Why the ground is taught the way it is in Krav Maga.

This is a question I’ve been asked for years, and it deserves a clear answer.

Most people hear “ground fighting” and immediately think grappling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submissions, rolling, and staying down until someone gets a submission.

That version of ground fighting makes sense in a sport environment.

It does not automatically make sense in a self-defense environment.

In sport grappling, you can pace.

You can wait. You can stay on the ground.

You are matched by size, skill, and intent.

There are rules.

There is a referee.

There is consent.

None of that exists in real life.

In a real situation, the ground is not a place to settle in.

It’s a place where things can escalate fast.

Multiple attackers.

Weapons.

Loss of mobility.

Loss of awareness.

There are no rules.

There is no referee.

There is no reset.

There is no consent.

That’s why traditional Krav Maga limits ground early on.

Not because the ground is unimportant.

But because teaching it the wrong way creates false confidence.

There are principles from grappling that absolutely carry over.

There are also habits that get people hurt when they’re applied without context.

Most people never get that distinction explained clearly.

They’re just told to “learn more ground” and left to fill in the gaps themselves.

That gap matters.

I want to spend some time addressing it properly.

Not with hype.

Not with sport thinking.

But with clarity about what ground training is actually for when the goal is to go home safe.

More on this soon.

Coach Rob

What you don’t change, you choose.