Training in Krav Maga
Training is designed to give you the most effective self defense skills for the real world in the shortest time possible. Unlike training in martial arts, you will not spend your time learning drills, movements and kata that will not help you in a street situation.
Krav Maga techniques are based on simple principles and utilize your body’s natural and instinctive movements. Reverse roundhouse kicks may look good in the movies but are not likely to be the best response when you are being attacked in the street.
You will learn how to handle the shock or stress of an unprovoked attack and the types of moves that are commonly used in such attacks. You will learn how to react to being attacked from behind or when on the ground, and how to defend against weapons.
Some Krav Maga techniques are similar to martial art techniques but in practice training has a different emphasis. You will learn for example to fight with an arm disabled or restricted, to defend yourself and another person against multiple attackers, and how to handle armed attackers.
Remember, these are techniques used to this day by the military, security personnel and police departments so you know they really must work.
In training, a lot of time is spent delivering blows to pads, and by striking at full force you start to understand how it works and would feel in a real life fight.
Sparring takes place between students, and although there are no rules in a fight you are forbidden to hurt your training partner. Protective equipment such as gum shields and head protectors are worn, along with leg & arm pads, and a groin protector.
There is also training to prepare you on how to react depending on your environment – if you are in the open, on public transport, in a crowded bar and so on. The psychological side of self defense is thoroughly covered, how to project yourself and deter attack and how to de-escalate a confrontation when possible.
Training must be carried out in as realistic situations as possible, as the ability to apply Krav Maga techniques effectively under the stress of a real life attack is vital.