Krav Maga Attire
BY MOSHE KATZ 
CEO
ISRAELI KRAV INTERNATIONAL

January 3, 2025, Israel

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IKI Members training in Israeli Counter-Terror tactics.

For many martial arts practitioners, the uniform is everything. They strut around in their uniform, long after class is over, displaying their ranks, patches etc. Personally, I have not worn a belt in years, "not that there is anything wrong in that." As Mr. Miyagi said the belt is to hold your pants. Julie San says, "even Elvis Presley had a belt", and Miyagi Sensei answers, "Borrow from Elvis next time see him." 

So the question is how important is the uniform in Krav Maga?

Business

First, let's be honest, for many schools this is a commercial matter. Schools struggle to stay alive and kicking, and merchandise goes a long way in providing extra income. I see this as perfectly legitimate. Every school I have ever joined required this. When I signed up for Wing Chun Gung Fu, even though I was only visiting the school for one month, I had to purchase the package; membership, a large poster, two videos and two school T shirts. There was no debate, no discussion, this was a condition for joining and I accepted that. 

I had a friend who worked for Asian World of Martial Arts, a big martial arts school in Philadelphia. There was a school she was supplying for many years and she finally decided to sign up her two young daughters for Tae kwon do classes. The instructor said she must purchase school uniforms with patches, the cost, about $60. The mother/saleswoman responded, but I recently sold you 100 uniforms for $9.99 each and patches for $1.99, can't I just use my employee discount and purchase these from the store I work for?

The answer was a clear No, you will purchase them from us at $59.99. Such is how it works. I understand and respect that. 

Loyalty, Affiliation, Pride, Solidarity

The second aspect is the idea that one should show loyalty to the school, school pride; I am proud to be a member of this school. I am proud to wear their T shirts, hoodies and uniforms. It creates a certain sense of solidarity among the members. I feel this is important. 

It is also a matter of respect, but here I digress, respect is better shown in other ways. As Sensei Patrick McCarthy taught me, yes, a uniform is important, but sometimes it is a matter of - should I miss class because I don't have my uniform with me? Or go to class wearing something else. He said - always choose the latter. The training is more important than the uniform. 

But he taught me something else as well. He said, we show our respect through wearing the school uniform, yes, true. But it is more important to show respect by being...respectful, by showing up to class on a regular basis, by arriving to class on time! by paying our dues on time! by training hard and treating all students, higher and lower ranks, with respect. All that is more important than a school uniform.

I have never forgotten that lesson, and that was more than 20 years ago. 

So while I do want to see everyone wearing IKI T shirts during training, there are other issues that are more important. 

So what is our IKI attire?

Ideally an IKI T shirt. 

Comfortable pants. 

If we are doing certain types of techniques a groin protector would be advisable.

And that is pretty much it. This is a street art so you should be able to defend yourself in what you normally wear on the street. Of course in training we don't want to damage your nice clothing so we avoid buttoned town dress shirts and things like that. Also, you should learn to dress practically on the street as well. 

see also;

Self Defense Clothing

Krav Maga Dress Code

IKI Krav Maga Shop

MosheMcCarthySeminar
PatMcCarthy

Sensei Pat McCarthy

MosheKatz2024

Moshe Katz, 7th dan Black Belt, Israeli Krav Maga. Certified by Wingate Institute. Member Black Belt hall of fame, USA and Europe.

Understand the Israeli Fighting Mentality - Israel a Nation of Warriors by Moshe Katz

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What is the cultural background of Krav Maga?  What makes it unique? What makes the Israeli military so effective? Why are Israeli security systems used all over the world?

What are the Biblical origins of Krav Maga and who was the first Krav Maga instructor?

What weapons and military strategies did our Biblical ancestors use?

How has Krav Maga developed in Israel and what are its goals?

All that and more in this unique book.

Books by Moshe Katz

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