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Krav Maga – yes, there is "fighting"




But this is self-defense training, why do I have to learn to fight?


To put it as simply as possible, it is nearly impossible to complete an effective defense without a component of offense. Consider this scenario and response options for context:


You get into an altercation with someone, there is no one else around, you have no support. It escalates, and before you know it they’ve got their hands around your neck. I don’t know what you did to drive them over the edge. Maybe you looked at their girlfriend/boyfriend/grandma/puppy the wrong way. Doesn’t matter. They’re not thinking, they just want to hurt you. Adrenaline is going hard on both sides. Great news! You took a self-defense class and learned how to get out of a choke! You confidently shrug to protect your neck and provide quick relief from the choke. You execute the defense. Shrug and rip or pluck, doesn’t matter. You got their hands off of your neck. So now what?


a) Give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back for a defense well executed, wish your assailant better luck next time, and carry on your merry way.

b) Upon removing the choke you attempt to flee, hoping they won’t pursue.

c) Nearly simultaneous to removing the choke you issue a no holds barred kick to the groin and web hand to the throat, disengage with as much ferocity as you can muster, and THEN flee.


a) was a joke, I really hope you didn’t select this one.

b) is your best-case scenario, don’t rely on this working.

c) is your realistic best bet at getting out of this situation with minimized chances of an immediate repeat confrontation.


A well-executed attack to compliment a well-executed defense is exactly what will get you home safe. Unless you quickly and ruthlessly communicate to your assailant that putting their hands on you is going to get them hurt you’ve merely addressed the attack itself, but not the threat.

Okay fine, mixing in a few strikes to my self-defense is necessary. But why do I have to take fight training and spar with other students? It’s not like I’m going to get into a boxing match on the street, and I don’t like getting hit.


Consider this. The absolute best way to train instinctive response to capitalizing on openings in your opponent’s guard is through high pressure training. Nothing says high pressure like hey you better find that opening and take it, or you’ll get smacked. Mind you, all of your fight training and sparring SHOULD be done in a controlled, instructional and supportive manner. We as your instructors should never send you off to partner with someone that doesn’t have your best interests in mind. As long as you are communicating your hesitations or fears to your instructors and sparring partners, we can help you to address and overcome them. Bottom line on this is the better you can hold your own and execute effective attacks in both stand up and ground fighting, the better trained you’ll be to quickly find and use that opening in the instance of an actual attack.


If you have made the effort to be on the mat to train, you’ve already done the hardest part. The rest is just chipping away at that comfort zone, adding tools to the toolbox all the while.

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