Page 12 - Complete Krav maga : the ultimate guide to over 250 self-defense and combative techniques

disadvantage). If the technique only works when we are early or prepared, then

we look for something better.

We were working on some defensive tactics with law enforcement officers from
the Azusa, California, police department, matching Krav Maga’s techniques with
some of their already-established team tactics during room entries. Our favorite
moment in the training program was when we found a problem matching one of
our weapon-retention techniques to their officer’s position during the entry. As

we explored a solution, one of the officers suggested a particular type of
footwork that was different than anything else we had shown. The other officer
immediately replied, “No, that would be the only time we’d have our guys step
that way. Either he’d never do it because it was so different, or doing it would
mess up the rest of his training.”

That officer understood Krav Maga.

Krav Maga Is Not a Martial Art

One thing to keep in mind as you read this book is that Krav Maga is not a
traditional martial art—in fact, we don’t use the term “martial art” at all.

Traditional martial arts tend to be rigid, dogmatic, and focused on maintaining
traditions handed down from past masters. In addition, depending on the art,
there is an emphasis on elegance of movement and minutia of detail. Krav Maga
tries to avoid all these things. The majority of martial arts systems also tend to
become trapped in a sports-oriented mentality, establishing rules that limit the
fighters.

Even mixed martial arts fighters, many of whom are our friends and whom we
respect immensely, fight in a controlled environment with restrictions on what
they can and cannot do.

Some very effective systems can also fall into the sports-oriented trap. For
instance, Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) is an extremely effective system. Anyone
interested in becoming highly proficient at groundfighting should absolutely

spend time training with one of the many Brazilian jiu jitsu instructors available
around the world. However, many schools teach BJJ as a sport: no striking, no
biting, no eye-gouging, and no emphasis on getting up and away from danger.
The truth is, these limitations are necessary in order for beginners to practice the
techniques (it’s hard to practice a triangle choke if your partner is biting your

thigh), but if you never add the other elements of a street fight, you are training
in a sport, not in self-defense.