Who made Krav Maga?

What do we do in Krav Maga?

Who can train Krav Maga?

What if I have trained another martial art before?

How do I find a qualified instructor?

Does Krav Maga also include weapons training?

There seems to be a special fitness and cardio training developed for the purposes of KM. Could you tell me something about it?

I hear about a military and a civilian type of Krav Maga, what is the difference?

There is no competition in KM as there are no rules. How then can you try to simulate a reality check of your training? Does Krav Maga know some sort of sparring?

Who made Krav Maga?

Krav Maga was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld in his career, as a Chief Instructor for Close Combat in I.D.F., and then within different civilian systems.

It is a new system, not reaching back more than the state of Israel, and has only been offered for civillians since 1963 on a commercial base. The system has spread beyond Israel`s borders, and there are now instructors teaching in Europe and North and South America.

It has recieved international recognition as a superior and highly practical method of self-defense, easy to learn and natural to perform so individuals can attain a high level of proficiency within a relatively short period of instruction

 

What do we do in Krav Maga?

There are two main parts, which in a acctual treathening situation becomes one, in the system: Self-defense techniques and Hand to Hand Combat techniques.

The self-defense makes the foundation of Krav Maga. It contains techniques that enable the practitioner to effectively defend himself against both armed and unarmed attacers. The techniques are practiced in unknowned situations, like in the dark, on the ground, outdoors and in situations which limits the trainees movement.

Hand to Hand combat is a advanced level of Krav Maga. Here the student learns how to defeat an opponent quickly and effectively. This involves different elements of a fight: tactics, techniques, combinations, psycology and mentality of a fighter.

 

Who can train Krav Maga?

Everyone can train Krav Maga! Specially since we train different groups, the ones participating will get a system that fits their needs.

The regular seminars and club training is ideal for civil men and women who would like to feel a bit safer in everyday situations.

In the USA the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is using Krav Maga. The Coastguards Tactical Unit, Beverly Hills Police Department and many more within law enforcement in USA has adapted the hole or parts of the system in their self-defense training.

Around the world the system is used and trained by thousends of civilians men, women and children, police, security, bodyguards.

The fact that the system is so easy to learn and use makes it a perfect system both for private persons and for law enforcement. In Norway we teach civilians, security companies, bodyguards, and police-officers

 

What if I have trained another martial art before?

Contrary to the belives of some people, Krav Maga is an indepened system of self-defense. It is not just a mix of other systems and techniques.

The system can only be taught by instructors who has qualified as Krav Maga instructors by undergoing instructor training in the system over a significant time.

As a trainee you will need to cover our basic level training as much of the self-defense are covered here. Of course if you have a good foundation in a relavant martial art you will make progress in the system quicker and it will be easier to obsorb the training.

 

How do I find a qualified instructor?

This is the biggest problem we have these days. Finding qualified instructors is not an easy task.

The IKMF has a instructor training program which educates instructors, but it is an very intensive and demanding program, and we are selective of who we accept into the training. If you look at the instructor pages here you will find a list of instructors that has gone through the program and that have kept themselves up-dated.

Instructors are required to participate in seminars every year to keep updated on changes in the system , and futher develope their instructor skills. If you come across people claiming to be instructors but you can not find them on our page, they are most likely not certified by the IKMF.

 

Does Krav Maga also include weapons training?

Yes we teach stick and knife fighting. Not to much in the lower levels, but very much in the higher levels. But also in special fighting classes where the topics can be stick fighting.

The Krav Maga approach to stick and knife fighting is very much the same as its approach to self-defense, and it it much more simpel in its movements then any of the philipino systems

 

There seems to be a special fitness and cardio training developed for the purposes of KM. Could you tell me something about it?

Yes, Fit`n Fight as it is known in Europe or KO Cardio as it is known in US. Basically it is taking self-defense and fighting techniques and combining them with aerobic training.

But it differs from the regular Tae-Bo or Aero-Kick systems you find in regular aerobic training centers in that it is actally KM system only toned down and put more emphasize on the physical workout. It is very good, but very hard..

 

I hear about a military and a civilian type of Krav Maga, what is the difference?

The "civillian type of Krav Maga" you are refering to is the regular Krav Maga that is being taught all over the world to men and women.

The "military type" is Krav Maga taught to military and special forces. It is basically the same system but geared towards the need of this particular group of people.

Also some of the training methods are more suited for this group. A civil instructor will not be teaching the military style unless he has special training.

 

There is no competition in KM as there are no rules. How then can you try to simulate a reality check of your training? Does Krav Maga know some sort of sparring?

Yes we do several types of sparring, everything from slow-fighting which is a very good tool if you know how to use it.

To live fighting using protection (gloves, groin guard, mouth piece, head protection etc) However mostly we do light fighting without protective gear with moderate touches and relatively high speed.