Mastering Krav Maga Self Defense (Vol. I) 6 DVD Set (380 minutes - Beginner to Advanced) by David Kahn

First off, let me say that this is not a necessarily a review of "Krav Maga" in general. People have differing opinions about the system and to each his own. This review is about his materials and David Khan specifically.I cannot recommend this DVD set enough. David is as top notch a teacher as I have ever seen. His style is down to earth. He is extremely knowledgeable and he keeps it real. He does a wonderful job of explaining exactly what you will be doing; he leaves little for you to have to try and figure out on your own. You will not find a whole lot to complain about here. Sure, the pictures are illustrations, not photos. Big deal. A punch is a punch and a kick is a kick. It ain't rocket science and David is not really teaching anything new here. But that is the beauty of his "system"; it's instinctual. For example, when someone tries to choke you, your first reaction is is reach up and grab the attacker's hands (the plucking technique). Or, when someone is swinging a wild haymaker at the side of your head, your first instinct may be to either throw your arm up to block (360 defense) or lean back away from it (upper body retreat). For the most part, you're doing this stuff already and probably don't even know it. All David and his predecessors have done is give names to everything so when he says, "Today we're working on X," everyone will know what X is and be on the same page training-wise.To be fair, and so that you see that I am not a Khan mark, I do have a few reservations. The biggest problem I have with Krav Maga -- David's system included -- as well as any other martial art, is that specific defenses simply do not work in a real street fight. What is a "specific" defense, you ask? This is where you learn one technique for a wrist grab, another for an elbow grab, another for a shoulder grab, another for a lapel grab, another for a... well, you get the point. There is simply no way a person under stress is going to remember specific defenses for specific attacks. Action is faster than reaction and by the time you have figured out what is coming it is too late. There is just no for "forgiveness", so to speak, in that type of training. If you miscalculate the attack, or you lose it on step 3 of a 6 step technique, your brain has to disengage for a second or two and process the situation. This is a second or two you simply do not have! Moreover, it is a clear violation of Hick's Law, which states the more options you have at your disposal the longer it takes for your brain to decide which one to use. Khan limits the techniques one must learn, and that helps. And KM, or at least Khan's version of it, seems more philosophical than technique based.Having said that, however, David does offer something of a solution. It is called Retzev, a Hebrew word that means "continuous motion". Basically, the idea is that once you start defending yourself you don't stop until the threat is no longer a problem. Granted it will take some time -- a few months of dedicated training, minimum -- to develop this ability, but it does eventually negate the specific defense and Hick's Law issues for the most part. You will eventually get to the point where you don't think, you just react. I just think we can shortcut the process by not focusing on specific defenses in the first place. Give me a single, effective response whether the dirtbag has a fist, club, knife, or gun any day of the week. One solution to cover as many scenarios as possible. Kahn's close. Certainly closer than any traditional martial art, but he's not quite there yet.The most valuable section of the book is not the techniques or really even the philosophy. As mentioned, this is all pretty instinctual stuff that you do already or at least will pick up quickly. No, as important as all that is, the most valuable section is the 12-week workout in the back. It is basically a daily schedule of drills that, should you follow, will go far in helping you develop your retzev ability.For the record, I do not know David Khan, though I would like to meet him one day and would love the opportunity to train with him (and maybe a beer or three.) I do, however, own all three of his books and his first set of DVD's (He has since come out with a Vol. 2 DVD set that I have yet to review.) Now it's been said that you cannot learn a "martial art" from a book. For the most part this is true. I shudder at the thought of someone trying to learn, say Aikido, from a book or even a DVD. Such arts are like a Swiss watch: fine tuned and intricate. You need an instructor there, watching over your shoulder, making sure you're doing everything exactly as required. Not so with Khan's material. It's simple, effective, down and dirty street fighting. So I respectfully disagree. If one were to invest in Khan's books and DVD's, pick up some minimal equipment (e.g., a Century BOB dummy), and follow his 12-week schedule, one very much could learn to defend oneself in the comfort of home. There is nothing fancy here, and that is what makes it brutally effective. The challenge will be in maintaining the intensity you will experience in a real fight. You must work out hard. Maybe harder than you have ever done before, to create the kind of stress you will be under in a true attack. It is safe to say most people are not that prepared (set a timer and run a full-force, three minute drill on a heavy bag or BOB dummy... it's a LOT longer than you think!). But if you have the will power and determination to do it, you don't need a school or dojo. The question is, do you have what it takes?Stay Safe.

Very easy to follow and a lot like taking an in person class except it feels like more one on one. Probably even more effective if you have a partner to train with, but I use my punching bag and grapple dummy and it’s been effective for muscle memory and practice.

Bottom line up front. David Kahn and his team are, by far, the best there is, and teach the best version of the best system there is. If you want to arm yourself with the best tools to survive any encounter (Civilian, Law Enforcement (LE), or Military Combat) David Kahn, and the IKMA (GS), are your best option.Historically, development of Self-defense systems and martial arts occurred from the necessities of the existing time-period and social norms concerning violence. For example, Karate for the Samurai or Kali for villagers of the Philippines (whose conflicts were tribal and weapons of choice where whatever they had laying around). Societies developed these systems and martial arts in order to, quickly and efficiently, train Soldiers. This was so they would possess the capabilities to close with and destroy their adversaries in hand-to-hand combat if and when necessary. Imi Lichtenfeld designed Israeli Krav Maga in the 1940s in order to address the modern combatant. Whether dealing with a mugger on the streets, or a foreign adversary on the battlefield. No other system is as modern or effective as Krav Maga.The IKMA (GS) is the only true Krav Maga system under Grand Master Haim Gidon (successor to Imi Lichtenfeld). It is, by far, any agencies best option for training its’ Soldiers and/or LE officers. A single ten-hour seminar with David Kahn, and his team, proved to be worth a year of training in any other dojo I have attended. I have trained on several forms of martial arts and self-defense systems. I always shop around for the best instructor with the most practical training. David and his team are undeniably the best there is. I have driven fourteen hours at a time, on several occasions, to attend training with him. I always leave the seminars absolutely motivated to come back to base and share what I learned with my Soldiers.Krav Maga has grown in popularity in the west in recent decades. There are several different interpretations of the system available in the US (e.g. Warrior Krav Maga /Krav Maga World Wide). Most of them teach substandard techniques, with the addition of cardiovascular endurance training, in order to appeal to those more susceptible to advertising and marketing. The idea being, “Get fit and learn to defend yourself overnight.” While Krav Maga is designed to be simple to understand. There still needs to be much emphasis on the subtle fine points that make any technique effective. Far removed from the source, these schools often sacrifice proper technique for mass production. This can have fatal consequences when someone uses those techniques for actual self-defense. I have also frequented several introductory courses where the facility told me they strictly focus on civilian self-defense. There are three tiers to Krav Maga (Military, Civilian, and Law Enforcement). Any “master” of the system should know and be able to instruct them all. As a Law Enforcement Officer, I also have a firm understanding of the Use of Force (UOF) continuum. I also understand the legal ramifications for not understanding the UOF continuum. David Kahn and the IKMA (GS) are true masters of the system. They will ensure that the student gets every detail and piece of knowledge they require for the techniques they are taught to be effective.Israeli Krav Maga under the IKMA (GS) is also a great plug and play system. If your agency has an existing system where you believe there are gaps in its’ current techniques, or dilemmas which your system does not address, Krav Maga will fill those gaps easily. I have personally found this to be applicable for LE systems, military combatives, and other martial arts/self-defense systems alike.Additionally, if you attend the seminars to get hands on training, and a professional instructors critique on your form (which I highly recommend), the DVDs and books hold nothing back in terms of helping you to refresh your memory. The five books (approximately 1000 pages worth of instructional material) are extremely well articulated and literally spell out every detail you need to know from a strategic approach. They articulate all the subtle nuances, which make a technique work. The four DVD volumes (approximately 27 hours of instructional material) do an excellent job of using a by the numbers approach to teaching and demonstrating the technique, as well as elaborating on key points. For those who have served in an instructor position, in either the military or law enforcement, the previously mentioned materials more than portray a Training Support Package (TSP) or Program of Instruction (POI). In addition, the materials previously mentioned will entirely refresh your techniques acquired by any seminar attended in person with David.Once again, bottom line up front. David Kahn and the IKMA (GS) are by far the best there is, teaching the best version of the best system there is. If you want to arm yourself with the best tools to survive any encounter (Civilian, Law Enforcement, or Military Combat) David Kahn, and the IKMA (GS), are your best option.

Good instruction.