KRAV MAGA GRADING SYSTEM
WHY WE HAVE A GRADING SYSTEM
When it comes to training and developing physical skills, such as Krav Maga, it is important to establish a means of measuring a student's progress. This allows students to observe their improvement and stay motivated. While some martial arts rely on competitions and tournaments, Krav Maga, being a self-defence system, does not have such competitive events.
Eyal Yanilov, founder of Krav Maga Global, created the modern Krav Maga ranking system and curriculum in the 1980s and was changed again in the mid 90s, to be in line with the continued development of the curriculum, and so the patch system as symbols of rank was introduced.
ADULTS GRADING
The KMG ranking system distinguishes itself from traditional belts, instead we use coloured patches to represent student ranks.
KMG has implemented a well-defined grading system, which consists of three primary levels for adult practitioners:
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Practitioner Level
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Graduate Level
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Expert Level, and
Each level is further divided into five ranks, with a specific curriculum for each rank.
Instructor Yanni (right) at his G4 Level Instructor grading with KMG Expert Level 5 Instructor Ilya Dunsky (left)
Progression from one rank to another typically requires approximately 6 - 8 months of consistent training in the Practitioner and Graduate levels.
During the grading process, students are required to undergo a comprehensive test to assess their understanding and proficiency in the curriculum.
Upon successful completion of the grading test, students are awarded a diploma and the corresponding patch of their attained level in Krav Maga. The diploma obtained from a KMG school holds validity in KMG schools worldwide.
PRACTITIONER LEVEL
Levels P1-P5
This is the first level of grades for our adult members. There are 5 ranks from P1-P5. Students will generally grade 1 – 2 times per year at P-level.
Practitioner levels cover essential techniques used in Krav Maga, encompassing defences against typical unarmed assaults such as kicks, punches, chokes, etc., both while standing and on the ground.
Students also acquire knowledge in effective decision-making and tactical strategies for handling situations involving multiple attackers.Students also acquire knowledge in effective decision-making and tactical strategies for handling situations involving multiple attackers.
GRADUATE LEVEL
Levels G1-G5
Graduate level students are high level students as well as Krav Maga instructors who have completed all the P-level gradings. This level will generally take 3 – 5 years to achieve.
In these levels, students encounter increasingly challenging and intricate situations that build upon the foundational techniques learned in the Practitioner Levels.
Students learn more advanced strikes and combinations, defences against diverse assaults involving weapons and firearms and how to navigate intermediate encounters with multiple attackers.
EXPERT LEVEL
Levels E1-E5
Expert level practitioners are high level instructors who have completed the previous P & G level grades. Testing for E1 requires at least 1 year of training since obtaining G5, and subsequent tests require between 2 and 5 years, depending on the level.
Expert level tests are usually conducted in Israel.
To advance as an expert level in KMG, instructors must complete a number of training courses in areas such as Combat & Mindset, law-enforcement & military instructor training as well as physical tests and theoretical work.
KIDS & TEENS GRADING
The Krav Junior grading system is divided into 4 main categories; Kids, Young, Junior and Teenager Levels according to their age. Each category has 5 ranking levels and its own curriculum for students to learn.
Kids Level (K1-K5)
Young Level (Y1-Y5)
Junior Level (J1-J5)
Teens Level (T1-T5)