Congrats to Jeff Isacksen and Kaci Kai for each winning their divisions at the San Antonio NAGA event!

Lillian Lim of Iron

Students at Fields Martial Arts Academy working on the fundamentals!

Front Kick versus Knife Attack!

This shot comes from Claymore Fighting & Fitness in Huntsville, Alabama. Claymore teaches Krav Maga, Bang Muay Thai, Combat Submission Wrestling, and FightingFit fitness. Check them out!  www.claymoregym.com @claymore.fight

Krav Maga is a self-defense system that originated in Israel and has gained international recognition for its practical and effective techniques. It is built upon a few fundamental principles that guide its training methodology and approach. Firstly, Krav Maga emphasizes simplicity and efficiency. The techniques are designed to be straightforward and easy to learn, focusing on utilizing natural instincts and reflexes. This makes it accessible to individuals of all ages and fitness levels, enabling them to defend themselves effectively in real-life situations.

Secondly, Krav Maga places a strong emphasis on aggression and intensity. The system acknowledges the need for a rapid and forceful response when facing a threat or attack. Practitioners are trained to deliver powerful strikes to vulnerable targets, such as the groin or eyes, with the intention of incapacitating the assailant quickly. The emphasis on aggression helps individuals overcome the initial shock and fear that can arise during a confrontation, enabling them to assertively counter the threat.

Lastly, Krav Maga incorporates realistic training scenarios to simulate real-life situations. This principle recognizes that self-defense encounters can be unpredictable and chaotic. Training includes simulations of various scenarios, such as multiple attackers, armed assailants, or confined spaces, allowing practitioners to develop the necessary skills and mindset to respond effectively under stress. By exposing students to realistic situations, Krav Maga prepares them mentally and physically to make split-second decisions and react appropriately to threats.

Overall, the basic principles of Krav Maga focus on simplicity, aggression, and realistic training. By emphasizing practical techniques, intense responses, and real-life simulations, Krav Maga equips individuals with the skills and mindset necessary to defend themselves effectively in threatening situations.

I am an advocate for making Olympic weightlifting training part of martial arts training, with some caveats. Let’s look at the pros and cons. 

First, some definitions. The Olympic lifts are the Snatch (the barbell goes from ground to overhead in one explosive movement) and the Clean & Jerk (the barbell goes from the ground to shoulder height with the athlete standing upright, and then from shoulder to overhead).  For the sake of argument, let’s also include several partial versions of the Snatch and Clean & Jerk that weightlifters use to improve the various segments of a lift.  Essentially, I’m advocating any version or segment of weightlifting that involves explosiveness and technique.

Practicing these movements isn’t just about increasing strength. There are many less technical exercises you can do for that (squats, bench press, pull ups, etc.) and there are also simpler movements that include explosiveness (loaded squat jumps, box jumps, some kettle bell exercises, etc.).  But there are few movements that require as much coordinated movement from the bottoms of your feet to the top of your upraised arms as the Olympic lifts. When you practice these lifts, you are combining strength training, which is beneficial for martial arts, and timing, which is crucial for martial arts.

There are three negatives to acknowledge when considering whether or not to incorporate Olympic lifting into your training.  First, weightlifting is ancillary, not essential to martial arts. As said earlier, you can get the some benefits from other activities, so if your schedule is tight, you should probably exclude Olympic weightlifting. Second, Olympic weightlifting has a steeper learning curve than other exercises, so if you already have too much on your mental plate (learning Krav Maga, getting ready for an MMA fight, starting a new job), the details of lifting might be too much. Third, Olympic lifts are axial (top to bottom, up and down, hips open and closed) movements. There is some direct benefit in these movements for grapplers; however, striking techniques almost always include torsional (rotational) movements of the hips and shoulders. You won’t get that from Oly lifts.

Despite these negatives, I still see a place for Olympic lifting in a martial arts regimen. The essence of striking is the efficient delivery of explosive force on a target, which requires technique and timing. The essence of grappling is an understanding of body awareness, often under tension, and explosive movement. Olympic lifts are an amazing expression of technique, timing, body awareness, and explosiveness under a load.

After an initial investment of time to learn Oly lifts safely, they become an effective strength and coordination building routine that can benefit your self defense training.

Please contact the school directly for information and to sign up. (860) 405-8247

We love when our affiliates get recognition! Congrats to Christian and Laura Bilawski of Krav Maga Nord for the recent write-up in their local newspaper.