Krav Maga Defense

Good illustrations and explanations.

covers everything you need to know, excellent read

Bottom line up front. David Kahn and his team are, by far, the best there is, and teach the best version of the best system there is. If you want to arm yourself with the best tools to survive any encounter (Civilian, Law Enforcement (LE), or Military Combat) David Kahn, and the IKMA (GS), are your best option.Historically, development of Self-defense systems and martial arts occurred from the necessities of the existing time-period and social norms concerning violence. For example, Karate for the Samurai or Kali for villagers of the Philippines (whose conflicts were tribal and weapons of choice where whatever they had laying around). Societies developed these systems and martial arts in order to, quickly and efficiently, train Soldiers. This was so they would possess the capabilities to close with and destroy their adversaries in hand-to-hand combat if and when necessary. Imi Lichtenfeld designed Israeli Krav Maga in the 1940s in order to address the modern combatant. Whether dealing with a mugger on the streets, or a foreign adversary on the battlefield. No other system is as modern or effective as Krav Maga.The IKMA (GS) is the only true Krav Maga system under Grand Master Haim Gidon (successor to Imi Lichtenfeld). It is, by far, any agencies best option for training its’ Soldiers and/or LE officers. A single ten-hour seminar with David Kahn, and his team, proved to be worth a year of training in any other dojo I have attended. I have trained on several forms of martial arts and self-defense systems. I always shop around for the best instructor with the most practical training. David and his team are undeniably the best there is. I have driven fourteen hours at a time, on several occasions, to attend training with him. I always leave the seminars absolutely motivated to come back to base and share what I learned with my Soldiers.Krav Maga has grown in popularity in the west in recent decades. There are several different interpretations of the system available in the US (e.g. Warrior Krav Maga /Krav Maga World Wide). Most of them teach substandard techniques, with the addition of cardiovascular endurance training, in order to appeal to those more susceptible to advertising and marketing. The idea being, “Get fit and learn to defend yourself overnight.” While Krav Maga is designed to be simple to understand. There still needs to be much emphasis on the subtle fine points that make any technique effective. Far removed from the source, these schools often sacrifice proper technique for mass production. This can have fatal consequences when someone uses those techniques for actual self-defense. I have also frequented several introductory courses where the facility told me they strictly focus on civilian self-defense. There are three tiers to Krav Maga (Military, Civilian, and Law Enforcement). Any “master” of the system should know and be able to instruct them all. As a Law Enforcement Officer, I also have a firm understanding of the Use of Force (UOF) continuum. I also understand the legal ramifications for not understanding the UOF continuum. David Kahn and the IKMA (GS) are true masters of the system. They will ensure that the student gets every detail and piece of knowledge they require for the techniques they are taught to be effective.Israeli Krav Maga under the IKMA (GS) is also a great plug and play system. If your agency has an existing system where you believe there are gaps in its’ current techniques, or dilemmas which your system does not address, Krav Maga will fill those gaps easily. I have personally found this to be applicable for LE systems, military combatives, and other martial arts/self-defense systems alike.Additionally, if you attend the seminars to get hands on training, and a professional instructors critique on your form (which I highly recommend), the DVDs and books hold nothing back in terms of helping you to refresh your memory. The five books (approximately 1000 pages worth of instructional material) are extremely well articulated and literally spell out every detail you need to know from a strategic approach. They articulate all the subtle nuances, which make a technique work. The four DVD volumes (approximately 27 hours of instructional material) do an excellent job of using a by the numbers approach to teaching and demonstrating the technique, as well as elaborating on key points. For those who have served in an instructor position, in either the military or law enforcement, the previously mentioned materials more than portray a Training Support Package (TSP) or Program of Instruction (POI). In addition, the materials previously mentioned will entirely refresh your techniques acquired by any seminar attended in person with David.Once again, bottom line up front. David Kahn and the IKMA (GS) are by far the best there is, teaching the best version of the best system there is. If you want to arm yourself with the best tools to survive any encounter (Civilian, Law Enforcement, or Military Combat) David Kahn, and the IKMA (GS), are your best option.

I read this book, and then attempted every technique in it with my Karate students; here's my thoughts: About 15% of the techniques shown in this book were an improvement or equal to what I already do. Note, I don't study Krav Maga in anyway, just Traditional Karate with a bit of really good Bunkai from a Karate Jujitsu Judo mix. 40 % of the techniques in this book could be good if they were shown correctly , but were not. The angles, body motion and off response times from photo to photo are ludicrous, and in a 2nd edition need to be cleaned up. The remaining 45% were found to be entirely ineffective except for a little comic relief. Almost broke my student on the bear hug, no chance of collapsing a hip, groin strike maybe, but only if she attacked before the actual hug, after that her own body blocked her.

I have purchased and read this book. I am currently 66 years old, boxed for 4 years in college, and have a black belt in Shotokan Karate. I very much value my experience as a boxer and practicing martial artist, as it has taught me discipline and good goal setting, which has been invaluable during my life (I was a navy attack pilot for 22 years in my first career, and am currently a practicing lawyer). I have recently begun training in Krav Maga ("KM") at a local dojo. I have reviewed many KM materials from different authors and practitioners, and have found David Kahn's materials to be first rate and at the top of my go-to materials. I have purchased and reviewed almost all of David Kahn's written and video materials, and can say without hesitation that these materials are the best, with the most practical advice. The materials are concise, easy to follow, and easily adapted for self-defense. With that said, even with book/video knowledge, you need to practice by getting with a good dojo, or a practicing Kravist, to learn KM and practice, practice, practice for muscle memory. Hopefully, you will never need to use it, but it is a good tool to have to draw upon if needed. David Kahn's materials are a great place to start a solid foundation in KM!