Fake Krav Maga Instructors
The prevalence of fake or copycat Krav Maga instructors is a real problem in the martial arts industry. This is worsened by misleading claims originating from a few individuals claiming association with Israeli Special Forces and offering a range of quick 'Instructor' certification courses.
Dressing up in combats or claiming to teach 'Special Forces' type training after a 3 or 5 day course does not make a Krav Maga Instructor.
The point missed by these organisations and those training in them is that Krav Maga has had 70 plus years development as a front line combat system and possibly millions using and applying it in the real world. This history, credibility and sheer experience cant be replicated by a pair of combats, using military terminology and a 5 day Instructor Course.
Bashing the competition ?
To be clear - we are not simply bashing any competition. There are some great Krav Maga Instructors and Organisations here in the UK and we compete for business with these - no problem. However there is a huge problem with Krav Maga fakes and copycats both nationally and Internationally. Here in Bristol we have a wide range of great Martial Arts schools. Genuine, talanted Instructors with a passion for their systems and their training. Students chose a system and instructor that suits them - no problem.
The name 'Krav Maga'
Krav Maga is indeed a generic Hebrew term. However Krav Maga the system is not. Krav Maga is a highly specific set of strategies, principles and techniques. People come to Krav Maga specifically because of it's reputation and history. Krav Maga's pedigree is exceptional and the system is literally the most battle proven system in the world. In fact, Krav Maga is so highly regarded that it's taught to Military and law enforcement units across the globe.
Not one of the immitators such as Kapap or Commando Krav Maga has been consistantly taught to any Military or Law enforcement units anywhere. Krav Maga however is still taught to the Israeli Military and over 500 other Military and Law Enforcement units Internationally. That direct comparison alone shows the difference in quality between the training delivered.
Krav Maga's 72 year history of evolution and development is unparalleled anywhere. It's this that makes Krav Maga unique.
We believe if someone is paying for Krav Maga, they should be able to get it. People want to train in Krav Maga because of its unique approach and methodology. They dont want Crav Maga, Krave Mage, Commando Krav Maga or Kapap.
In short if its spelt differently, prefaced EG 'Commando' Krav Maga, its not Krav Maga..
These systems may or may not be great, But whatever they are, they are not Krav Maga and should be judged on their own merits. Certainly not on any claimed association with Krav Maga or the Israeli Military.
What to look for..
Its difficult to tell what Krav Maga looks like if you have never done it. So, how can you find real Krav Maga Here are some quick pointers.
1. Check out what Organisation they are with.
Search for a large reputable association or governing body. The main groups in the UK are British Krav Maga Association, International Krav Maga Federation, Krav Maga Global, Krav Maga World Wide and F.E.K.M.
2. Check out the lineage.
All Krav Maga comes from Imi Lichtenfeldt (Also called Imi Sde Or in hebrew). Check the instructor is specific about their lineage and how they are connected to Israel. Few Instructors outside of Israel would have learned under Imi but most will have been taught by one of his students, or more likely a student of a student. Avoid any instructor is is vague about how long their instructor training took, where their Krav Maga came from, or the Organisation that trained them.
3. Avoid the copycats and fake systems
Instructors teaching copycat systems may or may not be great martial artists - but what ever they are teaching - its not Krav and should not pretend to be. The main problem is that dressing up in combats or claiming to teach Israeli Special Forces combatives does not compensate for the 70+ years frontline training and evolution Krav Maga went through.
Commando Krav Maga
The most well known fake is probably Moni Aizik - founder of Commando Krav Maga. Despite impressive claims it turned out Aizik was neither a commando nor ever Krav Maga Instructor. It did not stop him founding Commando Krav Maga, although here in the UK he fell foul of advertising standards for misleading advertising.
Kapap
Kapap was a general name given to trainng in swimming, explosives, radio communication and some self defence moves, prior to 1948. Its was quickly replaced by Imi's Krav Maga with the founding of the Israeli defence forces. Kapap was not so much a system as a name for training. The term Kapap re emerged was used primarily by Avi Nadia for a system of training he put together. Despite attempts to associate Kapap with assorted Israeli Special Forces it was never taught in the Israeli Military. Nadia became the focus of a range of revelations about his claimed career and military history.
Having said that I know of one great Kapap instructor in Sheffield. He is great because of his boxing, thai and BJJ background - as for the Kapap ....
What to look for in the lesson
Krav Maga is a striking based system The whole approach is about stopping or releasing yourself, striking to breakaway from the threat and then escaping. Anyone teaching you to rush in and grab an opponent to apply a disarm or choke is best avoided. What ever they call it, its a foolish strategy and exposes you to a high level of risk.
Simply kick em in the groin and run like hell - it's the Krav way.
Krav Maga teaches frequent powerfull strikes aimed relentlessly at the throat, groin or eyes. You wont typically see a Krav Maga practitioner go for a wrist lock, choke, arm lock or take-down. A typical Krav Maga responce to a grab or hold is heavy striking to the throat, eyes or groin then an application of some form of break away or release.
Generally grappling movements are proceeded by a knees, kicks and strikes and then only applied if the practitioner cant get free by a faster method.
This simple direct approach is easy to remember, instinctive to apply and consequently fast to learn.
Does it work - well the proof is in the pudding so to speak. ;-) If it didn't work I am guessing we wouldn't have so many imitators.
Stay safe.
Paul Grey
Krav Maga Bristol



