Krav Maga for Beginners: A Step-by-step Guide to the World's Easiest-to-learn, Most-effective Fitness and Fighting Program [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

As I stated in the title of this review, both the title and contents of this book (for the most part) are pretty much accurate as far as this book being a, "step-by-step guide to Krav Maga for beginners." However, I do feel that the authors went a bit overboard with their subtitle, "the world's easiest-to-learn, most effective fitness and fighting program." That however is merely a minor annoyance compared to the amount of good and great information within its pages.

This book starts off with the obligatory front matter which consists of basic Krav Maga philosophy, principles, history, and so on, along with more unique and personal information such as; important considerations to consider concerning Krav Maga and dealing with a violent encounter. All subjects worthy of much larger sections, however, not in this book, which is designed to showcase basic skills for beginners.

The authors break this book down into four (4) sections as follows:

1. Krav Maga Basics
2. Combatives
3. Defenses
4. Ground Fighting

KRAV MAGA BASICS

Under this section, the authors go over a variety of warm-up and conditioning exercises, as well as various training positions. All of which are designed to get your ready for the next section, combatives.

COMBATIVES

Under this section, the authors go over a variety of skills and principles such as; the various fighting ranges, vulnerable areas, etc. As well as the proper mechanics of executing a variety of punches, elbow strikes, kicks, knees, and even a headbutt. Now I do have to say that this section, in any other book, would have been to brief for my liking. However, the authors have already qualified the briefness of the material presented in this book by emphatically stating that this book is a, "guide for beginners." And therefore, should be treated as such.

DEFENSES

Now rather than go into all of the different defenses shown in this section, I am instead going to talk about the way each of the defenses was presented. Which by the way, I thought was done very well.

Each defense is laid out in the following way:

Attack: This is where the author describes the type of attack coming at you.

Immediate Danger: Here the author emphasizes the attacker's intent with his attack.

Secondary Dangers: This is the results of the attack if it is successful.

Solution: Here the authors present a possible defense.

Initial Counterattack: Like the title says, this could be your first responding counter.

Neutralizing the Attacker: Additional counters that should be made after the first one.

Key Points: Important things to consider in the scenario given.

Commonly Asked Questions: Enough said!

GROUND FIGHTING

In this section, the authors go over a variety of common ground fighting tactics that are fairly easy for the beginner to grasp and eventually become proficient enough in to actually utilize them if the situation warrants.

Even though I am not a beginner when it comes to self-defense and combat, I really enjoyed this book and found it to be very useful and would strongly recommend it to anyone interested in not only Krav Maga, but any legitimate self-defense program.

Here are a few other books on the subject that I would also highly recommend:

Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 200 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques

Krav Maga: An Essential Guide to the Renowned Method--for Fitness and Self-Defense

Advanced Krav Maga: The Next Level of Fitness and Self-Defense

Krav Maga: How to Defend Yourself Against Armed Assault

Surviving Armed Assaults: A Martial Artists Guide to Weapons, Street Violence, and Countervailing Force

Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence

Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Creator of numerous books and DVD's.

I first heard about Krav Maga six years ago when I was a cadet in the police academy. I was told by my defensive tactics instructors that this Israeli fighting system was the best choice for cops who wanted to be ready for anything. I immediately signed up. I can honestly state that Krav Maga has saved my butt on several occasions, allowing me to go home safely to my family.

Now I'm a Krav Maga instructor, teaching my fellow officers how to survive violent encounters. I also teach this premier fighting program to men, women and children. Krav Maga For Beginners is the perfect way for newcomers to learn what this very effective system is all about. This book aptly explains what Krav Maga is, and, as importantly, what it isn't (for example, there are no intricate patterned forms in Krav Maga - instead, it's all about "simple, aggressive movements that get right to the point of self-defense").

I have had the privilege of training with two of the book's three co-authors, Darren Levine and Ryan Hoover. Darren Levine holds a special place in my heart as a cop, as he is a senior member of the Crimes Against Peace Officers section of the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. He is a Deputy District Attorney who prosecutes offenders who murder or harm police officers. He is also the lead Krav Maga instructor in the U.S., having trained directly under Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder of Krav Maga.

Ryan Hoover is an amazing teacher who has trained me and many others to focus on the importance of a reality-based self-defense system. Ryan is a master instructor whose passion for helping people to be safe and healthy radiates in everything he does. He has mastered many martial arts, holding several different black belt rankings. Ryan's greatest achievement, however, is how important he is in his community. While training at his facility, I watched the children and adults who have made themselves physically and emotionally stronger due to Ryan's skill and dedication. My goal is to someday be as valuable to my community as Ryan Hoover is to the people he serves.

I have not met John Whitman yet, but from all I've heard, he is a remarkable instructor - I won't miss the chance! Search Amazon.com to see the wide variety of books that Mr. Whitman has authored, too. He's a writer for the book series inspired by the show "24". His Krav Maga skills seem to have helped Jack Bauer out of many bad situations!

I highly recommend this book and this martial art. As a father of two daughters, as a police detective and as a guy who can see the age of 50 coming up real fast, I can tell you that the fitness that comes from training in Krav Maga is every bit as important as the self-defense aspects. I hope that many people will check out a class in the near future and see for themselves!

This book is ok if you are just starting out in Krav Maga. My problem is that it's not that much different from the Krav Maga Complete guide. Sure, they break down beginner techniques more, slapped in a warm up section, and changed the layout. With just a couple more dollars and you'll have the Complete guide which not only has the beginners techniques, but all the way up through brown belt. It won't have as many details, but it has more to offer in the end.