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The Most Effective Self Defense
BY MOSHE KATZ
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL
August 27, 2026, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA
I heard an interesting comment, "the most effective self-defense does not look like fighting at all." This wise statement is not an opinion; it is based on fact and hard research; the study of numerous potentially violent street altercations.
There is a myth that fighting constitutes self-defense. According to this logic a boxing champion, a karate champion, a wrestling champion, would be the safest on the streets and the most likely to survive a violent encounter, but this is simply not true. An estimated 30% or less of street encounters actually involve some sort of fighting. So where does this myth come from and what is the truth?
First the myth comes from Hollywood and Hong Kong, the martial arts movie capitals of the world. Violence sells, Action sells, we want heroes, so the movie industry creates them for us. There is usually no relation to actual events, obviously the fights are choreographed by professorial choreographers to create the most dynamic and exciting action. Music is added to enhance the fights and heighten the sense of drama. There is very little if any relation between these movie fights, which often last a long few minutes, and real life violent attacks.
The second source are martial arts schools. They aim to advertise and present their training as self-defense, as this brings people in the door. The vast majority of schools and styles I have seen have very little to do with actual self-protection. Any connection is minor and almost a side effect. They are art or sport, and other arts and sports also have self-defense applications. You can throw a bowling ball or a basketball at someone, you can swing a baseball bat or a gold club, you can jump and leap, but those sports or arts are not designed with the sole purpose of self-protection.
Our style is. That is our Only goal. Survival.
There are no such things as a Krav Maga trophy, or tournament. The only Krav Maga competition is when you are attacked, and your victory is being able to get home and see your loved ones.
So, what is self-protection and what role does fighting play?
Let us look at our goal, is it to beat up the attacker and teach him a " good lesson", no. That is not our goal. Leave that to God or the police. Our goal is to get home safely, or get him out of our home. Therefore, whatever it takes to be safe, is what we need. Krav Maga skills are important, how to use them is more important, how to be able to access your skills, your tools, in times of stress is even more important. Being aware of the real danger is most important. Do not be fooled into a sense of complacency. Never repeat the deceitful mantra of "It won't happen to me", it can!
The martial arts part, the techniques, are essential but it is only a component, and if taken alone, it is usually a useless component, as violence comes as a surprise, is quick and brutal, and if you are not prepared mentally your skills will not come into play at all.
Body Position - We must focus on our body position when dealing with any threat. Body Position is the relation between where we are and where other people are, the angle, the distance, the height.
Avoidance - We most focus on avoiding confrontation, get out of the situation before it develops.
Boundaries - We must establish physical boundaries and never let anyone enter than boundary without our permission.
Awareness - We need to be aware of our surroundings at all times; people, routes of escape, physical limitations, cars, streets, ramps, anything that could affect our defense plan.
Scenario Training - We need to practice in real environments. We need to imagine real scenarios that can happen to use, in real places. We need to envision attacks in supermarkets, in parking lots, in our homes.
Conclusion - I am a Krav Maga instructor, I have trained and earned my ranks in many styles of martial arts, but knowing techniques is not enough, certainly being a good fighter is hardly enough and not even that relevant to your odds of survival. It is time to give up that myth created by the film industry and the commercial martial arts schools. At IKI we focus on real self-defense, for real people, in real situations. Now come to train. Tomorrow may be too late.
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.
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