CogTools - The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

I have been interested in seeking out formal training to learn fighting techniques, offensive (and possibly defensive) fight tactics, and how to deal with weapon employment and retention issues for some time.  Affordability has been the main reason I have abstained from undertaking training in the past.  As I researched the plethora of martial arts brands, I was immediately drawn to Krav Maga.  The term, Krav Maga means contact combat (basically hand-to-hand combat).  

Krav Maga is NOT a martial art, it is a fighting system.  This system was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld for the Israeli Defense Forces as the fighting technique for use among military personnel.  His techniques and training were later adapted for civilian use and comprise what is modern Krav Maga.  (http://www.kravmagafederation.com/krav-maga-origins.html ).  Krav, as it is often known, is such an easy and successful training system to learn that many U.S. police departments use it as the fundamental basis of much of their tactics and fight training.

Krav Maga as a Community of Practice (CoP):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJAOowwrQG4&feature=youtu.be

 

In Krav Maga, contact among those training is an integral part of participation in learning this fighting system.  These participants are valued contributors to the overall training of tactics and fighting techniques.  An appreciated attribute of Krav is that contributors input and insights into potential situations one may encounter while in a fight are used by instructors and trainees to further their scenario training.  Instructors and those undergoing training share information and work under expert trainers to develop skills.  

These specific CoP members have a shared vision to train and learn how to adapt their skills to survive a fight and return safely to their loved ones. The centralized space they use to gather and train is typically a gym containing man-sized training dummies, fight pads, protective gear and a variety of strike pads to train in different striking techniques.  There is an understood hierarchy of their community; Expert (certified) instructors lead class members in training sessions and scenarios, seasoned, knowledgeable trainees often augment instructors by helping other members with techniques, and all trainees and instructors actively participate in the learning and adaption of skills.

Pursuant to our CoP project, I joined this CoP (with Aurora Krav Maga) and I am set to start training with my daughter when I return to CO.  I am excited to say the least.  In addition, I have looked into and will be sending my girls to their specialized 10 week training course to teach them skills (needed by all women,) to combat aggressive predators.