- 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
Merge System Krav Maga
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
February 11, 2026, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla, USA
Seems every year someone comes up with a new system combining two or more existing systems. The idea is; I have mastered Judo, Karate, Boxing etc, now I will take the best elements of those styles and create something better. I will outsmart and outshine all those who came before me.
Only you did not, as this is rarely the case.
What usually happens is you end up with a mishmash of odd techniques that do not work together, a cacophony of sound that does not create a symphony but rather the sound of some junk yard dogs mixed with some chickens and bleating goats. It is not brilliance but bull. Not Picasso but the works of a kindergarten artist. If combining systems was so easy, trust me, your instructor would have thought of it. and yet we see young martial artists who never actually mastered any system, combining systems to create ...nothing really. In most cases this devolves into one small school or club, not a system that spreads around the world. It is not as easy as it looks.
I have seen many such systems, people think they are the next Bruce Lee and use his Jeet Kung Do system as their model. Most of these people are not Bruce Lee, more like Bruce Leroy. What they end up with is an hodge podge "system", like when I am looking for some spare parts, or a certain type of screw and I find a mixture of odds and ends, different bolts and screws and pieces of metal that somehow do not really fit together. That is not a system of self-defense for when your life is on the line. It is a false attempt at naming yourself a grand master of the latest greatest system to be known to mankind.
So what is IKI and how is it that we are not another "Combination" system?
This question came up last night at our seminar, a bright young man originally from the violent streets of the Bronx, New York. How did all this come about? He inquired, Was it a sudden realization or revelation, or a gradual process? This little blog is an attempt at an answer.
I never set out to create anything new. I spent years studying martial arts. Gradually I explored other arts as I found that I had not been able to properly defend myself with what I was being taught. Katas did not answer street defense for New York City. Judo throws did not help me with violent subway attacks. Traditional martial arts did not provide proper protection against the gangs of Port Authority, Manhattan.
My journey was/is a long one, and is detailed elsewhere on our website, with my many teachers being honored for the role they played. They are all given credit in our system of IKI Krav Maga, which is a different animal than "Krav Maga".
I said to the young man, by the name of Benjamin. "I was training in Kyokushin karate, an outstanding and brutal system, but I saw an add, from a school in the Bronx, Charlie Nelson school of self defense. The advertisement was small, black and white, simple but effective. A man being pushed against a wall with a knife to his throat and the caption - Do you know how to get out of this situation?"
My answer was no, I did not. And so my journey continued.
Our system began as a series of adaptions, modifications, to existing systems, a way of making it work for the average person, not only the strong professional martial artists. As time evolved our system emerged as a new system, not by choice but by the need for survival, the perfect system for imperfect people, people with time limitations, work, family life, religious life. Our system simplified the learning process by being based not on Memorization of techniques but rather on concepts that can be applied to a wide, infinite, number of situations that one may encounter. We have One Thread that runs through all our techniques, to simplify and speed up the learning process.
And the question comes up, is this a mixed system, a compilation of other systems? It is not, it is built on the foundations of other systems, but it is not a collection of techniques or "Greatest Hits" of other styles. It is one holistic system, but, it does allow for other styles to blend in.
How so?
Practitioners come from a variety of other styles, other styles of martial arts and other styles of Krav Maga. We of course also have those who no martial arts experience whatsoever. The pure beginners we teach in the way which we find most effective, a logical step by step process. However, for those who come from other styles, including high ranking black belts and even grand masters, we do not require them to "delete" and erase all previous training, that would be both unwise and unrealistic. What we do encourage is a blending of techniques.
Unlike the hodge podge systems I described earlier, we are not randomly including techniques from other styles, rather, if you are an accomplished Judo practitioner there will be a way to flow naturally into some of the throws and takedowns that you are so familiar with. If you are an accomplished Muay Thai practitioner there will be a time and place where those strikes and kicks will blend in naturally with your IKI Krav Maga defenses. They will work with our style, not against it. There is a way to naturally merge and blend styles together where they do not create friction or a cacophony of sound, it is not like incorporating a banjo into a Beethoven piece or a kazoo into Klezmer music.
Our style is fluid, and thus rigid, forced, movements, do not blend in, they interrupt and interfere more than they help. But techniques from other styles do often find a place. The trick, but it is not a trick but rather skill, is to merge previous training with our style in a way that improves your speed of response and effectiveness of your defense. This we do at every seminar. We grow from the experiences of all our students. Both the awkwardness of the beginner and the skill set of experienced instructors, add to and improve our system. We are open to all ideas. Every day we grow.
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.
Start Your REAL Training 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.
