Commando Krav Maga

Commando Krav Maga is a reality based self defense system founded by Moni Aizik, a former Israeli Elite Commando . Commando Krav Maga’s tactics and techniques are based on simplicity, practicality, innovation and effectiveness because any technique that requires complex motor skills will be extremely difficult to execute under stress.
History
History of the Israeli Fighting Systems
The history of Israeli Fighting systems dates back to 1920, with the implementation of the British Mandate. In this same year, the Jewish people formed an underground army known as the Haganah (Hebrew : "defense") to deal with the ongoing conflict against various terrorist gangs, and in anticipation of the creation of a Jewish state promised to them by the British in the Balfour Declaration. The Haganah was eventually succeeded by the Israeli Defense Forces on May 26th, 1948 after the establishment of the state of Israel.

The Arab countries, with their tens of millions of population, rejected the notion of a Jewish state and went to war against Israel. In response to these overwhelming odds, the Israelis developed systems of combat that had at their core a particular emphasis on mental toughness, versatility, innovation and practicality.

The formalities of traditional defense systems were abandoned, in favor of methodologies that valued rapid and instinctive learning. These philosophies helped Israel and its citizens to survive in the face of constant aggression and to form one of the most powerful and respected armies in the world, with the IDF being recognized by many as the “Modern Sparta".

Currently there are several forms of Israeli Fighting Systems in existence, each with the common thread of survival and reality based techniques as their main emphasis. The Israeli Fighting Systems include Krav Maga Commando Krav Maga, Kapap Lotar and Hisardut .

Moni Aizik
Moni Aizik is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Commando Krav Maga as well as its affiliated components: Combat Survival, Elite Combat Fitness, Women’s CKM and CKM for Children.

Moni started martial arts training in Judoand Jiu Jitsu at the age of 8 under Opa Schutte and dominated Israel’s competitive scene winning national titles 7 times. Deciding not to try for an Olympic birth in his late teens, he opted to shift his energy to serving his country by joining the Israeli military. Moni served with one of the most elite military units within the IDF, responsible for counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering behind enemy lines.

In the 1970s, shortly after the Yom Kippur War, Moni was asked to improve upon the army's existing hand-to-hand combat system. With his extensive knowledge of martial arts and real-life battle experience, Moni developed a more effective combat program which is now known as Commando Krav Maga.

CKM System

Commando Krav Maga is not a traditional or sport-based martial art and focuses more on concepts and principles rather than complex techniques . There are no competitions, rules and regulations. Instead, CKM is a reality based system of self defense that takes a no nonsense approach to self protection.

In Commando Krav Maga, practicitioners are taught empty hand tactics as well as techniques for armed assailants and multiple attackers. There is no belt system in CKM and practitioners are ranked by levels with a total of 8 levels.

Concepts & Principles

Rather than punishing attackers, the main concept in CKM is to survive and get away when attacked . The techniques have been designed to be simple, vicious and lethal so that the threat can be neutralized as quickly as possible and the defender can disengage.

Another important concept in CKM is dealing with the unpredictable. CKM tactics examine different “what if” scenarios such “what if the knife drops during an attack”, “what if the attacker is a lot taller or a lot shorter”, “what if the attacker pulls the gun back during a disarm and is a lot stronger” and several other “what ifs”.

When forced to engage in a physical conflict, Commando Krav Maga tactics are based on principles of Guerrilla warfare - when the need arises, engage as quickly as possible and debilitate the threat through weakness areas, create as much damage as possible with maximum efficiency and immediately disengage once the threat is neutralized. The purpose is not to deliver long term punishment but rather to immobilize the immediate threat and escape with as little harm as possible.

In Commando Krav Maga, practitioners are taught to get up as quickly from the ground as possible if they are taken down. This is known as the 5-second rule in CKM . This principle emphasizes on getting up from the ground as quickly as possible if one is taken down. Even with superior grappling skills, there are too many unpredictable variables. The attacker may pull a knife or have friends close by. The ground may have sharp objects. Even though most fights end up on the ground, the intention is not to remain there but instead, immobilize the attacker and escape.

All the tactics and techniques in Commando Krav Maga are based on doing what it takes to survive any situation, even if it means gouging someone’s eyes, biting them or grabbing their groin.

Techniques

In the development of Commando Krav Maga techniques, much study was put into the biomechanics of the human body. Some components included the measure of reaction time and force-velocity relationships . Research was also performed on the effects of physical performance under stress. Through trial and error, many techniques were modified to be as effective as possible and eliminating moves that were too complex.

Most of the techniques in CKM system are universal and can be performed from almost any direction. One example is a gun disarming technique in CKM known as the quick release. The quick release can be performed whether the gun is pointed at your head, chest, back or sides of your body and it doesn’t matter if the attacker is holding the gun with his left hand, right hand or both hands. This is extremely important because most people can only perform simple functions under stress.

Because street fights are unpredictable, all the techniques were developed so that they would work for almost anyone irrespective of size or strength. Just because certain moves work for people that are 6’2” doesn’t mean they work for someone that is 5’9” . Instead, the moves may be slightly modified to maximize effectiveness. To simulate different realistic scenarios, students in CKM practice with both men and women, shorter or taller, weaker or stronger.

Techniques include empty hand combat, gun disarming, edged weapon defense, takedown and control techniques, improvised weapons, impact weapons, defense against vicious chokes or strikes, ground survival and defense against multiple attackers. Aside from the physical elements, students are also exposed to pre and post conflict techniques, focusing on the mental aspects of confrontations.

Training

During street attacks, adrenaline sets in causing the heart to pump large amounts of blood causing disorientation. That is why CKM emphasizes appropriate physical conditioning as part of the training regimen.

Commando Krav Maga students go through intensive combat conditioning drills before beginning the actual combat tactical training. By drilling with intensive exercises, practitioners are challenged to stay mentally alert and intensify their survival instincts.

The next component in CKM is the tactical training. During tactical training, students are exposed to common street attacks ranging from punches, kicks, chokes and holds, to weapons confrontations such as knife and gun attacks. While practicing the CKM techniques, CKM practitioners are also taught to understand the psychological and mental aspects of the attack. For example, during a gun disarming technique, students are trained to be submissive both verbally and physically so that the attacker feels in control. Once the attacker is off guard, the gun disarm is executed as quickly and precisely as possible. The technique is practiced over and over until it becomes instinctive, almost like a reflex.

In CKM, it is ideal to train with a variety of partners or a group of people ranging in strength and size. Students must be prepared for all types of attacker. When training in groups, CKM practitioners are expected to undergo pressure tests. The pressure tests are a crucial training component of Commando Krav Maga where the defender is attacked from all directions in a surprise attack format from non-cooperative attackers. Attackers can try to punch, kick, grab, choke, take down or use weapons from any direction against the defender.

Current Growth of CKM

Currently, there are over 260 certified Commando Krav Maga Instructors in 22 countries around the world.

Commando Krav Maga has gained worldwide media attention through well-known martial arts publications and mainstream television. In North America, CKM was recently featured on the History Channel’s Human Weapon, the Military Channel’s Weaponology series, Inside Martial Arts TV, Fox News and Celebrity Fit Club.

CKM was also featured on two National Talk Shows in France

Media Exposure
• Commando Krav Maga has been featured in the History Channel show Human Weapon, the Military Channel show Weaponology, and the Celebrity Fit Club Season 6.
• CKM was aired on the Fight Network as one of their regular programs .
• Featured on French talk show with Muriel Robin.
• Moni Aizik was featured on the covers of Black Belt Magazine, Inside Kung Fu, BUDO International and Martial Arts Illustrated

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