Kapap Combat Concepts: Martial Arts of the Israeli Special Forces

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.

I have published reviews of numerous books and DVDs in the martial arts and self-defense fields. One of my favorite combatives topics is Krav Maga and related material. This text is one of the best self-defense books I have read lately. I love that the key to KAPAP is to "use only what works for you." As I have been involved in numeorus martial arts for more than 50 years, the material is easy to follow and learn from; however, like any self-defense skill, one has to actually practice the material to master it. Though this book just covers the basic combat concepts of KAPAP, it is still highly recommended for anyone interested in practical and effective combatives. Joe Truncale, Founder of Pro-Systems Combatives and Warrior Way Reviews Newsletter.

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.

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.

I am a huge fan of Avi and the KAPAP system but unfortunately this book just isn't very good. Pages and pages on how to use a medicine ball, a large amount of padding such as half a page sized photographs and it's not a very thick book in the first place. What is written is pretty good but the different sections are pretty disjointed and don't follow any logical sequence. Beware the 5 star reviews, they all appear to be from die-hard KAPAP fans or KAPAP instructors on a marketing blitz.

Good book

Great book just what I was after

top book

I was expecting more from the Nardia range. It is ok as a book, but not that really helpful, more like a shelf filler.....