Krav Maga is a modern, hybrid self-defense and military hand-to-hand combat system that originated in Israel. It was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld (also known as Imi Sde-Or) in the 1940s to provide the Jewish community with a means to protect themselves against fascist groups in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. After immigrating to Israel, Lichtenfeld began teaching his fighting system to what would become the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Krav Maga combines techniques sourced from a variety of martial arts and combat sports, such as boxing, wrestling, judo, and aikido, among others. Its philosophy emphasizes threat neutralization, simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers, and aggression.
The system is designed to be practical and intuitive for people of any age, shape, or size. The techniques are meant to be learned quickly and applied under stressful conditions. Krav Maga is not just a physical training regimen; it also
emphasizes situational awareness to identify threats before they escalate.
