Sticks, Strategy, and Survival: Dealing with Stick-Type Threats and attacks in Krav Maga

In Krav Maga, we train to deal with everything—from guns to bare hands, and yes, even sticks.

When we talk about stick-type objects, we’re not just talking about baseball bats or broom handles. We’re talking about any long, rigid object that can be used to threaten, control, or attack. This includes pipes, poles, wooden planks—whatever someone might use as a weapon.

And just like with any weapon, in Krav Maga we don’t only train to defend against it—we also learn to use it. Why?

Because:

Anything can become a weapon in a moment of need.

If we disarm the attacker, we need to know how to use that weapon to protect ourselves or others.

Understanding how a stick is used helps us train more realistically—making us better training partners and better prepared for reality.

This is the foundation of Krav Maga: simple, adaptable, and brutally honest about the world we live in.

Threats vs. Attacks: Two Scenarios to Train For

When it comes to stick-related situations, we break it into two categories:

1. Stick Threat

The aggressor is holding the object but hasn’t attacked yet. He may be giving commands, trying to intimidate, or using it to control the situation.

2. Stick Attack

The aggressor is already swinging or stabbing with the stick, and you're in the middle of a violent encounter.

Understanding Stick Threats: The 3 Positions

When someone uses a stick to threaten, they’re creating fear. And to create fear, they usually make sure the weapon is visible.

There are typically three main positions where the weapon is held:

Low Position: Stick is by the leg, partially hidden. Subtle, but threatening.

Middle Position: Around waist level. Often paired with gestures—like tapping the stick on the other hand.

High Position: At shoulder or head level. Very aggressive. Usually means the attack is seconds away.

This type of behavior is about control. The weapon will often be relatively static, used to dominate through fear.

What Affects Our Response?

Just like with any threat, in Krav Maga we consider:

Timeline – Where are we in the escalation? Before the attack? During it? After?

Distance – Are we close enough to engage or far enough to escape?

Let’s break down how we respond depending on the situation.

Responding to Stick Threats

1. Avoid the situation entirely

If you can walk away safely—do it. There’s no better defense than not being there.

2. Comply (if reasonable)

If the threat is about your wallet or phone, hand it over and get home to your family in one piece.

3. Act (if you must)

If you can’t avoid or de-escalate, you’ll need to control the stick or the arm holding it—depending on the angle and distance. Move off the line of attack, counterattack as necessary, disarm if the opportunity allows, and then escape to safety.

Responding to Stick Attacks

1. Escape early

If the attacker is still far away, and you can run—run.

2. Use a shield

If running isn’t possible, grab any object—a chair, backpack, or even a trash bin—to shield yourself. Block the attack, strike back, and get out of there.

3. Burst in

If you’re already too close, or the attack is too fast, close the distance and burst in aggressively.

Use a forearm stab or shield defense, depending on the angle. Get inside the weapon’s reach (where it’s less effective), counterattack, control the stick, and escape.

Remember: A stick is most dangerous at mid-range. Either be very far or very close—never in between.

Krav Maga and the Law: Know Your Limits

Krav Maga is not about violence. It’s about self-defense.

If you do too little, you might get hurt—or worse.

But if you do too much, you could become the threat in the eyes of the law.

Example: If you disarm your attacker and then keep hitting him over and over with the stick when he’s no longer a threat—you may be charged with assault.

That’s not self-defense. That’s a mistake.

Final Thought: Why We Train

Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder of Krav Maga, once said:

“Be so good that you don’t need to kill.”

That’s why we train.

Not just to learn techniques—but to understand when, why, and how to use them.

To be able to walk away from violence—not just alive, but mentally intact too.

Train hard. Train real. And always, train to come home safe.