What do you think?
Rate this book
Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 250 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques
Learn the ultimate form of self defense with the top-selling guide to Krav Maga in an updated and expanded edition from Darren Levine.
All the defense moves in Complete Krav Maga —from beginner Yellow Belt to advanced
Black Belt—are described in depth and illustrated with step-by-step photos:
• BEGINNER: Punches, kicks, knee strikes and defense movements
• INTERMEDIATE: Counterattacks against knives, guns and sticks
• ADVANCED: Advanced strikes and ground fighting techniques
Based on the principle that it is best to move from defense to attack as quickly as possible, Complete Krav Maga teaches fast-escape maneuvers combined with powerful counterattacks. Whether you are big or small, male or female, young or old, you can use Krav Maga to protect yourself by exploiting an assailant’s vulnerabilities.
“Darren Levine has my unqualified support and gratitude for his contributions to Krav Maga.” –Imi Lichtenfeld, founder of Krav Maga
All the defense moves in Complete Krav Maga —from beginner Yellow Belt to advanced
Black Belt—are described in depth and illustrated with step-by-step photos:
• BEGINNER: Punches, kicks, knee strikes and defense movements
• INTERMEDIATE: Counterattacks against knives, guns and sticks
• ADVANCED: Advanced strikes and ground fighting techniques
Based on the principle that it is best to move from defense to attack as quickly as possible, Complete Krav Maga teaches fast-escape maneuvers combined with powerful counterattacks. Whether you are big or small, male or female, young or old, you can use Krav Maga to protect yourself by exploiting an assailant’s vulnerabilities.
“Darren Levine has my unqualified support and gratitude for his contributions to Krav Maga.” –Imi Lichtenfeld, founder of Krav Maga
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
302 people are currently reading
1110 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 25, 2009
"Complete Krav Maga" is a very interesting guidebook to over 230 self-defense and combat techniques. [Why does Amazon and goodreads have the title wrong?:] I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Krav Maga, since it is fairly comprehensive. This is nice, especially for me, because I am naturally curious, and I don't want to have trained for 5 years before learning how to disarm an attacker wielding a machine gun. (Ack!)
After some brief introductory material, the book is divided up into 5 sections, progressing in difficulty according to belt levels. Each section contains a multitude of techniques which are clearly and carefully described in words and black and white pictures. The pictures clearly illustrate how to perform the techniques, buttressing the text, which is exactly how illustrations should be used.
The book is encyclopedic in nature. Want to learn how to defend against a choke from behind? How to defend against a bear hug from a multitude of positions? Each has its own entry.
The book comes pretty close to being an "ultimate guide", but doesn't get 5 stars, because it falls short in a few ways:
1) The book fails to bring it all together. Part of this failure is not including a training plan. It would be nice to have had a page or two for each belt setting out training drills, tests and other exercises.
2) The book doesn't have enough instruction and advice on how to perform some of the techniques. Most of the techniques have follow-ups and retsev that should be executed, which I think the authors purposefully left out, because they "go without saying". At least if you have had formal training or read other books.
3) The other part of the failure to bring it together is not consistently incorporating Krav Maga philosophy in the text explaining the techniques and why certain decisions and defenses were made. The book needs more commentary!
4) No mention of appropriate use of force. No mention of legal strategies or that there are such things as laws regarding self defense. Little discussion on awareness and avoidance of attacks.
5) Some of the more advanced techniques have been criticized by Amazon commenters as dangerous or flawed, especially the knife and gun disarms, which may be outdated.
6) The Black Belt techniques are "outside the scope of this book." So much for an ultimate guide. Wait, "Black Belt Krav Maga" is in the works! A ha! Can't wait to read it when it gets published.
Beginners should read this book in tandem with Kahn's "Krav Maga" book since it fills in the lack of philosophy and explains techniques better for a beginner.
After some brief introductory material, the book is divided up into 5 sections, progressing in difficulty according to belt levels. Each section contains a multitude of techniques which are clearly and carefully described in words and black and white pictures. The pictures clearly illustrate how to perform the techniques, buttressing the text, which is exactly how illustrations should be used.
The book is encyclopedic in nature. Want to learn how to defend against a choke from behind? How to defend against a bear hug from a multitude of positions? Each has its own entry.
The book comes pretty close to being an "ultimate guide", but doesn't get 5 stars, because it falls short in a few ways:
1) The book fails to bring it all together. Part of this failure is not including a training plan. It would be nice to have had a page or two for each belt setting out training drills, tests and other exercises.
2) The book doesn't have enough instruction and advice on how to perform some of the techniques. Most of the techniques have follow-ups and retsev that should be executed, which I think the authors purposefully left out, because they "go without saying". At least if you have had formal training or read other books.
3) The other part of the failure to bring it together is not consistently incorporating Krav Maga philosophy in the text explaining the techniques and why certain decisions and defenses were made. The book needs more commentary!
4) No mention of appropriate use of force. No mention of legal strategies or that there are such things as laws regarding self defense. Little discussion on awareness and avoidance of attacks.
5) Some of the more advanced techniques have been criticized by Amazon commenters as dangerous or flawed, especially the knife and gun disarms, which may be outdated.
6) The Black Belt techniques are "outside the scope of this book." So much for an ultimate guide. Wait, "Black Belt Krav Maga" is in the works! A ha! Can't wait to read it when it gets published.
Beginners should read this book in tandem with Kahn's "Krav Maga" book since it fills in the lack of philosophy and explains techniques better for a beginner.
July 16, 2016
This is a great book. Good photos coupled with good description of techniques. I found it to be a good resource for review as I prepared for belt testing and I will refer back to it often. If you are new to Krav Maga, this is a good resource, but should be used as a supplement with live instruction from a Krav Maga studio. My instructors are very good at teaching the discernment necessary when engaged in a live scenario rather than just book technique. Whenever possible, you want to avoid conflict, however that is not the world we live in, so if you are being attacked, you should be able to read the situation. Is this person drunk, angry, want to kill me, rob me or something else? My response is to defuse the situation and disarm if necessary, but their may be life/death situations where you need to go full throttle in order to survive the day. For example, I had a situation a while back where a man was agitated with me. I don't know why, but I could tell that he was most likely angry at another situation and looking for an excuse to take it out on someone. I determined while praying, yes literally praying, that I would try and diffuse the situation unless he had a weapon. Perhaps I could speak with him about his misdirected anger. Before any violence had been exchanged, he chose to flee which was an answered prayer. Being mentally prepared for these types of situations requires training in a studio with live attackers and simulations, something you cannot get from any book. The book is a valuable resource, I highly recommend it and I highly recommend learning Krav Maga if you are considering a self defense skill. You will learn technique, mental toughness, discernment, humility, courage and the skills to be book smart (for testing) and street wise for survival. My studio trains police officers and military service men. I also appreciate that my instructors share my faith and the principles to "be at peace with all men so long as it depends on me" (Romans 12:18). More of a Krav Maga review than a book review, but I still hope you pick up this book.
March 21, 2014
If you ever had questions about a technique you've been taught, or needed it explained a little differently to the way you were taught, this book is a great resource.
You don't need to know every technique in this book, you just need to perfect the techniques you use and rely on. A technique is no good if you have to think about the mechanics of how it is done. It needs to be in muscle memory. Because if you're in a situation where you need your self-defense knowledge, really need it, fear can cause you to freeze and forget. Muscle memory is the only thing you can rely on.
The techniques in this book are easy to master (no fiddly or fancy tournament stuff), and put into practice.
You don't need to know every technique in this book, you just need to perfect the techniques you use and rely on. A technique is no good if you have to think about the mechanics of how it is done. It needs to be in muscle memory. Because if you're in a situation where you need your self-defense knowledge, really need it, fear can cause you to freeze and forget. Muscle memory is the only thing you can rely on.
The techniques in this book are easy to master (no fiddly or fancy tournament stuff), and put into practice.
June 9, 2014
I bought this book shortly after I began training in Krav Maga. I had previously trained for four years in Aikido, and in karate for a short time prior to that. Krav Maga is a completely different animal for me. Being conceived in a military background, it is one of the most effective (and simple) reality-based systems out there today.
This book is a very helpful supplement to training (notice I said supplement, not replacement!). The picture quality (always a concern in self-defense books)is excellent, as are the descriptions of the techniques. Though a book can never be a replacement for an instructor's teaching, "Complete Krav Maga" is an excellent addition to any serious self-defense practitioner's library.
This book is a very helpful supplement to training (notice I said supplement, not replacement!). The picture quality (always a concern in self-defense books)is excellent, as are the descriptions of the techniques. Though a book can never be a replacement for an instructor's teaching, "Complete Krav Maga" is an excellent addition to any serious self-defense practitioner's library.
June 28, 2014
I've been doing martial arts for 22 years and I've been doing Krav Maga since 2001. When people ask about a reference manual for Krav Maga, this is the book I recommend. YOU ARE NOT GOING TO LEARN KRAV MAGA OUT OF A BOOK!!! But if you are training in Krav, and want a support text, this is excellent. If you are a martial artist and want to better understand the principles behind Krav Maga, this is a pretty good place to get started.
May 9, 2016
Amazing book. Very useful info.
Very good. Comprehensive and detailed. I reccomend it for anyone interested in self defense techniques. These techniques will work for anybody.
Very good. Comprehensive and detailed. I reccomend it for anyone interested in self defense techniques. These techniques will work for anybody.
April 21, 2018
A great collection of descriptions and pictures to help learn and practive Krav Maga. Obviously, nothing replaces good practice.
December 21, 2018
An complete book about this sistema of self defense. Basic for your library. Some variations has no pictures, but i think this is not a problem.
April 22, 2024
great book for my refreshing of an old skill
December 9, 2013
Definitely a most illustrative book. It takes you from the beginning to around what a brown belt would know.
The moves, postures, stances, they were all outlined fairly well but I was hoping for more illustrations than what was provided.
Some of the descriptions, I found, lacked depth and were mostly too long, then coupled with the lack of illustrations to demonstrate certain techniques was a pretty big lackluster for the book.
All in all it was very informative.
Personally from studying traditional Shotokan for ten years everything we do in that art is very repetitive and has you, ALWAYS, in a traditional stance, even in free fighting; this book shows you how to step out of that zone you've become embedded in and transition pretty well.
Its a good read for any martial art enthusiast or anyone wanting to learn the basics.
The moves, postures, stances, they were all outlined fairly well but I was hoping for more illustrations than what was provided.
Some of the descriptions, I found, lacked depth and were mostly too long, then coupled with the lack of illustrations to demonstrate certain techniques was a pretty big lackluster for the book.
All in all it was very informative.
Personally from studying traditional Shotokan for ten years everything we do in that art is very repetitive and has you, ALWAYS, in a traditional stance, even in free fighting; this book shows you how to step out of that zone you've become embedded in and transition pretty well.
Its a good read for any martial art enthusiast or anyone wanting to learn the basics.
July 26, 2008
I am a level 4 Krav Maga student currently on hiatus. This book is an accurate representation of the Krav Maga curriculum as taught in the schools and serves as a handy refresher for those who learned those techniques. The step-by-step photography and instructions are clear, accurate, and easy to follow.
My only issue with the book (and Krav in general) are that the grappling/groundfighting techniques do not work against resisting opponents and will get you beaten down by someone who actually knows what they are doing. Other than that, though, it's a great guide.
My only issue with the book (and Krav in general) are that the grappling/groundfighting techniques do not work against resisting opponents and will get you beaten down by someone who actually knows what they are doing. Other than that, though, it's a great guide.
October 31, 2011
It is quite hard to write a book about a martial technique and balance theory and execution, but this volume does quite well. The Kindle edition looks more out of sync, but you get a good idea of what the author did in the print version. I believe one of the reasons this worked well is that Krav Maga is more of a mind set, if you will, and works from a point of intuition. For someone who has some fight experience, is looking for a good definitive understanding of Krav Maga, and does not have a qualified teacher in their area, this is an excellent way to introduce yourself to this style.
September 18, 2018
I started training at a local Krav Maga Worldwide affiliate a few months ago. This is a helpful reference to reinforce what my instructors are teaching me. This is what this book is meant to be. The book’s descriptions are not sufficient to really learn the moves properly. You also need to practice with a real person... a lot!
I recommend this book for people who are interested in learning what Krav is but I suggest it’s used in conjunction with joining a Krav Maga Worldwide affiliated gym. It’s a lot of fun and a great workout.
I recommend this book for people who are interested in learning what Krav is but I suggest it’s used in conjunction with joining a Krav Maga Worldwide affiliated gym. It’s a lot of fun and a great workout.
January 25, 2016
This book is incredibly useful if you are a Krav student. If you aren't enrolled in a school, please don't try to learn from a book...but if you are, I'd suggest picking this one up to help you practice on your own.
What can I say? This book covers 230 things that you will be tested on as you progress in your training, with tips to help you do them correctly and an easy layout to follow. So glad I got this!
What can I say? This book covers 230 things that you will be tested on as you progress in your training, with tips to help you do them correctly and an easy layout to follow. So glad I got this!
October 17, 2012
I'm reading this for a paper on the origins and modern-day usage of Krav Maga. It's really interesting to see the moves photographed. Oddly enough, Krav Maga moves here are very similar to the Tai Chi movements I've been learning in my Tai Chi based self defense class.
July 17, 2016
I received this book through goodreads giveaways for an honest review.
Complete Krav Maga is a very detailed picture-heavy book. The descriptions and corresponding pictures are great at explaining each stance and move. A great book in learning self defense techniques.
Complete Krav Maga is a very detailed picture-heavy book. The descriptions and corresponding pictures are great at explaining each stance and move. A great book in learning self defense techniques.
June 12, 2022
Good but not great.
Too many techniques. Spinning back kicks, high round kicks. Fancy gun and knife disarms. Arm bars and submission holds. Techniques people wouldn't be able to do under stress.
Too many techniques. Spinning back kicks, high round kicks. Fancy gun and knife disarms. Arm bars and submission holds. Techniques people wouldn't be able to do under stress.
July 14, 2010
Good book. Shows the moves for the different levels. Good as a training manual.
April 12, 2011
A helpful introductory book for further 'home' study
January 17, 2016
An excellent step by step reference, but it would be difficult to learn from scratch using only this as a guide with no prior experience.
November 21, 2018
Lots of pictures and clear, easy descriptions of Krav Maga self-defense techniques. This book has been very helpful to me in my study of KM.
November 25, 2017
A useful reference, but not much more than that, due to its lack of guidance on routines and progressions.
Read
July 11, 2020Great
April 22, 2024
Great refresher book, but I have not noticed all moves in this book.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews