What is Krav Maga ?

Krav Maga is the Israeli Hand to Hand combat system originating in the Israeli Defence Forces. The Krav Maga system was founded by Imi Sde Or, an enigmatic Instructor, boxer and wrestler.

The system is based on the principle of using simple, instinctive movements that can be that can be applied to a wide range of situations. Combined with realistic scenarios and intensive training, Krav Maga offers a fast route to realistic self defence training for all abilities. In fact the Krav Maga proved to be so effective that it is now taught to Military and Law Enforcement agencies across the world.

Krav Maga has no Katas, ancient weapons or exotic martial arts type moves. It’s an aggressive striking based system that uses simple principles and your own natural responces to danger. Rather than attempting to deliver complex techniques made up a range of learned movements – Krav Maga stresses the use of aggressive, repeated attacks to vulnerable areas enabling you to escape in the shortest possible time. This aggressive mentality combined with a range of simple blocks, strikes and releases makes the system fast to learn and incredibly effective to use.

Guiding principles of Krav Maga

Krav Maga has a sophisticated approach to training and defensive tactics coupled with an emphasis on reality not commonly found in martial arts training. The whole Krav Maga approach is about stopping the threat and releasing yourself from a position of disadvantage whilst continually counter attacking to aid escape.

Krav Maga includes fighting from the ground and clinching. It focuses on stopping any threat, aggressive counter attacks and returning to your feet. The tactic is very effective, though prohibited in MMA.

Krav Maga  teaches practitioners to apply frequent powerful strikes aimed relentlessly at the throat, groin or eyes. You wont usually see a Krav Maga practitioner go for a wrist lock, choke, arm lock or take-down.  A more typical Krav Maga responce to something like a shirt grab or hold, is heavy striking to the throat, eyes or groin then an application of some form of release. The method is simple, fast and intuitive. It also makes Krav Maga incredibly fast to learn.

General Philosophy of Krav Maga

Despite its direct and aggressive methods, Krav Maga is not a system that encourages violence or conflict.  The system heavily emphasises avoidance or escaping potentially violent situations. Practitioners are trained to do what ever is necessary to stop the threat and no more.

Grappling and Krav Maga.

Krav Maga does use grappling techniques but preference is always given to making distance and striking. The rationale is that grappling is slower to apply and ineffective against knives or multiple attackers. Sadly these are common threats on the street today and render most grappling skills redundant.

Grappling movements in Krav Maga are usually combined with close quarter strikes to vulnerable areas if the practitioner cant break free by any faster means. This simple and direct approach is easy to remember and instinctive to apply.

Who is Krav Maga suitable for..

In a word, everybody. Krav Maga offers simple techniques that can be learned by anybody, irrespective of age size or fitness. This realistic approach makes Krav Maga well suited for women and smaller people emphasising escape and avoidance over any kind of stand toe to toe mentality. Krav Maga suits individuals who want something that will work without out years of practice.  No experience is required and the system provides a great work out.

Krav Maga can be taught to children in a modified form with reduced intensity and less emphasis on aggression.

If you are based in the Bristol or Weston Super Mare areas please come and see for your self, you can book a free session by clicking on the Book a Free session button.