Krav Maga becoming a popular form of self-defense

With the recent rise of violence in north Alabama, students consider taking combat fighting courses

By: Amanda Bliss

Posted: 2/25/10

With the recent school violence in the Tennessee Valley, many students have questioned their safety and, as a result, have considered taking a self defense course.

Although the SRC here on campus offers a self defense course, Dark Alley Self Defense, it is only taught one night a week, making the class tricky to attend, especially for UNA commuters. For commuters, Huntsville natives or interested UNA students, there is a new kind of self defense being taught in Huntsville. Huntsville native Kevin Johnson said, "So long as the Krav classes wouldn't interfere with my school classes, I probably would consider going to a course, even if it's in Huntsville."

Certified instructor and teacher of Krav Maga Marty Kradlak says, "It is considered a 'no-nonsense' method of self-defense for a variety of situations."

Krav Maga is an Israeli hand-to-hand combat method that is currently gaining popularity all across the world. Originally, Krav Maga was developed during the liberation fighting in Israel, but has since been integrated and practiced among elite forces such as the British S.A.S., U.S. Special Forces, law enforcement agencies and officers, Navy SEALS and the Marine Force Recon.

Combining boxing, Judo and Jujitsu makes for a very fast-paced, practical and tactical method of self defense that is very useful in real-life situations where losing would be potentially fatal. As a result, this system stresses the neutralization of scenarios in which there is an immediate threat of danger by using natural, sequential, fluid and crippling attacks against the predator.

One of the main missions of the course is to instill in each practitioner the ability to not only defend unarmed attacks, but also to focus on making the quick transition from offensive to defensive techniques without injury. Kradlak said, "The Krav Maga training programs involve rapid learning, with both offensive and defensive techniques introduced from the first lesson and retzev (sequencing), playing an important part in both the training and the maneuvers."

Attacks and counterattacks are taught and performed based on all possible targets, directions, distances, angles, ranges and heights. Hence, Krav Maga will train the practitioner to respond to a variety of hostile circumstances, regardless of the position, place or posture. Krav Maga identifies how to deal with the attacks from a more street-type of approach, such as being thrown to the ground or approached in an ally or parking lot. It also stresses the use of any available objects to take the advantage over the opponent.

The moves and techniques are simple to perform and work alongside the body's natural instincts, making Krav Maga easy to master and retain, even for a novice.

Krav Maga, by traditional standards, is not a martial art. There are no set-in-stone rules, katas, official uniforms or gear or distinct differences in training between men and women, making it a great and versatile method of self defense.

Krav Maga is now being taught at the Matrix Gym on Leeman Ferry Road in Huntsville on Mon. and Wed. from 6:45 p.m.-7:45 p.m. For more information, visit www.kovertkravmaga.com.