- 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
Still Silent Defense
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
August 5, 2025, Ethiopia
Yes, Shoebill smiles, but don't mistake that smile for weakness. When he wants, he can fight.
There are lessons everywhere, and when I travel, I try to pick up on local lessons.
In East Africa there is a strange exotic bird called the Shoebill Stork, this caught my attention not only because of its large statue and interesting appearance, but also because I have a dear friend, an IKI member, named Bill who spent a lifetime working in the shoe industry. (Shoe Bill)
But there is a very important Krav Maga lesson here, and it highlights one of the differences between us and other Krav Maga Associations.
It is about the unique way the Shoebill Stork attacks its prey, which it needs for survival.
They don’t blink. They don’t smile. And they don’t miss, well at least they have a very high success rate. Some say their success rate is over 60%. This is the Shoebill Stork—one of the most fearsome and silent hunters in the animal kingdom. It stands at up to 5 feet tall with an 8-foot wingspan, this bird doesn’t just look prehistoric—it acts like it.
It doesn’t chase. It waits.
It doesn’t warn. It strikes.
And when it does… it clamps its massive shoe-shaped bill with a sound so sharp, locals call it a “death clap.”
It feeds on Lungfish, eels, and even baby crocodiles.
And here is a Krav Maga lesson; most predators, when they attack, are loud. They use noise to cause fear and intimidation, and that is fine. It suites them, but Shoebill Stork, it has its own way, in a world full of noise, the Shoebill attacks using stillness. There is no noisy flapping, just quiet focus. It does not attack with anger.
Shoebill does not attract attention, but it is always watching, standing still, unnoticed, watching, until its moment arrives. When it spots its prey, it quickly and violently launches its attack.
There are many styles of Krav Maga that thrive on Ego, Bravado, Aggressiveness, they make a lot of noise, but are not very successful. We at IKI follow a different path, like the Shoebill Stork, we wait, we block and then we strike, from stillness, quiet, always watching, always observing, silently, until our moment arrives, but when we strike, it is deadly.
Shoebill Stork, 7th dan black belt, trained killer.
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.
