Everyone knows the benefits and advantages of traditional martial arts like Karate-do, Boxing, Muay Thai, Shaolin Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, Kalarippayattu, Taekwond, Judo, Aikido, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling etc. In a sports ring, any expert who has invested years of experience in such martial arts will be any day better than any novice.

However, a common criticism of some traditional martial arts is the lack of real-life applicability – will all those fancy moves hold up against thugs with weapons on the street in a crowded bus.

After a while, most people seem to realize that most Martial Arts in their traditional form are not realistic self-defence systems - and were never meant to be but a sport: involving rules to prevent illegal moves and foul play.

Indeed there are some similarities between Krav-Maga and martial arts. However, Krav-Maga was developed in an environment where the Israeli military could not devote many hours to prolonged hand to hand combat training for their personnel.

Therefore, the Krav-Maga system was created with great importance placed on bringing students to a high level of skill in a relatively short period of time. There are no katas (forms) or rules in the system. Anything goes when you are fighting for your life!

Krav-Maga is more of a survival system dealing with personal safety issues in the context of defending against both armed and unarmed attackers. It is considered to be a modern, highly refined, street fighting system, designed to be utilized against muggings, street attacks, and sexual assaults.

Traditional Martial Arts Krav-Maga Formal, ritual oriented, and difficult to learn Fighting dirty and learning no-holds-barred moves in a realistic environment Expects the student to adapt to it Adapts to the student Teaches moves adapted from animals Students build on their natural human reflexes Competitive tournaments, katas, rituals, or choreographed routines Relies on “continuous motion" to complete the defence hence nothing is ritual or choreographed Brings students to a high level of skill in a long period like 10 to 20 years Brings students to a high level of skill in a relatively short period Ritual oriented routines based on old era of swords and arrows Incorporates modern realistic re-enactments so students learn how to operate under the stress As a sport, it has rules and illegal moves No Rules; use everything you have Does not adapt or learn from other martial arts Adapts and is a hybrid of mixed martial arts techniques like Boxing, Karate, Judo, JuJitsu, Muay Thai and other lesser known styles Most Martial Arts in their traditional form are not realistic Self Defence systems Students learn to function during the stress and shock of a sudden, violent encounter/ Thus, it is excellent for realistic Self Defence in an unpredictable environment like streets