How effective is krav maga?

Answer 1

It has to be, otherwise if you're injured or crippled how can you use it? Krav Maga training does not believe in sparring, only in putting students in a hopeless situation. Training drills involve things like the instructor starting the exercise with you in a hopeless chokehold. A chokehold that is, where three other men are restraining your arms and legs and then they tell you "alright, try to get out." The purpose of that is to more or less mimick a "street fighting" situation, as on the streets sometimes things get "hopeless."

If the instructors know what they are doing and you follow their guidance, it is no more dangerous than karate,jeet kune do, or any of the other fighting arts.

Answer 2

Krav Maga (literally, "Close Combat") was/is designed for one thing - fighting and defending yourself in real world conditions. It was developed by the Israelis, and there are few on the planet that know how to defend themselves in harsh and hostile environments.

The History Channel ran a special on it last year - you can get it online or at Best Buy. My best friend is FBI, and I as a Tang Soo Do 1st Dan was intrigued and impressed by what I saw. These guys use it every day in real world conditions and it works. I gave my copy of the video to my friend - he was in combat with SpecOps forces in Iraq, and he was impressed enough that he started taking lessons himself. Others at the Bureau who he works with have also been impressed and have taken it up.

The difference between Krav Maga and traditional Martial Arts is that most of the karate forms today have been significantly watered down, or the more deadlier real meanings for different strikes haven't been passed on to some students. Also, many traditional martial artists train with Gi's in a dojo. They rarely train in street clothes outside. However, in a real world situation, that's exactly how you're going to find yourself if you get attacked.

The Israelis have essentially taken the best portions of different Martial Arts, and modified them for use in everyday real world situations in any kind of environment. Weapon disarms,

Get the Krav Maga video that History Channel produced for their Human Weapons series - it runs about 8 bucks, and I found my copy at the special interest section of DVD's at Best Buy. You can get it online at History Channel here:

http://tinyurl.com/kroowl

In my opinion it is definitely effective. Remember the environment that the IDF is exposed to every day in the Middle East in their own country. They live and survive with this art. That in itself is a testament to its effectiveness.

I have been practicing Krav Maga for about a year now. I think it is very effective in teaching discipline and self-preservation.