The IKMF is the largest defensive tactics organisation in the world and is by far the largest of the Israeli defensive tactics systems (number of instructors and number of countries of operation). The head of the IKMF is Eyal Yanilov, the right hand man of Imi Lichtenfeld who was the originator of Krav Maga in the Israeli Defence Force and took over from Imi on his passing in 1998.

Each year since 2002 the IKMF has conducted an Instructor course in Australia by one of its senior Israeli instructors (20+ years experience in Krav Maga) and of late assisted by an Australian based, Israel trained Expert level Krav Maga instructor. Each course follows exactly the same format as the courses it conducts in over a dozen countries each year.

What qualifications do I need to apply for the Instructors Course?

You must have five years minimum experience in another self defence system and be cleared of any criminal record. 

How does the Instructors Course work?

If you successfully pass the course you will graduate as a basic Civilian Self Defence Instructor at Graduate Level 1, 2 or 3 depending on your performance at the end of the course test. You are then effectively licensed to conduct classes on your own in Krav Maga whilst you maintain your instructor certification by attending an annual update. Those who undertake the course are more usually instructors in another system, have instructional experience (although not all do) and have good basic striking and kicking capability. The course is very intense and can only convert those who already have a strong combat skills foundation. Some of those who attend do so with the intention of starting up their own Krav Maga school, others are existing school owners who wish to add a modern defensive tactics system to their offering. Some do the the training simply for self development or for the overseas training opportunities it opens up.  

Course Length and Cost

The standard course length across the world is 22 days with the courses conducted in the Asia region (Australia, India, Singapore and Philippines) generally being conducted in two equal parts (in Europe it is in three parts) at least two months apart. You don't have to wait until the next course is run in Australia. You may, as have several others, undertake any one of the IKMF Instructor courses conducted overseas. Please consult the IKMF calendar of events. The course cost is AUD$4,000, usually in three separate payments of firstly AUD$500 deposit on application, AUD$1,500 at commencement of Part 1 and the balance of AUD$2,000 paid at the commencement of Part 2. This cost covers the instruction and all teaching and training materials but not such items as travel and accommodation. The cost is standard around the world, eg in the UK it is £1,750 see UK website. After graduation in order to maintain your certification you will be required to attend at least one of the two instructor updates held each year in Australia conducted by a senior Israeli instructor. At these four day updates you may revise and grade for higher levels. In between these times there are other opportunities to train with Australian based instructors at local weekend seminars and camps or you may attend any one of a number of IKMF training courses conducted internationally.

Lead In Workshops

The Instructor course is a significant investment in both your time and money. You would want to be comfortable with the people involved, their standard and competency in defensive tactics, the size and reputation of the organisation behind the course and the opportunities for advancement beyond the initial course. In order for those interested to make some of those assessments it is our intention to conduct lead-in workshops based on the level of interest we receive. These short workshops will be open to anyone, including those who just want to train in the IKMF system as students and will give an overview of the Krav Maga system. For those attending specifically with the intention of undertaking the Instructor course we will spend some extra time explaining the system, the course and the benefits of joining us. See here for details of upcoming workshops. The workshops will also give us an opportunity to assess you and the degree of 'fit' you will have with our organisation.

Please note: we do not just accept anyone for the Instructor course. Your technical standard and attitude must be mature and professional. As many of our instructors belong to State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Australian Defence Force and as we deal with Government Agencies both here and abroad we must maintain a professional standard otherwise we jeopardise our reputation. If you want to register your interest in the next Instructor course, have some further questions or just want to be kept abreast of developments in this area please fill in the Registration of Interest form below and forward it to us.

Additional information is also available at www.krav-maga.com or on our Important FAQs section of this site.