My first Krav Maga Lesson

[italian_guy]

It happened yesterday. First impression before starting was already very good. I figured out that I knew the head Instructor already (He was the husband of a person that I've trained in Karate) so the atmosphere was actually very friendly.

After warm-up an instructor showed me privately a lot of escapes from grabs, chokes etc. and he also teached me some phylosophical concepts concerning the art itself. At the end of the lesson I joined the rest of the group and the head instructor showed us some defense from knife attack. He is very experienced, he is in the special corps of italian police since 20+ years. He definitely knows what he is talking about.

My general impression is that KM approch to fighting is not as elegant as in a traditional MA, but you can be sure it is effective! I can say that KM is not much an "Art" but for sure is "Martial".

[Alan Armstrong]

It happened yesterday. First impression before starting was already very good. I figured out that I knew the head Instructor already (He was the husband of a person that I've trained in Karate) so the atmosphere was actually very friendly.

After warm-up an instructor showed me privately a lot of escapes from grabs, chokes etc. and he also teached me some phylosophical concepts concerning the art itself. At the end of the lesson I joined the rest of the group and the head instructor showed us some defense from knife attack. He is very experienced, he is in the special corps of italian police since 20+ years. He definitely knows what he is talking about.

My general impression is that KM approch to fighting is not as elegant as in a traditional MA, but you can be sure it is effective! I can say that KM is not much an "Art" but for sure is "Martial".

Do you feel the knife defence aspects of KM to be more realistic or more vertual?

[italian_guy]

It happened yesterday. First impression before starting was already very good. I figured out that I knew the head Instructor already (He was the husband of a person that I've trained in Karate) so the atmosphere was actually very friendly.

After warm-up an instructor showed me privately a lot of escapes from grabs, chokes etc. and he also teached me some phylosophical concepts concerning the art itself. At the end of the lesson I joined the rest of the group and the head instructor showed us some defense from knife attack. He is very experienced, he is in the special corps of italian police since 20+ years. He definitely knows what he is talking about.

My general impression is that KM approch to fighting is not as elegant as in a traditional MA, but you can be sure it is effective! I can say that KM is not much an "Art" but for sure is "Martial".

Do you feel the knife defence aspects of KM to be more realistic or more vertual?

The head instructor warned us to be not too confident in using those techiques in real situation because they are quite risky. Having said that my impression is that the head instructor was very expert and he could handle them quite well, in a less experienced guy the risk is actually non-negligible.

[Alan Armstrong]

Good answer by the IC.

Knife defense awareness is beneficial.

Being confident against a knife wielding attacker, has many variables, personally and preferably I would be more confident holding a loaded gun.

The problem with many knife defense classes, are that they seem to be designed to disarm slow moving attackers that move in telegraphing motions.

Whereas in real life, the multiple thrusting pump action use of a knife is stealthily employed in to the kidney area.

Also knifes are silent killing weapons good against guards, as not to alert unnecessary noises.

Knifes are close range weapons that are good for assignations, difficult to defend against, depending on the proficiency of the user.

[bushido_man96]

Someone who isn't proficient with a knife is still very dangerous, regardless of their training, or lack thereof.

Krav Maga provides a great platform for self-defense, I feel. In my DT training, we've learned defenses against knife, pistol, and even long guns. Very straight-forward tactics, and very useful, I feel.

[Alan Armstrong]

Having some KM experience:

Use what ever is available to you in the situation to survive and use every bit of knowledge and experience against the enemy, such as if they have facial hair or long hair; use it against them by holding on to it, controlling and seizing the moment.

If you are facing the opponent during the day, keep the sun on your back, so as the sun shines in their eyes and not yours.

Footwear can be an advantage or a disadvantage, make sure you are not wearing beach sandals while the opponent is wearing combat boots.

Improvisational weapons is a subject worth investigating, as everyday items can be utilized and disguised, such as holding a brown paper bag that contains a hammer.

Holding a hammer could seem to be threatening but holding a hammer in a brown paper bag isn't; just a part of the element of surprise tactics...

[pinklady6000]

Having some KM experience:

Use what ever is available to you in the situation to survive and use every bit of knowledge and experience against the enemy, such as if they have facial hair or long hair; use it against them by holding on to it, controlling and seizing the moment.

If you are facing the opponent during the day, keep the sun on your back, so as the sun shines in their eyes and not yours.

Footwear can be an advantage or a disadvantage, make sure you are not wearing beach sandals while the opponent is wearing combat boots.

Improvisational weapons is a subject worth investigating, as everyday items can be utilized and disguised, such as holding a brown paper bag that contains a hammer.

Holding a hammer could seem to be threatening but holding a hammer in a brown paper bag isn't; just a part of the element of surprise tactics...

An empty brown paper bag is more dangerous than a brown paper bag with a hammer in it! just the action of blowing up a bag will in my experience makes people run away.

[italian_guy]

Having some KM experience:

Use what ever is available to you in the situation to survive and use every bit of knowledge and experience against the enemy, such as if they have facial hair or long hair; use it against them by holding on to it, controlling and seizing the moment.

If you are facing the opponent during the day, keep the sun on your back, so as the sun shines in their eyes and not yours.

Footwear can be an advantage or a disadvantage, make sure you are not wearing beach sandals while the opponent is wearing combat boots.

Improvisational weapons is a subject worth investigating, as everyday items can be utilized and disguised, such as holding a brown paper bag that contains a hammer.

Holding a hammer could seem to be threatening but holding a hammer in a brown paper bag isn't; just a part of the element of surprise tactics...

Our insructor has annouced a lesson on improvisational weapons next thursday... I think it is going to br fun!

[Alan Armstrong]

Having some KM experience:

Use what ever is available to you in the situation to survive and use every bit of knowledge and experience against the enemy, such as if they have facial hair or long hair; use it against them by holding on to it, controlling and seizing the moment.

If you are facing the opponent during the day, keep the sun on your back, so as the sun shines in their eyes and not yours.

Footwear can be an advantage or a disadvantage, make sure you are not wearing beach sandals while the opponent is wearing combat boots.

Improvisational weapons is a subject worth investigating, as everyday items can be utilized and disguised, such as holding a brown paper bag that contains a hammer.

Holding a hammer could seem to be threatening but holding a hammer in a brown paper bag isn't; just a part of the element of surprise tactics...

Our insructor has annouced a lesson on improvisational weapons next thursday... I think it is going to br fun!

Let us all know how your lesson went, I'm curious and so will everyone else here also.

[italian_guy]

Having some KM experience:

Use what ever is available to you in the situation to survive and use every bit of knowledge and experience against the enemy, such as if they have facial hair or long hair; use it against them by holding on to it, controlling and seizing the moment.

If you are facing the opponent during the day, keep the sun on your back, so as the sun shines in their eyes and not yours.

Footwear can be an advantage or a disadvantage, make sure you are not wearing beach sandals while the opponent is wearing combat boots.

Improvisational weapons is a subject worth investigating, as everyday items can be utilized and disguised, such as holding a brown paper bag that contains a hammer.

Holding a hammer could seem to be threatening but holding a hammer in a brown paper bag isn't; just a part of the element of surprise tactics...

Our insructor has annouced a lesson on improvisational weapons next thursday... I think it is going to br fun!

Let us all know how your lesson went, I'm curious and so will everyone else here also.

Since last evenining lesson was the last of the season (and then we had social dinner ) it was quite a short lesson. The instructor showed us the usage of kubotan (or as an alternative a robust pen). Then he showed us some techinques for gun disarming .. not as good as expected. Anyway kubotan is quite a useful self defensive tool I think I'll buy one.