Total Krav Maga Home Study Course (5 DVDs + Training Manual) - Beginner to Intermediate

This is an outstanding resource for any krav maga enthusiast and a very welcome addition to my ever-growing self-defense and martial arts dvd and book collection. A bit of background before I get to my review: I’ve studied krav maga for a total of about two years at a local facility but, recently, my instructor more or less retired. The only other facility in my general area is quite a drive from where I live. Hence, I’m mostly continuing on my own or with a partner or two when I can muster them; but, I wanted to better organize and structure my training and that’s why I purchased Total Krav Maga.I’ve had the dvd set for about a week and a half now--long enough to view and analyze the materials, using my previous training as a frame reference, and to begin practicing the techniques and participating along with the recorded classes. I’ve also read the downloaded manual to which one has access after receiving the dvd set.Approach: The overall approach to krav maga presented in the introduction and throughout is very good. Michael South, the instructor, is very clear about the differences between krav maga and more “traditional” martial arts and emphasizes, rightly, its pragmatic orientation. I also appreciate that he emphasizes that even successful execution of techniques in a confrontation or attack does not render one invincible. Rather, the idea is to avoid harm if possible and minimize it if this is not possible. This is very realistic: training won’t make you Superman, but done properly it should significantly increase your chances of “getting home safe.”More generally, South is a genuine teacher. He is an expert but not at all condescending; rather, he seems to enjoy sharing his knowledge with others rather than simply displaying his mastery of the system. Another sign of a good teacher: the proficiency of his students. The two students who participate in the recorded classes are both skillful practitioners themselves.Techniques: The demonstration of techniques is excellent. South’s demonstrations are fluid and dynamic. The format—full speed demonstration, breakdown, and further demonstration from multiple angles—is very conducive to understanding how a technique works and how to perform it. The quality of the camera work, production values, and editing is similarly excellent. Furthermore, South explains concepts and techniques clearly and accessibly. I especially appreciate that he takes time to explain “why” a particular technique is effective in a given situation and what it’s trying to achieve. This approach folds nicely into another point that he makes throughout: krav maga is less about perfectly executing a technique and more about grasping fundamental principles of self-defense. (Or, as my instructor liked to say: “If it works, it’s krav maga!”) The overview of blocks is especially welcome. Frankly, my “live” instruction in this dimension of krav maga has been limited and the instruction here very much helps to make up for that.Organization: The design and structure of the dvd set may be its greatest strength. A fair number of dvds about krav maga or combatives are available, a few with decent demonstrations of techniques. What sets Total Krav Maga apart is the obvious thought and care that have been put into designing a comprehensive training program that clearly lays out a course of progress. While I’m not pursuing rank through this program, at least not at the moment, I greatly appreciate having a structure in place for moving from the basics to more advanced techniques.Moreover, the four complete classes are invaluable; it’s incredibly convenient to be able to get back from work, set up the heavy bag or grappling dummy, and then go through a complete class in my own home (or in the park across the street). One real advantage of training at or near home is efficiency. In my experience, even well-organized “live” classes entail a lot of extra time and downtime: commuting to and from the facility; waiting in line to sign in at the desk; setting up mats and getting equipment out of the supply closet; waiting five or ten minutes for stragglers to arrive; etc. Even a 90 minute session was often more like 40-45 or so minutes of actual instruction and practice. Here, each 30-minute class is focused and requires an honest effort from start to finish. Plus, the sample sessions provide a very useful template for designing one’s own classes to emphasize whatever techniques one feels need work.Overall: This is a fantastic set of dvds and a great value. For those who are skeptical that an at-home training program can provide quality instruction (I was one of them, admittedly) Total Krav Maga is a shining example that outstanding instruction can happen in any format, so long as the student is willing to put in a lot of work. And South makes it clear that he expects students to work hard!

I have been involved in martial arts/self defense for more than 25 years at the time of this review. I was first introduced to Krav Maga while serving in the U.S. Marines and learning hand to hand combat. It was one of the major styles that were integrated into what we used and were taught. I have earned three black belts during my martial arts training and am always interested in exploring new products and the evolution of self defense. I purchased this DVD set on Amazon.com. It arrived very quickly and as described by the seller's listing. I'll continue the review by covering three main points; packaging, production quality and content. Let's begin:1. PackagingThe DVD set comes as in a box set style package with each of the 5 DVDs in their own individual cases. I found the box and plastic cases to be of good quality and not flimsy, cheap feeling like one would expect from a $1 unknown movie from a dollar store. The Cases were labeled very clearly and gave great detail on the reverse side. The DVDs were not loose and scratched as the cases were well designed and held them in place through shipping.2. Production QualityThese videos were well produced and did not give off the feeling that someone recorded this with a cellphone or in a living room. The lighting was great and the camera angles were spot on. There was no apparent shaking of the camera and the editing was on par with what one would expect from a professional quality product. The sound was consistent and clear as they were wearing lapel mics. The DVD menus were user friendly and very easy to navigate.3. ContentThe content of this beginner set is very well organized and complete. It is very basic information if you are familiar with martial arts but it is necessary in order to be a true beginner's program. It does progress as you go along and provides very clear instruction with every new technique. Multiple angles are shown for each movement and demonstrated both with and without a partner for clear viewing. The techniques are on par with what I've seen and experienced with other Krav Maga instructors with a few minor variations. This set is great for anyone looking to get into Krav Maga or just add some tools to their skill set.ConclusionOverall, I believe this DVD set is a great value and very beneficial to anyone of any skill level. As I stated earlier, this does contain some very basic information at the beginning but no so much that an experienced martial artist couldn't gain some useful knowledge. The instructor is a natural teacher and very easy to understand and follow. He shows a high level of skill and does not display any arrogance, which is very refreshing. If you are an instructor looking to add something to your instruction or a student looking to supplement your training or someone brand new to Krav Maga and looking to use this as a home study course, you will find a very valuable asset here in a sea of junk. If you are considering purchasing this DVD set, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. A job well done to Michael South (the Instructor) and the Hodge family at the Total Training organization.

I have been training in Krav Maga for the last 3 years across Belgium, UK and US. I am often moving for my work.I am a French native speaker. I sometimes have a hard time following a technic during a class. On top of that I can easily start to wonder, picture the technic in my head or a real world situation where I am the hero. Because of that, I miss small (critical) details, sometimes.I was looking for DVDs summarizing all the basics, core notions that I could have missed, and more.I write notes after each class. I have a bunch of notes with childish drawings that I would be ashamed to show to anybody. But that's enough to trigger memories of a technique weeks or months after a class.I came across Total Krav Maga’s videos (Youtube etc.) number of times before buying the DVDs.Pros:- The quality of video and sound is excellent. Distinct voices, no blur, different angles, etc.- Labels on the upper left corner indicating what is the next exercise or technic. That helps me a lot refreshing the names of the technics.- The instructor does a fantastic job explaining and demonstrating the technics, even if I often pause or rewind (mainly for the workouts and drills).- You can directly jump to a specific video. This is not just a single track DVD. That's a small detail but is incredibly helpful when you want to review a technic or workout quickly.Cons:- I was a tad disappointed by the workout. You need a partner in order to take advantage of that part.I also bought a BOB (Body Opponent Bag) to train at home. I know this is an expensive item, but coupled with this DVD, it's incredibly useful (ground work, abs, etc).