Everyone knows the benefits and advantages of traditional martial arts like Karate-do, Boxing, Muay Thai, Shaolin Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, Kalarippayattu, Taekwondo, Judo, Aikido, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling etc. In a sports ring, any expert who has invested years of experience in such martial arts will be any day better than any novice.
However, a common criticism of some traditional martial arts is the lack of real-life applicability – will all those fancy moves hold up against thugs with weapons on the street in a crowded bus.? A lot of people when asked why they study their particular Martial Art will answer “So I can look after myself”, or something similar.
After a while most people seem to realize that most Martial Arts in their traditional form are not realistic self defence systems – and were never meant to be – but a sport, whereby a modern Karate practitioner (for example) can compete against another karate practitioner.
There are rules to prevent illegal moves and foul play; and that is how it should be. This of course is a very basic view as most martial arts offer the serious student a lot more such as self-awareness and character building, fitness, friendship and so on.
After a while, most people seem to realize that most Martial Arts in their traditional form are not realistic self-defence systems – and were never meant to be but a sport: involving rules to prevent illegal moves and foul play.
Unlike most martial arts that are formal, ritual-oriented, and difficult to learn, Krav Maga learning no-holds-barred moves in realistic environments. Given, there are some similarities between Krav Maga and traditional eastern martial arts, however there are no competitive tournaments, katas, rituals, or routines in Krav Maga..
The fighting system consists of street survival tactics that includes a hybrid of mixed martial arts techniques also utilized in boxing, karate, judo, ju-jitsu, muay thai, as well as a number of less well-known styles.
Nothing in Krav Maga deals with theory. It’s all practical, all the time. Everything you learn you can use. Another thing which distinguishes Krav Maga from traditional martial arts is the fact that you train for situations where you are in a distinct inferior position, such as: fighting with one hand, fighting while sitting down, fighting against an armed assailant, fighting against multiple opponents, etc.. .
Most of these would be deemed “illegal” situations in most martial arts. Krav Maga focuses specifically on these types of situations.
No other martial arts form comes close to the simplicity, power and effectiveness of Krav Maga. It is designed to give one the skills and techniques to supremely defeat an enemy with quick and lethal responses to attacks.
The recent years has gained Krav Maga a good following because it is easy to learn, and the combat tactics involved are guaranteed to ward off unwanted and threatening individuals.
Indeed there are some similarities between Krav-Maga and martial arts. However, Krav-Maga was developed in an environment where the Israeli military could not devote many hours to prolonged hand to hand combat training for their personnel.
Anyway just for people who like to compare things, here is a small table. We do not wish to offend any martial artist or start a debate of who is best.
| Traditional Martial Arts | Krav-Maga |
| Formal, ritual oriented, and difficult to learn | Fighting dirty and learning no-holds-barred moves in a realistic environment |
| Expects the student to adapt to it | Adapts to the student |
| Teaches moves adapted from animals | Students build on their natural human reflexes |
| Competitive tournaments, katas, rituals, or choreographed routines | Relies on “continuous motion” to complete the defence hence nothing is ritual or choreographed |
| Brings students to a high level of skill in a long period like 10 to 20 years | Brings students to a high level of skill in a relatively short period |
| Ritual oriented routines based on old era of swords and arrows | Incorporates modern realistic re-enactments so students learn how to operate under the stress |
| As a sport, it has rules and illegal moves | No Rules; use everything you have |
| Does not adapt or learn from other martial arts | Adapts and is a hybrid of mixed martial arts techniques like Boxing, Karate, Judo, JuJitsu, Muay Thai and other lesser known styles |
| Most Martial Arts in their traditional form are not realistic Self Defence systems | Students learn to function during the stress and shock of a sudden, violent encounter/ Thus, it is excellent for realistic Self Defence in an unpredictable environment like streets |
Before getting yourself into a Krav Maga training, understand the following about this full-fledged form of self-defence:
Attack the weaker points of your enemy’s body. Given that your life is threatened and you can still defend yourself and fight back, your best opportunity is battering the vulnerable areas of your attacker. Instead of the usual multiple undirected punches, you could learn the rabid, vicious techniques of returned attacks on the weaker points of the body that could debilitate your enemy to surrender;
Defend and attack back. In a life threatening situation, once you’ve temporarily overwhelmed your attacker, Krav Maga teaches you to attack back. In line with the principle that the best way to break out from a fight is to end it quickly, Krav Maga teaches multiple blocks and attacks. More importantly, this martial art form teaches how to block and attack at the same time to immediately end the fight. When a knife or dagger is up your face, Krav Maga teaches a series of techniques to avoid getting hurt, and putting your attacker down and snoring.
Three hundred percent defence. Krav Maga is mostly all about blocking methods and evading tactics during attacks. You will be trained to employ three simultaneous moves, which, upon complete execution, will render your attacker hoping someone will dial 911 – quick! The first move would be blocking using hand or foot defense, or maybe plucking to break a choke or headlock. Next would be the body defense wherein you turn or move your body to distance it from your attacker. The third principle is “moving away from the attack area” which means you go around your opponent to disadvantage his position and direction. Deflecting the first attack and then moving quickly to your assailant’s inconvenient point would neutralize him. At this point, you can then regroup your counter moves to end the fight, with your attacker waving the white flag!
Situational awareness and looking ahead. Being attacked in real life is nothing compared to those movie scenes you’ve seen. Where in the silver screen you see two characters slugging it out, exchanging high flying kicks and making zombies out of each other’s faces, in real life and with Krav, you cut the scene immediately, render your enemy incapacitated, and as for you, come out of the fight unscathed and victorious. As anyone can be attacked at any time and place, Krav Maga integrates in its teachings how you could heighten your awareness of events and persons, and develops your keenness for noticing trouble right from the start. Also, methods of escape and possible objects to aid you in the struggle are also pointed out in Krav Maga.
Where success of other martial arts form are only found in movies and tournaments for belts and recognitions, the success of Krav Maga can be achieved in certain victories in any attack you may fall into.
Know your enemy, know yourself, and know your limitations. And choose your system or martial arts wisely!
