So You Have Signed Up for Your 1st Krav Maga Test. 9 Tips

Testing is not a mandatory part of our self defense program.  Some students, however, want a more tangible way to gauge their progress, enjoy testing, or want to become instructors.

Whatever the reason(s), testing is a rigorous process that requires careful preparation, attention to detail, and a commitment to improving.  Testing is not easy but it will help you better understand how far you have come and what you need to work on.

Here are 9 tips for testing:

1. Know the curriculum:  If the instructor tells you to perform an upward vertical elbow and you only offer her a blank stare you are in trouble!  
2. Understand terminology: 200% defense, inside defense, outside defense, 360, deflect, block, rotation, recoil, pluck, step, skip, slide..................If you don't know....ask...before the test.
3. Techniques Must Be Performed as If They Would Work in Real Life:  If you deflect a punch then strike with the speed and power that would barely alter the route of a passing butterfly then time to step it up.  Be safe but be aggressive.   
4. Scan:  Look around for secondary dangers.  Not doing so during the test can lead to failure.  Failing to do so in real life can prevent you from seeing the incoming fist, knife, grab, streetcar.....
5. Recoil:  When you strike bring your, hand, elbow, knee, foot, back as soon as possible.  You might need to strike again, protect yourself, or leave. Only hold the strike if you are posing for Black Belt Magazine.
6. Rotate:  Rent The Wizard Of Oz and watch the Tin Man before he gets oiled up.  Don't be like that.  When you strike rotate your shoulders, hips....   Be more like the Scarecrow - loose but with more control.  (Yes, we can link Krav Maga to everything). 
7. Focus:  One technique, one exercise, at a time.  Focus on performing each as well as you can.  Don't think about what is coming or what has been.  (That's what Yoda would say).
8. Understand "Why":  If the instructor asks why you performed a hammer fist rather than a straight punch don't answer "Cuz my instructor said so".  You need to know why.   Logic is your friend.  
9. Prevent:  Instructors want to see good habits.  If your partner approaches you from 5 or so feet away with intent to grab, choke, hug, stab etc... prevent - from this distance with a kick or running.  Only when the instructor specifies will you allow contact. 

Place your testing in the context of your development.  Pass or fail you are taking a step closer to becoming a better Krav Maga student and more capable of defending yourself. 

P.s. There are 7 elbow strikes!

Stay Safe,


Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation, Toronto
torontokrav@rogers.com
416-657-1028

Ikmftoronto.com

Avoidance is the Best Self Defense: 5 Tips to Stay Safe

One of the points we emphasize at our self-defense school is our hope that you never have to use the skills and knowledge you develop through Krav Maga training.  Avoidance, we stress, is the best self defense.

Too many things can go wrong.  Yes, a person proficient in Krav Maga, an experienced fighter, or a skilled martial artist, has a better chance of surviving an assault.  The operative, word, however, is "chance".

An assailant swinging a broken bottle might catch an "expert" off guard.  Fighting two or more attackers looks great in the movies but is extremely dangerous, even for the world's best.  In real life, don't count on attackers to engage in sequence (e.g alphabetically by last name, gang seniority, date of birth....) but rather expect them to come at the same time.  Have you met someone who can deflect/block three punches and kicks at the same time?

Yes, there are times, when we have to defend ourselves but if you can avoid engaging please do so.

Here are 5 points to consider.

1. Avoid Dangerous Areas: Night time shortcuts through parks, alleys....  Clubs with a reputation for violence.  Places where groups or gangs "hang"...  
2. Walk Away:  Some people will try to entice you into a fight.  They might verbally insult you or the people you are with, "flip you the bird"....   Don't be lured in.
3. Right vs Fight:  You might be appalled that a biker threw a beer bottle into the ditch. Yes, morality is on your side but do you want to chase down Vic the Viper and chastise him for his ecological carelessness?  Mail an anonymous copy of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring to the clubhouse instead. 
4. Anger Leads to the Dark Side:  Worse, anger can lead to the back of police cruiser, the courthouse, the afterlife....  Road rage, verbal assaults...... avoid them.   
5. Don't Be Afraid to Run/Escape:  If you can flee the scene please do so. I, personally, have no problem running from two bored teenagers who wants to challenge a self-defense instructor.  I just hope they are not on the track and field team. 

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Avoidance is a great form of prevention.  Don't put yourself in danger.  Get home safe.


Stay Safe,


Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation
torontokrav@rogers.com
416-657-1028

Ikmftoronto.com

Self-Defense and Self Doubt: 4 Ways to Ease Your Anxieties

New students often come to a self-defense class with many self doubts.

• I am not strong enough.
• I don't have experience.
• I am not athletic.
• I don't want to hold students back.
• I don't want to embarrass myself.

These doubts are natural.  After all, you are wandering into unfamiliar territory and into a subject - violence - that is  inherently disturbing.  Know that you are not alone.  Many students express these concerns.  

So what do we do?  Here are some suggestions.

• Be open with your instructor(s) about your feelings.  A quality instructor will listen, answer your questions and address your concerns.  
• Accept Where You Are: We are not all at the same place in terms of aptitude, experience, fitness, confidence...  Develop a sense of where you are, where you want to be, and work with your instructor and the other students to get there. 
• Be Patient:  There is a lot to learn.  Don't get discouraged if everything doesn't come naturally.  Work hard, ask questions, and be patient - especially with yourself.  
• Acknowledge Your Strengths:  You might be strong, fast, smart, tenacious, clever, agile, a hard worker...  Develop the strengths you have and work on the areas that need more work. 

Self doubt enters the mind of every student, and yes, every instructor, at some point.  Acknowledge these doubts and ask for help.


Stay Safe,


Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation
torontokrav@rogers.com
416-657-1028

Ikmftoronto.com

Women's Self-Defense Workshop Dec. 2nd

Women's Self-Defense Workshop: Practical Skills



Wuxing Martial Arts, 374 Dupont St. 2nd Floor
Sunday Dec. 2nd, 12-2pm(followed by a 30 minute Question and Answer session).
$50/person($40 if your register by November 26th)

Group rates(bring friends, co-workers.......):

4-10 participants: ($35/person)
10+ participants:  (30/person)
20+ participants ($20/person)


Topics include:

• avoiding and preventing
• using your voice
• escaping grabs
• striking for self defense
• using common objects for self defense

"I was nervous about taking the women's self-defense course at first, but Christopher put me to ease with his friendly nature and encouragement. Through his classes, I learned a lot in a short amount of time."
Erika Bachman, Tutor, Tutor Doctor

For more information contact:

Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor, International Krav Maga Federation
torontokrav@rogers.com
416-657-1028

Ikmftoronto.com

Self Defense for Beginners: 7 Tips for Finding the Right School for You.

 

Your first self-defense class can be daunting. Are you fit enough?  Do you have the athleticism or coordination to perform?  Are you walking into a testosterone-filled fight club where each member has seen the movie 300 at least 10 times and secretly(or not) wish they were Spartan warriors?   

All in all, you don’t know what to expect.  Here are 7 ways to ease into your self-defense training. 

1.   Ask Questions.  Don’t forget we are here to serve you.  Ask questions to better understand what is being offered. 

2.   Try some free classes.  A phone conversation or email exchange can be informative but the best way to understand is to try a class/some classes

3.   Talk to other students.  Students are quite receptive to talking about their experience. 

4.   Ask for testimonials.  Are students raving about the classes?  If so, why?

5.   Be honest.  A decent instructor will address your questions and concerns.  Be honest about your needs.

6.   Don't Buy the hard sell.  The school should be addressing your needs rather than bombarding you with price lists, deals, and extravagant promises.  Take your time and make an informed choice.  In fact, don’t even bring your debit or credit cards to the first meeting. 

7.   Shop Around.  Try various schools to get a sense of the different offerings and pick the best one for you. 

Don’t rush into anything. Be clear about your needs and goals and what the school offers.  Make an informed choice. 
 


Stay Safe,

Christopher Gagne
Lead Instructor and Owner
International Krav Maga Federation(IKMF), Toronto
416-657-1028

Ikmftoronto.com