Your Complete Guide to Learning
Self-Defense
Learning self-defense is like learning a new language. At first, it’s all gibberish—a jumble of strange movements, concepts, and principles that don’t quite make sense. You feel awkward, unsure of yourself, and probably a little embarrassed that “you are the only person in the room who doesn’t know what to do.”
But it becomes second nature with time, dedication, repetition, and the right approach. You stop thinking so much and start acting. Self-defense becomes part of WHO you are, not just HOW you react.
For many of my students, the journey feels overwhelming at the start. They see advanced practitioners executing techniques with precision and wonder if they’ll ever get there. Often, they attribute that precision to natural talent, overlooking the countless hours of effort and practice that made it possible.
The truth is, those practitioners once felt the same way. They were beginners, too, unsure if they could handle the physical or mental challenges of training. The secret is that self-defense isn’t about talent or natural ability. It’s about learning step by step.
Start Where You Are
The first step to learning self-defense is accepting where you are. Whether you’re a complete beginner who’s never thrown a punch or someone with some experience, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’ve decided to start. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses, and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Every expert was once a beginner.
Accept the Awkwardness
At the beginning, everything feels awkward. Your movements are stiff, your strikes lack power, and your reactions are slow. That’s normal. Don’t shy away from it. Embrace the awkwardness and understand that it’s a sign of growth. The more you practice, the less awkward it becomes.
Know Your Limitations
Limitations can come in many forms: mobility, flexibility, strength, stamina, mindset, PTSD, or even self-doubt.
Address any limitations you may have at the start and focus on improving those metrics.
Acknowledging these is important, But don’t create ones that don’t exist!
Imagined barriers or fears will turn real if you believe them hard enough, so choose carefully the stories you tell yourself – they shape your reality.
Build a Strong Foundation
You can’t skip steps. Like every other skill or profession, prioritizing the fundamentals is crucial. Just as you wouldn’t begin with a backbend or other intense poses in yoga, you shouldn’t jump straight into advanced techniques like weapon disarm, takedowns, or flying kicks. Before focusing on complex moves, you need to master the basics: proper stance, effective striking, and controlled movement. These foundational skills are the bedrock of everything else. Without them, you’re building a house on sand.
It’s tempting to focus on flashy techniques that look impressive, but real skills don’t work that way. Practicing the basics repeatedly might not feel as satisfying, but under pressure, solid fundamentals will always be your greatest asset, while fancy moves are likely to fail.
Consistency Is Key
Consistency beats intensity every time. Showing up regularly—even when you don’t feel like it—is what truly makes the difference. Your muscles, brain, and nervous system thrive on consistent stimulation to adapt, grow, and improve.
Self-defense isn’t something you can master in a single workshop or weekend seminar. Let me repeat it: one class will not make a difference. Watching 30-second reels on escaping a choke won’t make you safer, either. It’s a skill that demands regular practice to apply effectively under pressure.
Develop a Resilient Mindset
Learning self-defense is as much about your mindset as it is about your physical skills. To build resilience, you must learn to be comfortable with discomfort and, at times, even pain. It’s much like training a muscle—you start small, challenging yourself just enough to grow, and with consistent effort, you become stronger. Over time, you’ll find you can handle more weight, push through more reps, and take on tougher challenges.
Each instance of stepping outside your comfort zone expands your capacity, teaching you to endure, adapt, and eventually even thrive in the face of adversity. You’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to feel frustrated. That’s all part of the process. The important thing is to keep going. Resilience isn’t built overnight, but with persistence and deliberate effort, it becomes your most reliable strength.
Choose the Right Environment
Not all training environments are created equal. You need a place where you feel safe to learn and make mistakes. Instructors should not only be knowledgeable and skilled teachers but also create an atmosphere where you feel supported and challenged. Your training partners should push you to improve without leaving you discouraged. A strong, supportive community makes all the difference.
Gradual Progress
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is trying to do too much too soon. You don’t need to spar full contact on your first day. Start with cooperative drills to learn the mechanics, then gradually increase the level of resistance. As you improve, you’ll be ready for more realistic scenarios. That is precisely why we have level testing.
Failure Is Part of Learning
Failure is part of learning. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to get hit. You’re going to feel like you’re not making progress. That’s all normal. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and improve. The only true failure is giving up.
Respect the Process
Learning self-defense is a process. There are no shortcuts. Respect the time and effort it takes to build your skills. Trust that if you put in the work, the results will come. Everyone has a different timeline. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Stay Humble and Curious
No matter how skilled you become, stay humble. There’s always someone better, and there’s always more to learn. Humility keeps you grounded and open to growth. Be curious and willing to explore new ideas, techniques, and perspectives. Self-defense is a constantly evolving field, and there’s always something new to discover.
Stress as a Tool
The purpose of training is to prepare for those stressful moments when uncertainty strikes. It’s about learning to adapt and take control. Real-life situations are chaotic and unpredictable, so your training must reflect that. If handling stress feels overwhelming at first, that’s okay. Start small with techniques under mild pressure, like timed drills or light sparring. As your confidence builds, you’ll be ready to face greater challenges and thrive under pressure.
Invest in Yourself
As a child, my father would often say, “Everything can be taken away from you, except what you know.” Learning how to protect yourself is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Self-defense training is an investment—not just in your physical safety, but in your mental and emotional strength. The effort you put into training rewards you with confidence, resilience, and peace of mind that lasts a lifetime.
It’s a sense of safety that no one can take away from you.
Keep It Simple
In high-pressure situations, simplicity is your best friend. Fancy moves and complicated techniques might look impressive, but they’re not practical. Stick to straightforward, effective techniques that you can rely on under stress. That is what Krav Maga is all about.
Prepare for Reality But Remain Playful!
Self-defense isn’t about winning trophies or looking cool. It’s about protecting yourself and your loved ones in real-life situations. Your training should reflect that. Focus on practicality and realism, and don’t get caught up in flashy techniques that won’t hold up under pressure.
At the same time, don’t lose sight of the importance of building skills that let you stay playful in your practice. Learn how to wrestle and spar without injuring your partner—there’s no need to break their face or groin every time you train! Playful, controlled practice fosters growth and keeps training enjoyable.
Practice, Reflect, Repeat
Self-defense isn’t a destination. It’s a journey. You’ll never wake up one day and feel like you’ve “mastered” it because there’s always more to learn. That’s what makes it so rewarding. Every step you take brings new challenges and new victories.
You Will Change & Evolve as a Person
Learning self-defense isn’t just about protecting yourself from physical harm. It’s about empowering yourself to face life’s challenges with confidence and strength. It’s a journey that transforms you—not just as a practitioner, but as a person.
Start where you are, take it step by step, and trust the process. You’re stronger than you think and your body won’t break so quickly!
Do something amazing,
Tsahi Shemesh
Founder & CEO
Krav Maga Experts