What is Krav Maga?
Krav Maga is a self-defense system that was developed by the Israeli military in the 1940s. It is designed to be a practical and effective self-defense system that can be used in real-world situations. Krav Maga incorporates techniques from various martial arts, including boxing, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling, as well as self-defense and fighting techniques developed specifically for Krav Maga. The system emphasizes practicality and efficiency, with techniques that are designed to be easy to learn and apply in a variety of situations.
Krav Maga training typically involves scenario-based training, which helps individuals to develop the mental toughness and quick decision-making skills that are necessary in real-world self-defense situations. In addition to self-defense skills, Krav Maga training also provides individuals with physical conditioning, mental conditioning, and a sense of community. Krav Maga is an ideal choice for individuals who are looking for a self-defense system that is easy to learn and apply in real-world situations.
Real Life Street Combat
A street fight is not confined to fighting someone in the same weight class, the hands are not wrapped to protect them from impact, and there is no referee to stop the fight once someone has become too injured to continue.
Students of Krav Maga always train with the assumption that their attacker is bigger, armed and has “friends”.
Principles of Krav Maga include never trying to match an opponents strength, striking to vulnerable targets and hard and aggressive counter attacking. The only way to stop a fight is to fight!
At the core of our Krav Maga program, the student prepares by training as a fighter. You will learn how to punch, kick, grapple and clinch as well as how to defend against common street scenarios, knives, firearm threats and multiple opponents.
Krav Maga Origins
Krav Maga was originally designed based off the back of European boxing, wrestling/grappling and street fighting.
The hand to hand combat system known as Krav Maga was invented by Imi Lichtenfield who was born in 1910 in Budapest and grew up in Bratislava (Slovakia). Imi trained in gymnastics, wrestling and boxing and was a champion in all, later going on to teach wrestling.
In the mid 1930’s anti-Semitic riots led to Imi leading a group of Jewish boxers and wrestlers to defend the streets from the growing numbers of the national socialists. It was during this period that Imi realised that actual fighting is very different from competition fighting, and that although boxing and wrestling were very good sports, they were not well equipped for the aggressive and brutal nature of street combat. Imi was forced to re-evaluate his ideas about fighting and started to develop Krav Maga. In 1940, Imi and his family fled Europe and moved to what would become Israel.
Krav Maga’s use in the Military
In 1944 Imi began training fighters in the Haganah paramilitary organization in physical fitness, swimming, wrestling, use of the knife and how to defend against knife attacks.
When the state of Israel was formed in 1948, Imi became Chief Instructor in the IDF during which he served for 20 years, developing and refining his system in self defence and hand to hand combat.
In 1971 when Imi retired, he opened a school to teach and train civilians in Krav Maga. Krav Maga has since been adopted by over 500 military and law enforcement agencies across the globe due to its effectiveness in combat.
Ten benefits of training in Krav Maga:
1. Self-defense skills: Krav Maga is designed to provide individuals with practical and effective self-defense skills that can be used in real-world situations.
2. Increased confidence: By learning how to defend themselves, individuals who train in Krav Maga develop a sense of confidence and empowerment.
3. Physical conditioning: Krav Maga is a high-intensity workout that incorporates a variety of different techniques, which can help individuals to develop increased strength, flexibility, and endurance.
4. Mental conditioning: Krav Maga training involves scenario-based training, which helps individuals to develop the mental toughness and quick decision-making skills that are necessary in real-world self-defense situations.
5. Versatility: Krav Maga incorporates techniques from various martial arts, making it a versatile system that is effective against a variety of different types of attacks.
6. Sense of community: Krav Maga classes are typically taught in a group setting, which provides individuals with the opportunity to meet new people and develop new friendships.
7. Improved overall health and wellness: Krav Maga is a full-body workout that can help individuals to improve their overall fitness levels and health.
8. Self-discipline and self-control: Krav Maga training involves learning how to control one’s emotions and remain calm under pressure, which can be beneficial for individuals who struggle with anxiety, stress, or anger management.
9. Real-world application: Krav Maga is designed to be a practical system that is effective in real-world situations, making it an ideal choice for individuals who are looking for a self-defense system that is easy to learn and apply.
10. Life-saving skills: By learning how to defend themselves, individuals who train in Krav Maga can develop life-saving skills that can help them to protect themselves and their loved ones in dangerous situations.
There are very few alternatives when it comes to self defence or close quarters combat to Krav Maga. Krav Maga is the go-to choice of hand to hand close quarters combatives of anyprofessional and you will find it being used by Bodyguards, Security, Police and Military across the world.
