Krav Maga (Hebrew: "contact combat") is a military defensive tactics system that originated in Europe around WWII, and is regarded by many professionals as the most effective defense system in the world today. It came to prominence following its adoption & development by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), Border Police & other Security Forces as their official self-defence system. Krav Maga is not a sport, but a 'tactical defense skill'. Based on your own bodies natural reactions, Krav Maga is aggressive, easy to learn, easy to retain, and is continually refined through actual combat situations encountered by the Israeli Commandos. It is characterised by a logical and coherent approach that enables one to achieve a relatively high level of proficiency within a relatively short period of instruction.
Photos of Itay Gil from Protect Security Training Solutions (Worldwide head of Tactical Krav Maga**
Krav Maga was created by the late Imi Lichtenfeld in Austria-Hungary and developed by the Israeli Defence Force. During the 1930s as fascist & anti-semitic gangs began to emerge in Hungary, Imi became the uncrowned leader in protecting the Jews in his city. In the 1940s when the Nazi regime arrived in Hungary, Imi escaped to Palestine. Due to his vast experience with survival on the streets in Hungary, he was asked to bring Krav Maga to the newly formed units of the Israeli Defence Force. Thus Krav Maga became the IDF's core unarmed combat training and conditioning.
WHAT IS TACTICAL KRAV MAGA?
Tactical Krav Maga is an organisation founded by Itay Gil - the former Chief Instructor for the YAMAM Special Forces in Israel. Itay trained the YAMAM, a unit that has a world-wide reputation as a professional Counter-Terrorism force capable of lifesaving hostage-rescue operations and take-over raids against targets behind enemy lines. YAMAM training is intense, frequently including urban rappelling, bomb detonation and tactical entry to buildings. The unit's primary duties are Hostage Rescue, SWAT duties, Counter-terrorism and VIP security, often requiring the use of close quarter combat tactics in enemy territory.
Itay Gil originally served in the IDF Paratroopers where he trained in Krav Maga under Eli Avikzer, Imi Lichenfeld's top student. He was then chosen to join the YAMAM, where he became a career combatant. From 1992-1997, Itay Gil was the chief close-quarter combat instructor for the YAMAM. He was the executive director of all training programs for the Israel Border Police as well as the undercover police intelligence unit. Itay Gil continues to serve in the IDF reserves today where he is the senior combat instructor for an elite counter-terrorism team.
**Paladin Press
Besides being the Technical Director of Tactical Krav Maga, Itay Gil is also the CEO of Protect Security Solutions, one of the world's premiere training centres in Counter-Terrorism based in Jerusalem. Here in Australasia, Carl Halley a former security veteran and IKMF Instructor trained by Itay Gil, is the Australasian Director of TKM, and represents Itay Gil here in Australiasia.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Wil with Itay Gil (Israel) Wil with Carl Halley (Aust) Wil with Graham Lockhart (NZ)
From Sydney, Wilson Sze is among one of the few certified Tactical Krav Maga instructors here in Australia & NZ. He has over 10 years experience in adult learning & delivery of training programs including university lecturing, training program design, motivational speaking and personal coaching. Wil also holds graduate and post-graduate degrees.
Wil originally began training in Krav Maga defensive tactics in 2006 with the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) with a military & law enforcement qualified instructor now based in Brisbane. The IKMF was headed up by Eyal Yanilov.
Wil later re-trained to become a qualified Tactical Krav Maga (TKM) instructor through Australasian Director Carl Halley, under Technical Director Itay Gil (ex-YAMAM Special Anti-Terror Unit & CEO of Protect Security Solutions Jerusalem).
TKM instructors must have at least 200 hours of previous training in other systems, CQB, martial arts, original Krav Maga. They must then complete all 10 units of the TKM syllabus in full-contact pressure tested training, plus the demanding instructor training course itself.
THE SYLLABUS
Our system is divided into ten gradable units of information. The syllabus is under continual refinement, ensuring it remains pertinent to today’s threats and situations.
Unit 1 –Striking Techniques, bursting, footwork, stances & combinations. Tactics.
Unit 2 – Defensive Tactics against Strikes whilst standing and grounded. Stand-up fighting skills for reality.
Unit 3 – Empty-hand Baton and Stick Defence
Unit 4 – Release from Chokes, Grabs and Holds standing and on the ground. Defence from pushing and pulling.
Unit 5 – Knife threat defence, and defence from being held and hit.
Unit 6 – Utilising improvised weapons for defence – Small items, shield, stick, knife.
Unit 7 – Take-downs, throws and falls.
Unit 8 – Ground fighting defence and ground fighting
Unit 9 – Empty-hand Firearm Techniques. Defence against handguns and long arms, rifle and shotguns
Unit 10 –Defence on public transport & aviation. Third-Party Protection drills.
THE TRAINING METHODS:
What makes Tactical Krav Maga unique is how we train. Tactical Krav Maga is built on a simple set of problem solving techniques, but it is much more than just techniques...it's the warrior mindset, stemming back to ancient biblical history that makes 'Krav Maga' unique - click here for more info. Once you've learnt the techniques, we apply the techniques to every situation, with an emphasis on full contact 'Pressure-Tested' training drills, which allows you the student to learn to adapt & improvise naturally. Training is always done with safety gear.
- What is 'Pressure Tested'? It means that we keep it simple and only use what works in reality under pressure. Techniques has to be based on your natural instincts. We often train under worst-case conditions or from disadvantaged positions (for example, against multiple opponents, when protecting someone else, with one arm unusable, when dizzy, or against armed opponents). Training is an intense mixed aerobic & anerobic workout, relying heavily on protective gear such as: PADS, TACTICAL VESTS & GUARDS in order to experience both delivery and defense of strikes. Once you've learnt the techniques, we will progressively introduce you to train with a 'resisting opponent' as much as possible. There are no predefined sequences of moves or choreographed styles; instead Krav Maga emphasizes rapid learning, using techniques that builds on other techniques, solving as many problems as we can before we introduce new techniques.
- What is Scenario Training? Training may take place in the dark, in a carpark, in hallways, in small confined spaces, inside a car, in a bus, in an airplane, under water or in a park. This is to teach the student to function effectively in all scenarios. It may involve pre-planned scenarios involving sudden & surprise attacks occuring in confined spaces. You may be taught role-playing or verbal tactics to de-escaluate tension and danger. You may be trained to rescue or protect a third-party in a crowd. All techniques are fully pressure tested to train the student to perform calmly while under stress.
- What is difference between civilian & military training? Read this article
WHO USES KRAV MAGA?
Krav Maga is used as the primary Defensive Tactics / Close Combat system by the Israeli Defence Forces, the Israeli Police and Israeli Special Forces and Anti-Terror Units. Several European militaries have also adopted Krav Maga. Krav Maga is taught to Sky Marshals and commercial airline crews. Though relatively unknown in New Zealand, Krav Maga is used worldwide in many security forces, and has become one of the most popular training options among civilians.
In the USA, personnel from the FBI, CIA, AFOSI Anti-terrorism Specialty Team, US Air Force, United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration Arrest and Control Unit, U.S. Treasury Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, State Department, several divisions of the United States Coast Guard, and police and sheriff's offices in New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Alabama, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and California have received mandatory training in Krav Maga,
In addition to the Special Operations Forces of Israel (e.g. Sayeret Matkal, YAMAM, etc.), several special units from other countries have adopted this system for their hand-to-hand combat. These units include GIGN, Federal Police Special Units, FBI HRT, and SWAT, among others.
IN POP CULTURE:
In recent times, Krav Maga has also been used in certain Movies and Films that needed a more realistic fighting style, as well as by various actors and actresses for their physical training, fight training and personal protection.
It is also very similar to the fight style - a mix of Krav Maga and Kali ideas - as used by Matt Damon in his Jason Bourne character in the Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum Movies. (Disarming pistols, dealing with multiple opponents, using common objects as improvised weapons and tactical fighting)
Jennifer Lopez plays a domestic violence victim in the movie "Enough", where she learns Krav Maga to defend herself & daughter in a desperate struggle for life.
In the game and book series "Splinter Cell" the main protagonist, CIA agent Sam Fisher, uses Krav Maga exclusively as his hand to hand combat system.
**Photo references are from "The Citizen's Guide to Stopping Suicide Attackers" Secrets of an Israeli Counterterrorist. By Itay Gil and Dan Baron. Paladin Press, Boulder, Colorado (c) 2004.
(C) Copyright Tactical Survival NZ. All Rights Reserved. No part of this website can be copied or duplicated without permission. Certain images belongs to the international Tactical Krav Maga community
