Krav Maga means “contact combat” in Hebrew. It is a general term used by the Israeli Defense Forces to describe a self defense system based on Imi Litchenfifeld’s principles of self defense. Originally designed to train new recruits in the Israeli army, Krav Maga has been adapted for different applications. There are versions designed for new recruits, reservists, special forces, police and civilians.
At Krav Maga Providence, we teach our students how to defend themselves against common attacks in the shortest time possible.
Instructor: Bart Axelrod
Principles of Krav Maga
The most fundamental principles of Krav Maga are:
Use of instinctive movements
Many of our defense techniques incorporate natural defensive movements we would do without even training. That way the techniques are easier to learn and remember.
Simple reusable techniques and movements
Krav Maga was designed for new recruits and requires no knowledge or experience with self defense. It uses simple techniques easy to learn that can be used in different circumstances.
The key principles are:
Physical Fitness
If you are tired you cannot perform self defense techniques well, you are not strong and you are not fast. You can lose your will to fight on and you could give up. That’s what the attacker wants so he can do what he wants to you.
Aggressive/ Survival Mindset
We train to develop a never say die and never give up attitude. When you’re in a battle with an attacker there is no bell to ring and signal the end of the round. At first you will be full of adrenalin and pumped up and very strong but if the struggle goes on longer than a few seconds you will quickly get tired. You have to get used to the feeling of being tired but not quitting so that when you are in a real situation you will know what it feels like. Also the goal of Krav Maga isnt to “beat up” or make the attacker pay. The goal is to get away, you just have to last longer than him until the attacker gets tired and decides to cut his losses and leave you alone.
Combatives approach to self defense
When we learn techniques we train under stress so that they will stay with us and we are sure we can perform them when we are really under stress!
Other important principles include:
- Instinctive movements
- Attack don’t defend !! even your blocks should be attacks!
- If the attack is life threatening attack the attack, if it is non life trhreatening, attack the attacker.
- Use the environment ( ex. for exits, weapons; pick up a brick, or for defense; run behind a car)
- Staying safe by avoiding places and situations that could become violent
- Strike fast and hard and then get away !
- Attack the vulnerable body parts (eyes, groin, throat, etc.)
- Maintaining awareness of the environment in addition to using the environment in case there are multiple attackers. Know where the exits are, places you can hide, things you can use in the environment to fight your attacker! ( Don’t fight an armed attacker unarmed if you can find a weapon; a chair a stick a bottle, whatever!
Situational awareness
To be safe you need to be aware of your surroundings and any threats you might encounter. You could be walking to your car in a parking lot at night. You could be in the mall or driving through a rundown neighborhood. Awareness of potential threats will make you less vulnerable. You will be able to adapt to the situation and the environment so that if necessary you take another route or park in a different location etc.
