Tag: Combat

When you watch an MMA fight or a BJJ match, you’ll often hear that a competitor has a background in wrestling. That is sort of a blanket statement, but there are actually numerous styles of wrestling often related to different geographical regions.

It’s a tall order to try to list all of the styles of wrestling in the world, but we’ll take a shot at it. Here is a list of wrestling styles from around the world.

We’ll try to list styles of wrestling from every continent and give you descriptions of each one.

Freestyle Wrestling

When people talk about wrestling in general, they are most likely referring to freestyle wrestling. It is one of the most practiced wrestling styles in the world.

Freestyle wrestling was developed off of catch as catch can wrestling. Making its debut in the 1904 Olympics with similar rules to catch wrestling, but submissions were excluded from the competition.

In a freestyle match, takedowns attacking the legs and upper body are allowed. An extra dimension from Greco Roman wrestling, where takedowns are only allowed from the waist up.

Later on after the 1904 Olympics, universities in the US began creating wrestling teams and later in grade schools. Wrestling quickly became one of the popular sports, not only in the US but the world.

There are now numerous countries around the world with elite freestyle wrestlers.

Greco-Roman Wrestling

The second most popular wrestling style in the world is Greco-Roman wrestling. It was developed about 500 years ago and took elements of ancient styles of folk wrestling.

Greco-Roman’s alleged creator, according to United World Wrestling, is a French soldier named Jean Exbrayat. Jean would perform his style of wrestling at French fairs and would call it “flat hand wrestling.”

In this style of wrestling, Exbrayat created rules that takedowns were only allowed from the waist up. Italian wrestler Basilio Bartoletti was later coin the term Greco-Roman wrestling and that’s the name that stuck.

Greco-Roman at one point was the most popular wrestling style in the world before freestyle wrestling was developed. 

This style has been one of the most practiced wrestling styles for hundreds of years. Along with freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman is the other form of wrestling that is an official Olympic event.

Folkstyle Wrestling

Folkstyle is a type of wrestling that is done on every continent in the world. The form of folkstyle wrestling that most people know is collegiate wrestling that is done at universities in the United States.

It is very similar to freestyle wrestling, but has few differences, which includes point systems and competition rules.

In folk style wrestling, there are more points given escapes from the bottom position. You can also lock your hands when attempting takedowns or pins, but not in riding positions.

One of the best folk wrestlers in MMA was former One Championship champion Ben Askren.

Catch Wrestling

Catch wrestling or Catch-as-catch-can wrestling was created in 1870 by British wrestler J.G. Chambers. A Welsh sportsman, who was responsible for instituting championships for several sports in the UK.

The origins of catch wrestling came from English wrestlers, who performed at fairs throughout the region. They would also develop their own submission holds that they would call “hooks.”

Catch-as-catch-can was actually the original style of wrestling introduced into the Olympics in 1904. But the rules were altered to no submissions allowed, which created freestyle wrestling. This style of wrestling would also influence the creation of Sambo and Luta Livre.

Today catch wrestling is still widely practiced and has many effective techniques including its leg lock system. Former UFC world champion Josh Barnett is also a catch wrestling specialist and the style’s biggest ambassador.

Mongolian Wrestling(Bokh)/Khuresh

Mongolian wrestling or Bokh is a wrestling style that dates back thousands of years. There is a cave painting in central Mongolia that dates back to 7000 BC showing an early version of Bokh wrestling.

Since that time, this style of wrestling has been ingrained into the culture of the Mongolian people. Traditional Mongolian wrestling events are grand displays attended by thousands of spectators.

The wrestlers wear traditional Bokh wrestling attire that consists of colorful half shirts, speedos, and black boots. Matches are held in a dirt circle, where the competitors start from standing.

It’s like a mixture of Greco-Roman, Sumo, and Judo. If any part of your body other than your foot touches the ground, you lose the match.

In Siberia, they have a very similar style to bokh called Khuresh or Tuvan wrestling. Similar attire is worn, but the rules are slightly different that in Mongolian wrestling

Kurash

Kurash is a form of wrestling practiced within central Asia and Russia. It was developed off of Judo and wrestling like Sambo, but has a different rule structure.

Instead of wearing a Gi top in Sambo, a towel is worn around competitors’ waists in Kurash. Matches are held in wrestling mats in the middle of a field.

Kurash wrestlers start the matches by grabbing hold of each other’s towels and fight for positioning. Using the towel grip to make angles and get leverage to land throws or takedowns.

Collar & Elbow/Cornish Wrestling

Collar & elbow wrestling is a type of Irish jacket wrestling that dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. Early Irish people have been performing styles of wrestling like collar & elbow for ages.

It’s also referred to by the names “coiléar agus uille”(Gaelic for collar & elbow), brollaidheacht, and brollaidheacht. (The front of the shirt jacket and collaring.)

Competitors wear a light jacket, shorts, and boots. They grab hold of each other’s jackets and fight for positions to land takedowns.

Collar & elbow is still practiced in Ireland and one of the big events at the annual Tailteann Games.

There are also derivatives of collar & elbow performed in regions of the UK with the biggest being Cornish wrestling. The goal in Cornish wrestling is also to throw your opponent and make them land flat on their back.

Sambo

Sambo is a mixture of wrestling and Judo created by Vasili Oschepkov and Viktot Spiridonov. Oschepekov was one of the first foreigners to learn Judo directly from Jigoro Kano.

Spiridonov specialized various indigenous style of martial arts throughout Russia and eastern Europe. Including different styles of wrestling.

The two actually never cross trained, but their students did and the Soviet military began developing a unique fighting style. What they came up with would be known as Sambo.

A mixture of Judo, wrestling, and different martial arts is practiced around Russia. It became the official combat sport of the USSR in 1938.

Sambo is practiced with a Gi top and shorts, where the goal is to take your opponent down and submit them. Combat Sambo was an offshoot of Sambo that included strikes like in MMA.

Today, Sambo is still the official sport of Russia and one the country’s most popular sports.

Senegalese Wrestling

In the west African country of Senegal, they practice a style of folk wrestling called Senegalese wrestling. You may have seen this wrestling style if you watched the Netflix documentary series Fightworld.

Senegalese wrestling by the Serer people of Senegal, who make up the country’s third largest minority. The original form of Senegalese wrestling dates back to the 14th century in the Kingdom of Sine. It is ingrained in the tradition of Senegal and is the official sport of the country. 

A Senegal wrestling match takes place in a dirt circle and is similar to folkstyle wrestling with a few differences. One of the big differences is that slaps are allowed in Senegalese wrestling to set up takedowns.

The goal in this form of wrestling is to land an overhead takedown or throw an opponent out of the area.

Schwingen

Schwingen is a Swiss style of wrestling that dates back to the 17th century. It’s another type of folk style wrestling within Switzerland with variations to the rules and format.

Originally, Schwingen was a friendly competition between farmers and herders from the Swiss alpines. They would get together at festivals to see who had the best wrestlers between the two groups.

Uniforms of Schwingen consist of basically what Swiss farmers and herders wear. Collard shirt, pants, boots, and Schwingerhosens or wrestling britches.

Schwingen matches are held in a dirt circle, where both competitors start with grips on the Schwingerhosens. Whoever can throw the other competitor to the ground wins the match.

Shuai Jiao

Shuai Jiao is another form of jacket wrestling that was created within China. Basically an ancient form of Judo that dates back several thousand years before the creation of Judo.

It is considered the original form of wrestling that was developed within China. Modern Shuai Jiao is like a mixture of a wrestling and Judo match.

The competitors wear light Gi jackets, pants, and wrestling shows. In Shuai Jiao, both tosses and takedowns are legal and scored as points.

Within China, Shuai Jiao is still practiced and used by Chinese military and police.

Scottish Backhold Wrestling

Scottish backhold wrestling is an old sport that has been played in Scotland for centuries. There are also similar styles of backhold wrestling done within Iceland and Breton.

Backhold wrestling is basically the ride position with freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle wrestling.

One competitor grabs hold of the other’s back in the ride position. They must try to throw their opponent, while the other tries to break free of their hold.

Most Scottish backhold wrestling matches consist of a best of 5 series between the competitors.

Ssireum Wrestling

Ssireum is a Korean folk style of wrestling and is the national sport of South Korea. This form of wrestling first started back in the 4th century within Korea.

In modern Ssireum wrestling, competitors wear wrestling shorts, and a belt called satba. A satba is similar to the attire worn in sumo, but goes around the opponent’s waist and thigh.

Matches are held in a dirt circle, where both wrestlers start on their knees, and lock of hold of their satbas.

To win a match, a competitor must make part of their opponent’s body hit the ground from the knees up.

Sumo Wrestling

Sumo is a Japanese wrestling style that has been part of Japan’s culture for over a thousand years. The legend says that Japanese demigods decided ownership of the Japanese islands in a sumo match.

It actually originates from a ritual dance ancient Japanese farmers would do to ask for rain from the gods.

A sumo match is held in a dirt ring called a “donyo” and the wrestlers are referred to as “rikishis.” The rikishi’s uniform consists of a loincloth called a mawashi.

Mawashis made of silk are designated for high ranking rikishis and black cotton for lower pro rikishis.

Before a match starts, the wrestlers dance around the ring and throw salt on the ground to bless the donyo.

To win a sumo match, a rikishi must either take their opponent to the ground. They can also win by pushing their opponent out of the donyo.

In sumo, you are allowed to palm strike an opponent to knock them off balance and set up takedowns.

Indian Wrestling Styles

We could actually do an entire article dedicated to the various styles of wrestling in India, But to make it short, here are brief descriptions of each style of wrestling in India.

• Gatta Gusthi: A submission wrestling style similar to catch wrestling practiced in the Indian state of Kerala.
• Inbuan: A traditional folk style of wrestling practiced in Mizoram.
• Kabaddi: A folk wrestling team game, where teams of 7 play against each other. The goal is for the team on offense to touch all of the defensive players without getting taken down.
• Kene: Folk style wrestling practiced by natives of Nagaland in India.
• Malakhra: 5000 year old Indian wrestling style performed in light cloth pants.
• Malla-Yudda: The oldest form of wrestling within India that all other forms developed from.
• Malyutham: Folk style wrestling practiced within Tamil Nadu.
• Mukna: Folk wrestling style practiced within Manipur
• Pehlwani/Kushti: Mughal style of wrestling famous in India that is done in a dirt circle.
• Vajra-mushti: A style of Indian folk wrestling that also includes a type of punches using a knuckle duster type object.

Turkish Oil Wrestling

Many people joke about this type of wrestling within combat sports communities, but it’s a legitimate sport in Turkey.

Turkish oil wrestling is where Turkish wrestlers wrestle each other in a field shirtless. Before the matches they douse themselves in oil to make it harder for their opponents to take them down.

Their logic behind this is only the strongest wrestlers will be able to land takedowns despite being covered in oil.

This topic has been one of the most frequently debated within the martial arts community. Which is the best martial arts for self defense?

We at LowKickMMA are going to put our two cents on the matter and list our best martial arts for self defense. Below are the 6 choices that we picked for the best martial arts for self defense on the planet. 

Complete with descriptions of each martial art and why we selected them as the best systems for self defense.

#6 Boxing

Starting off our best martial arts for self defense with the sweet science of boxing. It has been a go to martial art for self defense for decades, because it works. 

Here is a quick history lesson about boxing along with the advantages and disadvantages of the striking art for self defense.

Quick history on boxing

The art of pugilism is one of the oldest sports/martial arts in the world right there with wrestling. In the late 1800s it started to become the legitimate sport as we know it starting with the Queensbury rules.

Soon after Queensbury rules were implemented, boxing governing bodies added gloves and boxing rings. With time, the sport continued to progress into what we know it as today.

One of the most watched and practiced self defense systems in the world with millions of practitioners around the world.

Advantages of boxing for self defense

• Learn to punch properly: Everybody that’s never trained thinks they know how to punch, but in reality, they don’t. The advantage of learning boxing is that you’ll learn proper form for throwing punches. A great thing to know, so you don’t break your hand.
• Learn to block punches: Knowing how to keep your hands up to see punches coming and block is a big advantage with boxing. In a street fight, an attacker will more than likely be throwing wild punches and you’ll be ready to block them.
• Know basic striking range: Learning boxing will give you a basic knowledge of punching range. You’ll know where to stand to not get hit and where to stand to land strikes.

Disadvantages of boxing for self defense

• Boxing is one dimensional: Boxing is great for what it is, but it’s one dimensional. You’re good if a street fight stays standing, but may be in trouble if the fight hits the ground.
• No grappling: As we saw in UFC 1 when Royce Gracie submitted Art Jimmerson and again when Randy Couture submitted James Toney. Whenever a boxer goes against a trained grappler, they are more than likely going to lose. No grappling has always been boxing’s biggest flaw.

#5 Judo

Judo is our pick for the 5th best martial art for self defense. Without Judo, there would be no BJJ or Sambo and many of the techniques from both were taken from it.

Also if you don’t believe it belongs on the list, then just take a look at this highlight of Travis Stevens.

Quick history on Judo

Judo was created in the late 1800s by Grandmaster Jigoro Kanu. He learned various older forms of grappling and began developing his own style.

A series of more simple grappling techniques that relied more on technique and leverage than sheer force. He would call it Judo and its effectiveness quickly made it taught throughout Japan.

Kano would also send his best students around the world to spread the teachings of Judo much like a religion. This led to many countries around the world becoming big proponents of Judo, which helped it become an Olympic sport.

Advantages of Judo

• Grappling: The grappling in Judo will give you a big advantage in a self defense scenario. More than likely in a fight, someone will try to grab you. If you have proper Judo training, you’ll have no problem fending them off and sending them to the ground.
• Understanding of grips and leverage: Judo training will give you an understanding of grips and leverage. An attacker coming at you wildly will be easy pickings to take grips and send them flying.
• Never be out of base: One of the best things about Judo is that it teaches you to have a solid base. You’ll never be out of base with your stance and always be ready to step into sweeps and throws.

Disadvantages of Judo

• No Striking: While Judo is great for self defense, it’s biggest flaw is that striking isn’t taught within it. You may be able to land takedowns, but you could also eat a few shots that could hurt you. 
• Training in the Gi: If you only train Judo in the Gi and not No-Gi, this could leave you at a big disadvantage. Meaning you may rely on getting grips and if your opponent isn’t wearing a shirt, that could be a problem.

#4 Muay Thai

Muay Thai makes our list at #4 as the best martial art for self defense. The art of 8 limbs is known for its brutal effectiveness, but is also great for self defense.

It is ingrained within the culture of Thailand and has a long history of being used for self defense. Even once used with wars.

Quick history of Muay Thai

The story of Muay Thai goes back nearly 800 years, when Thailand used to be the kingdom of Siam. Siamese soldiers would use an early form of Muay Thai in battle to defend themselves.

Using their entire body as a weapon from their fists, feet, knees, and elbows to land devastating strikes. Later within the timeline of the Siamese kingdom, the best soldiers would battle one another to entertain the king.

This practice would continue for a couple centuries until the 19th century when Muay Thai started to become a legitimate sport. Muay Thai would be heavily influenced by western boxing and also added gloves and a boxing ring to hold the bouts.

Today, Muay Thai is the official sport of Thailand and is beloved by those within the country and also the world.

Advantages of Muay Thai

• Variety of strikes: Muay Thai has a wide range of strikes that way more dimensional and complex than boxing. You learn not just to throw punches, but also your 6 other limbs as well. Giving you tools to defend yourself if you need to.
• Know striking ranges: Boxing is good for learning punching range, but Muay Thai teaches you kicking range, kneeing range, and elbow range. You’ll be able to strike your opponent within multiple ranges depending on what you want to do.
• The clinch: Muay Thai does have an element of grappling, which comes from the clinch. In a clinch you can control your opponent’s posture and keep them from hitting you. From a good clinch, you can decide to strike your opponent or sweep them to the ground.

Disadvantage of Muay Thai

• No ground techniques: Muay Thai teaches clinch and sweeps, but it does not teach ground techniques within the martial art. It is a very formidable self defense system, but many techniques are canceled out once on the ground.

#3 BJJ

After the first UFC ppv, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu proved it is one of the best martial arts for self defense. From that point on, everyone knew that grappling must be included within any self defense system.

Short history of BJJ

BJJ began to take form in the early 1920s. Carlos Gracie along with Luiz Franca were students of Judo master Mitsuyo Maeda.

The most known story of BJJ is that Carlos took the techniques he learned from Maeda and showed his brother Helio.

They realized that to give smaller people an equal playing field against larger opponents, the fight must go to the ground. This was how they began developing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

A grappling martial art that was more ground based and relied on leverage and technique and finishing fights with submissions.

As the martial art continued to develop, it started to gain a large following within Brazil. In the 1970s, BJJ would reach the US, particularly within California.

Then Rorion Gracie with the help of Art Davie and Bob Meyrowitz would put on the first UFC ppv in 1993. Royce Gracie’s performance would prove the effectiveness of BJJ and helped the martial art expand its reach internationally.

Advantages of BJJ

• Grappling: Like with Judo, BJJ has the grappling advantage, but is more refined for ground fighting. By being able to take a fight to the ground, you’re less at risk of getting hurt. You also have the option of choking your opponent or keeping them on the ground until help arrives.

• Cut the distance: By learning takedowns in Jiu Jitsu, you’ll be able to cut the distance and get your opponent to the ground. Not having to worry about getting his if you cut the distance and get a hold of your attacker.
• Fight off your back: Sometimes, you might find yourself on your back in a fight and this where BJJ can save your life. Knowing how to use a proper guard will allow you to either lock in a submission or sweep your opponent.

Disadvantages of BJJ 

• No Striking: Again, why we can’t make BJJ the best martial art for self defense, because there is no striking taught within it. Not having striking or striking defense taught within the martial art will always be BJJ’s flaw.
• Sport Jiu Jitsu: BJJ has become more sport based and this has really hurt the self defense aspect of the martial art. Pulling guard or lapel guards are good within the sport, but will get you seriously hurt or killed on the street.

#2 MMA

Not only is MMA the most popular combat sport in the world, but also great for self defense. After the UFC rose in popularity, those looking to learn self defense realized not just one martial art was the answer.

Taking elements of striking and grappling martial arts became the answer they were looking for. Thus leading more people to take up MMA for self defense.

Quick history of MMA

Before the UFC was established, an early form of MMA was used with Vale Tudo fights held in Brazil. Brazilian fighters from different martial arts backgrounds started to learn each other’s styles to beat them in combat.

When the UFC was established, what martial artists in Brazil were doing started to be done globally. The UFC started to become a legitimate sport and the fighters realized they would need to become more complete fighters.

Not just relying on their fighting background, but also learn various forms to have a more complete skill set. This not only created what we know as the sport of MMA, but also views on proper self defense.

It’s now widely recognized that you must know both striking and grappling skills to have more rounded self defense skills.

Advantages of MMA

• More well rounded striking: MMA allows its practitioners to study every style of striking from boxing and Muay Thai. Giving you a more well rounded striking set to defend yourself.
• Ground striking: Not only will you be taught ground techniques like in Jiu Jitsu, but also learn how to strike on the ground. Adding another skill set to your self defense skills.

Disadvantage of MMA

• MMA is sports based: MMA was not created as a self defense system and more as a sport. Since MMA is sports based it gives MMA a major disadvantage within a self defense situation. It is taught as if both participants are respecting the rules of sport and there are no rules on the streets.

 #1 Krav Maga – The Best Martial Arts For Self Defense

Our choice at LowKickMMA’s best martial art for self defense goes to Krav Maga. The main reason came down to the whole reason Krav Maga was created was for self defense.

It isn’t a sport, but a full fledged self defense system used by various special forces around the world.

Quick history of Krav Maga

Krav Maga was created by Hungarian martial artist Emrich “Imi” Lichtenfeld. Imi was a Hungarian Jew that lived in a turbulent time in Europe and especially so for Jewish communities.

His people were constantly under attack from anti semites and full fledged Nazis. This led to Imi to create Krav Maga as a way to defend his people against evil.

He began developing his self defense system through conflicts on the street. Litchenfeld realized that the sport aspect of the martial arts he knew were holding back his self defense system.

Leading him to do away with the respected rules of other martial arts and making Krav Maga strictly for self defense.

Once he fled to Israel is when Imi really began to develop Krav Maga. Adding weapons defense to the system and becoming the head self defense instructor of the Israeli military.

First teaching Israeli’s elite forces and then the rest of the Israeli military. Upon retiring, Lichtenfeld set out to teach Krav to civilians. 

During the late 1970s, he began teaching civilians Krav Maga around the world with the help of his top students.

Today, Krav Maga has exploded in popularity and there are numerous great schools around the world.

Advantages of Krav Maga

• It’s legitimately for self defense: While other martial arts have become more sports based, Krav Maga is strictly a self defense system. Krav Maga was made to “help one walk in peace” as its creator eloquently put it.
• Weapons Training: By far the biggest advantage Krav Maga has over other martial arts on the list is weapons training and defense. On the street, an attacker may have a weapon and will not hesitate to use it, so you must be prepared.

Disadvantage of Krav Maga

• Beware of fakes: When a martial art like Krav Maga gets popular, there are always imitators and fakes that arise to con people. Do your research and make sure your potential Krav instructor is certified and legitimate before giving them your money.

Just about all of the martial arts in the world claim that their system provides optimal self defense. Krav Maga is arguably the best self defense system in the world.

Developed to help save a group of people from mass extermination, Krav was created to help you do one thing. Survive.

Here is the complete breakdown of the self defense system, we’ll go into how it was developed and all of its ins and outs.

The history of Krav Maga

Krav Maga was first developed by Hungarian martial artist Emrich “Imi” Lichtenfeld. As a young man, Lichtenfeld was a gifted athlete that excelled at many martial arts and sports.

He was a champion in everything from gymnastics, swimming, boxing, and wrestling. Imi was a Hungarian Jew, who lived in an extremely turbulent time.

During the 1930s, the Nazi party were on the rise and they would terrorize the Jewish population in Europe. Especially in Czechoslovakia, where Lichtenfeld lived.

Imi refused to be tormented by anti-semetic terrorists and decided to fight back. Gathering a group of the strongest Jewish men he could and began patrolling his neighborhood.

Imi’s realization

After a few bouts of fighting Nazis and anti-semitists in the streets, Imi realized something about his fighting skills. While he had skills, they were more designed for sports based contests and not real fights on the street.

In a sport, the referee was there to protect you, but in a real life fight, nobody was coming to save you. A matter of life and death rather than just winning a contest.

As he would get in fights on the street defending his neighborhood, Imi would gain crucial experience. These experiences would help him develop his self defense system of Krav Maga.

Lichtenfeld flees Europe

Due to the rise of Nazism and the German takeover of Europe, Lichtenfeld would be forced to flee. He would board a ship headed to Palestine in 1940, which wrecked in the Dodecanese Islands.

It took him two years to finally reach Palestine in 1942 after serving in the Free Czechoslovak Legion in North Africa. Once he reached Palestine, Imi would really begin developing Krav Maga.

The leaders of the Haganah in Palestine that Lichtenfeld was an expert at fitness and self defense. They would appoint Imi to train their soldiers how to fight.

Teaching them everything from hand to hand combat, knife attacks, and wrestling. Also leading physical fitness regiments and instilling the importance of always being in peak physical form.

Krav Maga and the IDF

In 1948, the Israeli Defense Forces were formed and Lichtenfeld was made chief instructor of fitness and Krav Maga. For 20 years, Imi would teach the Israeli special forces unit the art of Krav Maga.

Lichtenfeld would hold this position for 20 years and teach Krav Maga to thousands of Israeli soldiers.

Krav Maga being taught to civilians

At first, Krav Maga was taught to only members of Israel’s elite military forces. But once Lichtenfeld retired from service, he wanted to teach his martial art to everyone.

He began adjusting Krav Maga, so that it could work for ordinary people in their everyday lives. Normal people could also be threatened with violence and Imi wanted them to be prepared by knowing Krav Maga.

Lichtenfeld began training chosen instructors who would go around the world teach the art of Krav. After years of work, Lichtenfeld and his students created the Krav Maga Association in 1978.

The first international instructor course at Wingate University in North Carolina. From that point on, normal people from around the world started to gain access to learn Krav Maga.

Today, Krav Maga is now taught on nearly every continent and adopted by the world’s top militaries.

What does Krav Maga mean?

Krav Maga is Hebrew, which directly translates to “contact combat.”

What does Krav Maga consist of?

Krav Maga is the blending of various martial arts into specific defense systems. The techniques used in Krav were taking from:

• Boxing
• Wrestling 
• Judo
• Aikido
• Karate
• Weapons training

Basically a form of MMA that was designed for real life altercations and not in a sport setting.

The basic principles of Krav Maga

Here are the 12 basic principles:

Avoid Physical Confrontation

Like many other martial arts, Krav Maga teaches students to always try to avoid confrontation. Following this principle will make it less likely that you will be harmed or killed.

Simultaneous Attack & Defenses

You need to always be delivering multiple attacks and defenses against an attacker. That way, you will be a step ahead of them.

Develop Physical Aggression

This doesn’t mean that you get angry and wildy attack your enemy. What it really means is if you’re fighting for your life, you need to be able to flip the switch. Unlocking the aggression inside you to hurt someone that wishes to do you harm.

Target Your Opponent’s Vulnerable Points

Target the vulnerable points of your opponent’s body that includes, the eyes, throat, groin, knees, liver, plexus, ribs, and nose.

Use A Weapon

If you have a weapon or blunt instrument near you, use it to strike your opponent. It would do more damage to your opponent and you won’t risk damaging your hands or feet.

Don’t Stop Until They’re Prone

An important principle taught in Krav Maga is don’t stop attacking your opponent until they’re prone. An opponent that is moving is a threat and you must immobilize them.

Simple Attacks

The best attacks are the most simple and be sure to repeat them until your opponent is no longer a threat.

Finish The Fight Quickly

Whenever a fight lasts long, you are statistically more likely to get hurt or killed. That is why you must aim to finish a fight as quickly as possible to avoid being harmed.

Know Your Surroundings

Always know where you are at all times and what is around you. Once you know your surroundings, you’ll be better prepared to act.

Muscle Memory

You need to constantly drill your fighting movements in order to keep yourself sharp in case something happens.

Stay In Shape

Staying in peak physical condition is another important principle of Krav Maga. When you’re in good physical shape, you are better prepared to defend yourself against whatever comes at you.

Learn To Work Under Stress

A fight is the most stressful situation you can be in. You must learn to control your emotions and learn to respond while under stress.

Krav Maga ranking system

Just like BJJ or Karate, Krav Maga has their own ranking system within the martial art. Here is the ranking system according to the official Krav Maga website.

There are 6 belt ranks within Krav Maga and they are:

• Yellow Belt
• Orange Belt
• Green Belt
• Blue Belt
• Brown Belt
• Black Belt

Krav Maga Yellow Belt Requirements

The yellow belt is the beginner belt that is the first promotion within Krav. To be eligible to test for a yellow belt in Krav, you will need to attend 40 level 1 classes.

For the yellow belt test, you must demonstrate that you can perform:

• Basic Strikes
• Headlock Defense
• Choke Defense
• Basic Positional Escapes
• Proper Stance

Krav Maga Orange Belt Requirements

As a yellow belt, you are a level 2 student in Krav Maga. To reach eligibility to test for an orange belt, you must attend 6 months of classes or 60 level 2 classes.

The Krav orange belt test includes:

• Bearhug Defense
• Chokes With Pulls Defense
• Ground Escapes
• Low Intensity Sparring

Krav Maga Green Belt Requirements

An orange belt in Krav marks you as a level 3 student. Which signifies you have entered the intermediate level. Eligibility to test for the green belt includes attending 9 months or 90 level 3 classes.

The Krav green belt test includes:

• Sparring(Ground Fighting Included)
• Fundamental Stick/Blunt Weapon Defense
• Fundamental Handgun Defense

Krav Maga Blue Belt Requirements

During your time at green belt, you are working your way into the advanced levels with blue belt being the first. Eligibility for the blue belt test includes 12 months or 120 level 4 classes attended.

The Krav blue belt test includes:

• Higher Level Striking Combinations
• Higher Level Ground Techniques
• Takedowns/Sprawls
• Sparring With Disadvantages
• Knife Defenses

Krav Maga Brown Belt & Black Belt Requirements

As a level 5 student, you have proved your efficiency in all forms of self defense. Everything from this point out is training the most advanced techniques in Krav Maga.

To be eligible for the brown belt test requires 12 months of training or 120 level 5 classes attended. Requirements for the black belt test can vary and require an invite from the instructor. 

The Krac brown/black belt requirements include:

• Prove Efficiency In Sparring
• Advanced Blunt Weapon Attacks/Defense
• Long Range Gun/Knife Defenses
• Fighting Multiple Attackers

Brown Belt Test:

Black Belt Test:

Are their ranks above black belt?

Yes, just like other martial arts that use belt ranks, there are higher level black belts.

Going from first degree to 10th degree.(10th degree is designated only for Krav Maga creator Imi Lichtenfeld.)

Gaining degrees on a Krav Maga black belt is just a matter of time spent at each degree. Like in BJJ, you must wait the same number of years as your next degree to earn it.

Currently the highest ranked Krav Maga instructor is Chief Instructor Darren Levine, who is a 8th degree black belt.

Are there Krav Maga competitions?

No, there are no competitions. Krav Maga was developed as a self defense system and not for a sport setting like MMA or boxing.

The benefits of Krav Maga

Here are some of the best benefits that Krav Maga provides to its practitioners.

Get in great shape

Just like with MMA training, Krav Maga training can get you into really great shape. The training is an intense all in one workout. You’re learning self defense skills while improving your cardio and physical strength.

Weapons defense and use

Where Krav Maga has an edge over MMA is that you train how to use and defend against weapon attacks. MMA is great for a hand to hand fight, but not so much if a weapon is involved.

Gain self confidence

A lack of self confidence is what holds many of us back from accomplishing what we want to do in life. Krav can help you build confidence within yourself and improve your overall life.