While we’ve reported on a large number of different martial arts and sports, we have yet to take a look at Krav Maga (‘close combat’), a hand-to-hand combat system developed in Israel.
Although there are limited opportunities to see a demonstration of Krav Maga techniques in Bangkok, Gerry Nolan runs regular workshops on Tactical Krav Maga in Pattaya. As ‘Reality-Based Self Defense’ may suggest, this is not for the faint hearted, so check out a clip of a recent workshop available via You Tube.
As a victim of a violent sectarian attack as a teenager, this writer is sympathetic with many of Nolan’s concepts. Basically, an attacker is not going to stop, invite you to pick up your handkerchief to mop the blood from your brow while he has a nice cup of tea! In other words, you need to experience realistic and sometimes unpleasant situations in order to be able to know how to effectively deal with them should they occur. In this respect, tactical Krav Maga certainly does provide practical self-defense solutions.
Defense mechanism
Unlike most martial arts, Krav Maga is essentially a tactical defense skill. The philosophy emphasizes threat neutralization, simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers, and aggressive endurance in a 'him-or-me' context. To a relatively untrained ear, such as my own, this sounds like a ‘fight for survival’.
Krav Maga is still used by the IDF and several closely related variations have been developed and adopted by law enforcement, Mossad, Shin Bet, FBI and United States special operations forces. Several organizations teach variations of Krav Maga internationally.
A survival technique for the real world
Krav Maga was derived from street-fighting skills developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, who made use of his training as a boxer and wrestler, as a means of defending the Jewish quarter during a period of anti-Semitic activity in Bratislava in the mid- to late 1930s.
In the late 1940s, following his immigration to Israel, Lichtenfeld began to provide hand-to-hand combat training to what was to become the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), developing techniques that became known as Krav Maga. It has since been refined for both civilian and military applications.
Nolan, a national of the Republic of Ireland, told me that like all physical pursuits, it is really worth some thorough investigation before diving feet first into Krav Maga. Certainly, based on Nolan’s credentials listed at the end of this article, you get as close to the ‘real deal’ as is possible based on his experience.
“There are many different versions [of Krav Maga], most substandard – and particularly the versions taught in the US through franchises via trendy health clubs. These are hyped and marketed on the perception that since special forces in the IDF do basic Krav Maga training, it’ll magically ‘rub off’ and make the student a super self-defense fighter,” Nolan points out. “Basically, they do a nice, fun version of Krav Maga for people who have never experienced any real street violence. There is no contact in the sense of realistic contact that takes place in proper training, when you can receive a black eye or cracked rib. There’s no trauma training and no realistic contact.”
Nolan therefore offers realistic solutions, carrying out training programs that provide participants with the skills required to achieve the goal of disarming or nullifying a violent attack.
He has some very good arguments for suggesting that Krav Maga may be overhyped, certainly in the US, pointing out, for example, that methods of disarming attackers with weapons were in existence long before the state of Israel came into existence (1949).
Along the same lines, Nolan points out that, by and large, those in a position to use Krav Maga, such as security personnel, would more likely turn to a weapon than use Krav Maga.
“The nice, ‘sexy’ krav maga schools, 90% in USA, where membership retention is more important, are leading people down a deceptive dark road, like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, giving them false hope that they can survive a brutal street assault,” he points out.
“It’s okay, if the student is told, this ‘fun’ version of Krav Maga is not going to ‘save their butt’, and they are taught ‘pre fight’ awareness and avoidance, defensive tactics and common sense to avoid potential attack situations, and enjoy the training for fun. That’s fine,” he says. “But if a student cannot or doesn’t wish to go the levels really required to master real street self defense, be it Krav Maga, or other forms, I will focus on avoidance, awareness, and escape [run like hell!]. In other words, the student who would not wish to reach the required level to be effective would still get to enjoy an easy, fun version (of Krav Maga).
“Essentially, in 80% of self defense systems, it is not the ‘style’ that makes it effective, it is ‘how you train’ [physically and mentally].”
Training strategy for Krav Maga
“You need to get the basics during the first few months of training, then step things up, face up to your fears, and with a progressive increase in exposure to intensive, and full contact work, carry out simulated street attacks, while already under pressure (mental trauma), such as after an exhausting training session.”
You need to then learn how to deal with full on attacks, and fight through the pain and temptation to surrender, according to Nolan.
During more extreme sessions, it’s “what you do, not what you think that really matters”.
“That’s what is needed for the street and that is how the few special force units in the IDF do things over a period of a few months,” Nolan says.
Train in the basics of Krav Naga,”but under pressure with full contact and then once per month or so to ‘top it up’ ”, says Nolan.
For further, detailed information about Krav Maga, as well as workshop opportunities in Thailand, visit Krava Maga Thailand at http://www.kravmagathailand.com.
Defense Resume: Gerry Nolan
4th Dan Black Belt in Mugendo Kick Boxing system
Eight years developing and teaching tactical Krav Maga
Certified Krav Maga instructor under Itay Gils Tactical Krav Maga system (Itay Gil was IDF’s head instructor for Krav Maga in special units)
Advanced certificate with Itay Gils in military Krav Maga
