ISRAELI KRAV MAGA: BELT RANKS
Have you considered starting a self defense program, but you’re not sure how long each belt takes or what it includes? Here’s an overview of each rank within Israeli Krav Maga:
Level 1: Yellow Belt — Approved testing after nine months*
Core fundamental expectations** for yellow belt students are as follows (but not limited to):
Stance and Footwork
Hooks; punches; strikes and kicking
Mental preparation and spatial orientation
Basic ground survival
Basic throws
Weapons of opportunity
Basic retzev
Level 2: Orange Belt — Approved testing after 24 months
Core fundamental expectations* for orange belt students are as follows (but not limited to):
Intermediate hooks; punches; elbows; strikes; kicking and boxing
Closing on an opponent
Weapon attack defense(s)
Submissions and takedowns
Intermediate ground survival
Intermediate throws
Intermediate retzev
Level 3: Green Belt — Approved testing after 36-42 months
Core fundamental expectations* for green belt students are as follows (but not limited to):
Advanced hooks; punches; elbows; strikes; kicking; boxing and wrestling
Impact weapon attack defense(s)
Edged weapon defenses leg range
Advanced submissions and takedowns
Multiple attackers
Head attacks
Advanced ground survival
Advanced throws
Advanced retzev
Level 4: Blue Belt — Approved testing after 60-66 months
Core fundamental expectations* for blue belt students are as follows (but not limited to):
Increased complexity and control with cumulative training
Critical ground survival
Timing and body defense
Law enforcement control holds
Edged weapon defenses hand range
Full motion defenses
Level 5: Brown and Black Belt — Approved testing for brown belt 96 months and blackbelt invitation only
Complete understanding of* for brown and black belt students are as follows (but not limited to):
More complexity and control of all cumulative training
High degree of fighting ability and efficiency
Close range techniques
Fighting a trained adversary
Advanced edged and impact weapon defenses
Multiple attackers armed and on the ground
High impact mental preparation
Firearm defenses
*Testing approval is different for everyone and is highly dependent upon attendance, aptitude, attitude and overall proficiency
**In all circumstances per belt there are (literally) hundreds of additional moves; tactics; mindsets and programming (many of which are the intellectual property of the IKMA) that we insist upon. Shown here is a base foundation for glossary education only. In most all cases of these core fundamentals there’s the defense to each taught per belt rank.
Redbelt — The highest krav maga rank (Grandmaster) currently held by Grandmaster Haim Gidon
Because not all Krav Maga is the same.™ — Nor how it is taught.
Find out more: http://www.masteringkravmaga.com