Meaning “contact combat” in Hebrew, Krav Maga is Israel’s national martial art. It borrows features from various other forms including grappling and ground fighting from Jujutsu, traditional boxing punches, and kicks and knee techniques from Karate. Although Krav Maga was initially developed in the 1930s by a Jewish wrestler and boxer as a way to teach his neighbours how to defend themselves, it has gained popularity amongst the Israeli security forces and the special police. It is considered a violent martial art as there are virtually no rules and the main purpose of this practice is to defend yourself whilst attacking your opponent. On the field, it proves useful as a form of self-defence as it is more brutal than competition or sport.

Source: Senshi