An Israeli fighting style that is specifically designed for real fighting on the streets, unlike other martial arts that are made for sport. It blends together techniques from many other martial arts, such as Jujutsu, Muay Thai, Aikido, Judo, and boxing.

One of the main philosophies in Krav Maga is that there are no rules. For example, some of the things that are off limits in something like MMA (Groin shots, throat strikes, hits to the back of the neck) are some of the main targets you want to attack in Krav Maga. Another main philosophy is to do as much damage to your attacker as quickly as possible, making at possible for you to cripple your attacker and escape.

Unlike some other (more traditional) fighting styles, it teaches disarms against weapons such as guns, knives, and bats. It is widely regarded as an extremely effective method of self defense, and is used by American police forces, as well as the FBI and several military branches, which use the combat Krav Maga used by the IDF.

If you are considering taking up Krav Maga, it is important to find one that is a genuinely good school, and not simply trying to cash in on the Krav Maga name. Here are several ways to tell if it is a good Krav Maga school:

-Make sure the instructor has valid Krav Maga instruction credentials, which means he has taken the Instructor's class at the Krav Maga training center.

-Make sure the classes are at the very least, 45 minutes to an hour long

-The class should practice sparring regularly. And it shouldn't be sparring for points, it should be like a real fight (only wearing protective gear, of course)

-You should be worn out after the class

-Try to avoid brand new Krav schools, the older ones that were there before the Krav Maga craze are much more likely to be good schools

-Training should be intense and focus on perfecting your power, speed, and technique
Thanks to Krav Maga, when someone attacked me on the subway, i was able to break their nose and crush their windpipe and get away safely!
by AN0NYM()US April 11, 2009
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Cheating. There is no way one could possibly win a fight against this combat technique.
The only way to defeat a person who uses krav maga is to shoot them in the face. From a far distance
by bloke4987649897 April 20, 2008
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Krav Maga isn't recognized as a true "martial art", because it teaches techniques that are "dishonorable" and/or couldn't be used in a fighting ring without really hurting the opponent. It's more like Israeli street fighting.

But it's really powerful and practical in real fights, teaches you where to strike to inflict the most damage, how to disarm opponents, get out of bear hugs/choke holds etc.

And it's not just in LA anymore, there are training centers all over the US now
Pretend a couple of dumbass emo kids try and jump you in the parking lot after class... if you know Krav Maga, you can break their knee caps, punch in a few wind pipes, even go for their testicles/eyes. All they'll know how to do is throw a pathetic right cross.

I've actually squared off with a kid who was bigger than me and had to be careful not to mortally injure him.
by bryan18 August 18, 2005
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Krav #MAGA (n.): the American martial art of defending @realDonaldTrump on cable news programs
Sean Hannity is a master of Krav #MAGA.
by t481 October 8, 2018
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A martial art created in Czechoslovakia in the 1930's and adopted by the Israeli military. It favors survival above all else. The rules of attack and defense are simple: be faster, stronger, quicker, natural, and to the point.

Originally taught only in Israel, there is now a school open in Los Angeles.
A Krav Maga master can destroy a Judo master.
by LorgSkyegon January 23, 2005
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In the majority of cases, the first exclamation given when a practitioner of the Israelian self-defense system Krav Maga first mentions the name of their martial art to an interested party.
Joe: What kind of sport do you do?
Gavin: I do Krav Maga
Joe: Krav Ma-wha???
Gavin: -sigh- Krav MaGA.
Joe: Huh. What's that?
by kravlady June 15, 2011
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Punching someone in the mouth with brass knuckles. Attacking someone's eyes so they can't see. Palm someone's nose to win against a shark. 5-7 strikes not once like a black bitch who "punches you in the mouth" 😭. Anything goes do or die. Say it's not gonna be me.
I used krav maga and gouged this gangstalking piece of trashes eye in in the street when the bitch was high on pcp and attacked me.
by TI Satan November 25, 2022
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