Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a self-defence system developed by Imi Lichtenfeld and adopted by the Israeli army; the name is Hebrew for contact combat. It is not a sport, and there are usually no competitions. Training focuses on real situations — simple strikes, escapes from grabs and chokes, defence against weapons — and on acting under stress. Several organisations teach it today, and their programmes differ.
What it is for
Section titled “What it is for”- Practical self-defence built on natural reactions and a small set of simple movements.
- Escapes from grabs, chokes and holds; at higher levels, defence against threats with a stick or a knife.
- Awareness: noticing danger early, avoiding it and getting away — not only fighting.
- An intense workout: many drills are short, hard bursts of effort.
- Confidence under pressure.
Equipment
Section titled “Equipment”- Sports clothes. Many schools train in trainers, because in real life you defend yourself in shoes; others train barefoot on mats.
- Boxing or MMA gloves and hand wraps, a mouthguard and a groin guard; shin guards for kicking drills.
- Strike shields, pads and training weapons made of rubber or plastic are at the gym.
- Many schools use a grading system with coloured belts or patches; it depends on the organisation.
How training goes
Section titled “How training goes”- 60–90 minutes, starting with an energetic warm-up.
- Basics on pads and shields: a ready stance, straight punches, palm strikes, elbows, knees and low kicks.
- Escapes from grabs and chokes in pairs, first slowly, then with more pressure as you are ready.
- Scenario drills: defending when tired, from the ground or against more than one partner. Strikes to sensitive targets are practised on pads or at slow speed, never at full force on a partner.
- Advanced students add weapon defences and controlled sparring with protection.
- Conditioning and a cool-down at the end. On a first visit you learn the stance and one or two escapes.
Who it suits best
Section titled “Who it suits best”- People who want practical self-defence rather than a sport.
- Beginners with no martial arts background — the techniques are simple by design.
- Anybody who likes intense, varied workouts.
- People who have done a general self-defence course and want to keep training.
- It is less suited to anybody who wants to compete — look at MMA or kickboxing instead. No course can make you safe in every situation; it improves your chances of getting away. With a joint, back or heart condition, ask a doctor and tell the trainer.