The Physics of Krav Maga

Why Krav Maga Works: The Physics Behind the Movement 💥

Krav Maga was designed for survival, not for scoring points in a ring. But the reason its techniques work under pressure has a lot to do with basic physics—balance, momentum, leverage, and speed. In The Physics of Krav Maga, author John Eric Goff unpacks those connections in plain, accessible language.

Goff is a physics professor at the University of Lynchburg and a longtime martial artist. He doesn’t stand outside the practice as an observer. He demonstrates how concepts like disrupting balance, generating power, and controlling distance operate every time a technique works.

What You’ll Explore

• Balance and control: how small adjustments can make an opponent unstable.
• Speed and reaction time: why quick, direct movement matters more than brute force.
• Leverage and rotation: how body mechanics multiply impact.
• Weapons and improvised defense: the physics of applying force when the stakes are high.

The chapters move from the mental side of fighting through mechanics to applied techniques, ending with a practical philosophy of doing what it takes to stay safe. Throughout, the explanations are built for readers who don’t have a background in calculus or advanced physics.

For Martial Artists, Coaches, and Curious Readers

If you train in Krav Maga, or any other martial art, this ebook gives you a different lens for evaluating why moves work. It’s also a useful resource for instructors who want to explain techniques beyond tradition and instinct.

Digital Delights is pleased to offer this title as a convenient digital edition.