Krav Maga Journal

1

2

Front CoverPhoto taken during Krav Maga Boot camp showing Mark Greening on Day 2.

Inside this issueThe Interview: Boaz Aviram p.4Former chief Instructor of Krav Maga for the IDF speaks to the Journal

Grading: Hint and Tips p.13Licensed Instructor Badlam shares his grading preparation tips for students

UK Schools p. 17BKMA Licensed Schools

Next MonthSnake OilSupplements - Protein - Fact behind the Fiction

Be your own coachDesigning your own training program

The Interview: Boaz Aviram Part 2

And more - much more ;-)

BRITISH KRAV MAGA ASSOCIATION

3

Welcome to the Krav Maga JournalBy Paul Grey - British Krav Maga Association

Even before the release of our first edition, interest had proven greater than we expected.

From the outset we kicked off as an international Journal with subscribers in Israel, the UK, spain, Germany and the USA. Subscribers already number in the thousands and this is for the pilot issue.

Following issues will be larger and contain further reviews, training articles and of course the interviews.

Over the next few months we will explore Krav Maga from the

perspective of a range of significant coaches and Instructors in the Krav Maga community.

The Krav Maga journal will be l focused on combat skills, conditioning and some training related topics. The story and evolution of the system is an epic in itself, so we will explore aspects of the history and development of the system.

We have some great

contributors coming up and I have made contact with some really interesting trainers and coaches and have some

promising contributors lined up and ready to go.

Lastly, I wanted to say an enormous thanks to Clint Badlam of Krav Maga Bedminster and Boaz Aviram of Krav Maga New York. These guys both freely committed time and effort to share some of their experience with us.

Guys, I appreciated it far more than you’ll ever realise ;-)

More next Issue ;-)

Krav Maga Journal: The modern face of International Krav Maga.

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201

1

4

The Interview:

Boaz Aviram

5

This months’ Interview is with Boaz Aviram, former Chief Instructor of Krav Maga for the Israel Defence Force.

Boaz was the third person to hold this position following Imi the founder and his protoge Eli Avikzar. Boaz wrote ‘Krav Maga – Use of the Human Body as a weapon’ and has recently released a series of training videos ‘Pure Krav Maga – Self Defence Mastery.’

KMJ: Firstly Boaz, thank you for taking time to speak with us. We would like to start by asking about your first experienced of Krav Maga. I understand that you were introduced to Krav Maga in the army? How did you come to martial arts in general and Krav Maga in particular ? Boaz: When I was about 10, I got a taste of street fights moving to a new neighborhood. For some reason I wanted to learn how to fight with bare hands, so I ended up in the near by Jujitsu Club that was run by an ex Dutch Military Physical Fitness Instructor.

After few years, to get a brown belt the Jujitsu instructor required his students to take Karate or Boxing, so I took Karate.

Before I was recruited to the IDF I had a 2nd Dan in Kyokushin, and 1st Dan in Tae Kwon do. I also did the 100 fight Kumite that was a newly requirement for the local Kyokushin Karate School.

I was introduced to Krav Maga in the army twice.

During my Infantry basic commando training, we spent one week at the Fighting Fitness Academy, and as I went to take the first Krav Maga class.

Going through the steps of hand strikes, I was not impressed, and I asked to skip the rest of the classes on the grounds that I already have a black belt in Karate. I think it was approved, since they always needed someone for guard duty.

After the first year in the IDF I felt I could contribute more if I was teaching martial arts. I managed to find a way to be transferred to the Fighting Fitness Academy.

“Getting transferred to the Fighting Fitness Academy was not easy, since the IDF priority wants to send people in good shape to the front. “

Boaz Aviriam

The Interview: Boaz AviramThis issue we meet Boaz Aviram, former senior Krav Maga Instructor to the Israeli Defence Force

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201

1

Krav Maga has been consistantly used by the IDF for their hand to hand training since the late 1940’s

6

Boaz Aviram served as the IDF's chief instructor for Krav Maga, the Israeli Defense Forces training system of Hand to Hand Combat.

Mr Aviram specialised in teaching the most advanced Krav Maga applications to special operations units, and conducting Krav Maga Instructor's training program certification.

Getting transferred to the Fighting Fitness Academy was not easy, since the IDF priority was to send people in good shape to the front.

The academy was composed of Physical Education Majors that served as Fitness Instructors, and many National Sports Champions that served as Fitness Instructors. All had to take a one month Fitness Instructor course to learn how to teach in a military environment.

In addition the academy qualified Shooting, Mountain Climbing, Swimming and Krav Maga Instructors. I was sent to fill a role of a Krav Maga Instructor and become the assistant to Eli Avikzar, the head of the Krav Maga Department. Eli Avikzar was on vacation that week.

During that week, I’ve heard stories that he has a habit of beating people up.

I finally met him and he seemed to be very pleasant. He shook my hand and said: “My name is Eli; I understand you have a black belt in Karate. Over here we only teach Krav Maga. You will get a folder of lesson plans. You will read the lesson plan, and my assistant Pablo will teach you the techniques. You will help him and then teach, until the next Krav Maga Instructor Course…

Pablo Dreispiel, Eli’s assistant, immediately took me to a lawn practice in that sunny day. He asked me to attack him, and he was blocking and teaching me and explaining. He then went over hand strikes, kicks etc. I really felt I was learning something new very fast.

‘I heard Eli had a habit of beating people up’

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201

1 BRITISH KRAV MAGA ASSOCIATION

7

KMJ: What sort of preparation were you doing at this stage of your military career

I would then do the following typical training:

a 6 mile jog with 20lbs personal body armor

doing 20 chin ups

hanging with my feet on a bar and doing abs.

I followed with rope climbing, shower and breakfast.

The Interview:

The thought that 7 years of Martial Arts training, the Karate Team Training was all a waste of time was growing in the back of my mind. They suggested I go to Eli’s Civilian Krav Maga School.

I took the next opportunity and visit my old Karate School. During the warm up, I noticed I am not in shape, and it felt awkward to do the low stances and Kata Training. The next minute I was to be given two elastic bandages to put on my knuckles, and have a line up of new champions to fight. It was a surprise.

I was accustomed to fighting bigger guys, but I knew that during my infantry training, I’d lost the bulk, and I certainly did not look like the giant that was faceing me.

He stood with his hands guarding his head. Then he threw a low round house kick to my leg. I blocked it with a defensive Krav Maga kick. He threw a round house kick to my head. I blocked it with my forearm.

He tried few more to my legs and head, and I’ve blocked them all in the same manner.

He paused so I lunged forward with a bursting left hand strike. My fist passed the tight space between his forearms and reached his head. It looked like he was swept off his feet.

They brought water to revive him but did not want me to continue and the fight. The following weekend my Karate Instructor was in the local Civilian Krav

Maga School observing and asking questions.

KMJ: What was it like training in Krav Maga in the Army at this time?

Boaz: I Met with Pablo Dreispiel, (the exiting IDF Krav Maga Instructor, and Eli’s Assistant) and trained with him for few hours. Then assisted him in few lessons, and then was scheduled to teach my own classes. Pablo retired, and I used to meet Eli at 10 am in Café Albert and report to him.

The thought that 7 years of Martial Arts training, the Karate Team Training was all a waste of time was growing in the back of my mind.

Boac Aviram

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


8

I also think Elis’ street smarts kept the average personalities off the essence of Krav Maga.

He had no tolerance for people that tried to step on others or that thought they are smarter than what they are when it comes to Krav Maga.

Boaz Aviram on Eli

KMJ: Did you have much contact with Eli during this time ? What was it like to train under Imis protoge ?

Boaz: Eli was a well balanced combination of a person. You could joke with him about anything but at the same time have a serious conversation about anything. He was very smart and very humble and e had a great street smarts and a way of understanding of people.

KMJ: He sounds an interesting character ?

Boaz: Think about it, a 20 year career officer in a role of the Krav Maga Head. Think of a kid that grew up in Morocco and Immigrated to Israel.

He was used to street fights and was picked by Immi and “adopted’ by him to be his successor.

Immi guided him in his youth and he then contributed to developing Krav Maga. He grew his hair longer than allowed in the IDF, had a mustache and was a chain smoker. Eli was a genius when it comes to Krav Maga.

He also ran a civilian Krav Maga School, Eli would put his students under the lively civilian training program, the belt system. In the IDF he would do the same but under the IDF curriculum.

He demanded respect. Not a superficial respect, but a true personal appreciation to his professional authority.

“What was it like to train under Imis’ Protege’ ”

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


9

I also think his ‘street smarts’ kept the average personalities off the essence of Krav Maga. He had no tolerance for people that tried to step on others or that thought they are smarter than what they are when it comes to Krav Maga.

The Krav Maga Department enjoyed a professional Liberty and respects more that other Departments.

Eli said that being an IDF Krav Maga instructor is a daily challenge. Any day some special unit guy will try to drop you to the floor and make fun of you in front of the class, and you should never let it happen, because if it does, your career is over.

KMJ: The civilian Krav Maga Community is really interested in the training given by the IDF to a typical conscript soldier. receives. How much time might a typical Infantry recruit expect to spend doing Krav Maga training?

Boaz: When I was in the Infantry we were scheduled about 6 hours.

The curriculum was composed of teaching Pressure Points, Hand strikes, Kicks, and use of a rifle as a side arms and release from holds. A non combative unit got no Krav Maga. Some special units got about 15 hours of Krav Maga. Self Defence for Newly Recruit Females was about 10 hours.

On the Krav Maga Instructor’s course you got the whole Krav Maga curriculum taught in 21 hours. The rest of the 100 hours was teaching how to teach and everything involved with it.

Another 50 hours were fitness classes. Fitness Instructors got about 10 hours but it concentrated on how to teach the very basic curriculum.

‘Any day some special unit guy will try to drop you to the floor and make fun of you in front of the class, and you should never let it happen, because if it does, your career is over. ‘

‘Any day some S.F guy will try to drop you - then your careers over’

Krav Maga in the IDF Training varied - some got no Krav Maga - the special forces got 15 hours

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


10

KMJ: Can you tell our readers a little more about about how the IDF trains its Krav Maga Instructors?

Boaz:You have 21 hours to teach all the essential techniques and applications in free fight.

You teach the soldiers any solution required to any self defence hand to Hand combat scenario by teaching various selected and efficient techniques. We teach the soldier to respond to any attempt of an attacker to strike throw stab or club or threat with a pistol or assault rifle form any position or angle. You then apply the free style fighting games.

You teach all the pressure point, and all the methods of striking and kicking to the

last detail of it. You then have 80 hours to spend on stretching workout fitness, lesson plans, safety etc. Another 50 hours are dedicated to various fitness classes that the academy offers.

Each Instructor trainee gets to teach the class at least 2 to 3 lessons where he gets graded and corrected on his teaching skills. Each Instructor Trainee gets tested and graded and corrected on his Kicking Punching and Defensive skills, and his Sparing Skills.

‘We teach the soldier to respond to any attempt of an attacker to strike throw stab or club or threat with a pistol or assault rifle form any position or angle. ‘

‘You have 21 hours to teach Krav Maga techniques’

You teach the soldiers any solution required to any self defence hand to Hand combat scenario

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


11

‘When you are pushed to the corner where you have to defend yourself’

KMJ:The US and UK military forces seem to have moved toward more grappling based Hand to Hand training. Do youse the IDF changing toward a more grappling based program in the future ?

Boaz: I think if you really come down to the bottom of that approach, if every fight ends on the ground, you should hire more carpenters to make more coffins.

Typical combat will start with an air strike; follow by artillery, snipers, and finally the infantry. Each force has advantages and disadvantages.

When you are pushed to the corner where you have to defend yourself or find that you got engaged in a hand to hand combat scenario, there is no reason to shorten your chances to prevail and wait until you are on the ground.

If your opponent could be sufficiently skilled in punching kicking and using a knife, and if

he is not, he could have another one of his mates shoot you as you are taking the time and grappling with him.

You need to be able to execute a devastating kick, a knockout punch, a killing strike, and be able to get out in an instant from any attempt to restrain your body, or to stab you or to club you.

You do not have more than 2 seconds to get rid of your opponent.

So setting up internal morale by making wrestling champions does not contribute to the morale. Even the Spartans avoided competition.

If you learn the basic no rules fighting skills, each soldier knows that the only way for someone to restrain him is to knock him out first.

If anyone tries to apply grappling techniques on him, he will prevail. This negates the time spent on many hours of grappling.

When you are pushed to the corner where you have to defend yourself or find that you got engaged in a hand to hand combat scenario, there is no reason why you will shorten your chances to prevail and wait until you are on the ground.

KMJ: So you prefer a more striking based system of self defence for the military ?

It is probably that they are looking for the most prominent systematic system that works with least amount of injuries.

They never thought that in reality there would be no

mats, and you cannot afford to tap out or waste your time demanding your opponent to do so.

They are bogged down by mastering a system, a technique or a skill without questioning the depth or wisdom of its application to real life applicable scenario.

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


12

KMJ: Why do you think Krav Maga suits the IDF so well, is it something about the approach ?

Boaz: A lot of time effort and budget is funneled in teaching and developing training methods. The IDF values human lives and safety in training more than any other military in the world. It constantly strives to stay above in all methods, equipment and technology that promote wining a battle.

The civilian Krav Maga is an offshoot of IDF Krav Maga, and it is geared more toward the Dojo mentality. Keeping students, keeping their interest and safety above all.

The local martial arts community has many other interests and competes with fitness related activities. Whilst civilian Krav Maga has kept many innovative Krav Maga principles, it has resorted to low key, slower pace of learning compared to the IDF.

IDF Krav Maga Instructors learned all the teaching systems subject to the IDF guidelines, and their instruction skills benefited greatly.

I would like also to comment that the interviewer had a well chosen directed questions that prompted me to do more thinking.

I think that I’ve managed to learn a lot from the 40 years combined experience of the Krav Maga founders in only few weeks in the IDF. I also perfected my teaching capabilities in only few years.

My intention is to transform my knowledge of intensively teaching and training Self Defence and Hand to Hand fighting to help anyone who needs it through my book, DVDs, and personal training. I admit that it took me many years to comprehend the magnitude of the Pure Krav Maga contribution to the people of this world.

I choose the word pure to help you focus on the concept and not on the name…

Thank you Boaz.

The Boaz interview concludes next issue

‘Why do you think Krav Maga suits the IDF so well, is it something about the approach ?

Boaz Aviram served as the IDF's chief instructor for Krav Maga.

He specializing in teaching the most advanced Krav Maga applications to special operations units, and conducting Krav Maga Instructor's training program certification.

Boaz has released a book and Dvd series - full details can be found on his website

Websitehttp://kravmaganewyork.net/

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201

1

http://kravmaganewyork.net

http://kravmaganewyork.net

13

Grading ....

14

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, we’re all guilty of that in little ways or sometimes monumental ways. But, at the end of the day it’s in our power to ensure that we set ourselves up for the best chance to succeed.

Here are a few straightforward pointers that aren’t rocket science but will certainly get those brain cogs working before your grading.

By Clint Badlam

Grading prep

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail, we’re all guilty of that in li5le ways or some7mes monumental ways but at the end of the day it’s in our power to ensure that we set ourselves up for the best chance to succeed.

Here are a few straigh>orward pointers that aren’t rocket science but will certainly get those brain cogs working before your grading.

G is for: GoalsBe sure to fully understand the requirements during your grading. Just because you run through techniques easily in class doesn’t mean that it will

be so smooth in a grading environment when you’re hanging out of you’re a$$ and feeling the pressure.

Study the level and it’s techniques, pay close a5en7on to the subtext around tac7cs and definitely make sure you cover off any areas that you are unclear, uncertain or uneasy on. Obtain feed-‐back from your instructor and work on those areas you feel need the a5en7on but DO NOT stop prac7cing the one’s you feel you know inside out – many studenta has failed on the techniques they put to one side because they ‘could do those in their sleep’.

Grading and preparation tipsClint Badlam BKMA Licensed Instructor

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201

1

15

R is for: Rest

Some people fail to ‘Taper’ down in the 7-‐10 (and in some cases 14 days) leading up to a grading or big event. This gives you 7me to finish off healing those injuries that you have carried and allowing your body to regenerate and start to prepare for performance on the day.

This isn’t 100% non-‐ac7vity but a great 7me to run through slow, steady ‘muscle memory’ building movements in class and iron out those li5le tweaks as men7oned earlier.

This is tough as I personally climb the walls but by the 7me I am at the grading I have the urge to eat raw liver and want to take on the world.

I have experienced the benefit of having more energy reserves and my reflexes and ability to read situa7ons under high levels of physical stress remain at my disposal.

A is for: Agility

& flexibility (yeah I know, I cheated a bit by adding that one) You won’t be expected to perform Chinese acroba7c flips or Capoeria style handstands, although you could show me how to a\erwards.

The length of grading and the constant work rate makes developing those twitch fibre muscles and the strength of your joints a priority.

Your class program should cover most of this off but a number of addi7onal homework exercises should help:

D is for: Determina6on

Ask anyone at the higher levels if they were fearful, worried, concerned when they stepped onto the mats for the start of their grading.

Anyone who says ‘no, not at all’ is a liar. We all have nerves and the pre fight bu5erflies.

That’s good but you have to remember that you were determined to walk into a KM class for the 1st 7me without knowing much about it and you were determined in some cases to pass the previous level/s.

You planned well, you trained hard, you commi5ed fully, all through determina7on to succeed. During the event you will be knackered, maybe made the odd mistake and bea7ng yourself up a bit.

Don’t focus on those thoughts, focus on defending yourself and dealing with whatever the next 60 seconds holds and the next 60

seconds a\er that, an so on…. the Krav Maga determina7on training from class kicks in and will see you through.

I is for: Inconsistency

It’s great to think you will ace it by training sporadically and cramming in the 2-‐3 weeks leading up to the grading event.

This might see you through the lower levels but not as you progress. It is so, so apparent when we have people grading get the techniques spot on with zero pressure but when they are drilled and beasted they then drop their hands, they get told they’re dropping and they don’t seem to care, because they are too 7red to care.

They fail based on their fitness and their lack of figh7ng spirit. Same for not developing tac7cal awareness or technical acumen – this can only be achieved through regular training.

It’s great to think you will ace it by training sporadically and cramming in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the grading event.

This might see you through the lower levels but not as you progress.

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


16

N is for: nutri6on

Simple I guess but 3 beers and a kebab the night before (or for breakfast) is not the best approach. Throughout the lead up to a grading and especially as you taper eat well, eat healthy. Avoid things that could lower your immune system as alcohol in excess is certainly something that will assist a cold to get a grip of you.

During the grading stay hydrated not a barrel load of sugar drinks but one or two through a day session are good but something with electrolytes and minerals rather than 36g of sugar per bo5le as one you get a massive sugar high with a massive sugar crash. Small amounts of fuel foods o\en (nuts, raisins, flapjacks, bananas, dried apricots etc).

G is for: Go For It!!

You have prepared well, trained hard and are at the peak of your ability at whatever level you are gunning for. Deep breaths, control, listening and observing throughout will get you through to the end and one of the best feelings in the world!

If you haven’t commi5ed yet, then hopefully this will help you in some small part. There are lots of other points but those are for your instructor to help you out on an individual basis depending on your personal requirements.

‘Decide Commit Act Succeed’ -‐ Not my original words but definitely my sen7ments – see you on the mats!

Clint Badlam runs Krav Maga Bedminster and Krav Maga Southville.

Clint can be contacted for lessons or private training on 07814 353 664

During the grading stay hydrated not a barrel load of sugar drinks but one or two through a day session are good but something with electrolytes and minerals

Grading and preparationBy Clint Badlam

stay hydrated not with sugar laden drinks but something with electrolytes and minerals

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201


17

Krav Maga Classes in the UK

BRITISH KRAV MAGA ASSOCIATION

If you are looking for great training, professional instructors and authentic Krav Maga look for the BKMA quality mark logo. All are British Krav Maga Association Instructors are Insured, First Aid Trained, CRB checked.

If you are serious about training - then look for the BKMA Quality Mark

Krav Maga BristolClifton College Sports CentreCliftonCall 078 1234 6025

Krav Maga BedminsterThe South Bank ClubBedminsterCall 07814 353664

Krav Maga SouthvilleThe SouthVille CentreBristolCall 078 1435 3664

Krav Maga BrislingtonBrislington Enterprise CollegeBrislingtonCall 07950 514370

Krav Maga FishpondsBristol Metropolitan Academy Fishponds, BristolCall 07813 347795

Krav Maga BathSt Stephens Centre,Lansdown Road Bath Call 07812346025

Krav Maga Bath - Phase 1 Gym7-9 Comfortable Place BathCall 07950 514370

Krav Maga Weston Super MareThe CampusHighlands Way, WorleCall 078 1234 6025

Krav Maga TauntonContact Mark Edwards onCall 07969 486815

Krav Maga BridgwaterContact Mark Edwards onCall 07986 516337

Krav Maga CumbriaBrigham Village HallNr. CockermouthCall 0788 650 8581

Krav Maga PlymouthContact Darryn onCall 07826 388374

Krav Maga CarlisleThe Sands Centre, CarlisleCall 0788 650 8581

Krav Maga LauncestonLaunceston CornwallCall 07826 388374

Krav Maga ExeterCall Mark on07969 486815

Krav Maga PenzancePenzance CornwallCall 07969 486815

Krav Maga CambridgeDave on07971 838338

Krav Maga FolkstoneFolkstone KentContact Lee on07884311877

Krav Maga DoverContact Zoe on07884311877

Krav Maga Hor@ieldCall 07766 702 183

18

Krav Maga Schools UKLicensed B.K.M.A Schools

If you are looking for Krav Maga in the UK the British Krav Maga Association can help.

The British Krav Maga Association has a number of Licensed Schools across the UK. All BKMA schools are run by professional Krav Maga Instructors who have undergone a 182 hour professional Instructor Course.

All BKMA instructors are required to have up to date Insurance, First Aid Training, CRB check and must regularly update their own training with the Association.

Always look for the BKMA quality mark

Professional standards Always look for the BKMA quality mark

KRAVMAGA

JOU

RN

AL

JAN

UA

RY

201

1

LearnKravMaga.Com

http://www.learnkravmaga.com

http://www.learnkravmaga.com

Documents

Krav Maga Journal