WHAT WILL I LEARN IN KRAV MAGA?
Practical and effective self defence techniques that are easy to learn and retain
The ability to turn your natural reaction to danger into defences
The ability to overcome a stronger attacker
The self confidence to identify, avoid and, if necessary neutralise an attack
How to function effectively under the stress and shock of a sudden attack
How to defend against a number of common attacks such as chokes, bear hugs, punches, attacks on the ground and weapons such as guns, knives and sticks
How to use common objects to aid you in self defence
A good cardio workout
IS KRAV MAGA A COMPLETE SELF DEFENCE SYSTEM?
Yes! Krav Maga is a complete self defence and fighting system that was developed to bring the average civilian to a competent level of self defence in the shortest possible time. Most techniques are based on the bodies natural reaction to danger allowing the student to learn and retain the techniques a lot easier.
The Krav Maga self defence system covers ground fighting, fighting drills and scenarios, basic kicking, striking and punching, movement, awareness training, training under the shock of an attack, defending against weapons, knives, sticks and fire arm assaults, rape prevention for women, awareness and self defence training for kids, self defence training in different environments, avoiding possible threats and the use of softer techniques for legal purposes.
WILL I GET FIT DOING KRAV MAGA?
Yes there is a high level of cardio in most Krav Maga classes. This level of training is reached through warm up, training, self defence, scenario and pressure drills.
HOW IS KRAV MAGA DIFFERENT?
Most attacks do not occur in the comfort and regulated environment of a formal dojo or training hall. Krav Maga training is therefore predicated on the fact that attacks and life threatening situations can occur anywhere and in an instant. Attacks happen when we least expect them, when we are most vulnerable, in areas congested with furniture and other objects, on uneven ground, in low light areas, in car parks and many other environments where we live, move through and work. Therefore, our training is structured to allow for these and other variables that occur during violent attacks.
We train to overcome and/or compensate for the effects of shock, deterioration of fine motor skills, tunnel vision and other factors such as time distortion etc. Our techniques and other skills have been developed and refined in real world situations and, have been used successfully by civilians, police and others trained in the system.
HOW DO I BECOME A KRAV MAGA INSTRUCTOR?
If you are serious about teaching Krav Maga, you have to complete the Krav Maga Instructor Course.
CAN I TEACH KRAV MAGA ANYWHERE ONCE I AM CERTIFIED AS AN INSTRUCTOR?
In most cases there is no territories or regions for Krav Maga so there is no restrictions on where you can teach but there are restrictions on who you can teach i.e. if you have only a civilian instructor certificate you cannot train military or law enforcement. Also a special course is required to teach kids/children under the age of 16 due to the safety issues related to teaching this system to this age group.
Am I too old for Krav Maga?
Krav Maga was developed to teach hand to hand combat to a range of people with different physical ability and age for the Israeli army to get strong soldiers in very short amount of time for both men and women, young and old. Obviously over time the system has been adapted for civilian applications.
As such there are many older individuals that are making sure they have the skills to defend themselves and their loved ones if needed and using Krav Maga to achieve this. As with any new exercise or physical activity you should discuss this with your doctor. Also if you do have any issue please discuss these with your instructor when you start your classes.
Can my kids do Krav Maga?
In regards to Krav Maga for kids please keep in mind this system was developed for military combat so please ensure that any Krav Maga instructor you enrol your children with has done the necessary courses that accredit them to teach kids as there are very different safety needs for training kids.
What is the Krav Maga dress code?
In Krav Maga training, students are usually encouraged to wear regular fitness clothes and no shoes since the training facilities are covered with mats.
Is Krav Maga for kids?
As a general rule for Krav Maga you can train if you are 16 years or older. Some schools have this limit at 18 years or older, so it is best to contact your school. But there are instructors that have completed a Krav Maga Kids instructors course. The training techniques for kids under the age of 16 is slightly different and as such our instructor should have this qualification in order to train children. Please keep in mind this system was developed for military combat so please ensure that any Krav Maga instructor you enrol your children with has done the necessary courses that accredit them to teach kids as their are very different safety needs.
There are a few instructors that have completed a specialised course that gives them the skills to instruct children. If the school listing doesn't doesn't indicate they have kids program you might still contact the individual school in your area and check with them to see if they are qualified for the Krav Kids training.
Also Krav Maga is a self defence system, not a sport. It is meant to train you to be able to defend yourself when your life is at stake. So please keep this in mind when considering Krav Maga for children.
How do I get quality Krav Maga training?
For quality controlled Krav Maga training look for the KMI logo as per the organisations listed on our website.
Be aware that there is a number of organisations and schools opening up that are using the Krav Maga name but are NOT Krav Maga. They are just using the popularity of Krav Maga to get more students to their school and some of their techniques are just downright dangerous.
Is there a trademark on the term Krav Maga?
We are understandably opposed the attempt to trade mark the words ‘Krav Maga’ in order to monopolise the term and the system was originally taught to them. To make it clear, NO person or organisation OWNS or has a Trade Mark on the term Krav Maga. Most people may know that the words Krav Maga are a generic Hebrew term meaning Contact Combat or Touch Fight.
How long does it take to become competent in Krav Maga?
Depending on the individual, we usually say between 15-20 hours of training. This will give you the basics you need in Krav Maga to feel confident and progress through the system into more advance training and self defence techniques.
Who is the Founder of Krav Maga?
Imrich (“Imi”) Sde-Or*, founder of Krav Maga, was born in 1910 in Budapest, which at the time was one of the centres of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He grew up in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, in a home where sports, law, and Central European education were equally respected. Samuel Lichtenfeld, Imi’s father, was undoubtedly quite a unique figure. At age 13 he joined a traveling circus, and for the next 20 years engaged in wrestling, weightlifting, and various demonstrations of strength. For him the circus was also a school, where he met people involved in a wide variety of sports, including some quite unusual ones. These people taught Samuel what they knew – including various martial arts. With his father’s encouragement, Imi became active in a wide range of sports. He first excelled in swimming, and subsequently in gymnastics, wrestling, and boxing. In 1928 Imi won the Slovakian Youth Wrestling Championship, and in1929 the adult championship (in the light and middle weight division). That year he also won the national boxing championship and an international gymnastics championship. During the ensuing decade, Imi’s athletic activities focused mainly on wrestling, both as a contestant and a trainer.
In the mid thirties, conditions began to change in Bratislava. Fascist and anti-Semitic groups appeared, determined to upset the public order and harm the city’s Jewish community. Imi became the un-crowned leader of a group of young Jews, most of them with a background in boxing, wrestling, and weightlifting. This group attempted to block the anti-Semitic bands from entering the Jewish quarter and wreaking havoc there. Thus, between 1936 and 1940 Imi took part in countless violent incidents.
In 1940, having become a thorn in the side of the anti-Semitic inclined local authorities as a result of his activities, Imi left his home, family, and friends and boarded the last immigrant ship that succeeded in escaping the Nazis’ clutches. The vessel was an old riverboat named Pentcho, that had been converted to carry hundreds of refugees from Central Europe to the land of Israel (then called Palestine). The gripping story of the Pentcho and its passengers is told in detail in the book Odyssey by John Birman (published by Simon & Shuster, New York, 1984).
In 1944 Imi began training fighters in his areas of expertise: physical fitness, swimming, wrestling, use of the knife, and defences against knife attacks. During this period, Imi trained several elite units of the Hagana and Palmach (striking force of the Hagana and forerunner of the special units of the IDF), including the Pal-Yam, as well as groups of police officers. In 1948, when the State of Israel was founded and the IDF was formed, Imi became Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga at the IDF School of Combat Fitness. He served in the IDF for about 20 years, during which time he developed and refined his unique method for self-defence and hand-to-hand combat. Imi personally trained the top……
After he finished his active duty and retired in 1960′s, Imi began adapting and modifying Krav Maga to civilian needs. The method was formulated to suit everyone – man and woman, boy or girl, who might need it to save his or her life or survive an attack while sustaining minimal harm, whatever the background of the attack – criminal, nationalistic, or other. To disseminate his method, Imi established two training centres, one in Tel Aviv and the other in Natanya. Even during his last years, Imi continued to personally supervise the training of those who have attained high ranks in Krav Maga, and to spend time with the instructors in Israel and abroad. Imi monitored the trainees’ progress and achievements, captivating them with his personality and imparting them with his knowledge and unique personality.
Imi, a teacher, a fighter and a great human being, passed away on the 9th of January 1998, early in the morning.