I have a runnng interest in Martial Arts. The way I understand it, and I’m also quoting other peoples opinions,is that for quick self defense it’s very effective, but I wouldn’t recommend it because of other problems. Krav Maga is an extremely violent Martial Art. Well, duh, all Martial Arts are violent! Yes, to a point, namely so you can get away. Krav Maga on the other hand focuses on powerful strikes to critical areas that leaves the victom broken on the floor. That sounds nice but that doesn’t fly in court.It was developed in a “do or die” situation, but it overreacts to many scenarios where you end up as the aggressor.
A second issue is that it’s easy to learn, but for anyone who’s willing to invest time in an art, it teaches sharp jerky movements that actually detract from the better,and probably more effective Martial Arts. While we are on that note, most Martial Arts are NOT effective. Karate, Tae Kwan Do, etc. are designed for show and competetions. Many times the moves are actually made to defend against other moves in the art, not to protect you from a mugging. A flying kick is nice but it requires thirty minutes of streches, and flexabilty that is are ruined by cold weather and a light jacket.What mugger will give thirty minutes and a change of clothes? It’s mostely Hollywood fluff. Second, (and this is a problem in all the Martial Arts I know of but the one I will suggest at the end of the post)they are not realistic. If your attacked, YOU WILL BE HIT. Most M.A. dont focus on that, or teach you how to recover from it.Also, you need to relax so you don’t develop tunnel vision and freeze up. I personally know some guys who got mugged within the past month. They stood there in shock, unable to react, while their friend whom the spotlight was on unloaded his pockets. You need to learn to react, or all the training in the world is meaningless.
I would recomomend Systema,an extremely effective art that is actually used by the Special Forces. Their techniques aren’t limited to fighting either, they teach you about movement, and how to direct and move force. Of course this is only for someone who wants to get into an art. (by the way, after a year of taking Systema I haven’t ever lashed out at someone or used “my superiors powers for evil”).For those who don’t care about my rant, and just want to know about Krav Maga, yeah, it’s effective, but I wouldn’t learn it.
I.M.H.O.