Fight Podcast #1: What is fighting and who is Sharir R.?
In the inaugural episode of the Fight Podcast, Sharir Richmond, head instructor of ICCS Krav Maga, and Jan, a Krav Maga instructor with ICCS, introduce themselves and discuss their multifaceted roles in the world of combat sports and self-defense. Sharir explains his extensive background, which includes coaching at MMA Jerusalem and instructing military personnel in hand-to-hand combat, highlighting the overlap and differences between civilian and military training.
The conversation delves into the fundamental distinctions between street fighting and sports fighting, emphasizing that while both aim to neutralize an opponent, the contexts and rules differ significantly. Sharir notes that a street fight has no referee and losing can have severe consequences, unlike in a controlled sports environment. They discuss the importance of incorporating elements from MMA into Krav Maga, such as using objects as weapons and dealing with multiple attackers.
Sharir introduces the concept of "street boxing" and "street wrestling" as part of ICCS, aiming to bridge the gap between combat sports and practical self-defense. He acknowledges that Krav Maga sometimes has a bad reputation due to inconsistent teaching standards and unrealistic techniques promoted by some instructors. Sharir is committed to changing this perception by integrating effective fighting principles and realistic training methods into Krav Maga.
They also discuss the ICCS fight team, which competes in MMA and other combat sports, leveraging the diverse expertise of instructors worldwide to help students reach their highest potential. This approach ensures that techniques are tested under pressure and can be applied effectively in real-world scenarios.
Sharir stresses the importance of training under realistic conditions, highlighting the need for situational awareness, de-escalation techniques, and the ability to handle unexpected threats like multiple attackers or armed assailants. He explains that true proficiency in self-defense requires more than just technical skills; it involves mental preparedness and the ability to perform under stress.
The episode concludes with Sharir advocating for a balanced training regimen that includes striking, clinching, wrestling, grappling, and weapon defense. He emphasizes that while combat sports provide a solid foundation, they must be supplemented with practical self-defense techniques and principles to be truly effective in real-life situations.