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Rude Crude Krav Maga
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
March 17, 2026, Israel
A few years ago with a great group of martial arts students, the memory has not faded.
Years ago I attended an important seminar in Petah Tikva, hosted by our teacher Rony Kluger. As is often the case we end up learning something different than we had intended, and sometimes that lesson is far more profound, long lasting, and important that what we had originally came to learn. The seminar was being taught by Instructor Patrick McCarthy, an international karate expert, and I was certainly open to learning all styles of martial arts. We were informed that he had translated an important martial arts book known in Japanese as the Bubishi, and that he was not only a very high-ranking black belt but one of the world leading authorities on the classical fighting arts, widely acclaimed as a highly respected researcher and historian.
It was a three-day seminar and we covered the 108 moves, if I recall correctly, of one kata (karate form). I traveled the one and a half hours each way, every day, to participate in the seminar. Yes, that is what you do when you want to learn something. I don't like hearing excuses of "it is a 45 minute bus ride, I can't be bothered". I was happy to attend and there was indeed a great turnout of martial arts students from various disciplines. I was fascinated by the history and gave it 100% of my effort.
At the end of the first day, we were asked if there was anyone who was willing to volunteer and drive the guest instructor around, to see some of the sights of Jerusalem, I naturally raised my hand. To attend a seminar is great, to spend "casual" time with a master is of even greater importance. We spent a lovely day touring the Old City of Jerusalem, and I recall McCarthy analyzing some of the daggers for sale in the Arab market and discussing how they would be used.
A pivotal moment in the seminar was the discussion of the relationship between art and culture. Our instructor brought along Japanese, Chinese and Korean art and discussed the differences between them. Within the subtleties of art, he was able to point out the inherent cultural differences in their societies, there way of living, and their history. History, struggle, economics, all manifest themselves in the behavior of the people, in their cultural norms. Cultural differences between societies are real, this is not racism, and withtout this knowledge one would be wise not to venture into international business ventures.
And one would be wise to be careful in the study of martial arts.
The world of martial arts is far more confusing that most people think. An American studying traditional Japanese karate is basically deaf, dumb and blind to the true meaning of the moves. Perhaps he will never truly understand it. Putting on a Japanese karate gi and speaking Mr. Miyagi style pidgin English does not make you a master of Japanese karate do. There is far more involved.
And so McCarthey Sensei showed us these various art works and analyzed the lines, the shapes, the colors, the lines and curves. This was not your usual Karate workout. He then translated these artistic differences to historical differences, oppression, occupation, suffering and deprivation. These in turn translated into different approaches to their respective martial arts.
For me this was an eye opener. We cannot just look at a martial art, we need to understand where it came from. For example, when I trained in Muay Thai (Tahi boxing) I came to understand that certain methods were not because that was the best way of doing it but rather due to cultural historical and economics reasons. If you fail to undersand this, you will fail to study and understand the art correctly. In Muay Thai we did 40 minutes of non-stop jump roping, barefoot on a bare wooden floor.
So how does culture play a part here?
If we understand that this training method is not due to some scientific sports breakthrough but rather it is due to the fact that the Thai Boxing students in Thailand were very poor, and trained on hard surfaces, and could not afford to go to Footlocker and receive professional consultation as to the best footwear for their particular sport, but had to make due with whatever they had, then we can understand that perhaps another approach would be better. We could understand that this economic factor does not need to impact us. Perhaps for us training in the West, it would be wiser, and better for our long-term physical health, to train on a softer surface and use shoes better equipped to take this kind of impact. This is just one example of how understanding culture and history can positively impact our training.
Treating students in one society with the methods different in a very different society, might be counterproductive. I discovered this myself when trying to treat American college students as Israel Defense Force recruits. We need to understand the culture, of the art, and the people. This was a very valuable, lifelong lesson from that seminar that took place so many years ago.
Often what we "take" from a seminar, is not what we originally planned to learn.
And now I want to apply this to our style, IKI Krav Maga.
I am a product of two cultures, Israeli and American. I am of course Jewish, through and through and carry the weight, the Glory and the Suffering of generations. All this affects our style of self-defense: IKI Krav Maga. Let us be honest, both the American and Israeli culture are not really known for their subtleties or politeness. There are cultures where speaking is an art, that is not really us. We say it like it is. We don't beat around the bush or use fancy words to hide our true meaning. Some may not like this but at least we are clear.
There are cultures such as Arabic where flowery poetic language is the norm of a certain class. There are English speaking countries where one can tell you to go to hell in such a beautiful way that you may actually be looking forward to the trip. But none of this honest. I receive such polite letters, but I speak to the bottom line - You are fired! Get out, we don't want to pay you. We have no money! etc. All the flowery talk does not help me pay my bills. I trust you are well kind sir, really? Why? Why do you trust that I am well? Ask me?
I see styles that call themselves Krav Maga, but they are not the product of real violence. They are not the product of people who have suffered. They are not the product of those who have seen blood and death. They are not the product of those who have seen a raging mob with distorted angry faces shouting Itbach el Yahud! (Slaughter the Jew, a common pastime in the Middle East, and for a long time in Europe as well.)
These so called Krav Maga styles involve grabbing a wrist, taking a finger, moving around and repositioning, several "set up" steps. This is not how we do it here. We are Crude, Rude and in-your-Face. Sorry, not sorry, but this is survival, not a poetry reading contest or a ceramics class. Our defense must work under the worst possible conditions, not under ideal conditions, airconditioned dojos and fancy dressing rooms. It must work when you are tired, distracted, not in your element. So we eliminate all the non-essentials. We break it down to the bare minimum, we keep it direct, in-your-face, there are no flowery introductions.
So yes, sometimes we may be blunt, but blunt force works. Sometimes we may not sound properly British, we may lack the poetic syntax of the Arabic poets, but we get the job done, properly. Our goal is your survival.
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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