Tag: self-defense

Krav Maga is Modern, Close Quarters Self-Defense

Posted on | by Jason

Krav Maga is roughly translated from Hebrew to mean “close quarter fighting.” It is a highly effective martial art that utilizes a combination of strikes, grapples, throws, locks and holds. Krav Maga originated from street fighting techniques of Jewish gangs defending themselves in the tough ghettos of Bratislav in the 1930s. Krav Maga was developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1930’s by Imi Lichtenfeld. After the nation of Israel was born, Krav Maga was adapted and further developed by the Israeli security forces.

Krav Maga is more effective for close quarter combat than many other styles of the mixed martial art. Unlike most Asian martial arts, it was born in the modern era. This makes it a very “applicable” system of self defense. While Karate and Kung Fu were developed to for individuals to defend themselves while traveling the dangerous highways of feudal Japan, Korea and ancient China, Krav Maga was designed to be used in the tighter confines of an urban setting.

Being a modern martial art, it also provides reliable techniques for defending oneself against an opponent armed with a gun or knife.

Close quarters fighting in Krav Maga is about using simple, direct movements to neutralize an opponent quickly. It is a fighting style developed on the streets and perfected on the battlefield. There is no sporting federation or points system involved. Groin strikes, joint breaks, eye jabs are all legitimate close quarters fighting techniques that can be learned and used in Krav Maga.

Close quarters defense in Krav Maga is reliant on several factors. Technique is of course essential but so is awareness, discipline and aggressiveness. Unlike many martial arts that are embodied with a non-violent code, aggressiveness is vital in it. Close quarters fighting in Krav Maga is about ending an encounter quickly and when necessary, brutally.

Discipline is key because without it is impossible to master Krav Maga; and awareness is key because it allows you to head off or avoid conflicts before they arise. In worse case scenarios, awareness can help you determine when it may be necessary to launch a preemptive strike.

The training is meant to be realistic in nature and to prepare students in the event they should find themselves in a close quarter encounter with an assailant. Many of the techniques used in Krav Maga are popular with mixed martial arts competitors for their effectiveness in bringing down an opponent.

Close quarters defense in Krav Maga is not really something you can learn by just reading about it. In order to really learn the techniques, you need training from qualified professionals.


Get in Shape: Train Hard and Be Safe

Posted on | by Jason

One of the greatest fears that an average individual has is to be mugged or assaulted, whether in public or private. On a regular day, this is not something that really “plagues the mind,” we usually just don’t think it will happen to us! But law enforcement authorities rightly encourage taking safety precautions in order to avoid the risk of having a criminal confrontation on the streets. Martial arts are a fun, popular, and proven effective regimen to prepare yourself for the threats you might face on a regular basis.

Class drills with partners and safety “dress rehearsals” in practical combat scenarios will heighten your awareness, agility, and skills in avoiding, deterring, escaping, and winning against a potential physical attack by someone stronger or larger than yourself. However, as much as one tries, there are always situations that one cannot anticipate. To perform the techniques with maximum speed and impact, one must develop physical fitness and body conditioning through consistent practice and preferably cross-training. Setting and reaching health goals on schedule is integral to the training process.

Overcoming fear

The criminal mind can sometimes be unpredictable. We might think we’re ready, but most individuals confronted by a criminal on the street typically stiffen up, become “paralyzed,” unable to think clearly or act quickly during the tense, hazardous situation. Most people think they’d respond swiftly and bravely, having watched a lot of TV crime dramas and movies, but they lack any “actual” training and experience in dealing such encounters in person. Likewise, being physically fit, able-bodied, and clear-minded will actually deter and prevent such confrontations, and should one occur, prove very useful as you defuse and escape – perhaps poorer and freaked out, but not physically harmed!

Escape – rather than domination – is where martial arts and self-defense training can be of unique and surprising value. People do not generally view martial arts training for one of its greatest benefits – the means and will to resolve conflict peacefully – or failing that, by force. Many martial arts are particularly designed to protect oneself from violent assault. In most cases, those who are suddenly confronted by a mugger or burglar are in a very disadvantaged position. If
the assailant is armed with a blade, club, or firearm, the situation is far more threatening and imperative to escape by any means necessary.

Get physical

Martial arts training for self-defense is learned in the military and law enforcement communities, and fortunately today, this popular, beneficial, educational, athletic, and safety-focused pursuit is affordable and accessible to the general public in most countries throughout the world.

Self-defense training is highly situational in that it teaches you to deal with particular scenarios. For example, an individual will learn to defend against a knife-wielding assailant trying to cut them (with safety measures in place of course), in a variety of ways: whether the attack comes from front or back, how the blade is held, the method and velocity of the attacks, and so on. However, in order to perform a disarming or immobilizing technique, one has to be physically fit with high levels of mental acuity, core strength, speed, agility, and self-confidence. Being prepared for a wide variety of “real life” scenarios requires a special kind of physical capability. Martial arts training is the ideal way to build it up.

Be Neither Target Nor Victim

Posted on | by Jason

Every individual, at some point in his or her life, has been victimized, exploited, or abused in some form or another. Whether this relates to a child being bullied at school, an adult being singled out at the workplace, or in more serious cases, an individual being mugged on the street, what the common feature of these unfortunate scenarios is the victim’s inability to avoid, escape, or resist. Fear is a powerful weapon, and a liability for those who do not prepare. If one does not take measures to develop himself or herself both mentally and physically, he or she will continue to arrive in situations where he or she is at a disadvantage and risk. Fortunately martial arts training is fun, helpful, and appropriate for all ages, genders, and fitness levels.

Not about violence

Watching a Bruce Lee movie may inspire you to become a martial artist, but the truth is that flashy combat is not what martial arts is mainly about. Do not think you can participate in martial arts training in order to intimidate or bully your way through life. You may learn to have “presence,” but you will also learn humility, self-control, and respect. At its very essence, martial arts is training for improvement of the body, mind, and spirit. The combative aspects of martial arts, while important, are only executed in self-defense as a last resort. While martial arts will certainly teach you various techniques and strategies that will help you in a physical confrontation, the main lesson that it aims to teach is learning when not to fight. A real martial artist is able to discern whether a conflict can be resolved without violence or physical self- defense is required.

Values of martial arts

Integrating the actual spirit of martial arts training into oneself can only come with practice. Initially you may view this kind of training simply as a means by which you can protect yourself on the streets or from bullies at school. However, martial arts teaches individuals much more than that. Through this kind of training, your character itself will be positively affected. Martial arts training helps individuals build focus, endurance, confidence, and most of all respect for self and others.

The greatest victory is always found in resolving a conflict without using any violence. While it is certainly true that certain cases may call for combat, this must always be viewed as a last resort. If you are looking to stand up to someone, martial arts will teach you to do so in an assertive yet respectful manner.

Reality-Based Classes Prepare You for Real

Posted on | by Jason

Okay, so you’re eating healthy and exercising regularly. Your body is fit, heart is healthy, and mind is happy. But is your workout regime preparing you for the real threats of violence in today’s dangerous world? Will you be able to defend yourself in an adverse situation, even a matter of life and death?

Basic training in self-defense is a must today, because no one can anticipate a surprise attack where your life – or the life of a loved one – could suddenly be on the line. After all, it makes good sense to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, doesn’t it?

Reality-based martial arts and self defense

Training in martial arts is one of the easiest, safest, and most effective ways to prepare for the worst. The trick, however, is to enroll in reality-based martial arts classes. Traditional martial arts teach you a way of life. They foster important life skills and teach many valuable lessons. The limits of their suitability for self-defense in a street fight are debatable however.

Reality-based martial arts classes educate you in the concepts, techniques, and skills needed to successfully evade and survive conflict situations, which you are most likely to come across in your environment. Bullying at school, mugging, street violence, kidnapping, malicious attack, grievous bodily harm by a spouse or another known/unknown perpetrator – danger lurks at every corner of modern life. And hoping you or a loved one are never faced with such a situation doesn’t actually reduce the chances.

The goal of reality-based martial arts is to avoid violence and escape danger using speed, swiftness, and agile body motions. But it also prepares you to prevail, should things escalate into physical violence.
A good martial arts school that provides reality-based classes will train and perfect your instincts, emergency responses, motor movements, and quick decision-making abilities in the face of real life conflicts that send your body into a confused fight-or-flight state.

What makes reality-based classes so effective

The training is typically divided into three phases, each focused on

  1. avoiding/escaping a dangerous situation,
  2. prevailing in the actual fight, and,
  3. behaving in a responsible manner after the conflict gets over.

Thus, compared to a fellow citizen with no training in reality-based martial arts, you will
be more adept in avoiding a dangerous situation. Reality-based classes will have trained you in heightening your awareness of surroundings, anticipating foul-play from someone by paying attention to their body language, perfecting your own demeanor, and social and verbal skills to successfully escape a life-and-death situation.

You will be more adept in keeping yourself and loved ones safe should a conflict occur. Reality- based classes will have trained you in making preemptive strikes, targeting strategic body parts of the perpetrator, using high-impact techniques, dodging and countering attacks, and the like. Further, you will also have learned how to act after the situation is done and over. Emergency first aid for yourself and others while awaiting proper authorities to arrive will help immunize or minimize any subsequent physical, psychological, and legal problems because of having acted in self-defense.