Krav Maga: An Essential Guide to the Renowned Method--for Fitness and Self-Defense

David Kahn is the real deal. Whether you're new to krav maga or an expert, there is much to learn from David. IMHO krav is an amazing practice. Un-like a martial art that is designed for competition, krav maga is designed for self-defense in the real world. David is a wonderful teacher. In both his videos and books, David is very clear, his explanations and illustrations make it easy to understand and learn each move at home. His deep krav knowledge is evident immediately. David is very matter of fact. This is not a motivational work out book. Just like the defense system he is teaching, david is direct, practical, and highly effective. This book and David’s DVDs (http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Volume-Self-Defense-Beginner-Advanced/dp/B0052T6XLY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8) have been the perfect complement to my in-person training. This book helps to reinforce the proper techniques, form and approaches learned during in-person training. And David's products have helped me stay ahead of my in-person training. If you live somewhere that does not have a good krav maga school to train at, this book & the DVDs would make a great alternative to in-person training if that is your only option. Also, it's important to note, many krav moves & techniques are hard to train without a partner. As corny as it may sound, i'm grateful to David for taking the time and doing the hard work to produce his books and videos. he's helped me progress much faster than i would have without him. THANK YOU DAVID.

I have been in the Commercial Printing business and have spent some time in the study of Martial Arts and find this book to be very professionally done and well written. This is a great book as are his other books I have bought, and highly recommend them if you are looking for the best in Krav Maga. I love the history, the diagrams, the warnings, the way in which Dave instructs and motivates. His books are extremely instructional, fun, and encouraging for all ages. I have never seen any books as good as his for Martial Arts or MA systems of instruction. You have hit home runs with all your books Dave and I would recommend them to everyone who wants to get into shape, learn Krav Maga or those who feel they cannot learn martial arts of any kind because they are too old, too out of shape, or its too hard...I would tell all people every where they need his books to feel better about themselves and become self motivated to a positive outcome, learning the best system available today for all ages or physical conditions. You owe it to yourself to read his books, watch his videos and become a better person and learn a system that will protect you from the crazies out there. No, I did not get paid to write this...I am just a guy that knows greatness when I see it and then speaks out. I give Dave 10 stars for his accomplishments and brilliance in what he has put together in his videos and books.

Some folks may want to question the Krav Maga in this work -- as being TOO "basic". Well, to this reviewer, THAT seems half the strategy of Krav Maga. Krav Maga [like various Combat Judo variants] has been streamlined from the start as a method to be learned, practiced and APPLIED to survival self-defense -- by folks needing self-defense ASAP versus even mortal attackers. That is -- Jewish civilians and Israeli combatants needing what can be learned quickly -- yet work well versus even mortal attackers. SO "basic" can be just what is needed -- IF it can work well in practice AND usage. Streamlined strategy, tactics and methods -- fluid, clear, sharp and COMPACT. Then -- as "practice" is the main concern -- "basic" Krav Maga is PROVEN for over a half-century by now -- even as a general approach -- combining the best of Western and Eastern Arts in a COMPACT way -- PROVEN methods of Savate, Boxing, Wrestling, Karate, Aikido, Judo -- and PROVEN innovations. I had occasion to "loosely spar" with a woman with just medium training in Krav Maga -- and I was impressed with her simple yet accurate counters [and RETZEV combos] -- especially versus likely "direct" real attacks. For those questioning a LACK of advanced or "detour" methods -- I must remark that just going into-and-thru a Krav Maga "Outlet" On-Guard IS necessary "detour" to match the best "indirect" strategy. All it takes is such a quarter-second "detour" to set-up the best "basic" and "direct" counter-attacks. This IS featured thru-out the Krav Maga of "Krav Maga". AND furthermore page 57 features "The 360-Degree Instinctive Defense" -- which appears like a total core-version of complete "detour" fanning warding guards. I was quite surprised to see this "Tai Chi" likeness in such a usually "direct" Art. Yet its general purpose is explained well -- it is a general defense of defender's whole [upper] guard-space -- AND PROVEN like all "basic" Krav Maga methods +++

This is the source you want to study Krav Maga from. Mr. Kahn has the experience needed to provide instruction on the right way to perform the techniques and teaches the importance of awareness. He also has three volumes of videos and two other books that you may want to check out during your kravist journey. I highly recommend this for home study or for augmenting your training if enroled in classes. I am planning to use this to supplement in class instructions and my family already uses the videos (Volume 1) to practice form in front of the mirror. You will need a partner to peform any of the techniques beyond the basic strikes and foot work. My wife helps with that but it is better to have multiple training partners. Everyone moves a little differently and you need to understand that if you actually have to defend yourself. In our current society, I feel self defense is becoming more and more important. Hand to hand combat may become the last resort during a home invasion or other assault. I hope I never need to use KM but at least now I have a few defensive movements worked into muscle memory. I am by no means a fighter, just a father that wants to be able to come home at the end of the day.

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. 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.

Good 👍

I didn't like the drawn pictures, I thought they'd be real people or else it'd gotten 5 stars. I believe that man is what he says he is about Krav Maga. But Complete Krav Maga is better.

I am very impressed with this book. It talks about the physical and mental aspects of self defense and gives adequate literature along with pictures describing upper and lower body strikes and blocks to defend against an aggressor. It also gives a workout routine and drill sessions to hone your skills and make this system something that a beginner can quickly become confident in their own self defense. I'd suggest purchasing this book, along with David Kahn's DVD set "Mastering Krav Maga Volume 1". They both work well together to show a beginner how to defend against someone trying to put the hurt on you, and discuss how not only to defend yourself, but to defuse the situation before it escalates into a confrontation. With todays world, you have to not only worry about someone attacking you, but also suing you if you use "unnecessary force" to defend yourself. Both the book, and the DvD's help with discerning what types of strikes you should employ, and what you could do different to avoid the situation altogether. No matter gender, size, or strength, buy this system and start using it. It'll give you a confidence in yourself, and if the time comes, will prepare you for defending your own life.