Mastering Krav Maga® Self Defense (Vol. III) 3 DVD Set (249 minutes) -- Firearm Defenses (Beginner to Expert)

I am currently 66 years old, boxed for 4 years in college, and have a black belt in Shotokan Karate. I very much value my experience as a boxer and practicing martial artist, as it has taught me discipline and good goal setting, which has been invaluable during my life (I was a navy attack pilot for 22 years in my first career, and am currently a practicing lawyer). I have recently begun training in Krav Maga ("KM") at a local dojo. I have reviewed many KM materials from different authors and practitioners, and have found David Kahn's materials to be first rate and at the top of my go-to materials. I have purchased and reviewed almost all of David Kahn's written and video materials, and can say without hesitation that these materials are the best, with the most practical advice. The materials are concise, easy to follow, and easily adapted for self-defense. With that said, even with book/video knowledge, you need to practice by getting with a good dojo, or a practicing Kravist, to learn KM and practice, practice, practice for muscle memory. Hopefully, you will never need to use it, but it is a good tool to have to draw upon if needed. David Kahn's materials are a great place to start a solid foundation in KM!

Bottom line up front. David Kahn and his team are, by far, the best there is, and teach the best version of the best system there is. If you want to arm yourself with the best tools to survive any encounter (Civilian, Law Enforcement (LE), or Military Combat) David Kahn, and the IKMA (GS), are your best option.Historically, development of Self-defense systems and martial arts occurred from the necessities of the existing time-period and social norms concerning violence. For example, Karate for the Samurai or Kali for villagers of the Philippines (whose conflicts were tribal and weapons of choice where whatever they had laying around). Societies developed these systems and martial arts in order to, quickly and efficiently, train Soldiers. This was so they would possess the capabilities to close with and destroy their adversaries in hand-to-hand combat if and when necessary. Imi Lichtenfeld designed Israeli Krav Maga in the 1940s in order to address the modern combatant. Whether dealing with a mugger on the streets, or a foreign adversary on the battlefield. No other system is as modern or effective as Krav Maga.The IKMA (GS) is the only true Krav Maga system under Grand Master Haim Gidon (successor to Imi Lichtenfeld). It is, by far, any agencies best option for training its’ Soldiers and/or LE officers. A single ten-hour seminar with David Kahn, and his team, proved to be worth a year of training in any other dojo I have attended. I have trained on several forms of martial arts and self-defense systems. I always shop around for the best instructor with the most practical training. David and his team are undeniably the best there is. I have driven fourteen hours at a time, on several occasions, to attend training with him. I always leave the seminars absolutely motivated to come back to base and share what I learned with my Soldiers.Krav Maga has grown in popularity in the west in recent decades. There are several different interpretations of the system available in the US (e.g. Warrior Krav Maga /Krav Maga World Wide). Most of them teach substandard techniques, with the addition of cardiovascular endurance training, in order to appeal to those more susceptible to advertising and marketing. The idea being, “Get fit and learn to defend yourself overnight.” While Krav Maga is designed to be simple to understand. There still needs to be much emphasis on the subtle fine points that make any technique effective. Far removed from the source, these schools often sacrifice proper technique for mass production. This can have fatal consequences when someone uses those techniques for actual self-defense. I have also frequented several introductory courses where the facility told me they strictly focus on civilian self-defense. There are three tiers to Krav Maga (Military, Civilian, and Law Enforcement). Any “master” of the system should know and be able to instruct them all. As a Law Enforcement Officer, I also have a firm understanding of the Use of Force (UOF) continuum. I also understand the legal ramifications for not understanding the UOF continuum. David Kahn and the IKMA (GS) are true masters of the system. They will ensure that the student gets every detail and piece of knowledge they require for the techniques they are taught to be effective.Israeli Krav Maga under the IKMA (GS) is also a great plug and play system. If your agency has an existing system where you believe there are gaps in its’ current techniques, or dilemmas which your system does not address, Krav Maga will fill those gaps easily. I have personally found this to be applicable for LE systems, military combatives, and other martial arts/self-defense systems alike.Additionally, if you attend the seminars to get hands on training, and a professional instructors critique on your form (which I highly recommend), the DVDs and books hold nothing back in terms of helping you to refresh your memory. The five books (approximately 1000 pages worth of instructional material) are extremely well articulated and literally spell out every detail you need to know from a strategic approach. They articulate all the subtle nuances, which make a technique work. The four DVD volumes (approximately 27 hours of instructional material) do an excellent job of using a by the numbers approach to teaching and demonstrating the technique, as well as elaborating on key points. For those who have served in an instructor position, in either the military or law enforcement, the previously mentioned materials more than portray a Training Support Package (TSP) or Program of Instruction (POI). In addition, the materials previously mentioned will entirely refresh your techniques acquired by any seminar attended in person with David.Once again, bottom line up front. David Kahn and the IKMA (GS) are by far the best there is, teaching the best version of the best system there is. If you want to arm yourself with the best tools to survive any encounter (Civilian, Law Enforcement, or Military Combat) David Kahn, and the IKMA (GS), are your best option.

This is my first DVD set from David Kahn and I have no regrets purchasing it. Mr. Kahn states up front that he has focused on putting together a useful and informative DVD that does not waste time on using Hollywood gimmicks or glam. I have no problem with this.I do not own any of his books and I believe he states during the introduction that these videos are meant to accompany his books which I presume cover the related Krav Maga techniques in greater depth, but the content on these DVDs is robust and thorough. He thoroughly explains each technique and demonstrates it full speed and slow speed from multiple angles. He breaks down the techniques and provides reasons why and how some defenses may need to be modified according to the circumstances that the defender is facing at the time of an attack.David provides as many situational scenarios in this volume as one can reasonably expect on this type of media. If any one has questions on something that isn't clear, I'm sure you can contact him for clarification. Ultimately you can only get so much out of a DVD without having to seek the guidance of a competent Krav Maga instructor for live instruction. However, if this isn't possible, these DVDs are valuable tools by themselves. I intend to purchase his previous Krav Maga volumes at a later date because I was impressed with the information included in this volume.

This DVD set is an outstanding tutorial! David shows you how the technique looks at full speed; then, he slows it down to show the moves, and at different angles. He shows you how to surprise and stun--or disable--your attacker. About two days after reviewing all 3 discs, I went shopping at a local store for a few items. I had my cell phone in my hand , leisurely shopping, when this young scrubby looking fellow asked to use my cell phone. He asked me twice and I told him no twice. When he asked the second time, I had to give him a firm stare that my answer was still NO! He walked away mumbling something to the affect that he could take my phone if he wanted to. Well. He kept walking and I kept shopping without further incident. With David's teachings still fresh on my mind, I was prepared to defend me and my cell phone's honor should that fellow have tried anything. I can't use most of David's teachings on my job. But having the knowledge of Israeli Krav Maga helps you to be prepared at any given moment: Get out of the line of fire and stun simultaneously with force FIRST; then, go into your combatives. This DVD set is great for females who work in law enforcement or not. It's worth the $55.99!!