Pinellas Krav Maga Adult Program
Originally Developed for the Israeli Military. Krav Maga is Now the Preferred System for U.S. Military and Law enforcement.
We are often asked to describe the Levels to our system with additional questions regarding belts & why it is structured in this way. The following is offered to help you better understand the principles of Krav Maga and each level as well as the importance of understanding and continuing to train in each curriculum.
Much of the information below can be found in Complete Krav Maga by Darren Levine and John Whitman, a great book that offers an overview of the basic and intermediate levels of the Krav Maga Worldwide curriculum.
"The essence of Krav Maga can be understood by defining some of these principles"
- Techniques should be movements based on natural instincts & body mechanics
- Techniques must address the immediate danger
- One defense must work against variety of attacks
- The system should be integrated so that movements learned in one area of the system (combatives) complement, rather than contradict, movements in another area (self protection).
- Techniques must be accessible to the average person, not just athletes or previously trained.
- Techniques must work from a position of disadvantage or poor state of readiness
- Training must include the stress/duress experienced in real attacks
The Krav Maga curriculum is designed specifically to be a comprehensive system that builds upon each previous level.
Level 1 is a basic KM Self Defense course that teaches people either with or without previous training or fighting, experience the basics of fight stance, movement, positioning, striking with power and accuracy as well as basic self defenses against chokes and introduces the student to headlocks and fighting from the ground.
Level 1 focuses on the pre-emptive strike (striking first with cause) and/or striking from a place of disadvantage (from a grab, hold or choke.) In Level 1 we want students to ‘understand the principle of Krav Maga – ideas such as explosive movements, instinct-based responses and simultaneous defense-and-counterattack.’
One of the most important things that a student must learn in this level is how to be aggressive in defending themselves. Aggressive execution of the combatives and self defense techniques is something that is focuses on throughout the system but must start in Level 1.
Level 2
Level 2 picks up where Level 1 left off, and places strong emphasis on the defense with counterattack regarding its strikes and defenses. First defending a punch or kick (from a ready or non-ready position) and then making their counterattack effective.
Level 2 also builds on groundfighting. Level 1 focuses on the defender on the ground kicking a standing attacker, Level 2 now puts both on the ground with one on top of the other. Level 2 also starts to stress the importance of understanding distance with either closing the gap or keeping space and why you might want to do one or the other and which counterattack helps to achieve that goal.
Level 3
Level 3 is actually where development of the system really begins and where it all comes together. ‘You must deal with the stress, be aggressive and execute techniques sharply and cleanly.’ In this level we start to look more closely at off-angle attacks as well as if we (the defender) is out of ‘position’ (example – hands down low) and how to best defend from there.
While Krav Maga is not a traditional martial art or a sport-fighting system there are aspects of these systems that are helpful in learning self defense and are good additions to a students knowledge base. Some traditional martial art combatives and sport-based fighting techniques are added here to increase the students abilities, flexibility and to learn how to defend some of these things if needed.
Advance Krav Maga - Level 4
Level 4 is considered ‘the first advanced class in our system. At this level, your training moves beyond basic fighting back skills and self defense – you now learn to defend against threats and attacks with weapons such as guns, sticks and are introduced to the principles of defenses against a knife. Students should also have solid, practical experience in fighting.’ Fighting. especially stand-up, becomes a significant factor in this level.
Krav Maga was designed with principles in mind more than technique. If I had a dime for every time someone asked me regarding their strikes ‘can I do this’ or ‘should I do that’ with the answer being – if it doesn’t violate the Krav Maga principles – then, YES, go ahead! No two people are the same, no two attackers are the same.
We cannot train by memorizing a defense – you must understand what works for you and for the situation for it to be effective. Now, of course there are ‘techniques’ in our curriculum but ‘when judging a defensive technique, we measure its effectiveness by how well it works if we are late (or from a position of disadvantage)’ and if it can be done by the average person. This is a more realistic way of looking at self defense techniques.
"Our levels are designed to teach students regardless of age, gender, martial art/fighting experience, even ability limited by injury."
Keep in mind, it was not originally created for the elite athlete but for EVERYONE – for you!! If you have an injury can you adjust the technique to make it work for you? Again, if it doesn’t go against the principles then – yes, absolutely! It must work for YOU and your abilities – otherwise, its no good to you on the street.
"You don’t have to be a great fighter to train in Krav Maga and learn self defense."
You do have to be willing to fight back if you have no other choice! The first three levels of Krav Maga are designed to teach you how to defend yourself against common street attacks with confidence utilizing instinctive comprehensive movements. If you want to learn realistic based self defense then we encourage you to train in Krav Maga and to continue to train to learn additional defenses against more complex situations and scenarios.
Krav Maga is the official hand-to-hand combat system of the Israeli Defense Forces. It’s also the preferred system for U.S. Military and law enforcement personnel. Krav Maga is not a traditional martial art. No katas. No rituals.Based on simple principles and instinctive movements, this reality-based system is designed to teach real self defense in the shortest possible time. Learn to defend against common chokes, grabs, and bearhugs, as well as weapons such as guns, knives, and sticks.
Just as important, Pinellas Krav Maga teaches people to function during the stress and shock of a sudden, violent encounter. Tested on the battlefield and in the streets, Krav Maga’s practical approach to self defense will make you safer and more secure.
Pinellas Krav Maga Program levels
All new students are encouraged to take this 90-minute introductory class one time within the first two weeks of training. This class will serve as an orientation to Krav Maga and provide you with the basic skills and knowledge to participate in KM Level 1.
This entry level class is designed for all new Krav Maga students. The goal of the class is to teach the basics of self defense and fighting.
Students will learn Krav Maga’s fighting stance and movement, various punches, kicks from standing position as well as from on the ground, elbows and knees, and how to defend against punches, chokes, headlocks and wrist grabs. Students who train an average of two to three times per week should expect to complete the curriculum in four months before testing into KM Level 2.
Upon completing KM Level 1, students will participate in a Yellow Belt workshop and test into KM Level 2.
In this intermediate level class, students will continue to review and hone the skills learned in KM Level 1, as well as learn additional punches and kicks, punch defenses with counterattacks, kick defenses, and defenses against various chokes, headlocks, and bearhugs.
Students who train an average of two to three times per week should expect to complete the curriculum for this level in six months before testing into KM Level 3.
Upon completion of KM Level 2, students will test into KM Level 3. In this intermediate class students will continue to train on strikes, defenses against strikes, and self defense.
More advanced techniques are taught that involve defending against weapons such as;
- knives
- guns
- sticks
" Joey stands for, Best Born Educator Alive! Not only has he opened my eyes to a world of fitness that I never thought I could do myself, he pushed me beyond the limits of my wildest dreams and changed my mind, body and focus forever. This man 'Titanium Trainer' I like to call him LOL, and his programs at Pinellas Krav Maga are not one in a million, its one in a billion baby! Thank you infinite times Joey =) Your still my number one trainer and always will be, no trainer I have ever worked with before you or after can come close!!! ~Ursula Manganaro New Paltz, Ny.
