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Fast enough when necessary
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
October 6, 2026, Israel
You don't move fast, do you? Must be that rickety old body of yours. Miyagi Sensei: Move fast enough, when necessary.
In Karate Kid part 4, The Next Karate Kid, there is a line that resonated with me since the film came out in 1994. Miyagi Sensei is picking up Julie San at school and while waiting for her he sees a boy being bullied by his coach. The coach insults the teenage athlete, pushes him around, punches him and knocks him to the ground. This is the self-defense Combatives Instructor, and he represents all that I personally hold abominable. Sadly, not only are there many like this these days, but I fear that they are growing in numbers. This Tough Guy Bully attitude "sells".
The Karate Kid series is of course not real, but its values are very real. The fights are totally fake and choreographed, the actors are not martial artists, and any experienced martial artist can see that this is all for entertainment. But not entirely so; I feel there are lessons in the series are very True and very valuable.
In the scene with the teenage boy learning Combative skills, Mr. Miyagi feels he can no longer just stand by and watch this happen, so he interferes, he says, leave the boy alone. The instructor is of course not going to take this, his ego will not allow it, so he responds as one would expert, with insults and threats. However, he sees that the older gentleman, Mr. Miyagi, is still there, standing calmly, even smiling. The Combatives instructor does not understand.
Miyagi is a martial arts master but he does not look the part, he is old, short, ordinary looking. No muscle T shirts, no budging muscles, just a calm older gentleman. What does all this mean? The Combatives Instructor is confused. He says, You don't move fast, do you? Must be that rickety old body of yours.
Mr. Miyagi Sensei answers as follows: Move fast enough, when necessary.
The answer is profound, and it is delivered in a calm, confident manner that leaves the Bully totally confused and bewildered. I think he answered with something like, 'What the hell does not mean?' as the calm older gentleman Miyagi walks away, having won this round.
What this means is as follows: This is not a 10-round fight, this is not a sports challenge, nor a movie fight. All you need is to last a few seconds in most cases, at most a few minutes. Most street altercations are over within seconds, based on international police reports. Move fast enough, when necessary, means I can get out of the way when you attack, I can move when I need to move, I don't need to "win", I don't need to "fight you", I don't need to clubber your head into the pavement and stomp your groin. All I need is to move fast enough, as is necessary. Block, evade, survive.
It is unrealistic to expect an older man of 60-70 to fight a fitness coach in his prime, certainly one much taller than himself, however he can "move fast enough", when necessary, and thus win the encounter.
Self-defense is not fighting. And self-defense must be suited for everyone. That is how IKI Krav Maga is designed. You do not need to be young and fit, you need to be able to "move fast enough, when necessary" for a brief period of time. The encounter should be over quickly. We can train you for life, a system that works for your entire life. (see below to join)
Moshe Katz, 8th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt Hall of Fame, USA and Europe. Katz is an internastinoal speaker and seminar presenter with over 1,100 international seminars on self-protection and survival skills.
Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz
What is the cultural background of Krav Maga? What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?
What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?
What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?
How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?
All that and more in this unique book.
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