About Krav Maga

The Origin Story

Krav Maga, meaning "contact combat" in Hebrew, has a fascinating history rooted in the need for practical self-defence. Its origins trace back to the 1930s in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, amidst rising anti-Semitic violence. The system's founder, Imi Lichtenfeld (also known as Imi Sde-Or), was an accomplished boxer, wrestler, and gymnast who used his skills to defend the Jewish quarter against fascist thugs.

Imi quickly realized that traditional martial arts and sport fighting techniques were often inadequate for the brutal realities of street violence. He began developing a unique system based on natural instincts and movements, emphasizing efficiency, simultaneous defence and attack, and targeting vulnerable points. This early form of Krav Maga was tested and refined in real-life confrontations.

Imi Lichtenfeld: The Founder

Imrich "Imi" Lichtenfeld (1910-1998) was the architect of Krav Maga. After immigrating to British Mandate Palestine in the early 1940s, his fighting prowess was recognized by the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization. He was recruited to train their fighters, including elite units like the Palmach and Palyam (naval commandos), in hand-to-hand combat, fitness, and swimming.

With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Imi became the Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga at the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) School of Combat Fitness. He served in the IDF for nearly 20 years, continuously developing and refining Krav Maga to meet the diverse needs of soldiers. His focus remained steadfast: create a system that could be learned quickly, retained under stress, and applied effectively regardless of size, strength, or gender.

Evolution and Adaptation

After retiring from the military, Imi adapted Krav Maga for civilian use, opening schools to teach ordinary people how to protect themselves. He established the Krav Maga Association to promote the system and train instructors. Krav Maga continued to evolve, incorporating techniques suitable for law enforcement, VIP protection units, and everyday citizens facing various threats.

The core principles remain the same: address the immediate danger, counter-attack aggressively, use natural reflexes, target vulnerable areas, and disengage as quickly as possible. It's not a sport; it's a survival system designed for the unpredictable nature of real-world violence.

Who Uses Krav Maga Today?

Krav Maga's effectiveness has led to its adoption by military forces, law enforcement agencies, and security personnel worldwide. From the IDF and Israeli intelligence agencies to the FBI, SWAT teams, and numerous police departments, Krav Maga provides essential close-combat skills.

Beyond professional use, millions of civilians globally learn Krav Maga for personal safety, fitness, and empowerment. Its practical approach makes it suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels seeking realistic self-defence skills. Learning Krav Maga online has further increased its accessibility, allowing individuals everywhere to train Krav Maga at home.