HISTORY AND REAL WORLD APPLICATION

Krav Maga has a rich history behind it. Closely examining its origins would fully explain how it became the one of the most aggressive martial arts today. In fact, its history is well entrenched in the struggles of the Jewish people during the 20th century.

It traces its roots to a man by the name of Imi Lichtenfeld. He was a Hungarian-Israeli martial artist who became the founder of this particular discipline. During the 1930’s, he combined his street-�ghting skills with his boxing and wrestling background to assist in the e�orts to defend Bratislava’s Jewish quarter against the fascists.

WHAT IS KRAV MAGA?

rav Maga is widely considered to be among the most strenuous of the martial arts practiced today. It demands strenuous physical training on a regular basis. Its practitioners need to be in best shape possible. This is in

order to ensure that they are able to execute and sustain the consistently high speed attacks used by the discipline.

Krav Maga was specifically designed to provide the individual an effective means to respond to multiple threats. This is precisely the reason why Krav Maga students are often put into scenarios where they have to defend against multiple attackers during practice sessions. In order to do fully prepare them for such situations, students are taught a wide variety of attack and defense maneuvers. This would include quick take downs, grappling techniques, and fast strikes among other things.

During that time unwittingly laid down the basics of what would become known as Krav Maga. However, over the years, the principles behind this �ghting style continued to become more de�ned. In fact, Imi Lichtenfeld continued to develop his own brand of �ghting after World War II. It is also important to mention here that once he immigrated to Israel, he started training the earliest members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Since that time, Krav Maga has been put into use by a number of di�erent police and military organizations. It is still currently practiced by the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as the Israeli Special Ops. Top intelligence organizations and law enforcement groups such as the Israeli National Intelligence Service, the Israeli Security Agency, the Mossad, and Shin Bet have also developed and adopted their own versions of the discipline.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Maximize Every Opportunity – The concept of opportunity cost plays a great deal in Krav Maga training. In life and death situations, students are taught to make the most of every opportunity presented to them. Never hesitate when given the chance to strike your opponent. This approach will make the ultimate di�erence in a �ght.

Be Aware of Your Situation – Situational awareness is one of the �rst things taught in a Krav Maga class. Students are taught to

recognize danger signs a mile away, and react to them instinctively. This discipline is incorporated into a student’s training by virtue of the di�erent types of drills used.

Krav Maga students are taught to assess all situations that they are faced with. For instance, when faced with a surprise attack, you should make it a priority to get o� the line of attack in order to assess the situation. Doing so will help you do the following:

Determine your opponent’s blind spot to attack it.

Look if there are any more attackers lying in wait.

Scan your surroundings for any object that you can turn into makeshift weapons

If you determine that the odds are against you, look for a means to escape

Defend From All Sides – Real life �ghts are usually messy. The whole situation itself will be

Krav Magachaotic as you will often �nd yourself being attacked from all sides and without prior warning. You should from expect your opponent’s attacks to come from a number of di�erent angles. Oftentimes, you may even �nd yourself facing multiple enemies.

Having a good defense is almost as important as a great o�ense. Krav Maga recognizes the fact that there are various ways an enemy can attack. That is why students of this discipline are taught numerous blocking methods against all types of physical attacks. They are taught to make use of three basic techniques.

The �rst technique is known as the hand and foot defense. This involves blocking or de�ecting an enemy’s strike as well as breaking their hold on you. The second technique is a type of body defense. It makes use of quick movement and turning to avoid the enemy’s blow. Agility and a quick reaction time are both crucial in order for this to work. Finally, the third technique entails that you move around your attacker so that you are able to get o� his line of attack. This is probably one of the most important things you can do in a �ght as it will give you breathing room.

Mount A Counterattack When You Can – It is important to understand that opponents seek to overwhelm you with their attacks. In real life situations, you will most likely be facing numerous attacks from your opponents. Simply defending against their attacks will not be enough.

Krav Maga teaches its students to mount a counterattack whenever the situation presents itself. Successfully de�ecting your enemy’s initial attacks is only the �rst step. You will need to �nd a way to turn the tables against him. Get o� their attack line before mounting a counterattack on their blind spot.

Counterattacking is basically hitting two birds with one stone. It not only messes up your opponent’s rhythm, but it also gives you an opportunity to put yourself in the dominant

position. It should be your priority to look for your opponent’s weakness and pounce on it.

Hit Them Where It Hurts – Krav Maga students are taught to in�ict as much damage and pain against their attackers. In life threatening situations, your primary goal will always be survival. You can only do this by neutralizing the threat mounted against you. The most e�cient way to do this would be to attack the places where your enemy is most vulnerable.

That being said, one should not be surprised to �nd that moves like groin strikes and eye gouges are commonplace for Krav Maga practitioners. Other techniques would include kicks to the knees as well as a variety of face strikes targeting the enemy’s ears, nose, and temples. It is also important to mention here that blows and strikes are often delivered in continuous �urries speci�cally designed to overwhelm the opponent.

HISTORY AND REAL WORLD APPLICATION

Krav Maga has a rich history behind it. Closely examining its origins would fully explain how it became the one of the most aggressive martial arts today. In fact, its history is well entrenched in the struggles of the Jewish people during the 20th century.

It traces its roots to a man by the name of Imi Lichtenfeld. He was a Hungarian-Israeli martial artist who became the founder of this particular discipline. During the 1930’s, he combined his street-�ghting skills with his boxing and wrestling background to assist in the e�orts to defend Bratislava’s Jewish quarter against the fascists.

During that time unwittingly laid down the basics of what would become known as Krav Maga. However, over the years, the principles behind this �ghting style continued to become more de�ned. In fact, Imi Lichtenfeld continued to develop his own brand of �ghting after World War II. It is also important to mention here that once he immigrated to Israel, he started training the earliest members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Since that time, Krav Maga has been put into use by a number of di�erent police and military organizations. It is still currently practiced by the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as the Israeli Special Ops. Top intelligence organizations and law enforcement groups such as the Israeli National Intelligence Service, the Israeli Security Agency, the Mossad, and Shin Bet have also developed and adopted their own versions of the discipline.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Maximize Every Opportunity – The concept of opportunity cost plays a great deal in Krav Maga training. In life and death situations, students are taught to make the most of every opportunity presented to them. Never hesitate when given the chance to strike your opponent. This approach will make the ultimate di�erence in a �ght.

Be Aware of Your Situation – Situational awareness is one of the �rst things taught in a Krav Maga class. Students are taught to

recognize danger signs a mile away, and react to them instinctively. This discipline is incorporated into a student’s training by virtue of the di�erent types of drills used.

Krav Maga students are taught to assess all situations that they are faced with. For instance, when faced with a surprise attack, you should make it a priority to get o� the line of attack in order to assess the situation. Doing so will help you do the following:

Determine your opponent’s blind spot to attack it.

Look if there are any more attackers lying in wait.

Scan your surroundings for any object that you can turn into makeshift weapons

If you determine that the odds are against you, look for a means to escape

Defend From All Sides – Real life �ghts are usually messy. The whole situation itself will be

chaotic as you will often �nd yourself being attacked from all sides and without prior warning. You should from expect your opponent’s attacks to come from a number of di�erent angles. Oftentimes, you may even �nd yourself facing multiple enemies.

Having a good defense is almost as important as a great o�ense. Krav Maga recognizes the fact that there are various ways an enemy can attack. That is why students of this discipline are taught numerous blocking methods against all types of physical attacks. They are taught to make use of three basic techniques.

The �rst technique is known as the hand and foot defense. This involves blocking or de�ecting an enemy’s strike as well as breaking their hold on you. The second technique is a type of body defense. It makes use of quick movement and turning to avoid the enemy’s blow. Agility and a quick reaction time are both crucial in order for this to work. Finally, the third technique entails that you move around your attacker so that you are able to get o� his line of attack. This is probably one of the most important things you can do in a �ght as it will give you breathing room.

Mount A Counterattack When You Can – It is important to understand that opponents seek to overwhelm you with their attacks. In real life situations, you will most likely be facing numerous attacks from your opponents. Simply defending against their attacks will not be enough.

Krav Maga teaches its students to mount a counterattack whenever the situation presents itself. Successfully de�ecting your enemy’s initial attacks is only the �rst step. You will need to �nd a way to turn the tables against him. Get o� their attack line before mounting a counterattack on their blind spot.

Counterattacking is basically hitting two birds with one stone. It not only messes up your opponent’s rhythm, but it also gives you an opportunity to put yourself in the dominant

position. It should be your priority to look for your opponent’s weakness and pounce on it.

Hit Them Where It Hurts – Krav Maga students are taught to in�ict as much damage and pain against their attackers. In life threatening situations, your primary goal will always be survival. You can only do this by neutralizing the threat mounted against you. The most e�cient way to do this would be to attack the places where your enemy is most vulnerable.

That being said, one should not be surprised to �nd that moves like groin strikes and eye gouges are commonplace for Krav Maga practitioners. Other techniques would include kicks to the knees as well as a variety of face strikes targeting the enemy’s ears, nose, and temples. It is also important to mention here that blows and strikes are often delivered in continuous �urries speci�cally designed to overwhelm the opponent.

HISTORY AND REAL WORLD APPLICATION

Krav Maga has a rich history behind it. Closely examining its origins would fully explain how it became the one of the most aggressive martial arts today. In fact, its history is well entrenched in the struggles of the Jewish people during the 20th century.

It traces its roots to a man by the name of Imi Lichtenfeld. He was a Hungarian-Israeli martial artist who became the founder of this particular discipline. During the 1930’s, he combined his street-�ghting skills with his boxing and wrestling background to assist in the e�orts to defend Bratislava’s Jewish quarter against the fascists.

During that time unwittingly laid down the basics of what would become known as Krav Maga. However, over the years, the principles behind this �ghting style continued to become more de�ned. In fact, Imi Lichtenfeld continued to develop his own brand of �ghting after World War II. It is also important to mention here that once he immigrated to Israel, he started training the earliest members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

Since that time, Krav Maga has been put into use by a number of di�erent police and military organizations. It is still currently practiced by the Israeli Defense Forces, as well as the Israeli Special Ops. Top intelligence organizations and law enforcement groups such as the Israeli National Intelligence Service, the Israeli Security Agency, the Mossad, and Shin Bet have also developed and adopted their own versions of the discipline.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

Maximize Every Opportunity – The concept of opportunity cost plays a great deal in Krav Maga training. In life and death situations, students are taught to make the most of every opportunity presented to them. Never hesitate when given the chance to strike your opponent. This approach will make the ultimate di�erence in a �ght.

Be Aware of Your Situation – Situational awareness is one of the �rst things taught in a Krav Maga class. Students are taught to

recognize danger signs a mile away, and react to them instinctively. This discipline is incorporated into a student’s training by virtue of the di�erent types of drills used.

Krav Maga students are taught to assess all situations that they are faced with. For instance, when faced with a surprise attack, you should make it a priority to get o� the line of attack in order to assess the situation. Doing so will help you do the following:

Determine your opponent’s blind spot to attack it.

Look if there are any more attackers lying in wait.

Scan your surroundings for any object that you can turn into makeshift weapons

If you determine that the odds are against you, look for a means to escape

Defend From All Sides – Real life �ghts are usually messy. The whole situation itself will be

chaotic as you will often �nd yourself being attacked from all sides and without prior warning. You should from expect your opponent’s attacks to come from a number of di�erent angles. Oftentimes, you may even �nd yourself facing multiple enemies.

Having a good defense is almost as important as a great o�ense. Krav Maga recognizes the fact that there are various ways an enemy can attack. That is why students of this discipline are taught numerous blocking methods against all types of physical attacks. They are taught to make use of three basic techniques.

The �rst technique is known as the hand and foot defense. This involves blocking or de�ecting an enemy’s strike as well as breaking their hold on you. The second technique is a type of body defense. It makes use of quick movement and turning to avoid the enemy’s blow. Agility and a quick reaction time are both crucial in order for this to work. Finally, the third technique entails that you move around your attacker so that you are able to get o� his line of attack. This is probably one of the most important things you can do in a �ght as it will give you breathing room.

Mount A Counterattack When You Can – It is important to understand that opponents seek to overwhelm you with their attacks. In real life situations, you will most likely be facing numerous attacks from your opponents. Simply defending against their attacks will not be enough.

Krav Maga teaches its students to mount a counterattack whenever the situation presents itself. Successfully de�ecting your enemy’s initial attacks is only the �rst step. You will need to �nd a way to turn the tables against him. Get o� their attack line before mounting a counterattack on their blind spot.

Counterattacking is basically hitting two birds with one stone. It not only messes up your opponent’s rhythm, but it also gives you an opportunity to put yourself in the dominant

position. It should be your priority to look for your opponent’s weakness and pounce on it.

Hit Them Where It Hurts – Krav Maga students are taught to in�ict as much damage and pain against their attackers. In life threatening situations, your primary goal will always be survival. You can only do this by neutralizing the threat mounted against you. The most e�cient way to do this would be to attack the places where your enemy is most vulnerable.

That being said, one should not be surprised to �nd that moves like groin strikes and eye gouges are commonplace for Krav Maga practitioners. Other techniques would include kicks to the knees as well as a variety of face strikes targeting the enemy’s ears, nose, and temples. It is also important to mention here that blows and strikes are often delivered in continuous �urries speci�cally designed to overwhelm the opponent.

Krav Maga is a martial arts discipline that employs a quick and vicious reaction. It could easily mean the di�erence between life and death. It is important to mention here that all the techniques taught by this discipline are meant for real-life application. While the moves themselves may not be pretty, they are most certainly e�ective. That being said, it is not at all surprising to �nd that Krav Maga is widely considered by some to be the ultimate hand-to-hand �ghting discipline.