Krav Maga is the Best Self Defence System
Why Krav Maga Outshines Ju Jitsu, Kickboxing, Boxing and Traditional Martial Arts for Self Defence
Intro
If you are considering learning some kind of activity for self defence, it is important to understand the focus and benefits of different options to ensure the choice you make aligns with your goals.
In this article I'll discuss why Krav Maga is the superior choice to quickly learn practical and effective self defence skills. This is not to say that other options don't offer self defence benefits, but that as a specialised self defence system., Krav Maga is the quickest to learn and the most effective in practice.
Aaron
Head Instructor
Krav Maga Global - North Shore, Auckland
Krav Maga was Specifically Developed for Practical & Effective Self Defence
In the realm of martial arts and combat training, Krav Maga stands out as an exceptionally practical self-defence system.
A core objective of Krav Maga training is to equip you with the ability to defend yourself against real-life threats. The techniques are relatively simple to learn and can be executed under stress, making it highly effective in diverse and unpredictable scenarios.
Unlike traditional combat activities such as Ju Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Boxing, which prepare trainees for one-on-one, rules-based competitions, the Krav Maga Global curriculum is designed exclusively for quickly developing your self-defence skills suitable, preparing you for dynamic real-life situations. This is due Krav Maga's origins being in self protection in "street fighting" situations.
Therefore this unique focus makes Krav Maga Global training the an ideal choice if you are seeking to develop practical and effective self-defence skills.
Krav Maga Compared to to Combat Sports
Self Defence Does Not Have Rules (except the law)
Combat activities like Ju Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Boxing, while formidable in their own right, often revolve around regulated bouts with rules and limitations. These sports prepare trainees for controlled environments, which may not translate well to the chaos of an actual street confrontation.
For example, if we consider how sporting contest is arranged... there are:
- 2 competitors who of similar ability,
- "Fight" is based on agreed rules.
This does not usually apply to a self defence situation. Situations where you may need to defence yourself are much more dynamic. For example :
- No fight rules (except for the actual law!)
- Surprise attacks
- Larger attacker and/or multiple attackers
- Conventional and improvised weapons
- Different types of attacks and threats such as hand strikes and kicks, grabs, holds, physical and verbal threats, threat strikes, standing/sitting or ground based.
- And many other dynamic factors such as the place, time, lighting, etc
In fact the primary objective in a self defence situation should be to avoid or escalate the possibility of physical confrontation as this negates the risk of physical harm and issues with the law.
Why Krav Maga Compared to Traditional Martial Arts
Modern Problems Require Modern Solutions
Martial arts originated in Asia for 1-2-1 and battlefield combat with the objective generally being to kill the opponent. They mirror the formal etiquette of Asian culture with titles, uniforms, protocols and difference to senior pupils and instructors. They seek to preserve "ancient" training methods and techniques.
- Belt levels, formal titles are etiquette provide no advantage in self defence situations.
For example most include learning katas (pre-arranged forms) that hold cultural significance but may not be directly relevant to self-defence. I learnt Kata's in when I learnt Karate as a youth and even when I got to Black Belt level, it was not even clear how many of the techniques in the kata's could be applied in practice.
By contract Krav Maga is a modern and evolving system. It strips away the formalities and rituals of traditional martial arts, allowing practitioners to concentrate on techniques that are immediately applicable in dangerous situations.
Formal Instructor Training is Important
Being Good at Martial Arts or Combat Sports does not Automatically Make a Good Coach
All Krav Maga Global instructors are extensively trained in both the system's techniques and the most effective methods for teaching trainees. The Krav Maga Global Instructor program (General Instructor Course) only accepts candidates that have both high competence in Krav Maga, but also the potential to teach and inspire trainees.
However this is just the first step. Continued education in skills and teaching methods is an important and formalised ongoing activity to remain a certified Krav Maga Global instructor.
In combat sports or even traditional martial arts, instructors may not always have formal training in teaching methodologies, relying instead on their personal experience and expertise (technical only). We all know that just because somebody is good at something this does not mean they are a good teacher.
In combat sports in particular, the "instructor" is unlikely to be formally trained, is focused on their own development, and the club focus is on developing "fight champions" rather than equipping you with the knowledge and skills you desire.
This can create a "survival of the fittest" environment and the competitive nature of the training will often result in regular injuries to trainees.
Is the Curriculum Designed for Self Defence?
Self Defence Scenario
Another significant advantage of Krav Maga Global training is that it is based on a formal curriculum. This has been based down from the founder Imi Litchtenfeld and meticulously tested and refined over time.
This curriculum is comprehensive, covering pretty much anything you can think of
This structured approach ensures that students progress through a well-defined path, mastering essential techniques and strategies at each stage of their training. In contrast, many combat activities lack a standardized curriculum, leading to inconsistencies in training quality and outcomes. The absence of a formalised progression can result in gaps in knowledge and skills, particularly in the context of self-defence.
Conclusion
In summary, Krav Maga’s exclusive design for self-defense, formal curriculum, extensively trained instructors, and real-world applicability make it a superior choice for those seeking practical personal safety skills.
- While Ju Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Boxing are excellent for sport and fitness, they do not offer the same level of preparedness for dynamic and unpredictable threats.
- Traditional martial arts also contain elements of self defence, this is often not their primary focus, and their training methods are held back by traditional elements that make the techniques limited in real situations as well as slow to learn.
If you prioritise quick and effective self-defense, the Krav Maga Global training provides an accessible and efficient path to proficiency, ensuring that you will be better-equipped to protect yourselves in real-life situations.