Krav Maga & Filipino Martial Arts Compared
Krav Maga and Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) are both highly effective self-defense systems, each with its unique strengths and characteristics. Filipino Martial Arts are well-know for the use of weapons such as knife and stick but Krav Maga also integrates knife and stick defences from the beginner stages. Here's a comparison of the two:
Both systems are highly effective for self-defense:
- Krav Maga excels in modern urban self-defense scenarios, offering straightforward techniques designed for people of all strength, sizes gender, age to survive within the laws of New Zealand.
- Filipino Martial Arts excels at armed combat, and contains elements of competition and tradition.
Key Differences
Krav Maga
Filipino Martial Arts
Origin
- Krav Maga was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld a champion Boxer, Wrestler and Gymnast in response to street violence in Europe pre-World War II. Imi adapted his traditional sporting combat skills for practical application in street situations.
- While he spend many years in the military, and a version of Krav Maga is used in the military, the version of Krav Maga ordinary people learn is designed specifically for practical and effective self defence in real-world street situations.
- A key component of Krav Maga is scenario training to prepare trainees to react effectively in dynamic situations, including avoiding or escalate fighting where possible.
- Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), have a history deeply rooted in the culture and survival needs of the Filipino people. FMA is actually a collection of different systems (Arnis, Eskrima, or Kali,) which vary in approach and traditions.
- The origins of these martial arts can be traced back to pre-colonial times, influenced by indigenous fighting techniques, foreign interactions, and the need for self-defense.
- 1v1 competition is a common focus of FMA schools
- While Filipino Martial Arts can be used for self defence, many of the defensive techniques that rely on use of knifes or sticks which is illegal in NZ.
Learning Path & Focus
- Learning Krav Maga starts with open hand self defence techniques. But even beginner stages include integration of weapon defences such as vs knife threats and attacks.
- The focus is to neutralise the attacker's use of the weapon (e.g., incapacitate the attacker or disarm the attacker). A disarmed weapons is only used against attacker(s) in exceptional circumstances so not to cross the bounds of the law (such as a second attacker with a weapon). However, Krav Maga does incorporate use of "common objects" in defences such as for shielding or striking.
- Filipino Martial Arts training starts with weapons techniques and at higher levels incorporates open-hand techniques.
- Training is primarily 1v1 with some extensions to multiple attackers, Training incorporates many repetitive partner drills and sparing to develop muscle memory.
Approach to Weapons
- Krav Maga training starts with open hand self defence techniques. But even beginner stages include integration of weapon defences such as vs knife threats and attacks.
- The focus is to neutralise the attacker's use of the weapon (e.g., incapacitate the attacker or disarm the attacker). A disarmed weapons is only used against attacker(s) in exceptional circumstances so not to cross the bounds of the law (such as a second attacker with a weapon). However, Krav Maga does incorporate use of "common objects" in defences such as for shielding or striking.
- Filipino Martial Arts training starts with weapons techniques and at higher levels incorporates open-hand techniques.
- Training is primarily 1v1 and incorporates many repetitive partner drills and sparing to develop muscle memory.
Practicality for Self Defence
- Krav Maga is primarily focused on self defence with a comprehensive curriculum to prepare practitioners for realistic street scenarios.
- It is highly applicable to self defence as it is an integrated system of techniques and tactics to address modern self defence threats and attacks within the law.
- Techniques are relatively quick to learn and do not depend on strength or size so applicable for men and women of all sizes and ages.
- Krav Maga training includes comprehensive defences against common attacks such as grabs, chokes, holds, ground fighting, protecting others, and dealing with multiple attackers.
- Filipino Mari1al Arts are effective for self defence, and training offers competition and cultural elements.
- It should be noted that there is a high emphasis on using weapons which is problematic in countries such as New Zealand where it is illegal to carry or use knives or sticks for self defence purposes. This reduces the practicality of Filipino Martial Arts as a self defence system.
- Filipino Martial Arts are also less focused on unarmed self defence techniques (chokes, grabs, holds, etc), with these generally being taught at higher levels.