- Home
- Krav Maga Blog
- Krav Instructors
- Train in Israel
- Tour Train Israel
- Krav Shop
- DVD
- Kickboxing
- IKI Near Me
- Seminars
- IKI Membership
- On-Line Training
- Krav Maga Training
- Testimonials
- History Krav Maga
- Instructors Page
- Past Blogs
- Spanish
- Italian
- Certification
- Contact
- Holland Seminar
- Vienna Seminar
- Poland Seminar
- Italy Seminar
- Belt Requirements
Listen to the Music Listen to the Students
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
August - September 2026, South Africa - Israel
Based on conversations with IKI Instructor Rob.
Driving around South Africa, observing the state of the nation, and the state of violence. We drive; we talk.
Rob is a man who has his finger on the pulse of the nation, on the nature of violence. When I travel, I place great emphasis on getting to know each country and its unique culture of violence and crime. While our bodies are the same, our arms and legs function the same no matter where one is born, the cultural attitudes do change the nature of violence.
Rob often focuses on the suddenness in which violence appears, the brutal explosiveness of violence in this country. Physical martial arts skills are not nearly enough, that part, Rob always says, is relatively simple, it is the ability to respond real-time that is the challenge. Violence can erupt from zero to one hundred within seconds, if you do not see it coming, no amount of training will prepare you.
We talk about reaching the people, the people who need our training. Rob is not only a Krav Maga instructor but also an astute businessman, he says we need to understand what it is that people really want, and it is not always what they say, or even what they think they need.
Listen to the Music.
We need to truly listen to the music, and in our case, this means we need to truly listen to the students, what they are saying, and what is implied between the lines. What they need is not always what they says, we need to ask what is behind what they are saying, what they are feeling. Fear? Lack of Confidence? What is it that they really seek, what is behind their words?
When a person seeks to purchase a luxury car, what is it that they truly want? Comfort, or status? safety or to appear successful? Understand what they truly want and you become a better salesman. In our case, we are "selling" safety, but we need to listen to the people, we need to listen to their words, their voices and their body language.
Listen, Some are happy, some are sad,
What the people need is a way to make 'em smile
It ain't so hard to do if you know how
And the crowd is growing bigger
Listening for the happy sounds and I have to let them fly
Listen to the people, are they tired of being bullied?
Are they actually afraid of a knife attack on the way to work, or is it really a confidence issue?
We might want to teach them military combatives but what they really need is the confidence to stand up to their boss, but that will come from training in Combatives, perhaps getting hit a bit. What they say is not always what they really need.
A salesman tries to sell a lady a washing machine; he tells her that her clothing will look and smell great. She yawns. He tells her that her entire life will change, she will have more free time to pursue the things she loves, she will have a better lifestyle. Now you have her attention. Trying to sell cleaner clothing may not work but "it will add 10 years to your life" will. (from "How to live with yourself, Dr. Murray Banks, circa 1965)
We need to know what people really want, what they truly need, and it is not always what they tell us, or what they think they need. We need to guide them. But how will you know? Only one way, by truly listening, and listening truly.
Moshe Katz, 8th 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.
Let's Take your Training to the Next Level TODAY
Or is someone coming to save you?
IKI Krav Maga online distance training - Leading to ranks and certification.
Tour and Train Israel Experience
Personal Training - If you are interested in personal Krav Maga training please contact us on the form below.
