Search - Krav Maga: Basic Combatives on DVD

The basic techniques

Seppo Vesala | Helsinki, - Finland | 09/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD contains the basic techniques of Krav maga system. The techniques include attacks with hands (mostly punches with closed fist, but also hammer punches), elbows, knees and feet. There are some counterattacks and defences also included. At the beginning of the film they talk about angles of attack, target areas and stance & movement. As a DVD extra, they present focus mitt combinations to utilize in your training (they mention that they will produce an entire film on the subject in the future).

It is worth mentioning that they don't teach, or even mention the correct falling technique at all. Also, I think they should have taught also palm strikes, but for some reason they were left out. As palm strike is almost as effective as punch with a closed fist, but much more safe for your own hand, it should be included in everyones' arsenal. When instructing kicking techniques, they mention casually that you can kick also to the head. I think that they should have warned against that, because in real life, kicking above your own waist is considered risky, and generally not advisable.

The presentation of techniques varies from fair to excellent, the average being of good quality. In some techniques I learned some nuances I had not grasped in my Krav maga classes. Each technique opens up with a dramatized scene in which the technique is used. After that they present the technique at full speed, and after that in slow motion, and finally in learning stages. For some reason, they have chosen not to use slow motion of a full speed presentation of technique. Rather, the person presenting the technique is moving in slow motion, according to the instructions of off-screen narrator. This makes somewhat amateurish impression of the production.

Speaking of production, it is fairly OK. The film is shot with only one camera, but for the most part, it is shooting at the right spot. The techniques are presented in a studio against a black screen, but the dramatized scenes are shot in loading docks, restaurants, parking lots and so on. They use two narrators who take turns with narrating the techniques. The other narrator is International Krav maga federation head instructor Eyal Yanilov, and the other is U.S. chief instructor Darren Levine. Yanilov does not speak very good English, so from time to time it is hard to grasp what he is saying. Otherwise the production is good, and it's easy to understand the techniques.

As a Krav maga practitioner myself, I like the system. In this film, they have succeeded in presenting the basic techniques very well. There are some shortcomings, though, that reduce one star from the rating of this film.

Run time: 1:29"

Very Basics

Lena, LMT | Nassau, NY | 06/15/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This dvd has good production, great menu options. This teaches basic punches, kicks. The dramatic/acting scenes are good to show you how to use them. But putting them together is where I was disappointed.
This is not a workout or even a practice with type of dvd. They just show you them well... normal speed, slow motion, different camera angles, etc. But there's no integration to bring in the dvd audience. The narration over the video was a bit boring to me as well.
I watched this with a friend that has taken many years of martial arts & also teaches & he was falling asleep as well. He agreed overall it was good, but the presentation was too dumbed down. For example, in teaching elbow strikes, the show you can swing upward to your head, swing downward, swing outward, etc. They show all this well, which is great, only 1x for each movement then diff angles. But then they showed the same say outward strike in for several minutes at almost any degree possible. Such as you can stroke 90º, 95º 100º 110º or OOHHHH think this... 115º THAT'S a whole new elbow strike IDEA!
My friend also cringed at watching the dramatized scene where a bartender grabs a gun from a customer pulling it towards him before outwards. "That's bad, the gun is still in the assailant's hand on the trigger, pointed at his body while he's pulling the gun away." my friend announced.
There was some great punching & kicking demonstrations with one guy holding up padded hand targets, but only something you can watch & admire the form & power or in my opinion, "watch them show off."
I've seen a lot of other self-defense or martial art teaching dvds & the best is when the teacher is speaking (they are more passionate/in the moment then narration) as they are demonstrating & repeating the moves & encouraging the audience to practice even if only 5-10x."

Good intro to krav Maga

Warren | South Africa | 08/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an into to the basic combatives of KM. It shows all the basic strikes (punches,elbows,knees,kicks), and the basic blocks.
The instructions are clear and easy to follow. If you cannot get to any KM classes this is a very good way to start. You will need a partner to practice with. Nice bonus on the DVD is a few examples of focus mitt drills to get you going. Good product, I give it 4 stars becuase I think they could have thrown in a few reality based drills."