1970s-1980s: The Spread of Krav Maga
In the 1970s, Lichtenfeld retired from the IDF, but he continued to teach Krav Maga to civilians. It grew in popularity in Israel and eventually spread to other countries. Today there are Krav Maga schools all over the world and it is used by military personnel, law enforcement officers, and ordinary people who want to defend themselves.
Krav Maga today
Krav Maga continues to evolve today. It has been adapted to the needs of different groups of people, including women, children, and the elderly. There are now different variations of Krav Maga taught in different countries. However, the basic principles remain the same:
Krav Maga is a practical system of self-defense that can be used in any situation. Whether you are a soldier in combat or a civilian on the street, Krav Maga can help you protect yourself from harm.
What are the basic principles of Krav Maga?
There are four basic principles of Krav Maga: awareness, prevention, avoidance, and de-escalation.
Awareness
Anyone who has ever been the victim of a crime knows how important it is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whether you are walking down the street or simply going about your daily duties, you can never be too careful.
This is especially true when it comes to self-defense because the first step to protecting yourself is recognizing potential threats. In Krav Maga, a martial art developed by the Israeli military, this principle of awareness is called "attention level one." By actively scanning your surroundings for signs of danger, you can learn to spot threats before they have a chance to do harm.
Whether you are noticing suspicious behavior or watching for people and objects that seem out of place, mindfulness is the key to staying safe in any situation. Prevention, Prevention is always the best defense. This is true whether it is your physical health or your personal safety.
When it comes to self-defense, the best way to protect yourself is to prevent an attack in the first place. Of course, that is not always possible. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a victim of violence.
First, try to avoid dangerous situations. If you can not avoid them, be prepared. Know what to do if an attack does occur.
Finally, have a plan for how to stay safe. By following these simple steps, you will be better prepared to defend yourself if an unfortunate situation does occur.
Avoidance
Krav Maga is a form of self-defense that emphasizes avoidance. This means that the most important principle is to avoid dangerous situations whenever possible. If you cannot escape a threatening situation, the next best thing is to run or hide from your attacker.
Krav Maga teaches techniques for evasion, including tactics to escape in crowded spaces and using distraction techniques such as throwing sand in your attacker's face or faking a faint. Through constant practice and training, those who practice Krav Maga can develop quick judgment and reactions that help them escape even the most threatening situations with ease.
So if you are ever confronted by an attacker, try to remember one of the central principles of Krav Maga: evasion. If all else fails, this can save your life.
De-escalation One of the most important principles of Krav Maga is de-escalation. This means avoiding or defusing dangerous situations wherever possible without resorting to violence. When it comes to dealing with physical conflict, this principle can be incredibly valuable, both to protect yourself and to keep others safe. After all, when you show aggression or use force against another person, the threat is not always stopped.
Rather, it can sometimes escalate the situation and put you or others in even greater danger. Instead, if you remain calm and try to de-escalate a potentially violent situation, you can avoid harm while doing what is best for everyone involved.
Whether you are being actively threatened by angry strangers or simply having a disagreement with someone close to you, remember that de-escalation is always your best option. With patience and a cool head, you can save yourself AND other people from potential harm.
Final thoughts
Krav Maga is a self-defense system that has its roots in martial arts. It was developed by the Israeli military and is now used all over the world as a means of self-defense in dangerous situations. The basic principles of Krav Maga revolve around awareness, prevention, avoidance, and de-escalation.
If you are interested in learning this effective self-defense system, you can do so in many places. With a little practice, you will be well on your way to protecting yourself from harm.