There is nothing more frustrating, as a full-time professional Krav Maga Instructor, than having to cope with the ever-growing crowd of wannabes and fakes. As Krav Maga grows in popularity and people are starting to associate the name with realistic, practical self defense techniques, an increasing number of unscrupulous individuals and schools are making a prompt apparition and offering “real Israeli Krav Maga” literally overnight. Karate and other martial arts teachers suddenly call themselves Krav Maga Instructors. These people are not only making money exploiting our system’s name but they are also putting their students at risk by teaching them utter crap that will get them killed if they ever try to use it in a real-life situation while calling it Krav Maga. So, how can someone tell the difference between genuine Krav Maga and the many frauds out there? Here are some pointers that I hope will help some people make the right choice for their self defense needs:

1) As with anything else, you are investing your time, money and energy into something, you have the right to ask the Instructor about his/her background and qualifications, and do not hesitate to demand to see diplomas yourself. If the Instructor is offended by this, just walk out. Now, make sure that the Instructor is certified by a genuine krav Maga organization with clear links to Israel and direct lineage to the founder of Krav Maga, Imi Lichtenfield.

2) Ask the Instructor what his level is and if he is still training with Master level Instructors (they are only a few). In general, once an Instructor severs all ties to Israel and a ligitimate Krav Maga organization, his level will decrease from lack of supervision and further high level training and he will start thinking that he can make Krav Maga “better” and change the system until it is no longer Krav Maga. Since new Krav maga organizations are being created every year, do your research and make sure you are dealing with a well-established one. For good quality Krav Maga, examples of genuine, Israeli based krav maga organizations include:

• IKMF - International Krav Maga Federation
• KMG - Krav Maga Global
• IKMA - Israeli Krav Maga Association
• IKM Gabi Noah - International Krav Maga

3) Use common sense. Look for videos from the Instructor or head of the krav Maga organization on YouTube and if what you see looks like it would never work against a non-complying opponent, then it is not real Krav Maga. 

4) Google, Google, Google!!! If the krav Maga organization is almost unknown or is recently created with a name that includes “security”, “police”, “special forces” or any macho sounding sound bite, if the head instructor wears military fatigues and his curriculum includes a long history with Mossad or special forces this and that, it is very often made up. Also keep in mind that even extended military experience DOES NOT make someone a Krav Maga Instructor. Also if someone mentions that he has been in a multitude (sometimes hundreds!) of real fights, knife attacks, etc… it is most definitely fake. 

5) Call and ask questions. If your inquiries are met with anything but total transparency, you are in the wrong place. Bad signs include refusal to clearly tell you what the membership fees are (asking you to come in person instead), vague references, refusal from the Instructor to list his qualifications and name his teachers. 

6) Try a free class. Talk to the students, see if some have been there for a long time and look at what they can do. 

They are many more tips I could give but it will take a much longer entry. Just BE AWARE that they are MANY frauds out there who falsely claim to be top expert Krav Maga Instructors. Some are in my own City, Ottawa, Ontario.

As for me, I am an open book and you can read my biography and see my qualifications and teachers on our website, www.kravmagaottawa.com Most importantly, my primary teacher (and friend) for the past six years has been Master Avi Moyal, who himself was a direct student of Imi Lichtenfield most of his life. 

Be safe,

Laurent Mougeot
Krav Maga Ottawa/Head Instructor
Director IKMF Canada
(613)-619-KRAV (5728)
kravottawa@gmail.com

www.kravmagaottawa.ca