Customer Reviews

Kapap Combat Concepts: Martial Arts of the Israeli Special Forces

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In this world of reality based martial arts, everyone claims to be an expert. Not that everyone doesn't have something to contribute, but trust me when I say the Kapap training is ALL about reality. Not the reality of two people who agree to fight in a cage with rules, but the reality of surviving on the street against an adversary (or multiple attackers) who is attempting to take your life. I have had the true priviledge of training with world class competitors in the arts of jujitsu, judo and sambo. These instructors know how to coach their students because of their never ending knowledge of their sports. Avi Nardia and Albert Timen know their craft like no other for this simple reason - they used it daily and survived! Read this book and incorporate it's principles into any art your practicing. You'll thank these two as I have.

What I particularly found interesting with Avi Nardia and Albert Timen's Kapap training text is that it is reality based. During the 1950's and 1960's when the Strategic Air Command (SAC)combat instructors trained aircrew personnel who manned the big bombers like the B-36, B-52, and B-58, we trained these airmen in their flight suits and boots as well as in Judo Gis. As this was a close ground combat escape and evasion program, the reality was that defense was not going to occur in a matted dojo clad in a judo gi with perfectly shaped simulated weaponry. We also trained air policemen using the same logic. Instructors took some hard hits during this training era. Many suffered disabling injuries that carried into life outside the military after retirement. However, that's the nature of close combat training. But when you are young, patriotic and full of raging hormones, nothing can harm you, and you think you are indestructible. Therefore it is particularly important to heed the warnings that accompany this text book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the history behind Kapap as there isn't much published in text book form. If I were to pick out the most important information presented by these two exceptionally qualified hands-on instructors, it would be Chapter 4. Relative Positions. John Machado also added his talents to this one-of-a-kind text book on Kapap and the price is right for such invaluable insight into the world of Krav Panim El Panim or "Face to Face Combat". Although Kapap is relatively less familiar than many well known martial arts, the effects of this training can be lethal therefore again, caution strongly is advised. This long awaited text book merits two thumbs up.

Avi Nardia has tackled a hard job with his usual ease. Teaching self defense and close range combatives usually degenerates into specific techniques that usually don't fit the situations. Avi has broken CRC into conceptual nuggets: and with illustrations has found a way to teach, demonstrate and convey these ideas through the written word to others. The book might look a bit simplistic at first glance but its because it contains broad concepts of use to give one better tools in ones tool box of self defense and Close Range Combat. I teach CRC and martial arts and I think anyone buying this book will be pleasantly surprised and appreciative of what Avi has brought to the table.

This book is a waste of time and money. The techniques illustrated are beyond the abilities of a complete novice and too obvious and simplistic for a more advanced martial artist - i would personally question some of them in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

The book spends a lot of time talking about what a great system KAPAP is and how great the writers are but does not back this up in the body of the book with any meaningful insights or techniques.

DOnt bother - there are much better books out there for both novices and advanced fighters or better still find a good school / instructor.

Having been in Martial Arts for 31 years now and having taught for the last 15, I can say that this book will do you NO GOOD.... I bought it with high hopes and was let down. I gave it 2 stars since it does have some good stuff from Jean Jacques Machado, however I thought I was buying a book on Kapap.. Instead the only technical aspects of the book came from BJJ and really didn't have any substance of KAPAP. If you want a good book get the one called Complete Krav Maga as it has actual techniques. This book doesn't.

This book has been a great help in understanding the concept of "Relative Position" and its application to self-defense. Although this book is only a guide to understanding the fighting system of modern Kapap, it gives just enough information to allow readers to explore Kapap and use the concepts in their own training. Like it says in the introduction, this book is not a magical solution to self-defense rather it is about upgrading the "toolbox" through a variety of resources. I also agree that today's Kapap is more of an "international" self-defense/fighting system than an "Israeli" system and commend Chaim Peer, Albert Timen, Avi Nardi, David Arama, and Professor John Machado for their contributions.

It's been a long time since I last trained in any martial arts and I started looking for a style that suits me. My background had been in Kyokushinkai karate and Yoshinkan Aikido- that style being one of the harder styles of Aikido. I did not attain high ranks in either. I purchasd this book because I had come across Kapap in my research into taking up a new martial arts style with fitness and self-defence in mind.

Being middle-aged, and 'only' 5 ft 6 in in height means that the martial arts styles I tend to gravitate towards are those that don't rely on sheer power and are more intuitive. This book puts ticks in both boxes and does so admirably. On moving to Brisbane, I will have the option of choosing to learn either Kapap or Commando Krav Maga (CKM)- or both. What I absolutely loved about this book is that it recommends incoporating Kapap concepts into your own style, and vice versa. There is no need to be worried about crossing over in such styles and concepts- if the synergy works then use it. And if it works, continue to improve on it. That has been my general approach to my career- so I well understand the power that a ground shift in thinking applied to action this can provide.

In this book, there are plenty of exercises to help practitioners break through the stress of combat and not let cognitive dissonance or self-doubt rule them. The focus is on the threat so the techniques in this will help your mental preparation prior to when you may need it most. The book has a number of sections which examine what Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners would do if faced with the same situation. I does not take a 'holier than thou' approach- but highlights that there are differences. Some specific techniques are similar to Shaolin Chin-Na techniques in books written by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ma (?)- but much less esoteric in the delivery. I'm not saying that Dr. Yang's techniques don't work- I'm just saying that they can be performed with less finesse.

The DVD set is also very good- but I do appreciate this book. It's not a large book by any means, but a powerful approach to how we should all train. And for that, I cannot fault this book.

In this book you will not find any secrets about Reality Based Combat, but it shows many good applicable concepts to many bad situations. Master Avi Nardia shows all techniques with simplicity and humility. It's worth buying for any true student of reality based self defense.

Hi my name's Jean Carrillo from France. I have the honor and privilege to train with Avi Nardia. The book is really easy to read but most of all full of informations, techniques etc... It is a must for everybody that want to learn and pratic real Israely Martial Arts.
What I would say to peoples that have a doubt in bying this book is really simple:
IT IS NOT WHAT COST THIS BOOK TO BUY, IT WHAT HE WILL COST YOU IF YOU DON'T BUY IT!!!
Jean Carrillo
French & European Champion
Kapap Instructor
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Any person who has trained self defense techniques can appreciate the value of this book. It gives a perspective on the principles ruling a system that is not only effective but has been proven by their authors in real life. The collaboration of John Machado, not Jean Jacques, is muc appreciated and it only shows you how enriched this technique can be.

Gustavo Lara