Kahn - Krav maga: an essential guide to the renowned method--for fitness and self-defense

Why I Love Krav Maga and Why You Will, Too

Discover how Israeli self-defense can save your life

The Power of Israeli Krav Maga

Gain confidence, personal safety, and overall fitness with the Israeli militarys time-tested, self-defense system

The Philosophy Behind Krav Maga

Understand the six pillars of krav maga and youll be well on your way to becoming a kravist

The Mind of a Kravist

To react instinctively, you must embody krav maga

Mastering Upper-Body Strikes

The power behind the punch comes from precise execution, not from body size or muscular strength

Mastering Lower-Body Strikes and Kicks

Use your bodys most powerful muscles to send your attacker packing

Mastering Close-Contact Fighting

Learn the art of falling, retreating, clinching, throwing, and more

Mastering Escapes

Learn how to extricate yourself from grabs, holds, chokes, pulls, and other dangerous situations

Your Personal Krav Maga

Build your fitness and fighting skills with regular practice

The Krav Maga Combative Training Plan

Hone your skills, improve your fitness, and become a kravist

Resources

I am indebted to Grandmaster Haim Gidon for the training insights he provided as president of the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA) and for the countless hours he spent with me on the mat. I am also indebted to my other Israeli krav maga instructors and good friends: Ohad, Albert, and Noam Gidon; Yoav Krayn; Yigal Arbiv; and Eran Buaron. Thanks to Michel Gidon for her hospitality and many meals spent at the grandmasters table. Thanks to Aldema Zirinski for his indispensable support, advice and historical input. Thanks also to Maj. David Hassid of the Israeli Police Operational Fitness Academy. I am grateful to the IKMA (Israeli Krav Maga Association) Board of Directors and all IKMA members who have welcomed and trained with me over the years. This book would not be possible without the expert training, support, and inspiration provided by the Israeli Krav Maga Association.

To senior krav maga instructor and technical language advisor, Rick Blitstein, I am forever grateful for our chance meeting under the sukkah that set this book in motion. I am grateful to historical contributor Boaz Aviram, former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) krav maga chief military instructor, for his support and insights. I am grateful to security instructor and counterterror expert Nir Maman for his support and contributions. To my Philadelphia training partners, Alan Feldman, Ken Winokur, Neil Greenberg, Allen Opalek, and Al Ackerman, thank you for helping to send me on my way. Thanks to the South American Krav Maga Association and Manchester Maccabi Krav Maga for their support. Thanks to my uncle David Kahn for carrying on the krav maga instructor tradition. I am thankful to Capt. Peter Savalli, Chief Anthony Gaylord, Trooper Paul Miller, Mark Hanafee, Kevin Colon, Eric Givens, and all of the other dedicated men and women of American law enforcement who protect us and have welcomed krav maga training.

Special thanks goes to David Barton for his unparalleled support, along with his staff, and for introducing me to my special training partner, Bailey Barton. I am equally appreciative of the 92nd St. Y Makor organizations efforts in helping to build krav maga . To IKMA instructors, Rich Felsher, Sean Quimby, Brian Linnet, Dr. Peter Rosenthal, Elizabeth Greenman, and Ethan Vogelhut, thank you for your invaluable support in expanding krav maga . Thanks to WR Mann of www.RealFighting.com for his indispensable guidance and support. Many thanks go to my good friends and training partners, Bill and Justin Kingson, for their insights and effort. Thanks to Dr. Steven R. Gecha for keeping me in one piece over the many years. Thanks to my best friend, Brian E. Goldberg, for his support and legal counsel. Thanks to Dr. Ari Malka for his support and insight. To my sharp-elbowed Makor women, Shari, Ariela, and Katherina, thanks for their dedication and for beating me up to show it works. Thanks to Greg Holland for his support and interest. Thanks to Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor James Gandolfini for his public support.

Special thanks go to my family for their unwaivering support of my krav maga training and the hospitality extended to my Israeli instructors. Much thanks goes to my mother, Anne, for her comma checking and to my grandmother, Helen, for feeding us all and sending me packing each time with sustenance to Netanya. I am grateful to my father, Alfred, for encouraging my many trips to Israel and for my brother Abel playing the role of assailant so many times to help us build krav maga . I thank my uncle Harry for toughening me up and my stepfather, Ed, for being the voice of reason in this undertaking. Vanessa, thank you for your devotion and contributions.

Last, I would like to thank the wonderful group of St. Martins Press and Alisa Bauman for making this book come alive. A heartfelt thanks goes to my editor, Marian Lizzi, for recognizing the need for a book on the fundamentals of Israeli self-defense.

Why I Love Krav Maga and Why You Will, Too

Discover how Israeli self-defense can save your life

My introduction to Israeli krav maga floored meliterally. Soon after beginning law school, I met Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA) senior instructor Rick Blitstein. Rick sat reading quietly at a table. I noticed his T-shirt first. On it in big, bold letters were the words, ISRAELI KRAV MAGA MARTIAL ARTS . I was curious.