About Krav Maga

What Is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga is a reality-based self-defence and combat system originally developed in Israel for military use. Its name translates from Hebrew as “contact combat,” and it equips practitioners with the skills to handle violent confrontations at every stage—from avoiding and de-escalating conflicts to fighting when necessary and safely escaping danger.

Although initially designed for the Israeli military, Krav Maga’s effectiveness and adaptability have made it popular worldwide. It is now used by civilians for self-defence as well as by military units, law enforcement agencies, SWAT teams, special forces, security professionals, and close protection personnel.

Krav Maga has earned a reputation as the ultimate self-defence system for civilians and is suitable for men, women, teenagers, and children alike.

What Makes Krav Maga So Effective?

Real-World Techniques

Krav Maga is built for real-life situations, teaching practical skills to handle everything from unarmed attacks to threats with weapons.

Quick to Learn, Easy to Apply

Its straightforward techniques are easy to grasp and apply, even in high-stress situations.

Defend and Counter Simultaneously

Neutralise threats fast by combining defence and counter-attacks into one effective movement.

Adaptable to All Scenarios

Krav Maga prepares you for attacks standing, on the ground, in confined spaces, or against multiple attackers.

Mental and Physical Conditioning

Training sharpens your reflexes, builds confidence, and prepares you to react decisively under pressure.

No-Rules Self-Defence

Unlike combat sports, Krav Maga is unrestricted, teaching you to use anything at your disposal to survive.

Accessible for Everyone

Krav Maga works for all ages, fitness levels, and abilities, focusing on skill, not strength.

Constantly Evolving

Modern Krav Maga evolves to address today’s threats, ensuring techniques remain relevant and effective.

The History of Krav Maga

Krav Maga was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld, a Hungarian-born Jew raised in Bratislava, Slovakia, during the 1920s. Imi was a talented boxer, wrestler, and gymnast who, along with other young Jewish men, stood up against violent anti-Semitic gangs in the 1930s. These street confrontations taught Imi that traditional combat sports like boxing and wrestling were insufficient against real-life attacks, particularly those involving weapons or multiple assailants. This experience laid the foundation for what would eventually become Krav Maga.

In 1940, as the Nazi occupation spread across Europe, Imi fled to Palestine. There, his fighting skills were quickly recognised by Israel’s pre-state military organisations, and he began training soldiers in his developing system.

For 20 years, Imi served in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) as the Chief Instructor for Physical Fitness and Krav Maga. After retiring from the military in 1964, he adapted Krav Maga for civilian self-defence, focusing on practical techniques for everyday situations.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Imi’s students began spreading Krav Maga globally, starting in the USA and Europe. Today, it is a worldwide phenomenon, valued for its practicality, simplicity, and effectiveness.

Krav Maga Today

The global popularity of Krav Maga has come with a downside: many schools now claim to teach Krav Maga without any real connection to the original system or its principles.

Some of these schools offer effective self-defence training, while others do not. However, many use the name “Krav Maga” solely to capitalise on its reputation, often just teaching modified martial arts or combat sports adapted for self-defence, rather than anything that has any relation to real krav maga.

At DDKM, for this reason, we believe the term “Krav Maga” on its own has become too broad nowadays to convey a specific meaning. What is taught under this name varies greatly in quality and authenticity from school to school.

Here at Direct Defence Krav Maga (DDKM), we teach the system and curriculum of Krav Maga Global (KMG), the organisation at the forefront of modern, effective Krav Maga and self-defence training.

What Makes Krav Maga Stand Out?

Practical and Realistic

Krav Maga focuses on techniques that work in real-world situations, not just in a controlled environment or sport setting.

Designed for Everyone

Its simplicity and effectiveness make it accessible to people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels.

Focused on Survival

The goal is to end threats quickly and escape safely, prioritising your safety above all else.

Proven Worldwide

Trusted by militaries, law enforcement, and civilians around the globe for its effectiveness and adaptability.

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Krav Maga Global (KMG)

Krav Maga Global (KMG) is the world’s largest and most respected organisation teaching authentic Krav Maga. At DDKM, we are proud to be affiliated with KMG.

Founded in 2010 by Eyal Yanilov, one of Imi Lichtenfeld’s top students and closest personal assistants, KMG continues the legacy of the original Krav Maga system. Eyal, a founding member of the International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF), created KMG to ensure the system remained at the cutting edge of modern self-defence training.

Today, KMG has affiliated schools in over 60 countries. All DDKM instructors are certified through KMG’s rigorous instructor training program, widely regarded as the toughest and highest-quality Krav Maga instructor training available.

KMG stands out as one of the few organisations that can trace its lineage directly back to Imi Lichtenfeld and the original Krav Maga system. Unlike some organisations that cling to outdated techniques, KMG embraces constant innovation, adapting its methods to modern threats while staying true to the core principles of Krav Maga.

KMG provides training not only for civilians but also for military units, special forces, security professionals, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Their approach ensures that the techniques are practical, realistic, and effective for any context.