Star College and WTC Krav Maga

Self Defence Classes to Empower Female Learners at Star College

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Crime is a real problem. Krav Maga is a real solution.

Krav Maga is fast becoming the self defence of choice for women around the world, who are looking for an effective, easy to learn system aimed at defending oneself against an attacker who is bigger and stronger. Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie and Britney Spears are amongst the famous women who trained in Krav Maga. Jennifer Lopez took it up for her role in the film “Enough”, with Angelina Jolie also learning techniques for the film “Tomb Raider”. Britney Spears reportedly took up Krav Maga after feeling threatened by a stalker. Those who have seen the Clint Eastwood movie, “Million Dollar Baby”, will know Hillary Swank plays the part of a female boxer, perhaps lesser known is that she trains in Krav Maga affirming that it is a great way to stay fit, adding, “You punch, you kick, you also learn how to get out of a choke hold. I love, love it.”

The Warrior Training Centre (WTC) provided a self defence seminar to Star College Sybrand Park to 70 female learners. The key focus was first on mental preparation ensuring a strong mind to be able to remain in control and avoid conflict. When avoidance is not possible, effective defences to the most common street attacks were taught, to be used only when absolutely necessary to act (to save their lives, or that of their loved ones).

Initiatives such as these have increased in light of the recent drive to raise awareness for femicide, as our beloved country of South Africa is left reeling with the recent headlines of high profile murders of a UCT student and a boxing champion. The seminar provided a “taster” of the more comprehensive programme covered in the 4 week course (Basic) and the 8 week option (Practitioner), structured by way of two hour lessons carried out on a weekly basis. Having the course spread out over 4 or 8 weeks, facilitates the retention of information, as techniques are continuously reinforced.

The WTC’s Chief Krav Maga instructor, Claudio Chiste, is also a Leadership and Mental Toughness Coach, who after nine years in the military and ten years in the corporate world is now coaching individuals to be a better version of themselves. In addition to the self-defence, emphasis is placed on improving mental skills, including how to:

1. Control your emotions: Stay grounded, stay humble.
2. Conduct regular check-ins on both mental and physical well-being
3. Set high, realistic goals.
4. Create micro-goals towards your goals
5. Visualise your goals, mentally rehearse your micro-goals
6. Manage anxiety effectively
7. Use positive self-talk
8. Deal effectively with people
At the WTC these mental skills are combined with self-defence through reality-based, purposeful practice.


THE WTC TEAM: From left to right. Mo Adams, Edwin Nel and Claudio Chiste

Claudio Chiste training Saldanha Rugby team

Saldanha Rugby team maintain conditioning with WTC’s Krav Maga training

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The word is spreading that WTC’s Krav Maga training can help you achieve your strength, health, and fitness goals by using basic Krav movements alongside other aerobic and resistance exercises.

Recently the pride of Saldanha, Saldanha XV, won the ‘west coast trophy’ after defeating their bitter rivals, Vredenburg. (see article covering this). This has served as an inspiration for young aspirant players, but also for the broader community.

Fighting Fit
To maintain conditioning during the holiday period, the Saldanha team showed commitment by not letting themselves go during the “off season”, opting instead for Krav-based fitness training. The team were exposed to a range of exercises from high intensity aerobics to strength and resistance training using primarily their body weight.

The benefits of WTC Krav Maga for Sportsmen
For Krav Maga self-defense training, one is taught to use all the body’s natural weapons, namely the fists, elbows, legs, feet and head (if absolutely necessary)— with devastating effect.

In the game of rugby, players are taught to use their body to protect or attack the try line. Similarly, in Krav Maga, the focus is on protecting your body, as you would the try line, whilst being aware of dangers with the necessary skill to execute solutions to any dangers which may arise. Just as a rugby player on the attack with the ball darting for the try line may wish to side step an opponent to avoid being tackled, in Krav one is to be alert and skilled enough to be able to sidestep potential danger. This training could benefit not only the agile winger in the backrow, but members of the forward pack alike as the ever competitive modern game places further demand on all fifteen on the team to possess speed to effectively execute tackles and gain territory to score tries.

The WTC Krav Maga training sessions are designed to provide an all-over body workout, from high-intensity cardiovascular training (to improve stamina to get through games), to strength and conditioning (to improve the defensive side to your game).

WTC Krav Maga training system also helps you from a neuroscience perspective, improving your brain’s neuroplasticity. Stress drills in Krav improves your ability to think under pressure, serving to improve the speed of your natural reactions. These drills improve awareness, promoting self-discipline – with an emphasis on controlled aggression – which is essential on the rugby field.

Krav Maga is not a sport, as is Karate, kickboxing or Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Krav Maga is a way of life. With this in mind, WTC training sessions are purposefully designed to be fun, educational and physically beneficial. Krav Maga was developed for soldiers preparing to go out on the battlefield, what better physical and mental training for warriors preparing to go out on to the rugby field?


The dedicated Saldanha rugby players flanked by instructors Matt Leach (Krav Maga Combat Academy) and Claudio Chiste