# Will krav maga help me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 29, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064 "2013-11-29T13:43:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Artemis\_Tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/1 "2013-11-29T13:43:15Z")
So I almost got robbed few nights ago. Thankfully someone showed up right on time and the guy let me go (he was grabbing my arm). I think I am in need of some self-defence techniques, so that if something like that happens I can at least don’t get beat up or lose my wallet. I was wondering if Krav Maga will be of any help to self protection? I don’t want to become superman, I don’t want to kill random people on the street (most of the time at least). I just need something to protect myself on a worst case scenario. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/2 "2013-11-29T14:30:04Z")
All martial arts systems are based on self-defense. Keep in mind, however, that you are not going to become an instant expert, and if someone tells you that you will, walk away quickly. You’re looking at years of training to become skilled. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/3 "2013-11-29T14:39:33Z")
> [@demian\_travis](#): > > I just need something to protect myself on a worst case scenario. But it won’t. Martial arts will protect you in a medium-case scenario: unarmed person with no martial arts skills of his own tries to hurt you or take your stuff. Krav maga can help you there, probably. A worst-case scenario is: _armed_ person tries to hurt you or take your stuff, you try to krav maga him, he shoots you in the head. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/4 "2013-11-29T14:39:58Z")
> [@demian\_travis](#): > > So I almost got robbed few nights ago. Thankfully someone showed up right on time and the guy let me go (he was grabbing my arm). I think I am in need of some self-defence techniques, so that if something like that happens I can at least don’t get beat up or lose my wallet. > I was wondering if Krav Maga will be of any help to self protection? I don’t want to become superman, I don’t want to kill random people on the street (most of the time at least). I just need something to protect myself on a worst case scenario. There are a few KM proponents on the boards who I’m sure will be along shortly to sing it’s praises. The real answer you are looking for is this, no martial art will help you in any significant way unless you are willing to put in long hours learning it and long hours staying fit/proficient. A self defense course at the Y would be more useful. In the end it comes down to fighting back (if that’s your decision-there’s a line of thinking that you should not fight back at all). Knowing where to strike (groin, throat, eyes, etc) and the the conviction to follow through is about the best the average man-on-the-street can hope for. Unless you are in some sort of high-risk location/job, committing to mastering a complicated martial art is over-kill. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/5 "2013-11-29T15:58:12Z")
Try Aikido, instead. > **[Aikido](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aikido)** > > Aikido (Shinjitai: 合気道, Kyūjitai: 合氣道, aikidō, .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}Japanese pronunciation: \[aikiꜜdoː\]) is a modern Japanese martial art which is split into many different styles including Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai, and Ki Aikido. Aikido is now practiced i... > [@](#): > > Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical strength, as the aikidōka (aikido practitioner) “leads” the attacker’s momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks.[5] ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/6 "2013-11-29T17:00:13Z")
Everyone that takes a martial art will tell you it THE martial art for self defense. You can learn enough to get away from a not too tough bad guy that just wants to grab something and run in a few weeks if you are willing to do what is needed. This involves screaming like a crazy person at the top of your lungs, jabbing them with your keys, kicking them in the shins, etc. The quick grabbers want an easy target and you can learn how not to be one if you just focus on these skills. You probably don’t want to spend years learning an “art” or you probably already would have. If there is a deadly weapon about to be used on you, give them your stuff. I expect many here will tell you to get a gun, but those take a lot of practice as well and the results of your defending yourself can be fairly serious. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/7 "2013-11-29T17:03:36Z")
A fit friend of mine with a black belt in karate told me they would always try to run if you can, as you don’t know if the criminal has a weapon or nearby accomplices. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/8 "2013-11-29T17:29:15Z")
Another vote for “if they have any kind of weapon, or look like they might have friends nearby, give 'em your stuff and try not to make eye contact (eye contact can be perceived as a threatening thing)”. However there’s always a chance that someone is out to beat someone up regardless of what you do to try and take the passive approach. In my opinion, martial arts like Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Hapkido and Judo are more practical self-defense styles for a beginner compared to, say Tae Kwon Do or Shorin Ryu. But the biggest benefit to you might simply be a greater feeling of confidence and peace of mind. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/9 "2013-11-29T18:11:35Z")
Have 2 wallets - one with more or less crap and a couple of bucks, the other real wallet with everything else. Hide the real one well, hand over the fake one. mrAru does this when we go out in crowds - he actually had his wallet lifted once in Bremmerhaven - they got a dead ATM card from a bank he no longer had an account with, a membership card to a book store [Barnes and Nobles I think] an old drivers license that expired, and one of those fake credit cards they send out to lure you into applying for it and a couple german marks a british pound note, and $10US. It might have also had a couple kroner and a few francs. ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/10 "2013-11-29T18:41:47Z")
**Moderator Action** This is more of an advice/opinion thing than a factual question. Moving thread from General Questions to In My Humble Opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Artemis\_Tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/11 "2013-11-29T20:44:51Z")
I am really looking for a confidence boost. iI can’t own a weapon here in brazil - legally. I look like an easy target - skinny white guy. I think I will have a trial lesson and see where it goes. Hopefully I wont actually NEED it… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/12 "2013-11-29T20:54:20Z")
Not a MA adept but from what I’ve heard here and elsewhere none of that’s going to help you unless you are willing to commit to engaging your attacker up close and personal with a fair chance of getting injured. Being a MA is not like having a gun or tazer in your hand. If you’re going to dish out strikes and blows you have to commit to taking them. Are you physically and emotionally prepared to take solid beating while you are dishing out resistance? If not MA may not be the best solution for you vs a weapon or more situational awareness. ---
**Author:** ![Artemis\_Tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/13 "2013-12-03T22:53:19Z")
Had my first lesson today. I am no athlete at all, but I have found a really good instructor. I think that this might actually work… I know I won’t become superman, but this will give me a much needed confidence boost. And this is a great workout! ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/14 "2013-12-03T23:02:30Z")
Muggers and robbers are bullies. They hate a fight. Yes, some people will hurt you or kill you for your 3 reals, but thankfully they’re the minority. Exploding with rage, power, kicks and blows is unexpected, and sends most bad guys running. No one can guarantee your safety, even if you comply. Good for you for doing what it takes to defend yourself. As for weapons…you don’t need a gun or big knife to be armed. There are many solutions to that issue that don’t require a gun or knife. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/15 "2013-12-03T23:04:56Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > But it won’t. Martial arts will protect you in a medium-case scenario: unarmed person with no martial arts skills of his own tries to hurt you or take your stuff. Krav maga can help you there, probably. > > A worst-case scenario is: _armed_ person tries to hurt you or take your stuff, you try to krav maga him, he shoots you in the head. [Or you krav maga the gun out of his hand!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1y7VZ9BQxY) ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/16 "2013-12-03T23:17:17Z")
Since Krav Maga was invented by a Jewish martial artist specifically to disable anti-Semitic Nazi thugs in a street fight, it was literally made for the kind of situation you faced (being attacked on the street). I’m sorry that this happened to you, but thank goodness you made it out of the situation unscathed. I think it’s great that you’re taking a class. Sometimes, just projecting an air of confidence can stop people from trying to mess with you. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-krav-maga-help-me/675064/17 "2013-12-03T23:28:03Z")
Krav maga is as good as any other, and better than most. It depends on the instructor, the school, and how much you are willing to commit to training. Regards, Shodan