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International Krav Maga Federation

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International Krav Maga Federation
האיגוד הבינלאומי לקרב מגע
FounderImi Lichtenfeld
HeadquartersRishon Le Zion
Location
  • Israel
Region
International
ServicesEducation
MethodsKrav Maga
FieldsCivilian self-defense
Law Enforcement training
VIP Protection training
Military training
Official language
Hebrew
English
Chairman
Avi Moyal
Websitehttps://kravmaga-ikmf.com/
So that one may walk in peace

International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) (Hebrew: האיגוד הבינלאומי לקרב מגע‎) is an international Krav Maga (Hebrew: קרב מגע‎, lit. "contact combat") educational organization. It integrates various combat (physical and psychological) systems, into a single curriculum, with the purpose of teaching self-defense and survival.

History[edit]

Krav Maga.[1][2] was initially developed as a military fighting system. It was founded between the years 1930 and 1950 by Emrich "Imre" Lichtenfeld (Hebrew: אימריך "אימי" ליכטנפלד‎), also known as Imi Sde-Or (Hebrew: אימי שדאור‎). He started by teaching fighting techniques to various elite units of the paramilitary forces Haganah and Palmach, which will later become the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) [3]. In 1964 Imi Lichtenfeld retired from the IDF, but he continued to teach Krav Maga to civilians and law enforcement agencies. He adapted and modified this fighting system to suit everyone, men and women, no matter their age, physical strength or athletic background. The purpose was to enable one to save his/her life and survive an attack while sustaining minimal harm, no matter the background of the attack - criminal, nationalistic, or otherwise.

In 1978, together with several of his students, Imi Lichtenfeld created the Israeli Krav Maga Association, with the purpose of promoting this fighting system locally and internationally. As Krav Maga's popularity grew around the world, the need for an international organization arose[2][4]:20. As a result, the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) was created. [5]

Currently, the IKMF teaches Krav Maga to various military and security forces around the world (FBI, YAMAM, French Foreign Legion[6], Mossad), as well as to civilians in over 80 countries around the globe. [7][8]

Krav Maga is considered to be a fighting system and not a martial art[9], so there are no rules and no competitions. This allows the implementation of techniques borrowed from various disciplines, without the limitations imposed by sporting rules and regulations. The purpose is to maximize efficiency in real life situations.[10]

Over the years, Krav Maga became more versatile, and it was developed so that it can be used anywhere, anytime, and by anybody. The base concept is that the techniques must be learned and performed in the simplest and most practical manner possible, taking advantage of the human's natural reflexes and improving on them [1]:8.

Philosophy[edit]

Krav Maga is a fighting system anchored in reality[11]:8, so the IKMF continuously updates its curriculum, to reflect the needs of the current society [12]. This allows its practitioners to improve their skills in a relative short time frame, in comparison to martial arts and contact sports [13][14]. The goal is to keep, adapt and modify the techniques that have been tested and proven useful, so that they reflect the present time needs. IKMF's emphasis is on aggressiveness and the swift neutralization of the aggressor, using any means available [15] [16].

IKMF's curriculum includes both physical and mental training with the goal of preparing its practitioners to cope with difficult situations while under severe stress. Krav Maga implies awareness, vigilance and prevention.[17]

Basic principles[edit]

The IKMF encourages its students to avoid a physical confrontation. However, in case all the peaceful ways of solving a conflict have been exhausted and a physical confrontation has become inevitable, the students are encouraged to be as aggressive as possible and to finish the fight as soon as possible[11]:9. The Krav Maga techniques are aimed at the most vulnerable parts of the body, so injuries during training cannot be completely avoided. Some Krav Maga techniques can cause permanent damage and some may cause fatal injuries.[8][18]

On top of the basic Krav Maga principles, IKMF's principles include:

  • Always learn and evolve
  • Adapt as fast as possible
  • Keep it simple and effective.

IKMF's training aims to develop the student's situational awareness. The practitioner will study and understand the psychology of a fight and will develop his / her ability to identify possible threats, before the actual attack occurs. The techniques also include various psychological and verbal methods of avoiding a potentially violent situation. By using controlled scenarios, the training sessions aim to strengthen the mental balance of the practitioners. The goal is to enable the students to keep their natural instincts in check, so they will use physical force as a last resort.[16]

IKMF grading system[edit]

IKMF uses the patches version of the Krav Maga grading system, which is similar to the belt system common in martial arts [19]. It is divided into three main groups: Practitioner or 'P' levels (P1 to P5), Graduate or 'G' levels (G1 to G5) and Expert or 'E' levels (E1 to E5). They reflect a person's experience, skills, and knowledge. One can advance through these groups, as high as they choose to, by passing rigorous IKMF tests.

'G' levels are veteran trainees, who quite often choose to take the required pedagogy tests and become qualified instructors for IKMF's various sections. Experts ('E' levels) are trained professionals who have passed the required technique tests (P1 to P5, G1 to G5, and their respective E level) and are qualified instructors. IKMF's Global Instructor Team (GIT) is made of Experts who have proven themselves to be dedicated instructors, as well as being highly skilled in their particular sections (civilian, military, law enforcement).

IKMF sections[edit]

Kids Krav[edit]

Kids Krav was developed by the IKMF as part of the self-defense solutions created for the various civilian sectors. This program is meant to teach children various self-defense techniques, which have been adapted to suit their particular age group and their physical and mental abilities. Children are taught to recognize various threats, such as bullies and kidnappers, how to differentiate between being bullied by a classmate or by an adult, and how to act accordingly. Kids Krav aims to improve their self-esteem and to build their confidence, respect and discipline[20]. The main teaching methods include various games, which focus on developing their coordination and assertiveness. The children are taught both how to avoid a confrontation and how to defend themselves when necessary. [21]

The IKMF program for children divides them into five age categories. As they get older, the percentage of games in a training session decreases in favor of techniques resembling the ones included in the adult curriculum.

IKMF's children program teaches them to appreciate their achievements, and helps them realize that no goal is impossible to reach.

Women[edit]

IKMF's Women program enables the students to learn, in a relative short period of time, various self-defense techniques tailored specifically to their needs. The IKMF Women program includes several qualifications, 3- to 4-hour seminars, a 3-day workshop, and a women's instructor course designed for certified IKMF civilian instructors. This program is tailored to a woman's daily routine. It teaches the students how to defend themselves, how to counterattack and how to eliminate the danger[22][23]. The main focus is on sexual assault scenarios, as these are the most frequent dangerous situations women encounter. Often, this is a delicate and difficult matter of discussion. For this reason, on top of the standard Krav Maga techniques, IKMF's Women program also involves emotional training [24] to ensure the students they have the ability to defend themselves, to build their self-confidence and the required aggressiveness [8]. The techniques and training methods have been modified to fit the particularities of a woman's anatomy, in order to maximize their efficiency. The IKMF Women [25] program also covers home invasion, third party protection (protecting children), and the use of common objects (keys, handbag, etc.) for defense and counterattack purposes.[26]

IKMF also developed the Stay Away[27] program for women, which was designed from a woman's physical and psychological standpoint. Since 1997, over 30,000 women around the world have attended these seminars.

VIP protection[edit]

Nowadays, attacks on VIPs and political figures are more frequent than ever [28]. The motives range from getting a ransom to changing a country's political balance. The most effective way of defending such a target is to take the person out of the reach of criminals [29], but this is both unrealistic and unpractical. In most cases, the VIP wants maximum exposure and a protection service that will pass unnoticed [30]. IKMF's third-party protection courses include training programs for both the VIPs and the political figures situations. Political figures usually have several layers of protection, which may include law enforcement officers, secret service officers and personal bodyguards [31][32]. In most cases, private VIP protection includes personal bodyguards only.

IKMF's VIP Protection program includes VIP Security and Close Protection training. There are 4 levels of international VIP Protection officers: Bronze Shield, Silver Shield, Gold Shield and Platinum Shield. In order for students to participate in this training program, they are required to present specific credentials and recommendations.

Apart from the standard Krav Maga training, IKMF's VIP Protection program also includes such elements as firearms training, first aid, emergency response, behavioral psychology, dealing with attacks in difficult environments (in crowds, near or inside a car, in confined areas), mental training and preparation[4][33]

Law enforcement[edit]

While a civilian has to protect himself / herself, a 3rd party protector has to guard the client and a soldier has the authority to terminate the target, a Law Enforcement officer has to enforce the law and to protect innocent civilians, while using a moderate amount of force[20]. This raises a particular set of issues. An officer has to classify the violence in various threat categories, from the lowest level (empty-handed combat and voice control), to the moderate level (knives, bats) to the highest level (firearms). A law enforcer is not allowed to use excessive force and is not allowed to harm civilians without a solid reason. IKMF's Law Enforcement program is designed to offer the proper training, so that an officer can fulfill his mission, while protecting him and his partner and obeying the laws, the rules and the regulations of his particular country.[34][35]

Law Enforcers have specific equipment and weapons. IKMF's program includes techniques designed to maximize the efficiency of these tools (handcuffs, firearms, etc.) in order to successfully complete the mission. IKMF's Law Enforcement program can be modified to fit the particular laws, needs and requirements of each country.

Civilian[edit]

Krav Maga was originally developed as a fighting system for the military sector. Recognizing the differing needs of military lives from the civilian world, IKMF adapted the techniques to suit the day-to-day needs of a civilian life. Krav Maga is based on one's natural instincts and reflexes, so the learning process is quick and easy [1]:11[4]:29[36]. In a relative short period of time, one can acquire the basic necessary skills to be able to defend oneself and others, as well as to escape unharmed from most dangerous situations. Civilians, even if training once or twice a week, will still obtain positive and effective outcomes in potentially threatening and dangerous circumstances.

IKMF's civilian training program includes the P1 to P5 curriculum, as well as the G1 to G5 one. Each of its elements is based on real-life experiences and each of the scenarios used in training is derived from real attacks. As the student advances, the scenarios become more difficult and increasingly dangerous. The appropriate defense and counterattack solutions provided evolve accordingly.

Military[edit]

IKMF Krav Maga is IDF's (Israel Defense Forces) choice for training its units. The state if Israel was born in 1948. At that time, David Ben Gurion created the new country's army - The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF was created based on the various resistance forces that were opposing the local Arab population and the British Mandate (Mandatory Palestine). Naturally, the man appointed to provide military training to the new army had to come from one of these resistance organizations. Imi Lichtenfeld was chosen to teach the soldiers how to overcome the various obstacles and difficulties encountered on the battlefield, such as taking down an enemy, using the rifle as a cold weapon, landing safely from a high jump, etc.[20]

Krav Maga was originally developed for the military. It had to have a low complexity level, so that it could be learned by anyone in a short period of time. For this reason, the techniques and the teaching method are an integral part of the system and they cannot be separated.[37]

Adaptive Krav Maga[edit]

IKMF is the first organization to develop a Krav Maga self-defense program for the disabled [38][39]. Apart from teaching those who find themselves in such a situation to defend themselves, the Adaptive Krav Maga program also aims to improve and speed up their rehabilitation and strengthening process. Disability is not a choice but a condition that limits an individual in some aspects. Therefore being disabled is not considered as being less, but as being different. In fact, all of us may find ourselves temporarily limited in some way. We may be sitting in a chair, we may be holding something in our hands, we may be limited by space (inside an elevator), we may have our eyes closed or be in a dark space.

Unlike any other IKMF course (Military, Law enforcement, Civilian, etc.), the Adaptive Krav Maga program does not have a curriculum of techniques. It provides ways of creating tailored tools for a specific student and his / her needs.

IKMF globally[edit]

The International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF) includes national organizations in more than 80 countries around the world. Among these there are Germany[40], United Kingdom [41], Italy [42], France [43], Czech Republic [44], Greece [45], Romania [46], and Netherlands [47]

Various national and regional Krav Maga organizations, also part of the IKMF, are found in the United States of America[7], Canada[48], South America [49][50] and Asia [51][52]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Levine, Darren; Whitman, John (2016-04-18). Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 250 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques. Ulysses Press. ISBN 9781612435770. Search this book on
  2. 2.0 2.1 Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault, Dekel Publishing House, 2000, By Imi Sde-Or ISBN 978-9-6571-7800-3 Search this book on .
  3. Gershon Ben Keren (2017-02-21). Krav Maga Tactical Survival: Personal Safety in Action. Proven Solutions for Real Life Situations. Tuttle Publishing. p. 1. ISBN 9781462919161. Search this book on
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Draheim, Carsten (2017-04-01). Krav Maga: A Comprehensive Guide For Individuals, Security, Law Enforcement and Armed Forces. Meyer & Meyer Sport. ISBN 9781782551010. Search this book on
  5. Christophe, Phillipe (2006). The Essential Krav Maga. Blue Snake Books. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-58394-168-3. Search this book on
  6. "La légion adopte le krav maga, méthode israélienne de combat rapproché". Le Point (in français). 2010-07-20.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Krav Maga: Israeli Self-Defense Goes Global
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "The mother of all fightbacks". Telegraph. 2005-10-21.
  9. ClydeBank Recreation (2017-03-06). Krav Maga QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Krav Maga. ClydeBank Media LLC. ISBN 9781945051159. Search this book on
  10. "Pranice v autobuse i noční rvačka v dešti. I takový byl kurz Krav Maga". iDNES (in čeština). 2010-09-18.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Gershon Ben Keren (2014-12-23). Krav Maga: Real World Solutions to Real World Violence - Disrupt . Damage . Destroy . Disengage. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 9781462916191. Search this book on
  12. Combining the Concepts of Fear Arousal and Customer Satisfaction and Retention - An Ethnographic Case Study on Krav Maga
  13. "Krav Maga: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. 2015-05-11.
  14. "Tough Krav Maga gets you in shape with a vengeance". Chicago Tribune.
  15. "Krav Maga, The Most Widely Self-Defense Used In Real-Life Situations". Martial Tribes. 2017-06-13.
  16. 16.0 16.1 "【Krav Maga/以色列格鬥術/馬伽術】介紹". Hong Kong News (in 中文). 2018-03-26.
  17. "Instruktor bojového umění Michal Otipka: Boj o život nikdy není fér". Deník.cz (in čeština). 2014-09-25.
  18. "Krav Maga teaches practical self-defense in tough workout". USA Today.
  19. "Krav Maga Belts". Martial Arts Guy.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Krav maga: Defensa personal para todos los públicos". El Mundo (in español). 2016-06-05.
  21. "יוסי שמואלי – "דורון" בית ספר לקרב מגע והגנה עצמית". Kolhair (in עברית). 2018-01-17.
  22. "Als vrouw je mannetje staan". Stads Nieuws (in Nederlands).
  23. "Selbstverteidigung: Sich richtig wehren". Apotheken Umschau (in Deutsch). 2017-07-27.
  24. "Krav Maga, a scuola di difesa con Corvaglia e Canalis". Lettera Donna (in italiano). 2017-09-25. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  25. "Nasce una start-up per prevenire e combattere la violenza sulle donne". Corriere Quotidiano (in italiano). Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  26. "3 tips básicos para defenderte en la calle de una situación violenta". Nueva Mujer (in español).
  27. STAY AWAY Australia - IKMF Women's Self Defense Program
  28. "Terrorism". Our World in Data.
  29. Hipp, Terry (2012-04-27). Executive Protection: The Essentials. Createspace Independent Pub. p. 81. ISBN 9781470018153. Search this book on
  30. Hunsicker, A. (2008). The Fine Art of Executive Protection: Handbook for the Executive Protection Officer. Universal-Publishers. p. 74. ISBN 9781581129847. Search this book on
  31. June, Dale L. (2008-01-17). Introduction to Executive Protection: Second Edition. CRC Press. p. 277. ISBN 9781420043457. Search this book on
  32. June, Dale L. (2016-04-19). Protection, Security, and Safeguards: Practical Approaches and Perspectives, Second Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 9781439869543. Search this book on
  33. Lo Presti, Gaetano (2017-02-06). Krav Maga - Maestro della realtà o allievo dell'illusione? (in italiano). Youcanprint. ISBN 9788892648241. Search this book on
  34. "Taking a male bastion apart: First female SWAT team enters Indian police force". Qrius. 2018-08-11.
  35. "Krav Maga Philippines" Check |url= value (help). Business Mirror.
  36. "Work on your problem-solving: Krav Maga experts views on optimal learning environments for self-defence training". Research Gate.
  37. "Operace Izrael: Kdo přežije tohle, přežije všechno". Novinky (in čeština).
  38. "Disabili e difesa personale, a Biella primo corso mondiale". News Biella (in italiano). 2017-10-07.
  39. "Fostering Change through Krav Maga". Morung Express. 2017-10-11.
  40. "Haarlemmer treedt toe tot wereldelite Krav Maga". AD (in Nederlands).
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  42. "Come reagire al pericolo e agli attacchi? Lo insegna una donna a Milano" (in italiano). Vogue.
  43. "Vincent Renoux, "bodyguard" au service du krav maga" (in français). Corse Matin.
  44. "VIDEO: Prsty do očí, bombu do krku. Kurz učil, jak se bránit ve městě" (in čeština). iDNES.
  45. "Krav Maga: Ο Έλληνας υπολογαχός - δάσκαλος της ισραηλινής τέχνης αυτοάμυνας" (in Ελληνικά). OnAlert.
  46. "Krav Maga: Învață să te lupți ca militarii din armata israeliană" (in română). Jurnalul. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  47. "Xcellent Defense start met Krav Maga lessen in Zutphen". Zutphense Koerier (in Nederlands).
  48. Krav maga making waves in Toronto
  49. "Llegó a Colombia una de las soluciones más efectivas para luchar contra los atracos". Extra (in español). 2018-07-25.
  50. "Conozca Krav Maga, la defensa personal "sin reglas"". El Observador (in español).
  51. Krav Maga means business
  52. Krav Maga underlines importance of self-defense


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