If you’re interested in Krav Maga, there’s a good chance you’ve come across a lot of negative comments about the martial art. Why is this the case?
Unlike other forms of martial arts, Krav Maga has no rules, meaning that there’s no telling how much damage you can inflict on an opponent. For this reason along with its skyrocketing popularity, it is frowned upon by many people, with many opting to go with a martial art that is more structured.
You probably still have many questions about Krav Maga. Let’s get into it.
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What Is the Goal of Krav Maga?
Why would people want to practice a potentially dangerous martial art with no rules? The purpose, like many other forms of martial arts, is self-defense, but the critical difference is this: you can do whatever you want to secure the win.
Naturally, that raises many questions about how far the people competing will go to get that win, potentially resulting in serious injury for everyone involved. There doesn’t appear to be such a thing as a fair fight when it comes to Krav Maga because the aim is self-defense.
The people practicing Krav Maga will be trained on several things to win, including efficiency and practicality. This will call for the people practicing to consider whether their moves will inflict enough damage to win the fight or leave the opponent an opening to deal a more significant blow.
What to Consider When Taking Up Krav Maga
If you are curious about Krav Maga, here are some things you should consider:
- A Controlled Environment: The only way to be sure neither opponent inflicts too much damage is to be in an environment with a coach who is well-versed in Krav Maga.
- Only start out with other new people: Starting Krav Maga with someone who has been training for years is not a good decision if the person can’t scale back their moves to make it a fair fight.
- Have a first aid kit and someone who knows first aid nearby: Being a contact sport with no rules means you are prone to injuries, so always have someone on hand who can help out.
- Start slow: Don’t go into it expecting to move fast; you’ll need to find a way to navigate Krav Maga in a way that will keep you safe.
- Watch Krav Maga before starting: If you can watch Krav Maga matches beforehand, it will help you decide whether it is right for you.
What Are Some Alternatives to Krav Maga?
If you’re interested in Krav Maga but are unsure whether it’s for you, there are alternatives out there that are safer. Have a look below:
- Judo: This is an unarmed martial art, but there are rules in place so that people are not harmed throughout the process. This is also much more popular than Krav Maga, so the chances are you will find more people in your area interested in it or coaching it. It can be a demanding martial art, so bear that in mind.
- Karate: This is the most well-known of all the martial arts, featuring kicks, jumps, and punches. The beauty of karate is that it is level-based, thanks to the different colored belts, meaning that the person you will be facing will be of a similar level.
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu: This is another martial art, but there are clearly defined rules, meaning that it is more widely accepted. The game takes place on the ground and involves fighting and submission holds.
- Kung Fu: Sometimes confused with karate, Kung Fu features a wider variety of techniques, allowing different strategies to be employed by the people competing. This is also much safer than Krav Maga because there are rules.
- Muay Thai: This is a martial art that focuses on stand-up striking. Some people refer to it as Thai Boxing because it has some similarities to boxing, but there are some significant differences. However, this is very safe due to the protective gear used throughout any matches. There are also careful rules.
There are many other alternatives out there, but these are just a handful to give you a rough idea of what you could do if the freelance style of Krav Maga is not for you.
Pick the Right Martial Art for You
Krav Maga is not for everyone, but the trick to finding out whether something is for you is to understand the ins and outs of it thoroughly.
It’s difficult, but try not to be persuaded by people that view Krav Maga as a fad martial art. Learn why they are so dismissive. Also, take a look at some of the other martial arts out there and compare options. There are plenty of styles that are the right fit for you.