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First Step Second Step
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
March 16, 2026, Israel
There are many systems that use the name Krav Maga, and there are many "new" systems that come up with their own new names but essentially differ very little from the established schools and systems. All the new names, all the very minor "improvements", the catchy little phrases for the new or improved systems, I have to be honest; I am not impressed, not at all.
But please do not take this as jealousy, or bitterness, or just "trying to put down the competition". For me the best thing is to stay out of this fight, avoid controversy, don't go down that rabbit hole, but as a responsible instructor I do feel the need to comment now and then, and then each of you is free to make their own choice. I will never say, "I am the best! Come to me." even if I truly feel that way. I once commented on a video posted by some English instructor, he sent me a private scathing message, "that technique comes directly from so and so, how dare you question it?!" I dare to question it, I question him, his instructor and even his instructors' instructor. That is my right, nay, that is my obligation. So I shall always explain my techniques, and if a flaw is found, we shall work on that. I will always stand behind what I teach and try to explain the advantage. The choice is yours. My job is to convince you what you can do as part of our system. I want to impress you with your own potential and ability.
One of the concepts that I stress, and this comes from more than 40 years of training and teaching over 1,200 seminars around the world, is that the defense must begin immediately. What does this mean? (and why is this key point not practiced in hardly any martial arts today)
It means that my first move, my very first body motion, not my first step, not the first step of the technique such as a strike or a grab, but my very first body motion, must release me at once from the most immediate danger, from the most immediate threat.
What does this mean? It means if there is a knife at your throat, your very first body move removes that knife from your throat. Your first move is not to "grab" the arm, your first move is not to raise your arms as in "hands up!", no, your very first Body Motion removes that threat of the knife from your throat. That does not mean that the technique is over, in fact it has not even begun, but the imminent threat of death, has been removed for now. If this is difficult to visualize - come to class, or join our Krav Maga Online program where you will receive a video every single day of the year, and all your questions will be answered personally by me and my team.
For example, if a guy has his arms around your neck, and your lights may go out in 4 seconds, what will you do? Risk your life by trying to hit him? by trying to outmuscle your attacker, or catch him by surprise as if he is some dim-mitted first-time offender and then get him with your "go to technique" of a knee kick as if that kick is infallible? Yet that is what we see as social media has recently been flooded with these types of techniques. The disrespect shown towards hardened criminals, or the complete and total ignorance these instructors possess towards real life violence, is astounding. In my opinion they cause more harm than good and should not be allowed to teach. There should be some honest board of directors to determine if the public is being harmed.
So what do we see? We see a "First Step" which is usually a grab of the opponents' wrist (in the case of a choke) or some repositioning of the hands. i.e. a motion is taking place but it is Not getting the intended victim out of harms' way, it is a set up for some Second Step. But this first move, has not accomplished anything concrete yet. I get it, the idea is the master will be so quick that the criminal will not be able to withdraw their weapon or complete their choke as the "master" Krav Maga instructor swiftly moves his or her body into position.
This is a blatant lie. Pure and total ignorance and disrespect of real criminals. Someone is living in the "dojo world". Sorry, but this must be said.
What will actually happen?
Motion and counter Motion
Every motion you, the Defender make, will be countered, thus your motion leads to a counter motion by the criminal. Prof David James calls this concept "Motion creates Motion". In IKI we say that the Attacker/Criminal is neither sleeping nor stupid. As soon as our Social Media heros touch the Attacker's hand, i.e. their "First Step", the Attacker will respond instinctively and immediately. If it is a choke, he will choke harder, or remove his hand and pummel you, if it is a knife he will slice and stab. The expected Social Media result is unrealistic. But what do we see? We see the Defender doing a motion, a First Step and then something else, i.e. the next step, but that next step, I contend, will never happen, that "Second Step" is a fantasy. You cannot do something and then do your technique. The release must be immediate, not after a First Step.
Bruce Lee discussed this matter years ago, in general terms, how we must focus on "Economy of Motion", and "Daily Reduction", i.e. less and less moves, less steps in our self-defense. Eliminate any move that is not totally necessary. In our own situation if we have a First Step such as described by an instructor from New York, "I grab his wrist and then..." Too late!!! there will be no "and then", it is all over. Any decent attacker will be all over you in a split second, choking, stabbing, pummeling you etc. Remember every motion you make will cause an opposite motion. Every extra step is not only a waste of time, but most likely your last step before being brutally attacked.
Don't believe me? Watch real CCTV and see what happens.
These instructors seem to believe that every grab they do, will hold. Every knee kick will cause the larger male attacker to buckle over in pain; every backwards fist strike will cause a man to reach for his groin and fall to the floor in agony. The Attacker will grab and then...wait, but the Defender will be so fast, under extreme stress, and respond so quickly that the Attacker will be left lying on the floor squealing like a little girl. Yes, this is what they would like you to believe. This is what they are selling. But the reality is much different.
The reality is that Defender/Victim will be temporarily at least, in a state of shock. The Attacker will have every advantage, after all it was they who initiated the attack, it was they who were psychologically prepared for this attack. The idea that you will catch them by surprise is counter logical. These Social Media instructors are giving themselves every benefit of the "doubt" and giving none to the Attacker. They are going on the assumption that every move they make, every strike they take, will hit its target precisely as planned, but every attack by the Aggressor will fail to hit its mark. This is illogical.
I am not trying to be critical of other instructors, this is not a "my style is better than yours", this is solid logic which must be answered. and answered Honestly, which it is not. Motion on the part of the Defender/Victim will not go unanswered.
There is a better way...
IKI Online Distance training - Answers to all your questions.
Krav Maga Certification directly from Israel, learn at your own pace.
Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.
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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