• Krav Maga • Histoire

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• Krav Maga • Histoire • KRAV MAGA Le krav Maga, (littéralement "combat rapproché" en hébreu), est à l'origine une méthode d'autodéfense combinant des techniques provenant de la boxe, du muay-thaï, du judo, du ju-jitsu et de la lutte. Cette méthode, créée par Imi Lichtenfeld, est maintenant une base de l'armée israélienne et des services spéciaux israéliens pour se défendre au corps à corps face aux assaillants. La méthode est utilisée par de nombreux services de police et forces militaires dans le monde tels qu'aux États-Unis le FBI, la DEA, les marines, en France le GIGN, le RAID, la Légion étrangère et au Royaume-Uni les SAS. • HISTOIRE Au début du xxe siècle, la ville de Bratislava, est une importante communauté juive ashkénaze. Samuel Lichtenfeld était détective et instructeur en chef de la police départementale, devenu célèbre pour ses nombreuses affaires élucidées et son enseignement de l'autodéfense. Son fils, Imi Lichtenfeld, né à Budapest en 1910, s’inspira grandement des activités de son père. Il remporta de nombreuses compétitions en lutte, boxe et gymnastique. Dans les années 1930, face à la montée du fascisme en Europe, et pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, Imi Lichtenfeld réunit autour de lui un groupe de jeunes athlètes dont la mission était de protéger la communauté juive locale. Il prit part à de nombreuses bagarres qui lui firent prendre conscience des différences entre les compétitions sportives et les combats de rue . Après un passage dans les troupes britanniques il rejoignit la Haganah, formation paramilitaire juive préfigurant la future armée israélienne. Il fit partie des troupes de choc, le Palmach, où il enseigna le kapap, la lutte et la gymnastique. En 1948, Imi Lichtenfeld rejoint Tsahal en tant que chef-instructeur pour l’éducation physique et le Kapap. Son objectif était de développer une méthode simple, efficace et rapidement assimilable pour répondre aux besoins de l’armée : les techniques sont nées d’un réajustement progressif rendu possible par les retours d’expérience sur le champ de bataille. En 1964 il ouvrit une école à Netanya et créa officiellement le KRAV MAGA. 1980 marque le début de l’internationalisation du Krav Maga, auparavant circonscrit au seul État d’Israël Imi Lichtenfeld autorisait ses disciples les plus doués à enseigner cette méthode à travers le monde, entre autres Eyal Yanilov aux États-Unis, ou encore Kobi Lichtenstein en Amérique du Sud. En 1988, Imi Lichtenfeld délègue Richard Douieb afin de représenter le Krav Maga en Europe. Le FBI, la DEA, les marines, le GIGN et les SAS popularisèrent cette nouvelle forme de close combat auprès du grand public et de nombreux clubs commencèrent à proposer aux civils une façon différente de pratiquer la self- défense. Le décès du fondateur en 1998 a marqué le début de dissensions au sein des instances dirigeantes (on notera cependant que Yanilov quittera la fédération de Krav Maga dès 1996). Peu avant sa disparition, Imi Lichtenfeld affirmait encore que son vœu le plus cher était que chaque enfant sache se défendre, élevé dans le respect d’autrui. OBJECTIFS L’objectif du Krav Maga est l’apprentissage de la défense en un minimum de temps de formation, il n’est n’est pas conçu comme un art mais comme une méthode de combat rapproché. Dans ce souci d’efficacité, le Krav Maga est en perpétuelle évolution. Toutefois, il inclut un grand nombre de techniques de combat issues de la boxe pieds-poings, du jiu-jitsu et de la lutte. À cela s’ajoutent l’absence de règles. La méthode devant être intégrée rapidement pour la formation des soldats, elle ne s’appuie pas sur des qualités physiques particulières et n’est donc pas réservée à des troupes d’élites. La simplicité est déterminante. Le Krav Maga est basé sur les réflexes et la rapidité d’action. En son temps, Imi Lichtenfeld fonde sept principes du KRAV MAGA : 1. Eviter les situations dangereuses Le Krav Maga est un principe de prévention et de bon sens pour « éviter de se retrouver dans une situation dangereuse » (par exemple : en faisant de l’auto- stop, éviter les individus peu engageants, éviter de traverser à pied un quartier dangereux en ville, etc.) 2. Réflexes naturels Le Krav Maga est une technique d’auto-défense basée sur "Réflexes naturels" du corps humain. 3. La voie la plus courte Se défendre et attaquer par la voie la plus courte et depuis la position où l’on se trouve, en privilégiant "le minimum de prise de risque pour soi-même". 4. Instaurer un dialogue En fonction de la situation, et selon le besoin, en fonction du danger que représente l’adversaire, essayer de décourager celui-ci "en instaurant un dialogue". 5. Points sensibles Utiliser "les points sensibles" du corps humain (yeux, gorge, parties génitales) pour atteindre ou maîtriser l’adver saire. 6. Objets à portée, puis armes naturelles Essayer d’utiliser en priorité "tous les objets à sa portée", puis les armes naturelles du corps en dernier recours. 7. Tous les coups sont permis Aucune loi (pas de règles à respecter), aucune limitation sur le plan des techniques, pas d’interdits, "tous les coups sont permis"; mais, il est tout de même conseillé de rester dans la "légitime défense". PRIORITES Tout comme le close combat, le KRAV MAGA se caractérise par différentes techniques incapacitantes ou létales. Ces méthodes sont très faciles à apprendre et très efficaces. Elles visent à mettre hors d’état de nuire un ennemi : le plus vite possible, le plus efficacement possible et par tous les moyens possibles (aucune limite de combat). Les techniques de combat à mains nues employées sont typiquement les plus dangereuses, les plus efficaces, et les plus simples que puisse générer le corps humain. Les coups sont donc focalisés sur des cibles anatomiques comme notamment les yeux, la nuque, les genoux, la gorge et les parties génitales. Le combattant cherchera systématiquement à prendre l’initiative de l’assaut, puis à neutraliser la menace (sans systématiquement rechercher le maximum de dégâts). La défense est donc toujours un pis-aller (récupération de l’initiative), visant à rétablir l’action offensive. Le déplacement est toujours en avançant (forward drive). Dans une situation donnée, la réponse doit être immédiate, aussi forte que nécessaire, sans appel, naturelle et choisie pour servir un objectif précis, comme déconcentrer, fuir, immobiliser au sol, neutraliser voire tuer. Il en résulte 3 ensembles de techniques suivant que l’enseignement est destiné à l’armée, la police ou les civils. En effet, les objectifs n’étant pas les mêmes suivant ces catégories, attaquer, neutraliser, ou se défendre. ENTRAINEMENT Le Krav Maga ne présuppose pas que les combattants respectent un ensemble de règles. L’entraînement insiste sur des situations atypiques telles que : la réaction à une attaque surprise ; le combat à mains nues contre un adversaire armé d’une arme tranchante (exemple : couteau) éventuellement dissimulée, une arme contondante (exemple : batte de base-ball) ou une arme à feu ; anticipation à ce que l’adversaire sorte une arme ou/et s’en serve ; le combat contre plusieurs adversaires, sortir d’une situation d’encerclement ; et la protection d'une tierce personne. L’entraînement au Krav Maga couvre aussi des situations susceptibles de dégénérer en combat ainsi que des méthodes, aussi bien verbales que physiques. Les qualités développées lors de l’entraînement sont : l’amélioration des réflexes, la fluidité, la rapidité, la précision, l’utilisation correcte des armes naturelles du corps, la détermination, la maîtrise de soi, et des réponses adaptées aux situations d’agression. L’entraînement s’articule donc autour de deux piliers : les techniques de self-défense et le combat. L'auto-défense est une composante du Krav Maga regroupant toute une série de techniques dont le but est de donner à ceux qui les apprennent la possibilité de se défendre, d’être en mesure d’avoir le dessus et d’éviter d’être blessés. Cela comprend les défenses contre toutes sortes d’agressions : coups de poing, coups de pied, étouffements, différentes prises et attaques à main armée. L’élève apprend ainsi à appliquer les différentes méthodes de Krav Maga dans un maximum de situations (familières ou inconnues) : notamment obscurité, positions assise ou couchée, environnements étroits, contre plusieurs agresseurs. LES FONDAMENTAUX Humilité Restez Humble, évitez des altercations inutiles. Surmontez votre ego et contrôlez vos sentiments. Soyez prêt à accepter la critique et les conseils d’autrui. Réactivité Avoir la bonne réaction, où il faut et quand il faut. Votre état physique et mental détermine votre capacité à mener l’affrontement. Faite le plein usage des éléments et des conditions qui vous entourent. Evitez la confrontation mais régissez avec la puissance nécessaire en cas d’agression. Compétence Soyez efficace, nul besoin d’infliger inutilement du mal à son adversaire, mettre rapidement et efficacement un terme à l’affrontement. Considérer votre prochain, même au cours d’un engagement dangereux. Discerner une attaque et son niveau de dangerosité pour préparer une défense adéquate. LES PRINCIPES DIRECTEURS Prévention et bon sens, éviter une situation dangereuse. Préférez la fuite à l’engagement tant que possible. Appliquer une réaction appropriée. Les techniques du Krav Maga sont des extensions des réflexes naturels du corps humain. Défendez – vous de la manière la plus rapide et directe possible, quelle que soit la position. Selon la situation et en fonction du danger que représente l’adversaire, privilégier les paroles aux actes. Utiliser les points sensibles du corps pour atteindre ou maitrisez votre adversaire. Frappez avec exactitude à n’importe quel point vulnérable. Utiliser votre environnement en priorité les objets qui vous entourent en dernier recours les armes naturelles du corps. En cas d’agression pas de loi, ni de règles à respecter.
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