In another thread, Loki posted this:

1) Krav Maga International (Kapap): The organization I belong to, known in America as Krav Maga Inc., operates primarily around NYC. Headed by Haim Zut.

2) Krav Magen: Formerly headed by Eli Avikzar until his death in May 2004.

3) Israeli Krav Maga: Headed by Haim Gideon.

4) International Krav Maga Federation: Headed by Eyal Yanilov, operates mainly in Asia and Europe.

5) Krav Maga: American organization based in LA, certifies most of America's Krav Maga instructors. Headed by Darren Levine.

Imi Lichtenfeld's original organization disbanded around 1990 when disputes between todays masters arose.

My question is: Is there a difference in the material taught or is it pretty much the same?

Mike

To my understanding, in theory, they all teach pretty much the same, subtly varying. I'm under the impression that this is similar to the differences between various forms of Kenpo (Paker, Tracy), please correct me if I'm wrong. Though I have plans to do so, I've never attended a session headed by an instructor from a different organization.

People who train in KM outside of Israel: what KM lineage is your instructor from and what does he teach?

Thanks for your reply!

As for what branch I fall under: I'd fall under group 1, from the list posted below. My instructor had been going to NY to doing some training with Rhon and his group. I attended 1 seminar quite a few years ago with Darrens group. The material was pretty much the same.

Mike

Know this is an old thread, but I figure we need to breathe some life into this place.

I train with Rhon at Krav Maga Inc. Rhon and his instructors are all great people and I love training there!

Welcome to the forum! Its great to have a few more KM people on board!:) Please feel free to start some discussions on the art.

Mike

I believe (and I may be wrong), but my instructor is trained under Moni Azik--Commando Krav Maga, as I believe is one of the terms. (website of the Commando Krav Maga- http://www.combatkravmaga.com/) I do not know what 'organization' my instructor is with, (unless you mean by the 'type' of Krav Maga)?

As far as I know, Commando Krav Maga is just another Krav with a different name, as most are. (The only differences between some arts are just political, ya'know?)

I believe (and I may be wrong), but my instructor is trained under Moni Azik--Commando Krav Maga, as I believe is one of the terms. (website of the Commando Krav Maga- http://www.combatkravmaga.com/) I do not know what 'organization' my instructor is with, (unless you mean by the 'type' of Krav Maga)?

As far as I know, Commando Krav Maga is just another Krav with a different name, as most are. (The only differences between some arts are just political, ya'know?)

All I know is that most of Aizik's claims are exaggerated and he isn't nearly as influential in the development of KM as he claims. His whole "Commando" theme is overblown too.

All I know is that most of Aizik's claims are exaggerated and he isn't nearly as influential in the development of KM as he claims. His whole "Commando" theme is overblown too.

He certainly seems to have the marketing down, though...

He certainly seems to have the marketing down, though...

Yeah, nice Flash animation on that site. Kudos!

I'm currently training at a KMAA sponsored facility (5). I'm also curious as to whether or not there are any real differences between the styles ... i.e. I remember readin not too long ago a .pdf file published/released by Eyal Yanilov of IKMF claiming that KMAA techniques - particularly gun disarms - were outdated and dangerous. They alluded to knife disarms and "other" techniques as well but only the gun disarm was described in detail in that particular publication.

There's an Israeli Krav Maga sponsored facility that I just learned about - closer to me than the place I'm currently studying at. i'm considering switching over but would only really do so if there was an advantage in terms of training to be gotten from it - although the shortened commute would be nice too. Does anyone have any information on this?

From what I've seen on the internet and discussed with instructors there are certainly stylistic differences between the organisations you list. Commando krav maga though as I understand it is basically a different system entirely.

At my KM school, we fall under Krav Maga Worldwide (Levine's org). Haven't had any experience to date with the other 'flavors' yet, but would think this situation is similar to TMA's that have different names for their various flavors.

At my KM school, we fall under Krav Maga Worldwide (Levine's org). Haven't had any experience to date with the other 'flavors' yet, but would think this situation is similar to TMA's that have different names for their various flavors.

Is that Darren Levine? Is that www.kravmaga.com (http://www.kravmaga.com) ?

Is that in LA? Is he a lawyer? I have heard that he is the true living Master of Krav Maga and that no-one comes close to him. I read that he spent five years in Israel training in Krav Maga.

Does anyone know anything about www.israelikravmaga.com (http://www.israelikravmaga.com) ? A friend of mine told me they are for law enforcement and military only. Is this true? Anyone know their rates? Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of KM here on the East Coast. Any info is appreciated.

Is that Darren Levine? Is that www.kravmaga.com (http://www.kravmaga.com) ?

Is that in LA? Is he a lawyer? I have heard that he is the true living Master of Krav Maga and that no-one comes close to him. I read that he spent five years in Israel training in Krav Maga.

Does anyone know anything about www.israelikravmaga.com (http://www.israelikravmaga.com) ? A friend of mine told me they are for law enforcement and military only. Is this true? Anyone know their rates? Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of KM here on the East Coast. Any info is appreciated.


I mean no offense, but there is MUCH controversy over MR. Levine's experience. I have trained with a number of his instructors, inlcuding some fresh from Israel. This link will be a good start for your research - http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=361603. Don't take it as gospel, but do as much digging into each organization as you can before locking in. David Kahn of www.IsraeliKravMaga.com (http://www.IsraeliKravMaga.com) pretty much spearheaded the legal battle with Mr. Levine who attempted to Trademark Krav Maga and the current logo. This happened AFTER the trademark had been granted to someone else in Israel. So it appeared as though he was just trying to lock others out of the US market. Some say it was just a business move ohers say he was trying to block other org's from using what is common place in Israel here in the US, and I don't know much more about that. He did apparently seek a law suit against his primary instructor Eyal Yanilov for opening schools in the US, but that may just be more political stuff. Either an untrue rumor or the suit itself was politics.

There is a mess of politics involved, but my point is that there is MUCH debatable information re: his personal experience before starting KMWW. I suppose with people like Amir Perets and Sam Sade he could get great instruction inside his own group. That's what I would do. Again, this is assuming all the writings are true, which I don't really know. I suppose the bottom line is, go with what you can verify and train hard. I am not against Mr. Levine, I am just wary of anyone with that much controversy. But, that's just my way of doing things. Perhaps the controversy would be much smaller if he ere not so well known?!? For all intents and purposes, he may very well be phenomenal!

What I have discovered about Mr. Kahn and his group is all verifiable, they are will to show paperwork, including Nir Maman who works closely with them. Watch some YOuTube videos with Grandmaster Haim Gid'on at: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=haim.gidon&search_type
He is awesome!

Yaron Lichtestein, I was not impressed with his group. The skills look a lot like Moni Aizik's. Skilled, but not Krav Maga as I have come to know it. Lots of traditional grappling which does not fit into Imi's concepts.

I hope this helps!

Is that Darren Levine? Is that www.kravmaga.com (http://www.kravmaga.com) ?

Is that in LA? Is he a lawyer? I have heard that he is the true living Master of Krav Maga and that no-one comes close to him. I read that he spent five years in Israel training in Krav Maga.


Yes, the KMAA Headquarters are in LA and as far as I know he is a Lawyer. But considering I don't know the man (I only know people that have trained with him directly), I can't say anything with certainty. Same for how long he trained in Israel.

I didn't join KMDC is a part of KMAA or take up Krav because of him. I joined because my experience with my Head Instructor and all of the Instructors at my school were top notch. I joined because I believe Krav offers me the best chance of survival if something were to happen.

Personally, I don't care about the politics of who owns what and where they own it, so long as it doesn't effect my training, my classmates training, or my Instructors training.