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The Art of Manliness

#277: Krav Maga – The Self-Defense System of Israeli Special Forces

Feb 10, 2017
David Kahn, a seasoned chief instructor at the U.S. Israeli Krav Maga Association, dives into the fascinating world of Krav Maga, the self-defense system used by Israeli forces. He shares the origins of this impactful martial art and its evolution into a practical defense mechanism. The conversation covers effective training techniques, including the importance of quick reflexes and de-escalation strategies. Kahn also discusses how to defend against multiple attackers and offers tips for newcomers eager to learn this empowering self-defense method.
34:52

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Krav Maga, developed by Imi Lichtenfeld in the 1940s, focuses on practical self-defense techniques designed to be effective in real-life confrontations.
  • The system emphasizes recognizing potential conflicts and encourages proactive measures, such as preemptive attacks, to gain an advantage during attacks.

Deep dives

The Origins and Philosophy of Krav Maga

Krav Maga originated in the early 1940s in Slovakia, developed by Imi Lichtenfeld to protect the Jewish community during a time of significant peril. Its foundation lies in practical self-defense rather than sport fighting, emphasizing techniques that cause effective harm in real-life situations. Lichtenfeld's experiences necessitated a system where every strike counted, and thus elements like aggression and the elimination of wasted motion became essential. This philosophy influenced the system's adoption into the Israeli Defense Forces, adapting to military needs while retaining its core principles.

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