Krav Maga, pronounced KRAHV muh-GAH, is Hebrew for "contact combat." This martial arts form was originally developed for military forces. But because you can quickly become proficient in its basic principles and techniques, it has also been adopted by civilians and is growing in participation worldwide. Krav Maga aficionados have formed federations and developed rules for a sport that has belt levels and competitions.
History
Krav Maga was developed by Imrich "Imi" Lichtenfeld, who was born in 1910 in Eastern Europe, to help Jews protect themselves against bullying and the Nazis. He was later asked to train Israeli troops in his techniques, and Krav Maga went on to become the official combat system of Israel's defense force. When Imi retired from military service in 1963, he modified his Krav Maga program so it could be used by anyone. In 1972, the first civilian course was offered, and in 1978, the Federation for Krav Maga and Self-Defense was created. In 1981, Krav Maga was brought to the U.S., where Krav Maga instructors now train more than 300 federal, state and local law enforcement departments.
Principles
Some Krav Maga movements are based on martial arts traditions, but it's more about street fighting and self-defense than artistic motions. In most cases, participants don't wear uniforms and there aren't any rituals involved. Students learn defenses against single and multiple attackers and against weapons people use in real life, such as sticks, knives and guns. Imi's Fundamentals of Krav Maga include the following:
Expect anything, because there are no rules when you are being attacked.
Use your body's natural reflexes and your body's natural weapons, such as punches, elbows, knees and kicks.
Defend and attack in the minimum time required, using various grabs and holds.
Exploit your opponent's most vulnerable areas and weaknesses.
Take no defensive action without an offensive one.
Avoid injury.
Levels
There is no one single organizational body that oversees all Krav Maga training. There are many federations and clubs, some with different procedures. In most countries, Krav Maga is divided into different levels, including Practitioner, Graduate, Expert and Master, with belts not emphasized. In the U.S., however, there are belt certifications similar to other martial arts disciplines. Krav Maga Worldwide is the largest reality-based self-defense organization in the world, with more than 240 licensed schools. Belt levels after the introductory level are yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and black, with each level taking anywhere from 6 months to a year to complete before testing.
Benefits
In Krav Maga, you learn how to defend yourself in any situation, using only the weapons you have on hand, such as your body or a purse or cell phone. Krav Maga is physically demanding and can help increase your strength, stamina, endurance and flexibility. It also can help you build confidence and deal with stress. You will also learn how situational awareness is important in keeping yourself and others around you safe in everyday life.
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