Danger Plus One: Assume They Are Trained

In our Danger Plus One series, we have already established a fundamental rule: always assume your attacker is armed. This mindset forces a cautious and strategic approach rather than reckless engagement. However, weapons are not the only factor that can escalate a confrontation. The next critical assumption is this: assume they are trained.

A common mistake people make is underestimating their opponent, and I’m no exception. During my most recent training trip to Israel, I was paired with a man who, at first glance, seemed more like a bookkeeper than a fighter—an unassuming, slightly heavyset gentleman who didn’t appear particularly imposing. I wasn’t sure how much of a challenge he would provide. That assumption vanished the moment our instructor yelled “go.” Within seconds, I was completely tied up, trapped before I even had a chance to react.

The lesson? People don’t walk around advertising their skills. The individual standing in front of you could be an experienced fighter, a former military operator, or someone with years of violent street experience. If you assume otherwise, you may find yourself unprepared for what’s coming.

But assuming your opponent is trained doesn’t mean hesitating or fighting with fear—it means approaching every confrontation with awareness and humility. Krav Maga is not just about fighting; it’s about survival. Avoiding fights in the first place and having the ability to walk away from one is key.

At Spartan Krav Maga, we instill confidence, but we discourage arrogance. Overconfidence leads to hubris, and hubris can kill you. True confidence in Krav Maga comes not from believing you are better than your opponent, but from knowing you are prepared for any situation. This means approaching every encounter with awareness and, if necessary, the decisiveness and skill to respond with violence and explosive power.

The Krav Maga Mentality: Attack and Defend Simultaneously

Unlike sport-based martial arts, which often separate offense and defense into distinct actions, Krav Maga is built on the principle of simultaneous attack and defense. This seamless integration allows us to respond effectively when violence is brought upon us. Skilled opponents may be adept at evading or countering isolated attacks, and they may anticipate predictable responses—but overwhelming aggression, paired with relentless movement, throws them off balance and forces them into a defensive position. Instead of allowing them to dictate the fight, we disrupt their rhythm and force them to react to us.

As I often remind our students, the block, parry, release, or escape is only 5% of the defense—the remaining 95% is about improving your position and neutralizing the threat. Blocking alone does not win fights. Every defensive action must create an immediate offensive opportunity. A parry should not simply deflect an attack; it must immediately lead to a strike. That strike should lead to more strikes. And so on... and so on... until the threat is neutralized and you can escape to safety. Likewise, escaping a grab or choke isn’t enough; it must seamlessly transition into a counterattack that prevents your opponent from continuing their assault. You MUST flip the script. Otherwise, someone intent on hurting you will just keep coming.

Aggression, Movement, and Controlling the Fight

A trained opponent may have spent years refining their skills, developing precise timing, control, and an ability to dictate the flow of a fight. The keys to overcoming this are simple: Close the gap. Attack aggressively. Target vulnerable points. Escape to safety.

Movement is one of the most critical aspects of Krav Maga. In an altercation, you are either going in or going out—never standing still. A static position gives any opponent, trained or not, the opportunity to control the engagement. The moment you stop moving, you surrender the initiative.

Instead, attack explosively when closing the gap and decisively create distance when necessary. A relentless combination of elbows and knees while advancing can overwhelm an attacker, just as rapid, targeted strikes to vulnerable areas can immediately disrupt an opponent’s ability to advance or retaliate. By maintaining constant movement and applying the mantra of speed, surprise, and violence of action, you deny a trained attacker the ability to settle into their comfort zone and force them to be reactive instead.

Targeting Vulnerabilities Over Skill

No matter how skilled an opponent is, every human body has vulnerable points—areas that cannot be conditioned or trained to withstand damage. A strong jaw may endure a punch, but the eyes remain defenseless against a well-placed strike. A powerful grip means nothing if an attacker’s airway is suddenly compromised. Even the most aggressive and experienced fighter cannot ignore a sharp, unexpected blow to the groin.

Krav Maga prioritizes these high-probability targets because they do more than just cause damage—they create an immediate physiological response. A strike to the eyes can cause intense, shearing pain and temporary blindness. A shot to the throat can induce a gag reflex and restrict breathing. A well-placed kick to the groin can force the body to double over instinctively. All of these natural reactions create an opportunity to either counterattack or escape. These techniques are not designed to “win” a fight in the traditional sense—they are designed to end it as quickly as possible.

Survival, Not Competition

At Spartan Krav Maga, we emphasize that we do not train for prolonged engagements. Our goal is not to outlast an opponent in a controlled setting with rules and time limits. We train for real-world survival, where there are no referees, no rules, no rings, and no tap outs.

The longer an encounter drags on, the greater the risk. Fatigue sets in, awareness diminishes, and new threats—such as multiple attackers or hidden weapons—can emerge. If a fight lasts more than a few seconds, the advantage shifts away from speed, surprise, and overwhelming aggression, and instead allows factors like size, strength, and training to come into play. This is why we train to end fights decisively, neutralize threats immediately, and disengage before the situation escalates further.

Looking Ahead: Assume They Are Stronger

We have now explored the importance of assuming an attacker is armed and assuming they are trained. The next critical assumption is assuming they are stronger.

Strength disparities can turn a fight against you in an instant. A larger, stronger opponent can overpower techniques that rely on sheer force, which is why Krav Maga does not depend on physical strength to be effective. In the next installment, we will examine how angles, leverage, and precise targeting can neutralize the advantage of superior strength.

The key to survival is not fighting harder—it is fighting smarter. Stay tuned for the next installment, and remember: Train smart, stay aware, and never fight their fight.

About the Author

Cyrus is the owner and lead instructor of Spartan Krav Maga, Burlington’s top-rated Krav Maga school. A former Bay Street executive, he left the corporate world to help people build confidence and stay safe through realistic, effective self-defense training. With extensive experience in Krav Maga and Kapap, he has trained internationally and worked with civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel. Passionate about empowering others, he teaches practical self-defense to people of all ages, from young children to professionals. When he’s not in the gym, you’ll likely find him outdoors, fly-fishing or enjoying the wilderness.