Training Insights:
Third Party and Communication
Krav Maga essentially follows three major categories: self-defence, fighting skills and third party protection. What sets the system apart from other forms of self-defence is Third Party Protection as most of us are not moving through the world alone.
The third pillar
Most martial arts and self-defence systems focus on individual training. Krav Maga also spends real time on protecting the people you’re with — a partner, your kids, even the family dog — because realistically, you’re rarely on your own. That changes the equation considerably. Handling potential dangers and fighting off a threat while also managing someone else’s safety means splitting your attention across more things at once, at exactly the moment you can least afford to, which is why, with a third party involved, situational awareness matters even more than usual. The earlier you spot a problem, the earlier you can steer everyone away from it, before anything becomes physical.
Communication is the tool
Once you’ve spotted something, the next question is how you move a second, or third, or fourth person without drawing attention or causing panic. Krav Maga breaks this down into verbal and non-verbal communication.
Verbal is the simplest: a quiet word to change direction, lowering your voice, or agreeing on a couple of code words in advance — even a clock reference like “trouble, three o’clock” works, and if you share a second language, that can double as a private channel.
Non-verbal covers everything else: a glance or head-tilt toward a direction you want someone to look, a light tap on the shoulder or elbow to get their attention, or gently guiding someone by the arm to change course.
None of it needs to be dramatic. Tactical teams rely on exactly this kind of shorthand, built up through repetition until it’s second nature. You can build the same thing with the people close to you, and it doesn’t have to feel like training — next time you’re out together, try it as a low-key game: notice something, signal it, see how quickly the other person picks it up. Like anything else you learn in class, it only becomes useful once you’ve actually practised it outside the class.
Key Takeaways
- Third-party protection is one of three pillars of Krav Maga, alongside self-defence and fighting — and it’s often the hardest, because you’re responsible for someone else’s safety as well as your own.
- Awareness matters even more with a third party in tow — spotting a problem early gives you time to reroute before anyone needs to react.
- Communication is what makes it work, whether that’s a quiet word, a code word, or a simple touch on the arm.
- Whoever notices first can lead the response — it’s worth practising this with your family or partner in everyday situations, not just waiting for a real one.
