Posted: 8/19/2007 2:02:09 PM EDT
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anyone here take Krav maga? How does it stack up to other forms like MMA, American Karate, Aikido, or Brazilian Jujitsu? I am very interested in Taking it. I know a little about its background. I knows it's Israeli and it is a very offensive form of martial arts... any help would be appreciated. Thanks |
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Krav maga is very effective for use of self defense. Its focused on causing damage and killing the agressor. It combines striking and grappling, so its an all around good fighting style. BJJ focuses only on ground fighting since theoretically most street fights end on the ground, but if fighting multiple opponents being on the ground is not what you want. Jujitsu is complex focuses some strikes but mostly joint locks and and joint manipulation and chokes, is effective but can get pretty complex. Akidio is not a good self defense martial arts. Judo is effective for self defense since it dosnt rely on superior strength. So I would definately take krav maga, its developed by the israelis and they know how to kick ass. |
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Think about a few things: Pick the style that suits your needs, self defense, you should look at Krav, judo, a hard striking style. Keep in mind that the traditional styles move slowly. This will make you a better fighter in the long run (there is now substitute for having the basics ingrained), but if you are visiting family in East St Louis in 2 weeks; Krav, a military style self defense course etc. When looking for a style keep in mind, the instructor and the class feel. Every instructor (tends) to teach what he is good at and what he enjoys. This is a good thing, even boxers have different styles you want fighters not cookies cut from the same mold. I have taken judo with instructors and there is little ground work and instructors that focus on ground work. Clubs tend to be more informal and classes more regimented. And take into account your body type and brain type. Are you suited for the sport type martial arts or will you become frustrated before you become proficient. Are you a life long student that will stay in TKD long enough (years) to be able to use a kick in a fight? Or do you need a 30 day military style self defense class for a specific threat? Same as a gun; the best martial art is the one that you will sick with and can use well. A gun that doesn’t fit you is useless to you even if common opinion say it is the best. I have taken two formal martial arts for 18 years; my best friend has taken 8 martial arts in 18 years. He likes variety and the taking something from everyone, I like the slow progression that makes proficient. Take something, start soon, in two week you can ether have done nothing or have two weeks under you belt. Most attackers’: crack heads, ex boy friends, drunks, don’t know anything so high school wrestling will give you an advantage. |
Best first post I've ever seen. You are absolutely correct. I chose Krav Maga simply because of the time requirements mentioned previously, and my personal reality check of starting a family at 30 that would prevent free time from being something I have in any great amount. KM is a great tool, and as stated, is a great foundation for other specialties if you get hooked. ETA: I am not implying that KM is easy or a "light" training regimen. I was a D1 college athlete and the training kicked my ass like 2-a-days never dreamed of. I just felt like I got alot more usable training in a shorter period of time. |
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I'm going to take some heat for this, but please bear in mind that this is coming from someone with 26 years in the arts... I've been involved in MMA quite literally from the start, and before it was called MMA. Be VERY wary of the KM that you find in the states. The overwhelming majority of it is simply other styles rehashed, and full of a great deal of marketing hype. How can I say this? My biz partner/coach were approached by the organization that is supposedly the one that brought KM to the states about becoming senior instructors in KM. Without ever meeting us, we were told that all we had to do was spend a weekend with one of their instructors, and we would be senior KM instructors. I've seen countless schools spring up in the name of KM, but are run by guys who prior had schools under other styles. That is not to say that you'll not find a good KM school, it means you just need to be very cognizant of what a good instructor looks like. There is a good reason that KM is not the CQB art of the Israeli military, and why it is not taught to our military and police. Find an art that works with you as you were guided above. But realize that in a real world fight, they are typically sloppy, and the person in the best physical conditioning and capable of harnessing gross body movements will win. Learn a little about fighting on the ground/getting off the ground to the degree that you have time. For self defense you need only know how to defend against being taken down, how to get off the ground once you're there via sweep/reversal, or a very rapid finish. Learn how to use your shins, elbows, and how to punch properly. An understanding of kali/Arnis helps too... But realize that arts are complex and while you will learn how to use a blade pretty quick, it takes some practice to grasp the details. As a self defense art, give little credibility to any art that actually has the notion of kicking a gun or knife out of an opponents hands... To be clear, I do have my personal bias', but they come from experience. I've chosen to focus on Muay Boran (old school Muay Thai/bare knuckle), BJJ (brown belt), and kali. At 6'1", 220, they work for me. I've have focused on those because after all my years of experience, they've worked the best and have proven themselves so. Also make sure that you find an art that practices in an "alive" fashion. Meaning, during every training session, there must be a full speed, full on contact training session. Non of this slap and tickle light sparring will do you any good. Not my intent to start a style v. style discussion guys. But nearly 30 years of Martial arts exploration, I've learned a few things, and one of those things is what works for me. The bottom line is that you should listen to those who have gone before you, consider, then find what works for you individually. |
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I echo what was said earlier, good luck finding a good dojo for it anywhere near you. There ar e very few in the US. Just about any style of MA has the potential to be a great one to learn. The difference is in the caliber of instructor and also the caliber of your fellow students. How hard are they willing to train? How much discipline will be instilled? The right form of aikido taught by the right instructor is extremely effective for example. As in most things in life, people base their opinions of MA forms other than their own off second-hand info, rumors, and glancing experience. This is a mistake. Bottom line for me is the same one I've been saying on here for years. Check out all your local dojos, regardless of what style the sign purports. Ask to watch 1 class and then sit in on one class. Then decide where to take from. Ideally you want to get in a class that has as many adult males in it as possible if your goal is defense. |
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I have a FAQ in the Training Area about Martial Arts for Self Defense. FAQ Check it out, Its got some good commentary on Krav Maga. |
Brother, as someone with 26+ years in the arts, I do not think that I've seen a better summation of what works today, anywhere! Well done. That said, here is something to consider regarding Krav Maga... Even if you found a "good" school, consider the fact that Israel, while a country with an amazing military; it does not have street crime level issues that would create a good, and functional martial art... A simplistic analogy is to consider the fighters that come out of Brazil. They are AMAZING, and that is because BJJ and Muay Thai down there have been synthesized out of pure violent street level survival. Same can be said of Indonesian and Thai arts. This is some functional, nasty stuff because it has had to change with the times to be useable in this day and age. Krav Maga is marketing, here in the states, little more... Well done Sparky. |
Now you have to ask yourself a question about that. Does Israel have a low crime rate because of Krav? Keep in mind every Israelie has to be in the military and every military member is taught Krav. Just something to think about. 
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True enough, but I have thought about it quite a bit my friend. :D KM taught to the military (if that is what is still taught to the IDF...and I don't think it is), is far different from what is "taught" here. In most cases, here in the states, KM is just repackaged stuff. |
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find a good school with good instructors.. You will love KM. I have been practicing KM for 10 years and still discover new things as a student/instructor. we teach KM to Law enforcement in the US: Air Marshall ,FBI, Air Force...some of our Law Enforcement instructors are currently deploy in Iraq and Afghanistan as well so we get feedbacks on the techniques. KM is constently improving..we are adding more ground techniques right now. If you are looking for street fighting/self defense, KM is your best bet. I do practice BJJ and Muy Thai on the side as well ( more for the sport aspect though) |