Krav Maga

[PUMPFIT]

I've been taking Krav Maga for about a year now! Currently I hold a purple belt which is considered intermediate. Krav's belt ranking system (where my school is concerned) follows this hierarchy: Beginner (white, yellow, orange) Intermediate (purple, blue, green) Advanced (brown, red/black, black).

I'd like the forum's general consensus regarding Krav as a martial art, means of protecting oneself, standup, ground, etc. . .

Krav Maga means hand to hand combat and originated in Israel many years ago by a gentleman named Imi Lichtenfeld. Krav has been modified over the years etc . . . Krav is used by the Israeli army and has migrated. Many law enforcement agencies are using Krav today.

I did a lot of research before starting my Krav training and decided upon this particular discipline because it incorporates Muay Thai, Jui Jitsu, etc . . . I'm learning how to punch properly, kick, throw elbows, gun defense, knife defense, etc . . .

I welcome any and all opinions!

Thanks,

Michael

[torofuerte]

Let me ask you this. What is the frequency by which you train everything that you are learning against a fully resisting individual (be it a training partner or instructor), who is not only resisting you, but also trying to do something to you?

Some schools of KM are really good. Others are shit (specially in the US). And the reason for this is that some schools (the good ones) force students to try what they learn in an environment that is as close as possible to a fight as possible. Others (the shitty ones) do not.

So the differentiators between one and the other are consistent sessions of live, realistic sparring on a regular basis.

Those are the same differentiators that separate good martial arts/combat sports/fighting disciplines from shitty ones, the ones that claim to teach fighting but couldn't fight out of a paper bag even if their lives depended on it.

Also, the fact that many LEO agencies use KM does not mean it is the same being taught to the regular population, nor with the same quality and emphasis in realism.

I don't know whether what you are training is one (good) or the other (shitty) - I can only tell you the state of things regarding KM and the non-uniform way (and lack of consistent quality assurance) in which it is being taught.

[ckn]

Originally Posted by torofuerte

Let me ask you this. What is the frequency by which you train everything that you are learning against a fully resisting individual (be it a training partner or instructor), who is not only resisting you, but also trying to do something to you?

Some schools of KM are really good. Others are shit (specially in the US). And the reason for this is that some schools (the good ones) force students to try what they learn in an environment that is as close as possible to a fight as possible. Others (the shitty ones) do not.

So the differentiators between one and the other are consistent sessions of live, realistic sparring on a regular basis.

Those are the same differentiators that separate good martial arts/combat sports/fighting disciplines from shitty ones, the ones that claim to teach fighting but couldn't fight out of a paper bag even if their lives depended on it.

Also, the fact that many LEO agencies use KM does not mean it is the same being taught to the regular population, nor with the same quality and emphasis in realism.

I don't know whether what you are training is one (good) or the other (shitty) - I can only tell you the state of things regarding KM and the non-uniform way (and lack of consistent quality assurance) in which it is being taught.

Good points there. In addition to that, the trick I look for in martial arts centres to see whether they're good enough or simply McDojos looking to make money is the number of students to instructors, if the student numbers are high and they're still willing to take a new one then they're a McDojo and deserve contempt. Ideally, I'd like to see no more than 6-8 per instructor but that varies per martial art, you can have more students for the sportier MAs like judo and preferably less for non-sport ones like KM and ju jitsu.

To back up the points in the post quoted, the better non-sport MA establishments will use a "show, slow, do" training technique. The instructor will show a move on another instructor, the student will show they understand in a slower run through on a non-resisting partner then they perform the move on a real person with passive resistance only. Once a competence is built up then they will go into the open fight scenario as described above where the mental side of the art is built up, it's very easy to do even the most complicated move when you know your opponent won't fight back and you have pre-planned your move, it's much harder when the opponent will fight back and you're expected to select the right technique from the day's lessons for both attack and defence.

On KM itself as a martial art, I find it a bit of a popular fad just now, too many of the people I know that do it are those that will do it for six months then go onto the next popular thing to do.

As a final point, if you really want to prosper in KM, I'd recommend that you do some supplementary training in other martial arts. An intermediate belt in ju jitsu for close-in finger/joint combat and maybe judo for throws will help you get a wider picture and be a better "fighter" than KM will do alone.

[PUMPFIT]

I want to thank you both for such great responses! Both your posts have given me quite a bit to think about! Based on your comments, suggestions, etc . . . it seems as though I'm with a VERY GOOD DOJO!

Our student to instructor ratio is low.

We spar, practice technique and simulate (as close as possible) to real life situations. ALL THE TIME! Its go, go, go!

My Sensei put us through the paces. I'm 45 years old and I'm banging with guys half my age (and beating them up physically). Krav really stresses conditioning. My DOJO really stresses conditioning. I can't begin to tell you how intense our traning gets.

My Dojo brings in outsiders that may specialize in BJJ, Judo, etc . . . So, we are getting exposed various forms of martial arts. And, its encouraged!

Again, thank you both! Your comments were truly appreciated!

[helpmespock]

I don't think the discipline really matters. As long as you are being trained to punch, kick, and grapple properly....AND practicing it with realistic sparring sessions, and ideally, polishing it with actual sanctioned matches, you will become a proficient fighter. My point is, its not so much the discipline as how it is taught/practiced that matters. If you only punch or kick a bag, or a willing partner, it will be pretty much useless to u in real life.