Welcome to our section on Krav Maga, the official hand-to-hand fighting system of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
Table of Contents
Introduction
Krav Maga (Hebrew ’ קרב מגע ‘ meaning ’contact combat’) is a hand-to-hand combat system developed in Israel. It is the brainchild of Hungarian-born Israeli martial artist Imi Lichtenfeld (see history below). Lichtenfield used his boxing/wrestling skills to defend Jews in Bratislava against fascist groups before WWII. He later developed Krav Maga through his experiences in street fighting. Although primarily developed for military applications it has since been adapted for self-defence purposes for the public. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-world situations and its extreme efficiency.
Krav Maga has been adapted for both Military and Civilian usage.
The system has been adopted by various Israeli Security Forces and is now used by military and law enforcement personnel, as well as civilians, around the world.
Israel. Home to the deadly fighting art of Krav Maga.
Popularity
Krav Maga’s surge in popularity has had much to do with its use and feature in tv and in the movies.
Fight scenes in the film industry have come a long way. The 80s and 90s was the era of the ‘untouchable martial artist’. The silver scene fight scenes were dominated with the spinning high kicks of Taekwondo; Karate chops of the earlier Bond movies; and Steven Seagal would effortlessly wipe the floor with an entire gang of Mafia enforcers in barroom brawls. Easily incapacitating them with his Aikido throws.
Realistic Combat in Film: The Shift to Practical Martial Arts
The Jason Bourne franchise revolutionized Hollywood action, setting a new standard for realistic, high-impact fight choreography. After Bourne’s gritty, no-frills combat sequences, traditional martial arts in films—once dominated by Kung Fu and Karate—began to feel outdated and overly choreographed. Producers took notice, shifting towards modern, practical martial arts with military and street-level applications. Enter Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Kali, Escrima, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and, of course, Krav Maga.
Bringing Real-World Fighting Styles to the Big Screen
Krav Maga excels in film because it can be adapted to different styles of combat—whether portraying military precision or raw, desperate survival. In Casino Royale (2006), Daniel Craig’s James Bond showcases Krav Maga’s direct, bone-crushing techniques to establish a grittier, more grounded 007. Enough (2002) puts Jennifer Lopez through Krav Maga training, giving her character the tools for a believable self-defense arc. Liam Neeson’s ruthless efficiency in Taken (2008) is a prime example of Krav Maga’s brutal simplicity, while Collateral (2004) features Tom Cruise’s cold, calculated assassinations, executed with deadly speed and efficiency. The John Wick and Bourne franchises use Krav Maga’s close-quarters instinctive counters, blending them into their signature fast-paced, high-impact choreography.
Daniel Craig’s Bond delivers brutal, no-nonsense takedowns using real-world combat techniques in Casino Royale‘s intense fight scenes.
Some of the top films that feature Krav include:
John Wick
The Jason Bourne Movies
Enough
Casino Royale
Taken
Collateral
Krav Maga’s real-world effectiveness and no-nonsense brutality make it perfect for modern action cinema, delivering fight scenes that feel authentic, raw, and visceral—both on-screen and in real life.
All About
Click on the links below for an insights into this combat systems history, principles, influences and to see the benefits of training in Krav Maga.
Street Effectiveness
Krav Maga was designed for real-world combat, and its primary goal is to neutralise threats as quickly and brutally as possible. It focuses on striking vulnerable targets like the eyes, throat, and groin, as well as defending against weapons and multiple attackers. The no-rules mindset makes it one of the most efficient martial arts for self-defence. However, the lack of competitive sparring in many Krav Maga schools means practitioners may struggle against experienced fighters who are used to live combat scenarios. Additionally, while effective for street altercations, its aggressive, all-out approach can be legally problematic in situations where de-escalation is an option.
Pros:
✔ Designed specifically for self-defence and real combat
✔ Emphasises quick, brutal finishes and survival tactics
✔ Includes defence against weapons and multiple attackers
✔ Easy to learn with practical applications
Cons:
✘ Limited live sparring in many schools
✘ Lacks a strong competitive or sport-based training structure
✘ Can encourage over-reliance on lethal force when de-escalation is possible
✘ Effectiveness depends on training quality – some schools dilute techniques
Final Note
Training in Krav Maga can certainly be incredibly intense and challenging (nothing worth pursuing in life is easy!). However, there are many valuable benefits you’ll get from training in this fighting system (see ‘Benefits of Training’ section above for more on this).
As a self-defence system, Krav Maga is a highly relevant, especially in today’s world. It is effective in street fights because its training resembles (as closely as possible) real-life street encounters. Consequently, you’ll learn how to react when such a situation does occur. In training, you’ll learn how to defend yourself in many, many different situations. If (God forbid) you ever do find yourself in a street encounter, you’ll respond fast and appropriately. If one of your goals is be confidently defend yourself in street encounters situations, then Krav Maga is a suitable martial art for you.
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