Krav Maga Defensive Tactics for American Law Enforcement

Introduction
The Krav Maga Worldwide LLC/ Force Training Division is dedicated to the advancement of defensive tactics training for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Krav Maga, originally developed in Israel, is the official system of self-defense employed by the Israeli Defense Forces, the Israeli National and Military Police, as well as Israeli Special Operations and Security units. Cognizant of different use-of-force standards between Israel and the United States, important steps were taken by the Krav Maga Force Training Division to refine and adapt Krav Maga in order to develop an effective, comprehensive and appropriate defensive tactics system for the needs of American law enforcement. Keenly aware of use-of-force issues facing law enforcement, the Force Training Division gathered top authorities in the use-of-force field, including deputy district attorneys, police liability defense lawyers, police administrators, as well as top defensive tactics instructors to create an effective system for the street that is based upon sound legal principles.

Krav Maga emerged in an environment where extreme violence, mostly of a political nature, was common. It has had ample opportunity to be tested and improved under real-life conditions, proving itself to be an ideal means of defending one's self in the face of life threatening danger. No defensive tactics system in the world is more street and battle-tested than Krav Maga.

What Makes Krav Maga Different?

Krav Maga is not another police defensive tactics system based on traditional martial arts approaches. It is a modern, reality-based method of training characterized by coherent and logical thinking that builds up easy, natural and practical techniques featuring simple movements of the human body. Because the Krav Maga system is well integrated, common defensive principles apply to a variety of attack scenarios. Thus, the system can be learned in a relatively short period of instruction. The techniques are easy to retain and can be performed under stress.

Law Enforcement Applications

The Krav Maga system has received international recognition as an innovative and highly practical defensive tactics system ideally suited for law enforcement. According to law enforcement instructors who have undergone Krav Maga training, the most important and striking characteristics of the system are:

EFFICIENT TRAINING PERIOD. Officers attain a high level of proficiency in a relatively short period of instruction.

RETENTION OF TRAINING. Because the system is based upon common principles and natural/instinctive movements, officers retain Krav Maga techniques with minimal review and practice.

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES. The core emphasis of Krav Maga is on effectiveness and simplicity. This street system provides realistic defenses against a variety of aggressive attacks, whether the assailant is armed or unarmed.

PERFORMANCE UNDER STRESS. Training methods unique to the Krav Maga system provide reality-based training designed to improve the officer's emotional and physical response to danger. These training methods develop the ability to recognize danger at the earliest stages, react without hesitation, and escalate and de-escalate with the appropriate level(s) of force.

USE-OF-FORCE ISSUES. Krav Maga enables officers to deal with the most violent offenders they encounter, while remaining acutely aware of reasonable use-of-force and civil liability issues facing law enforcement.

These are all crucial factors that must be considered in the development of any defensive tactics program. Krav Maga is particularly relevant to modern-day law enforcement because most agencies cannot afford the luxury of prolonged training courses for their personnel. Krav Maga is quick, effective and both easily learned and retained.