Ranks in Krav Maga
 by Moshe katz

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The Significance of Ranks 

From the earliest recorded days of martial arts, ranks have played an important role. The reasons appears to be two fold; Motivation, and Recognition. 

Motivation    

Motivation can be described as the human need to be pushed or pulled to do some activity. While achieving a certain skill is important in and of itself, we often need a little more. When we join a club we get a pin, or a patch. When we win a world series we get a ring, something tangible to show the world "we did it". So it is with martial arts that long ago our early instructors recognized this need and realized that a rank, title, belt or sash, would go a long way in motivating students, in giving them that extra push. 

Recognition 

When I was teaching the Jerusalem elite security guards, a pretty tough group, I had a reoccurring problem; I don't have the Krav Maga "Look". Each new group would come in, look around the gym, and ask, "Are you our Krav Maga instructor?". I solved the problem by printing up T shirts that read in large letters "Instructor" in Hebrew and English. There is a need to know who the instructor is.

In terms of ranking/grading it is important that when someone reaches the skill level of instructor he has some sort of title, patch, or certificate to indicate for all to know: this individual is qualified, certified,  authorized and recognized as an instructor. 

Israeli Krav International  (IKI) Ranking - Belts, Instructor. 

With IKI the ranking system includes two kinds of ranks: Belt ranks, and Instructor ranks.

Belt ranks measure your personal ability to do the techniques effectively. Instructor ranks measure your ability to teach those techniques to others.

For those with little or no previous experience we start with the belt rank of white. We move up to yellow, orange, green, blue and brown, followed by first degree black belt. Once a students has reached the belt rank of Green, he is eligible to be considered for the rank of Apprentice Instructor.  

What is "Apprentice Instructor"? 

Apprentice Instructor is the first instructor level.  It indicates that I trust you to teach and to faithfully pass on the techniques and concepts of IKI Krav Maga. You will not teach Jujitsu and call it Krav Maga. You will not teach other styles of Krav Maga and call it IKI Krav Maga.

Of course to achieve this level you need to be proficient yourself, but basically the rank is an indication of teaching ability and of understanding the concepts behind the techniques.

Black Belt in Krav Maga 

There are no advanced Krav Maga techniques, rather what I look for is fluidity and the ability to improvise, adapt and apply. 

There are no hard and fast rules: It is more a matter of personal judgment of the instructor. 

After black belt one can advance up the ranks up to fifth dan black belt. 

for further information on earning ranks, fees, and instructor certification, please see On Line Training

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