History UsefulNotes / KravMaga

Krav Maga adopts the philosophy of most military combative systems (such as those taught by WE Fairbairn or Rex Applegate during [=WW2=]), in advocating a simple easy-to-learn system that can be applied in life-or-death scenarios. To that end it emphasizes gross motor movement that can be applied under high stress. It focuses on simple strikes (heel of hand, elbows, knees, headbutts etc.) against vulnerable targets (throat, neck, eyes, joints), and has a bit of a reputation for {{Groin Attack}}s. It also focuses on unarmed defence against a variety of weapons including edged weapons, firearms and micro explosives (seriously!), as well as the use of such weapons.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{TheSimpsons}}'': In "The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed", the family goes on a tour in Jerusalem, but Bart tries to run away and is chased down by the tour guide's niece. He tries to fight her off with "KARATE!" but she subdues him with Krav Maga, which she describes as "Israeli Karate" that's less shout-y, and a lot of groin attacks.

[[folder:Film]]
* ''Film/{{Enough}}'' sees [[Creator/JenniferLopez Slim]] learn Krav through a TrainingMontage late into the film. To augment her punches, she wears heavy rings under handwraps.

[[folder:Video Games]]
* [[VideoGame/SplinterCell Sam Fisher]] makes use of Krav in ''Splinter Cell: Conviction'', using brutal combos and smashing people being interrogated into different objects. He's stated to be a Krav practitioner before this, but it comes across as an InformedAbility, seeing as most of his melee attacks in the first four games consist of a TapOnTheHead.

Despite this reputation, or rather because, Krav Maga is a soundly controversial style among martial artists. Its name value alone and the de-militarization of its teachings caused a very difficult quality control during its popularization, meaning a large number of civilian-oriented KM gyms out there have questionable credentials and training methods that don't necessarily follow what should compose the art, all in name of accessibility and/or money. Also, ironically like many martial arts Krav Maga sought to distance itself from, there is an ongoing time debate about how wide is the gap between its theory and its application in real life.

[[folder/Western Animation]]

* GroinAttack: Its reputation for going straight to kicking someone in the balls is somewhat exaggerated, though many techniques do involve this.

In the media expect any BadassIsraeli to be proficient in Krav.

Imi was also Jewish, which proved to be somewhat problematic when ThoseWackyNazis occupied, as traditionally Nazis and Jews tend not to get on. In order to protect the Jewish community from anti-semitic assaults, Imi utilised his knowledge of fighting disciplines to come up with a simplified but effective form of self-defence that could be adopted by the Jewish population. In order to be effective, the techniques had to be simple, easy to learn and usable by as wide a range of people as possible.

In 1948 the British waved goodbye, the Haganah became the Israeli Defense Force, and Imi was tasked with designing Krav Maga training that could be used by all members of the IDF. As, at that time, women served in the IDF, even in combat roles, the fact that IMI's system could be used by as wide a variety of people as possible proved useful.

A key philosophy of Krav Maga is "Adopt what is useful, abandon what is not" (which may sound familiar to Jeet Kun Do practitioners) and so KM evolved and is still the official self defence system of the IDF (and other Israeli security/police organisations) today. Krav Maga has since been adopted by military and security forces around the world and has a strong civilian base as well. This may be as much to do with its popularity amongst celebrities; especially those in ActionGirl roles, where it is promoted as a fitness and body shaping exercise as much as a combative system.

Krav Maga is famed for the brutality of its approach to combat. This is seen in the use of 'rétzef'[[labelnote:Hebrew]]רצף[[/labelnote]] (lit. ‘sequence, continuum’) which is the application of a non-stop flurry of strikes until the attacker(s) are completely neutralised. It is common in Krav Maga training for practitioners to be made to defend themselves against multiple attackers with no MookChivalry allowed.

Krav Maga adopts the philosophy of most military combative systems (such as those taught by WE Fairbairn or Rex Applegate during WW2), in advocating a simple easy-to-learn system that can be applied in life-or-death scenarios. To that end it emphasizes gross motor movement that can be applied under high stress. It focuses on simple strikes (heel of hand, elbows, knees, headbutts etc.) against vulnerable targets (throat, neck, eyes, joints), and has a bit of a reputation for {{Groin Attack}}s. It also focuses on unarmed defence against a variety of weapons including edged weapons, firearms and micro explosives (seriously!), as well as the use of such weapons.

Krav Maga is a Hebrew phrase meaning 'contact combat.' In other words, it is a form of Close Quarters Combat.

Krav Maga is famed for the brutality of its approach to combat. This is seen in the use of 'retzev' (another Hebrew word) which is the application of a non-stop flurry of strikes until the attacker(s) are completely neutralised. It is common in Krav Maga training for practitioners to be made to defend themselves against multiple attackers with no MookChivalry allowed.

Krav Maga is a Hebrew phrase meaning 'contact combat.' In other words, it is a form of Close Quarters Combat.

Krav Maga is a combat system which relies on a [[CombatPragmatist no-rules 'dirty fighting' approach]]. With its emphasis on combat pragmatism it does not lend itself to sporting applications: the objective is quite explicitly to hurt the opponent as much as possible, and that is difficult to tone down or simulate.

In the media expect any Badass Israeli to be proficient in Krav.

Imi was also Jewish, which proved to be somewhat problematic when ThoseWackyNazis occupied, as traditionally Nazis and Jews tend not to get on. In order to protect the Jewish community from anti-semitic assaults, Imi utilised his knowledge of fighting disciplines to come up with a simplified but effective from of self-defence that could be adopted by the Jewish population. In order to be effective, the techniques had to be simple, easy to learn and usable by as wide a range of people as possible.

Krav Maga is a combat system which relies on a no-rules 'dirty fighting' approach. With its emphasis on combat pragmatism it does not lend itself to sporting applications: the objective is quite explicitly to hurt the opponent as much as possible, and that is difficult to tone down or simulate.

In 1984 the British waved goodbye, the Haganah became the Israeli Defense Force, and Imi was tasked with designing Krav Maga training that could be used by all members of the IDF. As, at that time, women served in the IDF, even in combat roles, the fact that IMI's system could be used by as wide a variety of people as possible proved useful.

Krav Maga is a Hebrew phrase meaning 'contact combat'; in other words it is a form of Close Quarters Combat.

The story of Krav Maga dates back to 1930s Bratislava and one Imi Lichtenfeld (also known as Imi Sde-or). Imi's father ran a gym and young Imi was interested in a number of athletic disciplines including boxing and wrestling. Imi was also Jewish.

This proved to be somewhat problematic when the Nazis occupied as traditionally Nazis and Jews tend not to get on. In order to protect the Jewish community from anti-semitic assaults, Imi utilised his knowledge of fighting disciplines to come up with a simplified but effective from of self defence that could be adopted by the Jewish population. In order to be effective the techniques had to be simple, easy to learn and usable by as wide a range of people as possible.

Imi's activities made him even more unpopular with the Nazis and so he had to leave the country. After a while he managed to find himself in what was then British Mandated Palestine.

Imi was involved with the Haganah; one of the main Jewish resistance groups; whose main raison d'etre was giving the British a hard time.

The British administration restricted Jewish access to weaponry and so Imi adapted his fighting style to incorporate such weapons as were available (sticks, knives, improvised weapons etc.) for use against better armed opponents.

In 1984 the British waved goodbye saying to the Jews: "Here's that Jewish homeland we promised you. Oh btw, we may also have promised the same bit of land to those other chaps over there in the robes; but we're sure you'll be able to figure something out between you".

The Haganah became the IDF and Imi was tasked with designing Krav Maga training that could be used by all members of the IDF. As at that time women served in the IDF; even in combat roles, the fact that IMI's system could be sued by as wide a variety of people as possible proved useful.

A key philosophy of Krav is "Adopt what is useful, abandon what is not" (which may sound familiar to Jeet Kun Do practitioners) and so KM evolved and is still the official self defence system of the IDF (and other Israeli security/police organisations) today.

Krav Maga has since been adopted by military and security forces around the world and has a strong civilian base as well. This may be as much to do with its popularity amongst celebrities; especially those in action girl roles, where it is promoted as a fitness and body shaping excercise as much as a combative system.

Krav Maga adopts the philosophy of most military combative systems (such as those taught by WE Fairbairn or Rex Applegate during WW2) in advocating a simple easy to learn system that can be applied in life or death scenarios.

To that end it emphasises gross motor movement that can be applied under high stress.

Krav Maga emphasises simple strikes (heel of hand, elbows, knees, headbutts etc.) against vulnerable targets (throat, neck, eyes, joints).

Krav Maga also has a bit of a reputation for groin strikes.

Training operates on the basis that one should always train from a disadvantage. Krav Maga training usually involves a highly demanding work out session until a person is both physically and mentally exhausted. It is at that stage that the techniques are taught; the theory being that training under such conditions means that a person will be able to act indistinctly when under threat without having to consciously think about how to fight.

Krav Maga is famed for the brutality of its approach to combat. This is seen in the use of 'retzev' (another Hebrew word) which is the application of a non-stop flurry of strikes until the attacker(s) are completely neutralised.

It is common in Krav Maga training for practitioners to be made to defend themselves against multiple attackers with no mook chivalry allowed.

Krav Maga specialises in unarmed defence against a variety of weapons including edged weapons, firearms and micro explosives (seriously!).

Krav Maga also features training in the use of such weapons.

Krav Maga is a combat system which relies on a no rules 'dirty fighting' approach. With its emphasis on combat pragmatism it does not lend itself to sporting applications.

In the media expect any Badass Israeli to be proficient in Krav.