KRAV MAGA: Strategy, Psychology and Emotionality in Personal Defense

Davide Franceschini
Publisystem Editions
pp. 204

The author is an instructor of Krav Maga (or "contact fighting") who had the opportunity to have direct experiences with the environments where this "self-defense system" was institutionally considered as an integral part of the training of both soldiers that of policemen. This circumstance has certainly contributed to guaranteeing a deeper vision of Krav Maga himself, a vision that, together with a long practice, has allowed him to synthesise the essence, highlighting those mental, psychological and emotional aspects, particularly useful to support the needs self-defense of anyone who finds himself in a situation where a real danger is to be faced. These aspects are placed in this interesting text.

The book begins with a brief note on the historical origins of Krav Maga and then goes on to some hints about some biomechanical and physiological aspects of the body considered to be of particular use in the practice of Krav Maga. Therefore useful elements of biomechanics and human physiology are provided in order to understand how certain mechanisms work within the body and how certain biomechanical movements are performed within the specific practice. We then move on to a generic discussion of both defensive and offensive techniques (even considering the use of weapons) through a dogmatic base and a didactic approach that distinguish, without a shadow of doubt, precisely this specific self-defense system (eg the lack of relevance). given to the numerous leg techniques present in other systems). Both the psychology of the aggressor and the psychology of the aggression are examined, with interesting reflections on the psychological mechanisms that may arise during a physical confrontation, as well as considerations of proxemics and combat strategy. The final part is dedicated to Personal Defense, always with a careful examination through the emotional, psychological and emotional aspects related both to the combativeness in the strict sense that to the various strategies applied to self defense itself.

The text presents a colloquial and flowing style that makes easily accessible the various concepts enunciated following a progressive logical criterion. A part of the various considerations presented can have a general validity, that is useful for any personal defense system, unlike others which, on the other hand, can only be valid as part of Krav Maga, representing a type of approach to self-defense which unequivocally identifies only that system.

Marco Bandioli