beginner mistake when performing Inside Defenses against Straight Punches is not redirecting the punch a…
Inside Defense
SubFamilyインサイドディフェンス(Insaido Difensu)
descriptiveTranslation: inside defense (Krav Maga palm deflection from outside to inside)
Overview
The Inside Defense is a Krav Maga technique where the defender deflects an incoming straight attack by sweeping the hand or forearm from outside to inside across the body's centerline. [1] The open palm or forearm contacts the attacking arm and redirects it inward (across the attacker's own body), simultaneously stepping to the outside. [1] This creates an angle where the defender is outside the attacker's power line and in position for immediate counter-attacks to the exposed flank. [1] It is the mirror complement to the outside defense and together they form the foundation of Krav Maga's straight-attack defense system. [1]
Inside BlockInside DeflectionKrav Maga Inside DefenseInward Defense
History & Origin
The Inside Defense is a core technique in Krav Maga's self-defense curriculum, developed for the Israeli Defense Forces. [1] Together with the outside defense, it provides coverage against straight-line attacks (punches, knife thrusts) from any angle. The open-palm method was chosen for its simplicity and effectiveness under stress. [1]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Krav Maga lineage: Imi Lichtenfeld (1910–1998) developed the system from street-fighting experience in Bratislava → adopted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1948 → civilian Krav Maga spread worldwide through Lichtenfeld's students including Haim Gidon, Eyal Yanilov, and Darren Levine. [1]
Competition Record
Krav Maga is a self-defense system, not a competition sport. These techniques are tested in scenario-based training and military/law enforcement contexts rather than regulated competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Open palm or forearm sweeps from outside to inside, redirecting the attack across the attacker's body
Joints Involved — Shoulder (inward sweep), wrist (palm contact), feet (step to outside angle)
Force Vector — Inward — redirecting the attack across the attacker's centerline
Position & Entry
Against a straight punch — Palm contacts the inside of the punching arm and sweeps it inward while stepping to the outside
Against a jab-cross combination — Inside defense the jab, then outside defense the cross
Variants
Inside defense against jab — quick deflection of a fast straight punch
Inside defense against knife thrust — palm redirects the blade across attacker's body
Inside defense with simultaneous counter — deflecting while striking with the other hand
Inside defense against front kick — palm deflects the incoming kick
Videos
Krav Maga - Inside Defense w. Counter against Left Punch (Slipping the Punch Properly)
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Inside Defense·Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A common error for new Level 2 students is not slipping the punch properly when doing this defense and counterattack. T…
Inside Defense against Punches, Part 2 | Krav Maga Defense
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Inside Defense·Howcast
Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLALQuK1NDrhbNpRSUEAloceyNEMzcKzN - - Like these Krav Maga Tutoria…
Inside Defense v. Straight Punch
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Inside Defense·John Whitman
This is Krav Maga's basic method for defending a straight punch.
How to Fight Inside Like a Pro in Boxing | Close Range Fighting Techniques
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Inside Defense·Tony Jeffries
How to Fight Inside Like a Pro in Boxing | Close Range Fighting Techniques. In this video, Tony Jeffries shares 3 tips t…
Krav Maga - Inside Defense w. Counterattack vs. Right Punch (3 Mistakes to Avoid)
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Inside Defense·Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Once a new student learns this defense, they tend to make at least one of these mistakes. This video explains what thes…
Self Defense - Inside Defense Against a Straight Punch
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Inside Defense·Krav Maga Animation
How to do an inside defense against a straight punch in Krav Maga If you like the video, please consider making a bitco…
Krav Maga - Inside Defense Low (Correct Arm Position)
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Inside Defense·Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The most common mistake beginners make while performing the Inside Defense Low is dropping their hand two low (similar t…
Inside Defense against Punches, Part 1 | Krav Maga Defense
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Inside Defense·Howcast
Full Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLALQuK1NDrhbNpRSUEAloceyNEMzcKzN - - Like these Krav Maga Tutoria…
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9 videosWhat Instructors Say
Inside defense is a redirecting technique fundamental to Krav Maga that deflects straight punches by meeting them at a 45-degree angle rather than directly to the side or straight-on. According to Krav Maga Worldwide instructors, the technique's primary advantage is timing-independence: the defender can intercept the punch early, mid-flight, or late without requiring precise timing, making it accessible to beginners. The hand slides down the attacker's forearm with a smooth ricochet motion—like a bullet deflecting off a surface—rather than a sharp slap or catch. For inside defense against right straights, the defender hooks over the top of the attacking arm and counters with a cross, while against left straights, the counter goes underneath. Proper head movement is critical: the defender should slip forward and to the side rather than backward, protecting the chin while maintaining reach and power for the counter punch. The defending arm should remain vertical with the palm facing inward, keeping the hand elevated to protect the face and maximizing the blocking surface across the entire torso. Body rotation and hip twist are essential for both the defense and counter; relying solely on arm movement leaves the defender exposed. Common mistakes include excessive hand-dropping (like a 360 block), under-hooking on right-punch defenses, leaning backward, and executing counters without full body rotation.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Krav Maga - Inside Defense (Redirecting at the Correct Angle): Establishes the foundational 45-degree redirect angle, explains timing-independence across punch phases, introduces the slide-down-forearm feedback mechanism, and contrasts with boxing-style catching due to hand protection and object-in-hand scenarios.
- Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Krav Maga - Inside Defense w. Counter against Right Punch (3 Mistakes to Avoid): Details three critical errors: punching underneath instead of over-the-top (causing arm collision), lowering the arm excessively (leaving face open), and failing to rotate hips/body (reducing power and reach). Emphasizes modest arm lowering and elbow-driven motion.
- Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Krav Maga - Inside Defense w. Counter against Left Punch (Slipping the Punch Properly): Highlights proper head slip mechanics: moving forward and to the side (not backward) to protect the chin, maintain reach advantage, and generate counter-punch power. Explains the three-reason framework and the ear-sliding-down-arm sensation.
- Krav Maga Worldwide - Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Krav Maga - Inside Defense Low (Correct Arm Position): Addresses low/body-level inside defense, emphasizing vertical forearm position to maintain face protection and maximize blocking surface. Covers palm orientation, body blading, knee-bending for lower threats, and safety principles for edge-weapon scenarios.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
1
Low1/10
Minimal — defensive technique.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Krav Maga competitions— fundamental defense
Unified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓Use the open palm — it provides better surface area and feel for the deflection
✓Step to the OUTSIDE of the attacker as you deflect — this creates the best counter-attack angle
✓The deflection redirects the punch ACROSS the attacker's body — tangling their arms
✓Follow immediately with a counter-punch to the now-exposed flank or jaw
✓Practice against both jab and cross attacks
Common Mistakes
!Stepping inward instead of outward — puts you in the path of the other hand
!Using a fist instead of open palm — reduces deflection surface and feel
!Not redirecting far enough — the attacker can still reach you
!Forgetting the counter-attack — the defense must flow into offense
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Inside defense a jab → step to outside angle → counter-cross to the jaw
2Inside defense a knife thrust → control the weapon hand → knee to body → disarm
3Inside defense → clinch → knee strikes
Sources & References
Primary Source
Lichtenstein, Y. The Book of Krav Maga: The Bible.
1BookLichtenstein, Y. The Book of Krav Maga: The Bible.
[1] Lichtenstein, The Book of Krav Maga, Defense Techniques chapter
2CitationLichtenstein, Y. The Book of Krav Maga: The Bible.
[1] Lichtenstein, The Book of Krav Maga, Defense Techniques chapter
Community
Athletics
Requires
hand-eye coordination, footwork to step offline
Key muscles
deltoids, forearms, legs (lateral movement)
Frequently Asked Questions
What angle should I redirect the punch at during an inside defense?
According to Krav Maga Worldwide, you should redirect at an angle—not straight up or directly to the side. This angled approach is better for timing because you can defend the punch at any stage, whether you catch it early, in the middle, or late. You'll know you have the right angle when you feel your hand slide down the attacker's forearm rather than hearing a slapping or catching sound.
When countering a right straight with inside defense, should I punch over or under the attacker's arm?
You should punch over the top of the arm. Trying to go underneath like you would against a left straight will cause your fist to collide with the attacker's arm and interfere with your counter strike, according to Krav Maga Worldwide.
How far down should I lower the arm when hooking during inside defense?
Lower it just enough so you can see over the top to see your opponent's face—think of it like peek-a-boo. Dropping it way too low leaves your face open and turns it into a race to land the next punch. Focus on moving your elbow down rather than your hand to avoid excessive lowering, per Krav Maga Worldwide.
Why is keeping my forearm vertical important in inside defense?
Keeping your arm vertical protects your face and allows you to defend your entire torso, not just a specific point. It also helps if you're slightly off-target, protecting the inside of your wrist (a vital area) rather than the outside, according to Krav Maga Worldwide.
How do I add power to my counter punch after the inside defense redirect?
Rotate your hips and pivot your back foot—don't just punch with your arm. Krav Maga Worldwide emphasizes that body rotation is essential both for reach and power; arm punching alone won't have enough force to be effective.
How does the Inside Defense work?
The Inside Defense is a Krav Maga technique where the defender deflects an incoming straight attack by sweeping the hand or forearm from outside to inside across the body's centerline. The open palm or forearm contacts the attacking arm and redirects it inward (across the attacker's own body), simultaneously stepping to the outside.
Where does the Inside Defense come from?
The Inside Defense is a core technique in Krav Maga's self-defense curriculum, developed for the Israeli Defense Forces. Together with the outside defense, it provides coverage against straight-line attacks (punches, knife thrusts) from any angle.
Is the Inside Defense legal in competition?
Krav Maga competitions: Legal: legal — fundamental defense; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}
How dangerous is the Inside Defense?
Danger rating 1/10. Minimal — defensive technique.
How do I set up the Inside Defense?
The standard setup chain: Inside defense a jab → step to outside angle → counter-cross to the jaw → Inside defense a knife thrust → control the weapon hand → knee to body → disarm → Inside defense → clinch → knee strikes.
How do I defend against the Inside Defense?
Standard counters include: N/A — this IS a defensive technique..
What are the variants of the Inside Defense?
Common variants: Inside defense against jab (quick deflection of a fast straight punch); Inside defense against knife thrust (palm redirects the blade across attacker's body); Inside defense with simultaneous counter (deflecting while striking with the other hand); Inside defense against front kick (palm deflects the incoming kick).
How effective is the Inside Defense in competition?
Krav Maga is a self-defense system, not a competition sport. These techniques are tested in scenario-based training and military/law enforcement contexts rather than regulated competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Inside Defense?
Top errors to watch for: Stepping inward instead of outward — puts you in the path of the other hand / Using a fist instead of open palm — reduces deflection surface and feel / Not redirecting far enough — the attacker can still reach you / Forgetting the counter-attack — the defense must flow into offense.
What are other names for the Inside Defense?
The Inside Defense is also known as Insaido Difensu, Inside Block, Inside Deflection, Krav Maga Inside Defense, Inward Defense.