Martial Arts Book Review: Krav Maga by David Kahn

November 3rd, 2010
Shawn Kovacich asked:




Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it’s definitely worth owning. One such book is David Kahn’s, “Krav Maga.”

After a brief introduction, David gives you a good basic overview of Krav Maga including some of its history. From here he goes right into a section on philosophy, which is very good, and one in which I would have to agree with about 90% of what he has to say.

The next section in the book gives a good overview on the proper mindset needed in order for you to prepare yourself for combat. Something a lot of books fail to do, but not this one. David also gives you a basic understanding of the vital/vulnerable points on the human body.

David’s next section is rather brief to my liking, but still a good overview on the basic principles involved in striking correctly for maximum effect. This section covers such strikes as; punches, palm heel strikes, elbow strikes, and eye gouges. There is also a small section on blocks and parrying as it is called in boxing.

The following section covers various lower body strikes and kicks along with kick defenses, which include deflections, blocks and grabs. This next section was particularly interesting in that it discussed close combat fighting and techniques essential to this section. Such as; falling, crawling, clinching, takedowns, defenses against tackles, etc.

The escape section was very enlightening as David covered the basic principles of escape from basic grabs, chokes while standing, chokes while lying down, head locks, hair grabs, and bear hugs.

Like most books that try to cover too much in one volume, I feel that the sections themselves although very well done, tend to be too brief on the proper execution of each individual technique. However, having said that, this is to be expected as the scope of this book is intended as a basic overview of the complete system, not a single volume devoted to one particular technique.

The only fault that I have with this book is the fact that I would have preferred actual photographs for demonstrating the techniques, rather than illustrations. I felt that a lot of what David was trying to explain got lost with the use of illustrations compared to if he would have used actual photographs.

The book continues with a brief section on basic strategies, which I found to be very solid. It then finishes with a basic training section which covers stretching, training programs, a 12 week training routine, and sparring.

Overall, this is a very good basic overview on the art of Krav Maga, and one you definitely want to acquire, especially if you decide to join a Krav Maga class. And that is not a bad idea at all.

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Become a Free Fighter

May 14th, 2010
Jerry Garcia asked:




When learning techniques from your instructor, you can pretty much be sure that they were developed for self defense. Though they work perfectly in the studio, that’s not the case when it comes down to really using them in a real fight. You don’t know what the other person is going to do. How do you over come this? By training yourself to become independent from your techniques, what we in San Soo call a “Free Fighter”.

In Kung Fu San Soo I’ve learned thousands of different techniques for self defense, yet when involved in a real confrontation I never used a complete technique exactly the way I learned it. Don’t get me wrong you will still fight within the teachings of your art, the way you move and strike etc. It has been my experience that after you learn so many techniques you brain will naturally tend to mix, match them. And I think this is a normal reaction to whats being learned, a learned response or reaction to what is happening to you in training. So when involved in a real fight you will use bits and pieces of what you have in your arsenal of techniques. You have in your brain probably millions of combinations to use and they come out as you react to the situation. Not being restricted to using or having to think, if he does this I have to do that technique, causes your response to become automatic.

Again don’t get me wrong you still have to control where and how hard you strike. But that comes with training. So how do you become a free fighter? If your in an art like San Soo you practice and learn as many techniques as you can. Have your training partner come at you and throw everything thing he has or can think of at you and sharpen your reactions. See what you come up with, and when your actions become automatic reactions you will be a “Free Fighter.”

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Muay Thai Training Camps in Thailand

May 13th, 2010
Shin Chang asked:




Are you a Muay Thai aspirant? Want to master the Muay Thai techniques, and make it big in this fabulous game? Well, it is better you arrange for joining one of the various Muay Thai training camps in Thailand, as soon as possible.

Why Thailand?

You may ask – “Why Thailand?” Ofcourse it is a valid question. Muay Thai is now an international craze, with suitable training infrastructure in various countries. So what is so special about Thailand?

Because, the game has a special position in Thailand

Today Muay Thai might have spread its wings to various countries, with top class Muay Thai training camps in those countries.

However, the status of Muay Thai in Thailand is still very very special. For obvious reasons. This great martial art not only originated in this country, but also enjoys a widespread mass popularity there. It has been for long that Muay Thai has been enjoying a demi-god status in Thailand, with virtually every Thai being just crazy about it.

The depth of the Thai peoples’ passion about the game can be understood from two factors – the huge number of Muay Thai events in the country, and the level of popular craze that every such event enjoys.

Every successful Muay Thai fighter, whether from Thailand or other country, is revered like anything in the Thai society. As we all know that Muay Thai is now popular in several other countries, with the successful fighters enjoying high social status in those countries as well. However, in all probability, they are no match for the honor and respect enjoyed by Muay Thai fighters in Thailand.

A state-of-the-art training camp in another country can offer you all those facilities that a Muay Thai training camp in Thailand offer. But the factor that will give the latter an edge over the former is the ambience. The feeling that you are learning this great martial art in its land of origin itself is something that can charge you up like anything.

Moreover, the special status of the game and its players in the Thai society will also be a highly inspiring factor.

At every moment you will feel the depth of love and affection the Thai people have for this sport. This feeling will boost your own love and passion for Muay Thai to a great extent. That will make it easier for you to identify yourself with the game. The environment will teach you to eat, sleep and breathe Muay Thai. This will make success in training only a matter of time for you.

So get enrolled in one of the Muay Thai training camps in Thailand

So do not waste time anymore. Get yourself enrolled in one of the best Muay Thai training camps in Thailand. Start your dream training, and a dream life. Transform yourself into a new personality.

Will there be language problem in Thailand?

You might be wary of facing language and communication problem in Thailand, as you cannot speak Thai. Do not worry about it at all. On an average the Thai people are quite fluent in English. So you are least likely to have any sort of any language problem.

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Is Muay Thai Kickboxing a Good Street Fighting Martial Art?

May 4th, 2010
Damian Ross asked:




Muay Thai or Thai kick boxing has seen a surge in popularity in recent years thanks to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where many of the competitors employ this brutal and sometimes deadly art. In fact the Gracies were inspired to promote mixed martial arts matches after a trip to Thailand where they saw competitions similar to those in their native Brazil. Muay Thai has been the national sport of Thailand long before the UFC though, and steeped in ritual. The sport can also be found in other parts Southeast Asia and is known as Pradal Serey in Cambodia and in and Malaysia as Tomoi. What attracts many competitors to this martial arts form is its lighting attacks of hands and feet. Unlike Western style boxing, traditional or “old school” Thai boxing didn’t end until somebody got knocked out. It is a brutal and demanding combat sport.

In Thailand training begins at a young age with boys beginning training as soon as they are able to walk. Women are also involved with the sport and have their own tournaments. American Kathy “The Punisher” Long who is a regular contributor to Black Belt Magazine also competed in Muay Thai and is now training several male competitors as well as commentating for UFC. There are competitions and schools every where from California to Russia as the sport remains popular.

The sport which been around in one form or another for centuries and is steeped in tradition and rules. Buddhist rituals are part of traditional so in Thailand a fighter will take a trip to a shrine as well as meditate. The fight itself is preceded by a symbolic dance called wai khru which also acts as a form of warm up exercise. The headband and armbands worn by the fighters also have meaning. The headband is called “mongkhol” and is a blessed by a monk and is worn for good luck, but is taken off before the fight while the armbands remain because they offer protection to a fighter and won’t be taken off until the fight is done.

The fight itself is broken up into five three-minute rounds with two-minute breaks in between each round. Matches are decided by knockout like in the old days as well as a modern point system. Three judges decide who carries the round and the one who wins the most rounds, win the fight. There’s a referee in the ring with the fighters though and prevents injuries from occurring and stops fighters from grappling or doing anything else that violate the rules which only allow for striking.

Few see the weaknesses of Muay Thai because if is brutal moves using hands and feet as a fighter employs “Art of the Eight Limbs.” The sport form we now know today stems from Lerdrit which was taught to the Royal Thai Army. Forward movement, kicks, knees, locking, grappling and elbows are all major concepts in Lerdrit with the major difference being that one uses and open hand not a fist like Muay Thai. Though this method is combat tested it still has the difficulties like Muay Thai.

First one must remember this a sport which is limited in what someone can do and how they can move. In Thai Boxing opponents are always coming at you straight on with rules prohibiting many moves including wrestling on the ground. This can bring an end to a Muay Thai fighter’s deadly assault once they are taken down. Also there are no defenses to weapons. In a street fight there is much more to the fight then hit and get hit back. Judo may be a competitive sport in Japan and around the world, but only rules separate competitive Judo from what one might use for self defense in real world situations. In fact most UFC fighters find themselves having to study another art form in addition to Muay Thai so they survive matches with better trained fighters.

On the street a Muay Thai fighter isn’t ready for battle, a mistake made by a lot of sprot martial artists, since you’re not dealing in a fair fight. Full contact may make a person tough, and you most certainly can knock someone out with a good blow to the head. Muay Thai for the street is simply inefficient. There are a lot faster ways to dispatch someone. The lesson here is you can enjoy a sport like Muay Thai, but study a martial art that you can use outside the ring. Survival is pass fail and nobody cares about how well you score.

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Essential Muay Thai Boxing Equipment

May 3rd, 2010
Jo Northwood asked:




When you starting out in Muay Thai, there is other essential Thai boxing equipment that you need apart from Thai boxing shorts. Getting your own equipment should not be necessary as the gym should provide some gloves, shin guards and body protection. Although in my experience, one session of putting your hands and legs in cold, wet and smelly communal equipment will give you the push to get your own.

The first protective wear you should consider getting is thai boxing gloves as these will be the things you will use the most. There are many designs, colours and makes out there, so it is down to personal choice and how much money you wish to spend. The main makes of Muay Thai gloves are Twins, Kings, Raja and Windy.

You may need to purchase some hand wraps, as these will help support your wrist and hand when you begin to punch hard. If you are confused on how to put these on your hands, then there are lots of great videos on the Internet that will teach you. Somebody in your gym will be willing to show you too, so do not be shy to ask.

Shin guards will be the next piece of thai boxing equipment that you may wish to invest in as you will be using these quite a bit. Just like the gloves, these range in price and quality, so it just depends on your budget and needs. The main makes are Twins, Kings, Raja and Windy, these have different thicknesses and sizes. For sparring and general use I would advise to to get the thickest ones to begin with.

Last on your list to get is a gum shield. It is advisable that you order one of these quite quickly though as you will soon be holding pads for other people, so it is rather to be safe than knocked out. There are many options to choose from, but I would advise to spend some money on this as the more expensive ones are better quality.

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