Posted on 08/28/2013 1:29:06 PM PDT by A Navy Vet
I have a question for all the martial arts types here.
Is Krav Maga all it's cracked to be? As far as I can research it is about horrific and deadly force against an attacker without years of training in Karate, Kung-Fu, Ju-jitsu and other disciplines.
Maybe you should think before making such an inane comment. Millions count on Calif jobs which they many not find elsewhere, not to mention those who don't want to leave family. Yours and others simple thinking about moving out of Cali are just that - simplistic.
Yes, it's a crap socialist State, but not everyone can just pick up and move to your location of choice. Thanks for not addressing my inquiry.
That's a joke, right?
Okay. So how do I get a CCW in California? Right, I can't. So I'm supposed to make my wife quit her work that she loves and move to where? Well, I'm thinking after she retires about norther AZ or NV. But guess what, many of can't just pack up leave. So like above, thanks for NOT answering my question.
The truth of where you live is now apparent.
Again, I'm in great shape and have been my share of tussles. I'm just asking is Krav Maga the end all?
Understood, however grab a person strongly in the front throat and unlike the movies, they become very docile. You just have to squeeze hard enough where they can't breath and don't have the energy to cross counter with their arms.
Similar background, although I am younger. Used to be a club bouncer, and took different martial arts from the age of 4, including judo, boxing and traditional karate to black belt level. I enjoyed Krav Maga training the most, no forms or endless yelling and stretching. I did it for about 4 years in my mid 30’s and wish I knew some of the techniques when I was working the door. It is effective and the focus is to do enough damage to allow you enough time to escape or until help comes, or put an attacker down and out if escape is impossible. I teach my kids the techniques from KM, not from any of the other martial arts.
As with any martial art, seek out a good instructor that has walked the walk, not some paper tiger.
I would suggest combining that with some of Hoch Hockheims type knife and stick fighting to have a pretty complete non-gun self protection training set.
“Just remember you have TWO ELBOWS.” Yes, but don’t want to break them on the jawbone. Pressure points is what it’s about. I’ve used them in past altercations.
only if you think it’s funny...
if not, then it was an attempt at a joke.
Also, check out Crossfit. Crossfit doesn't provide you a means of defense but it helps folks of all ages get fit and being fit is a major part of any self-defense program. Crossfit is particularly good for seniors...you will get VERY fit and love it (good for wives too).
What to look out for:
1) Check out the credentials of your teacher. When Krav Maga became popular in the West in the 90s there are a lot of Karate teachers who started calling what they do Krav Maga ....when it is really a mix of some Karate, some MMA, and lots of cardio. That's not what you are looking for.
2) Attend one or two free lessons. The teacher should allow you to sit in for a class or two. If you have to pay before you see what's on offer ....walk.
3) You know yourself and your abilities. If the teacher and the class are demonstrating techniques that you know your body cannot do, walk!!!! Krav Maga is a relatively simple style ...it uses direct gross motor skills directed towards points of vulnerability like eyes and the throat. Any kicks are not higher than to the opponent's knee. Aggressiveness. If you see moves that involve high kicks, or complicated fine motor skill movements, walk!!!! You'll NOT be able to execute a fancy technique when under attack with surprise on the opponent's side and adrenalin pumping through your system. If it is complex it is not Krav Maga.
4) The teacher should be able to teach you simple direct techniques suited to your age. If he teaches you a move only a 19 year old gymnast can do, thank him for his time and walk.
5) Finally, a good Krav Maga teacher should spend a lot of time discussing situational awareness. That is orobably the most important skill ....noticing things. Without proper situational awareness even carrying a gun is mostly useless. Remaining aware of your environment is.important.
With that Krav Maga, and a number of other reality based self defense/offense systems, would be helpful. Even if you carry a gun. Stay away from traditional martial arts (they take time to develop real fighting skill), stay away from anything that looks flashy, stay away from anything that you feel is 'off.'
Krav Maga was developed by the IDF.
One tiny plea from a guy who used to be a Moo Duk Kwan instructor - don’t use this to “get back into shape”. You’ll get injured. Be in shape before you begin. Run, stretch, cardio machines, lose that 10 pounds you wanted to before you ever start. Then you can concentrate on the art, not on your body.
I think your answer might just be right there, at least until you get some serious training.
It's worth pointing out that a black belt in karate won't help you when you're stuck in your car. But quality pepper spray just might.
Avoid the junk spray that you see in the Wal-Mart checkout lines. Also avoid any spray that does not have an expiration date.
I buy my pepper spray from a police supply store. Perhaps you can talk to a local cop for advice on the best spray available in your area.
Come to think of it, that would make a pretty good Free Republic post: Advice on pepper spray.
Thank you for an informed response. Guess I was wrong about the need for training, which is why I don't join dogo/mojo...haha.
I thought it was like my street fighting buddy who taught us to go for the soft and painful parts. His philosophy was to do the most painful thing to an attacker and then run (his specialty was gouging eyeballs and slapping your hands upside both ears to burst the ear drums, not to mention going for the throat which I said above helped me a number of times). Yup sounds like a spin off of Krav Maga or just plain street smarts.
Don't box; don't wrestle; hit the vulnerable body parts.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Others tell me to move, as If I could.
I’m taking Gracie combatives. Check them out.
It absolutely amazes me how many instructors ignore the "run" part. I've observed, and participated in, quite a few self defense seminars over the years.
Never once did I hear an instructor say "after you have disabled your attacker, get away!"
All the other martial arts take years of training while working their way up through their special moves and belts. Krav Maga is about immediately hurting your opponent through what we use to call "low blows" in my teenage years. Now, if I can learn to break an attackers knee, I no longer give a shit about a "fair fight". If you read above, I've actually wrapped my skinny fingers around an over-sized punk and sqeezed his vocal chords until his face turned red and he started to slink. I let go not wanting to hurt him permanently - he never came back.
Interesting story to prove my point: I and my wife and her girlfriend were in a familiar biker bar some years back. I walked up to my wife to talk with her and some Vato thought he would give me shit for getting in-between his pick-up sceme. I layed my drink on the bar in anticipation, but he jumped me from the side. We both went down.
Now here is the interesting part. As we went down we knocked over our lead waitress and not knowing what was happening from who, she immediately put me into a choke hold while the dumbshit was trying punch me out that I luckily avoided. My friends pulled the vato off me, but she was still hanging on for dear life. I manage to get enough strength and wind and twist my head around and tell her your choking me, Stacy. She then let go.
Moral of the story choke holds and other Krav Maga holds/hits work! That little girl could have choke the life out of me. It doesn't take much.
Nothing wrong with some good self defense training for a back up. That said, there is no substitution for a Ruger LCP 380 locked and loaded in your hip pocket! This coming from a lifelong martial artist with several years of Kick Boxing in Miami back in the day. Just saying.
Entirely my point, Everything has slowed down, so now I need an edge. Glad you're enjoying your training, but for an olde fart like me, I want to know MORE pressure points. I want to know what hurts and drives the single attacker away.
If more, than I should be carrying and just kill them, although I do carry my Knucle Blaster when ever I take my wife out in public. Not as good as my Sig which I can't carry in Cali, but can disuade those who think we are an easy target. Zap them, they will look for easier targets. Thanks for your input.
Yup. However, you left out kicks to the shins, groin, and instep which the easiest and most assured. If the scum gets a hold of you...think eye gouge, ear bursting hits, and the always faithful groin kick...although that's never assured unless you place it just right.
Krav Maga teaches you so many other vital areas that would really hurt an attacker and give you the chance to run. Some say, why should I run? Why would anyone other than a SEAL want to continue the fight with an attacker who may more stuff coming at you? Incapcitate the fuck and run. You'll live to live another day.
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