15 March 2010 - Interview by Kim Freeman

Nimrod Atzil Instructor from Israel now teaching in Munich at KEEPSAFE Krav Maga

Kim: Nimrod, you are 2nd dan in Ninpo and Jujutsu and had been training it since 1988. What made you decide to start  Krav Maga?
Nimrod: While working in the security branch for many years i encountered Krav Maga during security guards training. Realizing that traditional Martial Arts are fun to learn but might lake the effectiveness for real life situations, i wanted to add something more simple and practical for self defense. 

K: Did your experience in Ninpo and Jujutsu help you with Krav Maga? If so, how?
N: Old Martial Arts is something else. One can find resemblance but it is a different world. But since Krav Maga  derives from other martial arts i can find  the connection. It does play a complementary role for the practitioner. when Krav Maga focus on basic human aspects like aggressiveness and instinct reactions, Martial Arts deals many times with the “Human” in fighting, self control and spiritual refinement.   

K: There are so many other Krav Maga organisations out there. Why did you choose the IKMF (International Krav Maga Federation)?

N: When i looked for a Krav Maga school i wanted an IMI Lichtenfeld system. I looked for a school that focus on the most simple Krav Maga technique without being a Martial Art. Just a pure self defense system that resembles as much as possible to the Krav Maga as it was thought by IMI. Although today it has some changes in it. 

K: Where did you learn Krav Maga? And under which Instructors?
N: I started Krav Maga at the Doron Krav Maga School under Yossi Shmueli. Afterwards i continued my training at the Impact Krav Maga Center under Ze’ev Cohen. I also had the opportunity to train under Eyal Yanilov, Gabi Noah, Avi Moyal and many others.  

K: You obtained your Instructor qualification from the Wingate Institute. What role does the Wingate institute have in qualifying Krav Maga instructors in Israel?
N: The Wingate Institute is Israels leading sports academy. It has few organizations in it and some are also in charge of the qualification of sports instructors in Israel, according to the requirements dictated by the Israeli legislator.  

K: How difficult was it to become a qualified Krav Maga instructor in Israel? What sort of training do you have to go through?
N: Some do it in their Military service. If one wants to get qualified as a civilian he has to do the same course as any other martial art. That means to do an Instructor course in recognized  institute. To be able to participate in a Martial Arts instructors course one must have certain experience in that specific martial art and to be sent to the course by his teacher. The course is 200 academic hours and includes classes and tests in Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology and much more. Krav Maga of course is also part of the curriculum.    

K: Do you have to have a certain amount of knowledge before you can take part in the instructor’s certification course or could anyone do it?
N:  You should reach a certain level in your specific system. Usually after few years of training. 

K: Krav Maga is still fairly unknown here in Germany. What is it like in Israel?
N: The term is very widespread, many have encountered it during their mandatory military service.  Some also get qualified as Krav Maga instructors in the army. Also in the security branch Krav Maga is widely common, although the instructors might be from different Martial Arts background. Krav Maga in Hebrew is a generic name for all kinds of  bare handed combat systems. 

K: Is there a difference in techniques between civilian and military Krav Maga in Israel? If yes, what is it?
N: Civilian Krav Maga is a more complete self defense system suited for daily life situations. Military Krav Maga has its own focus thats suit its target audience.  

K: What are the qualifications required to become a military Krav Maga instructor?
N: A Military Krav Maga instructor or a Krav Maga instructor in the military? First of all, you should be an IKMF instructor and do the “military and law enforcment” instructors course. For the second you should first join the army.

K: One very last question, if I were to attack you with my very big and deadly microphone now. What would you use, Krav Maga or Ninjutsu?
N: Ninjutsu! I’ll fling blinding powder into your eyes and vanish. 

K: Hey come back, I was just kidding! Thanks for the interview Nimrod! :)