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Krav Maga

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Krav Maga
Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.קרב מגע
200
Krav Maga course at an Israeli Paratroopers school in 1955
FocusHybrid
Country of originIsrael
CreatorImi Lichtenfeld
ParenthoodBoxing, Wrestling, Judo, Aikido and Karate
Olympic sportNo

Krav Maga (/krɑːv mɑːɡɑː/; Hebrew: Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.קרב מגע, [ˈkʁav maˈɡa(ʔ)], lit. "contact combat") is a military self-defence and fighting system developed for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli security forces[1][2] derived from a combination of techniques sourced from Boxing, Wrestling, Judo, Aikido, and Karate.[3][4] Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and its extreme efficiency.[5] It was derived from the street-fighting experience of Hungarian-Israeli martial artist Imi Lichtenfeld, who made use of his training as a boxer and wrestler, while defending the Jewish quarter against fascist groups in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, during the mid-to-late 1930s.[6] In the late 1940s, after his aliyah to Mandatory Palestine, he began to provide lessons on combat training to what was to become the IDF.[7]

From the outset, the original concept of Krav Maga was to take the most effective and practical techniques of other fighting styles (originally European boxing, wrestling, and street fighting) and to make them rapidly teachable to military conscripts.[8] Krav Maga has a philosophy emphasizing aggression,[9] and simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers.[10] Krav Maga has been used by the Israel Defense Forces' special forces units, security forces and by regular infantry units.[11] Closely related variations have been developed and adopted by Israeli law enforcement and intelligence organizations. There are several organizations teaching variations of Krav Maga internationally.[12] In addition, there are two types of this martial art; one type is used in the Israeli security forces and one type is in civilian use.[13]

Etymology[]

The name in Hebrew can be translated as "contact combat". The three letter root of the first word is k-r-v (Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.קרב), and the noun derived from this root can be translated as either "combat" or "battle".[14][15] Maga is a participle form derived from the verb root "n-g-'a" (Page Template:Script/styles hebrew.css has no content.נגע) which means "contact" or "touch".[16]

Basic principles[]

File:קרב מגע.jpg

IDF soldier sparring in full combat gear

File:Desert Eagle 110310-F-VU439-369.jpg

US Air Force and British Royal Air Force security personnel during Krav Maga training.

Like most martial arts, Krav Maga encourages students to avoid physical confrontation.[17] If this is impossible or unsafe, it promotes finishing a fight as quickly and aggressively as possible. Attacks are aimed at the most vulnerable parts of the body, and training is not limited to techniques that avoid severe injury; some even permanently injure or cause death to the opponent.

Students learn to defend against all variety of attacks and are taught to counter in the quickest and most efficient way.

Ideas in Krav Maga include:[18]

  • Simultaneous attack and defense
  • Developing physical aggression (not to be confused with emotional aggression or anger), with the view that physical aggression is the most important component in a fight[19]
  • Continuing to strike the opponent until they are completely incapacitated.[20]
  • Attacking pre-emptively or counterattacking as soon as possible
  • Using any objects at hand that could be used to hit an opponent.[21]
  • Targeting attacks to the body's most vulnerable points, such as: the eyes, neck or throat, face, solar plexus, groin, ribs, knee, foot, fingers, liver, etc.
  • Using simple and easily repeatable strikes.[21]
  • Maintaining awareness of surroundings while dealing with the threat in order to look for escape routes, further attackers, or objects that could be used to strike an opponent.
  • Developing muscle memory for quick reaction in fight.
  • Recognizing the importance of and expanding on instinctive response under stress[22][23][24]

Training can also cover the study and development of situational awareness to develop an understanding of one's surroundings, learning to understand the psychology of a street confrontation, and identifying potential threats before an attack occurs. It may also cover physical and verbal methods to avoid violence whenever possible. It also teaches mental toughness, using controlled scenarios to strengthen mental fortitude in order for students to control the impulse and not do something rash, but instead attack only when necessary and as a last resort.

Techniques[]

File:Krav Maga demonstration.ogg

Media footage demonstrating Krav Maga techniques to deal with assailants in mock combat using multiple different types of weapons; namely a pole, a knife, a gun, a rifle and hand-to-hand.

File:Conan kick.jpg

Krav Maga training

Some of the key focuses of techniques[25] in Krav Maga are—as described above—effectiveness and instinctive response under stress. To that end, Krav Maga is an eclectic system that has not sought to replace existing effective techniques, taking what is useful from available systems, for example:

  • Strikes – as per karate, and boxing,
  • Take-downs and throws – per judo, aikido and wrestling
  • Ground work – per judo and wrestling
  • Escapes from chokes and holds – per judo, aikido, wrestling
  • Empty-hand weapon defenses – per aikido

History[]

Imre Lichtenfeld (also known as Imi S'de-Or) was born in 1910 in Budapest, Austro-Hungary to a Jewish family and grew up in Bratislava (Slovakia). Lichtenfeld became active in a wide range of sports, including gymnastics, wrestling, and boxing. In 1928, Lichtenfeld won the Slovak Youth Wrestling Championship, and in 1929 the adult championship (light and middle weight divisions).[26] That same year, he also won the national boxing championship and an international gymnastics championship. During the ensuing decade, Lichtenfeld's athletic activities focused mainly on wrestling, both as a contestant and a trainer.

In the mid-1930s, anti-Semitic riots began to threaten the Jews of Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. Lichtenfeld became the leader of a group of Jewish boxers and wrestlers who took to the streets to defend Jewish neighborhoods against the growing numbers of anti-Semitic national socialists. Lichtenfeld quickly discovered, however, that actual fighting was very different from competition fighting, and although boxing and wrestling were good sports, they were not always practical for the aggressive and brutal nature of street combat. It was then that he started to re-evaluate his ideas about fighting and started developing the skills and techniques that would eventually become Krav Maga. Having become a thorn in the side of the equally anti-Semitic local authorities, in 1940 Lichtenfeld left his home with his family and friends on the last refugee ship to escape Europe.

File:Team Minot 'kicks' up their techniques 121007-F-RB551-106.jpg

US Air Force Security forces members during Krav Maga training.

After making his way to Mandatory Palestine, Lichtenfeld joined the Haganah paramilitary organization.[27] In 1944 Lichtenfeld began training fighters in his areas of expertise: physical fitness, swimming, wrestling, use of the knife, and defense against knife attacks. During this period, Lichtenfeld trained several elite units of the Haganah including Palmach (striking force of the Haganah and forerunner of the special units of the Israel Defense Forces) and the Pal-Yam, as well as groups of police officers.

In 1948, when the State of Israel was founded and the IDF was formed, Lichtenfeld 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-defense and hand-to-hand combat. [28] Self-defense was not a new concept, since nearly all martial arts had developed some form of defensive techniques in their quest for tournament or sport dominance. However, self-defense was based strictly upon the scientific and dynamic principles of the human body. In 1965 judo training was added as part of the Krav Maga training. Until 1968 there were no grades in Krav Maga. Then a trainee's grades were determined largely by his knowledge in judo.[29][30]

In 1968 Eli Avikzar, Lichtenfeld's principal student and first black belt,[31] began learning aikido. In 1971 Eli left for France, where he received a black belt in aikido.[32] Upon his return, Avikzar started working as an instructor alongside Imi to integrate more traditional martial arts into krav maga.[33] Then in 1974 Imre retired and gave Eli Avikzar control over the Krav Maga training center in Netanya.[34] Shortly after, in 1976, Avikzar joined the permanent force of IDF, as head of the Krav Maga section. The role of Krav Maga in the army advanced greatly after Eli's appointment. More courses were given and every P.E. instructor was obliged to learn Krav Maga. Avikzar continued to develop Krav Maga within the IDF until his retirement in 1987. Up to this date, Eli had trained 80,000 male soldiers and 12,000 female soldiers.[31]

Further pursuing excellence as a student of martial arts, Eli went to Germany in 1977 and received a black belt in aikido from the European Federation.[35] In 1978 the Krav Maga association was established, and in 1989, as an active member of the judo association, Eli Avikzar helped to establish the professional and rank committees by founding the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA or KAMI).[35] Eli retired as the Chief Krav Maga instructor in 1987 and Boaz Aviram became the third person to hold the position, being the last head instructor to have studied directly with both Lichtenfeld and Avikzar.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Krav Maga in the Israeli government[]

File:Grand masters small talk.jpg

Krav Maga Grand Master Imi Lichtenfeld and Yaron Lichtenstein

The IDF offers a five-week Krav Maga instructor course.[36] It has held an annual Krav Maga competition since May 2013.[37]

Krav Maga for civilians[]

Upon Imi Lichtenfeld's retirement from the IDF, he decided to open a school and teach Krav Maga to civilians.[38] The first Krav Maga course took place at the Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel, in 1971, under his direct supervision.[39][40]

Lichtenfeld died in January 1998 in Netanya, Israel.[41]

Grading system[]

Most of the Krav Maga organizations in Israel use Imi Lichtenfeld's colored belt grading system which is based upon the Judo ranking system. It starts with white belt, and then yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and black belts. Black belt students can move up the ranks from 1st to 9th Dan. The time and requirements for advancing have some differences between the organizations.

Other organizations that teach Krav Maga in and outside of Israel use similar grading systems.[42]

A patch system was developed by Eyal Yanilov in the late 1980s. The grades are divided into three main categories; Practitioner, Graduate and Expert. Each of the categories, which are often abbreviated to their initials, has five ranks. Grades P1 through to P5 are the student levels and make up the majority of the Krav Maga community.[43] After P5 are G1-G5, and in order to achieve Graduate level the student has to demonstrate a proficiency in all of the P level techniques before advancing.[44]

Belt colors and IKMF patches
White File:Ceinture blanche.png File:Krav Maga P0 Patch.svg
Yellow File:Ceinture jaune.png File:Krav Maga P1 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga P2 Patch.svg
Orange File:Ceinture orange.png File:Krav Maga P3 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga P4 Patch.svg
Green File:Ceinture verte.png File:Krav Maga P5 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga G1 Patch.svg
Blue File:Ceinture bleue.png File:Krav Maga G2 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga G3 Patch.svg
Brown File:Ceinture marron.png File:Krav Maga G4 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga G5 Patch.svg
Black File:Ceinture noire.png File:Krav Maga E1 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga E2 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga E3 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga E4 Patch.svg
File:Krav Maga E5 Patch.svg

Although there are some subtle differences, the various organizations teach the same core techniques and principles.[45] Some other organizations have less formal grading ranks without belts or patches but do have levels by which students can monitor their progress.[46]

Sparring[]

In some organizations sparring is slow and light until the student reaches G2 level. This takes approximately four to six years because rising one level in the Practitioner and Graduate categories takes at minimum half a year of consistent training. It is, however, more common to observe regular trainees grading only once a year from P3 and up.[47]

Once in G2, students also do simulated "real" fighting with protective gear.[48]


See also[]

Notes[]

References[]

  1. ↑ "About Krav Maga". sgskravmaga.com.au. {{cite web}}:
  2. ↑ Green, Thomas A. (2001) (in en). Martial Arts of the World: En Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1576071502. https://books.google.com/books?id=v32oHSE5t6cC&pg=PA307. Retrieved 13 April 2017. 
  3. ↑ "Traditional Krav Maga(TM): Eli Avikzar the Second in Israeli Defense Force Krav Maga Chief Instructor". kravmaganewyork.blogspot.com. {{cite web}}:
  4. ↑ "Krav Maga Federation – Israeli Martial Arts and Self-Defense". kravmagainc.com. {{cite web}}:
  5. ↑ Levine, Darren; Whitman, John (2009). Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 200 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques. ISBN 978-1569751794. https://books.google.com/books?id=5vXW_oGlZ8wC. Retrieved 3 April 2015. 
  6. ↑ Hodsdon, Amelia (8 February 2005). "Get your kicks with Israeli tricks". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/feb/09/israel.theeditorpressreview. 
  7. ↑ "Krav Maga in IDF". Retrieved 2015-05-01 – via youtube.com. {{cite web}}:
  8. ↑ Inside Israel, Nov 2002, Vol. 40, No. 11, p. 68 Black Belt Magazine, Active Interest Media
  9. ↑ Black Belt Magazine, July 2000, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 37 Krav Maga’s Top 10, Active Interest Media
  10. ↑ "All change on the buses". BBC News. 15 January 1998. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/47442.stm. 
  11. ↑ "Elite soldiers fight it out in IDF's first-ever Krav Maga tournament". IDF Blog. May 27, 2013. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. {{cite web}}:
  12. ↑ Jim Wagner and Maj. Avi Nardia. "Inside Israel". Black Belt Magazine. http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/141. 
  13. ↑ Jim Wagner and Maj. Avi Nardia. "Inside Israel". Black Belt Magazine. http://www.blackbeltmag.com/archives/141. 
  14. ↑ Ben-Yehuda, Ehud; Weinstein, David (1961). Ben-Yehuda's Pocket English-Hebrew Hebrew-English Dictionary. New York: Pocket books. ISBN 978-0671688622. 
  15. ↑ Brown, Francis; Driver, S.; C., Briggs (2012). The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson. ISBN 978-1565632066. 
  16. ↑ Brown, Francis; Driver, S.; C., Briggs (2012). The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson. ISBN 978-1565632066. 
  17. ↑ "Krav maga training: preparing for street reality" (in en-US). Krav Maga Guild. http://kravmagaguild.com/krav-maga-training/. 
  18. ↑ Poulomi Banerjee (28 January 2009). "Contact combat: Self-Defence classes to stay safe". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090128/jsp/entertainment/story_10446686.jsp. 
  19. ↑ Black Belt, July 2000, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 37 Krav Maga’s Top 10, Active interest Media
  20. ↑ Black Belt, July 2000, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 35
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Black Belt, July 2000, Vol. 38, No. 7, p. 37
  22. ↑ Kahn, David (28 June 2016) (in en). Krav Maga Defence: How to Defend Yourself Against the 12 Most Common Unarmed Street Attacks. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-1250090836. https://books.google.com/books?id=OQkmCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA30. Retrieved 13 April 2017. 
  23. ↑ Levine, Darren; Hoover, Ryan (3 February 2009) (in en). Krav Maga for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide to the World's Easiest-to-Learn, Most-Effective Fitness and Fighting Program. Ulysses Press. ISBN 978-1569755372. https://books.google.com/books?id=5eEEqqJlVz8C&pg=PA31. Retrieved 13 April 2017. 
  24. ↑ "What is Krav Maga?". Tactica Krav Maga Institute. Retrieved 13 April 2017. {{cite web}}:
  25. ↑ "List of Krav Maga Techniques (Beginner & Advanced)". {{cite web}}:
  26. ↑ "Bio Imi Lichtenfeld | Fédération Européenne de Krav-maga". www.krav-maga.net. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2017. {{cite web}}:
  27. ↑ Martins, Victor Figueiredo, João Carlos, Marcelo. "Krav Maga". www.kravmaga.com.br. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2017. {{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. ↑ "Krav Maga Toronto | Imi Lichtenfeld, Founder of Krav Maga" (in en-US). Krav Maga Toronto. http://kravmagatoronto.com/imi-lichtenfeld/. 
  29. ↑ "Eli Avikzar". http://krav-maga.wincol.ac.il/?page_id=1910. 
  30. ↑ "Eli Avikzar". http://traditionalkravmaga.com/page154.html. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "What is K.A.M.I?". kravmagen.ca. {{cite web}}:
  32. ↑ Aviram, Boaz (11 November 2019). The Krav Maga Expert - Mental Training to become Pure Krav Maga and Hand-to ... - Boaz Aviram - Google Books. ISBN 9781794739185. https://books.google.com/books?id=8gjBDwAAQBAJ&q=Krav+Maga+aikido+wrestling++judo&pg=PA17. 
  33. ↑ "About the Founder ELI AVIKZAR". kravmagen.ca. {{cite web}}:
  34. ↑ "History of Krav-Maga". krav-maga.ro. {{cite web}}:
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "Israeli Krav Maga vs. Commando Krav Maga". judo-for-self-defense.com. {{cite web}}: Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "wincol.ac.il" defined multiple times with different content
  36. ↑ "Rare Glimpse into the Ultimate Martial Arts: Krav Maga Instructors' Course - IDF Blog - The Official Blog of the Israel Defense ForcesIDF Blog - The Official Blog of the Israel Defense Forces". IDF Blog - The Official Blog of the Israel Defense Forces. March 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. {{cite web}}:
  37. ↑ "Elite soldiers fight it out in IDF's first-ever Krav Maga tournament". Israeli Defense Forces. 27 May 2013. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. {{cite web}}:
  38. ↑ Gonzalez Jr., Arturo (15 November 1976). "It's Called 'Kosher Kungfu' but Imi Lichtenfeld's New Martial Art Is a Deadly Affair". People Magazine. http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20067113,00.html. Retrieved 10 October 2011. 
  39. ↑ Krav Maga Practical Instructors Course May 2014 23 January 2014 Archived 8 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  40. ↑ "Emrich Lichtenfeld (sde-or)". K.A.M.I. – Krav Magen History. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2013. {{cite web}}:
  41. ↑ Bob Riha, Jr. (24 February 2005). "Krav Maga teaches practical self-defense in tough workout". USA Today. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-02-24-krav-maga_x.htm. 
  42. ↑ "Grading System". krav-maga.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013. {{cite web}}:
  43. ↑ "About Krav Maga". www.kravmagaglobalne.com. Retrieved 2019-08-09. {{cite web}}:
  44. ↑ "Krav Maga Grading System". www.sgskravmaga.com.au. Retrieved 2020-07-09. {{cite web}}:
  45. ↑ "Home Page". W.A.V. Retrieved 30 July 2017. {{cite web}}:
  46. ↑ "Becoming An OIS Instructor". Retrieved 22 February 2018. {{cite web}}:
  47. ↑ "Krav Maga for Civilians - Krav Maga Global KMG". Krav-maga.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017. {{cite web}}:
  48. ↑ "Fighting Drills G2 - Training Syllabus Sample". Maxkravmaga.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2015. {{cite web}}:

Further reading[]

External links[]

  • Media related to Krav Maga at Wikimedia Commons
Martial arts
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Training Kata • Practice weapon • Punching bag • Pushing hands • Randori • Sparring
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Striking Boxing • Capoeira • Karate • Kickboxing • Muay Thai • Lethwei • Sanshou • Savate • Taekwondo • Vovinam
Internal Aikido • Aikijutsu • Baguazhang • Tai chi • Xing Yi Quan
Full contact / combat sports Professional boxing • Professional kickboxing • Knockdown karate • Mixed martial arts • Submission wrestling
Self-defense / combatives Arnis • Bartitsu • Hapkido • Kajukenbo • Krav Maga • MCMAP • Pencak Silat • Systema • Wing Chun • Legal aspects
Eclectic / hybrids American Kenpo • Chun Kuk Do • Jeet Kune Do • Kuk Sool • Shooto • Shorinji Kempo • Unifight
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