8 Tips for Krav Maga Training in the COVID-19 era

Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.  Horace

 As gyms, martial arts dojos, and self-defense studios begin opening their doors they are faced with many challenges to protect their clients and their employees.  

Of course, every facility needs to sanitize even more often and more thoroughly than pre-pandemic times.  A core challenge is maintaining social distance in a combat activity such as a martial arts or self-defense training facility. Among these is Krav Maga translated as contact or touch fighting.

Thankfully, Krav Maga is adaptable and there are many ways to train while maintaining social distance and avoid direct contact.  Direct contact training is the best but during these times that is not a safe option.  

Thankfully Krav Maga adapts.  

Here are 8 ways to train Krav Maga in the COVID-19 era.

1. Smaller classes. To facilitate safe physical distance there are limits to class sizes. In Ontario, it looks like this will be 10 people in a class (including instructor(s).
2. More classes. In pre-pandemic days some studios had well over 9 students in classes. For studios to survive they will likely have to increase the number of classes offered.  
3. Striking.  Striking is fundamental is Krav Maga. You can improve your striking techniques without direct contact with a partner. Time to hone your striking skills! 
4. Dry drills.  Essentially, these are drills without a partner that develop your muscle memory. In a front choke defense, for example, you would practice the plucking motion, then the knee strike. Blend them together, then add the subsequent counter strikes. It is a very effective way to develop muscle memory, coordination and fluidity.
5. Train Outside. Weather permitting, our instructors train at a park near our studio. Training on grass, contending with sunlight, and uneven ground, make you more adaptable. This can be offered to students as well.
6. Online training. Zoom and other video platforms allow train with an instructor in real-time. You can get immediate feedback. You need a good internet connection. 
7. Online Courses. You don’t the interaction of an in-person class but some online courses offer great demonstrations and descriptions.  
8. YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and other social media. Many Krav Maga schools offer quality clips of techniques and other helpful self-defense information.  

These are challenging times and we want to be active and Krav Maga practitioners want to train. 

Innovate and train. 

Stay safe.  

 

Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay

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