Krav Maga vs Filipino Martial Arts: what’s the difference in approach?

Intro

Krav Maga and Filipino Martial Arts are both respected systems with practical roots, but they are built around different training priorities. Understanding those differences can help people choose an approach that fits what they’re looking for.

Filipino Martial Arts is a broad term that includes systems such as Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis. These systems are known for their emphasis on weapons training, coordination, and adaptability. Training often involves sticks, blades, and empty-hand techniques, with a strong focus on timing, flow, and technical skill.

Many people are drawn to Filipino Martial Arts because of their depth, cultural heritage, and emphasis on developing coordination and precision. Training can involve learning structured drills as well as exploring how techniques translate across different tools and situations.

Krav Maga takes a different approach. It is designed specifically as a self-defence system, with training focused on dealing with common real-world threats. Rather than specialising in particular weapons or traditional drills, Krav Maga emphasises awareness, decision-making, and simple responses under stress.

Training in Krav Maga is structured around personal safety rather than technical mastery or tradition. Techniques are chosen for their practicality and are taught in a way that prioritises clarity, adaptability, and ease of recall in high-pressure situations.

Another difference lies in how progress is experienced. Filipino Martial Arts often suit people who enjoy developing fine motor skills, coordination, and exploring a system in depth over time. Krav Maga often suits people who are looking for a more direct self-defence focus, without the need to study a wide range of traditional material.

Some people train in both and find value in each for different reasons. Others prefer one approach depending on whether their priority is technical development, cultural practice, or practical self-defence.

Neither system is inherently better than the other. They are designed for different purposes and suit different types of learners. Understanding what each approach emphasises can make it easier to choose the training style that feels most appropriate.

Different training approaches suit different people. Taking the time to understand those differences helps ensure that the choice is based on personal goals rather than assumptions.

For those exploring self-defence training in Auckland, understanding these differences can help narrow down which approach feels most appropriate.

Comparison of the Origins and Philosophy of Krav Maga & Filipino Martial Arts

Overview of Krav Maga

Krav Maga, which means "contact combat" in Hebrew, was developed in the 1930s and 1940s by Imi Lichtenfeld, a Hungarian-Israeli martial artist. It was originally created for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to provide soldiers with a practical and efficient system for hand-to-hand combat. Over time, Krav Maga evolved into a civilian self-defense system, emphasizing real-world applicability and survival in life-threatening situations (we teach civilian self defence at Krav Maga Global).

The philosophy is rooted in simplicity, adaptability, and aggression. It is not a traditional martial art but rather a modern combat system designed to neutralize threats as quickly as possible. Its techniques are derived from a combination of boxing, wrestling, judo, and street-fighting principles.

Overview of Filipino Martial Arts

Filipino Martial Arts, also known as Kali, Eskrima, or Arnis, were developed by the indigenous peoples of the Philippines as a means of self-defence and warfare. FMA was heavily influenced by the country's history of colonisation, trade, and cultural exchange, incorporating elements from Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, and Spanish martial traditions.

FMA is unique in its emphasis on weapon-based training, particularly with sticks, knives, and bladed weapons. However, it also includes empty-hand techniques, grappling, and striking. The philosophy of FMA revolves around adaptability, fluidity, and the concept of "flow," where practitioners learn to transition seamlessly between weapons and empty-hand combat.

	Krav Maga Self Defence	Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)
Origins	Krav Maga: is a relatively modern system developed for military and civilian self-defence, with roots in 20th-century Israel.	FMA: has a centuries-old history deeply intertwined with Filipino culture, tradition, and resistance against colonial powers.
Focus	Krav Maga: Primarily focuses on empty-hand techniques, with an emphasis on defending against common street attacks such as punches, grabs, chokes. Defences against weapon threats and attacks with knife, stick, gun or improvised weapons are integrated into the system along with use common objects or weapons for defence. However use of weapons is highly dependent on the situation so not to go beyond the law.	FMA: Places a strong emphasis on weapon-based training, particularly with sticks and knives as the primary defensive option. Practitioners also learn to use empty-hand techniques which are often derived from weapon movements. Practitioners learn to transition between armed and unarmed combat seamlessly.
Philosophy & Mindset	Krav Maga: Emphasises a no-nonsense, survival-oriented mindset. The goal is to end a confrontation as quickly as possible, often using preemptive strikes or overwhelming force. techniques are based on "natural body responses" so are fast to execute and relatively quick to learn. Training includes exercises to manage stress and react appropriately to threats and attacks, but there are no spiritual components. Training does not include any traditional or cultural elements.	FMA: While also practical, FMA incorporates a deeper philosophical and cultural aspect, emphasising respect, discipline, and the preservation of tradition. The concept of "flow" extends beyond physical techniques to include mental and spiritual harmony. Positioning and movement are emphasised to avoid attacks and create openings for counters.
Attire & Safety Gear	Krav Maga Global practitioners wear tee-shirts, shorts or cotton trousers, and shoes. Protective gear will depend on the drill but can include: groin protection, shin pads, boxing or MMA gloves, gum shield. Training does not include competition, full contact sparing is limited to higher levels, so the requirements for safety gear are lower than FMA.	FMA: Attire depends on the school. For everyday training, FMA practitioners typically wear tee-shirt, tank-top or long-sleeve shirts, shorts and light shoes or bare feet. Some schools may incorporate traditional Filipino clothing into their training attire. When training with weapons, practitioners may wear additional gear, including: padded gloves, forearm guards, headgear. Full-body protective gear, including chest protectors and shin guards, may be worn during intense sparring sessions.
Techniques & Movements	Krav Maga: Techniques are based on straightforward , linear motion, and designed for maximum efficiency. Forms and patterns are not part of training. While there is muscle memory developed from repetition, drills are dynamic emphasising adaptability.	FMA: Techniques are designed to be efficient and direct, minimising unnecessary movement. The use of patterns and forms (such as siniwali or hubad) is common to develop muscle memory and coordination.
Efficiency	Krav Maga: Defensive techniques target vulnerable points on the attacker primarily with hand or leg strikes. targets include the eyes, throat , groin and joints to maximise effectiveness. Therefore the effectiveness of Krav Maga does not depend on strength or size.	FMA: Due to the emphasis on weapons, the stick or knife strike makes the impact on the attacker.
Training Style	Krav Maga: Training is very dynamic with a wide range of drills incorporating different self defence scenarios. Drills are designed to develop appropriate defensive responses along with improving fitness and mental resilience Training may incorporate some "sparing" at higher levels as a training drill, but the focus is much more on dynamic scenarios with different types of attacks, multiple attackers and armed and unarmed attackers.	FMA: Training includes repetitive drills, partner exercises, and 1-v-1 sparring with sticks, knives, or empty hands. Training can also include 1-on-1 weapon based tournaments to "test" your skill vs opponents.
Self Defence Techniques	Krav Maga: Self defence technique prepare the practitioner for any self defence situation. This includes: grabs, chokes, headlocks, strikes, fighting on the ground and pretty much anything you can think of. Self defence techniques also include: protection of others, defending against multiple attackers and techniques and tactics to deescalate and avoid trouble before it gets physical	FMA: Practitioners often begin training with weapons before transitioning to empty-hand techniques. Empty-handed techniques include defenses against grabs, chokes, headlocks, etc, using leverage, body mechanics, and strikes to vulnerable areas
Weapons Training	Krav Maga: Weapon training is integrated in the system but primarily defensive, focusing on disarming opponents or using improvised weapons in emergencies. In the beginner levels Practitioners learn to defend against common knife threats or attacks, and use common objects for defence. Other weapons such as sticks, improvised weapons and guns are introduced at higher levels.	FMA: Weapon training is central to the art, with a wide range of techniques for using sticks, knives, and other bladed weapons. Weapons training can include light or full contact sparing with protective gear

Summary

Both are highly effective systems with unique strengths.

Krav Maga excels in modern self-defense scenarios, offering straightforward techniques designed for survival.
Filipino Martial Arts provides a rich cultural experience and a comprehensive approach to armed and unarmed combat with elements of competition.

Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your personal goals, interests, and training preferences. Regardless of which path you choose, both arts offer valuable skills and insights for self-defense and personal development.