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Patrick Cumiskey

Join our in-person Real  " Person"  12 Module Self Defense Course

We have been teaching Krav Maga for Self defence for 15  years

We believe for self-defense to be effective it needs to be learned fast, easy to remember and work under pressure for most people, which is why we have developed our unique course which has been taken thousands of people in person.

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Join our in-person Real  " Person"  12 Module Self Defense Course

We have been teaching Krav Maga for Self defence for 15  years

We believe for self-defense to be effective it needs to be learned fast, easy to remember and work under pressure for most people, which is why we have developed our unique course which has been taken thousands of people in person.

Based down a laneway in Dublin, Ireland, Patrick Cumiskey has been teaching everyday normal people to protect themselves full time for more than 15 years, during this time he developed a simple approach to teaching normal people to protect themselves fast using essential Krav Maga concepts.

If you can’t make it to his in person, you can now take the course online.

You can ‘join’ in a course and get the same lessons and insight as those attend the course.

To make this course available 2 cameramen tracked a full 2-day course and which was then edited it down to the essentials for you to watch, learn and follow along with. There is no ‘staging’ or retakes so you get the course as it is delivered in real life.

The course is taught in 12 modules  Each module builds on the previous module step by step,  over the 12 modules you will develop a practical, useful and simple self-defence system deal with common stand up self-defence threats.

We recommend you grab a partner and follow along with one module at a time, watch the module and following along with the exercises and drills.

The course starts off in Module 1 by giving you a key grounding in avoiding being selected as a victim and how to strike and escape, it then moves on to more difficult and complicated scenarios integrating ideas with ever module.

Module 1

“Winning beforehand”,

Predator Psychology and Avoiding Victim Selection

A simple “Hands up” rule that changes everything

The No Trip Wire and Voice Escalation

Striking Fas to Escape

Module 2

Escaping Headlocks

Escape from Front Grab - Arms Pinned

Integration Drills

Becoming the Attacker

Attacking at different Levels

Module 3

Dealing with the Scuffle,

Techniques as Hurdles

Escaping from a Grab Behind with your arms Free

Escaping from an Arm Drag

Desensitising you to Violence

Linking Techniques

Introducing Stress Drills

Be worse than the attacker

Module 4

Escaping Grab from Behind with Arms Pinned

Using your Knees as Weapons

  • Generating Power

  • Kneeing on a Low Line

Changing Weapons and Height

Integrating Techniques

“Save the Pad’ Exercise

Techniques as Obstacles

Module 5

Escape from the Front

  • Wedge Defence

  • Slapping, Ripping and Pinching

“Knock Knock” Escape

Escape from the front grab  Arms Pinned

Choke Release ‘- Avoiding relying on Strength

Module 6

Chokes from Different Angles

Choke Release as one Move - Pluck and Hit Principal

Escaping with Chokes when pinned to a wall

Multiple Choking Drill

Technique Integration

Techniques are not ‘clean’

Plucking ..Why you do not need too many techniques

Hicks Law

Module 7

Focus on Elbows as a Weapon

Alternating Weapons

Blast forward… put the attacker on the Back Foot

Stabbing Elbow

Blasting for Self Defence - Quick to Learn, Easy to Remember

Inbuilt protection

Diagonal Elbow

Your Attack is your Defence

Blast to Escape …"we don't want to be here.  not a sparring session"

Module 8

Escaping rear-naked choke: Part 1

Hammer strike to the base of the brain

"Pluck" as a tactic

Understanding the Fantasy Response

Tucking the Chin

Inside Defence

3 on 1 Choke Drill

Module 9

Rear Naked Choke Part 2 - Outside Escape

Practising Both Rear Naked Choke Escapes

Arms Pinned: Close in Tactics

  • Shin Hacking

  • Creating Space

  • Finger Ripping

  • Ripping and Tearing at the groin

  • OpenING space for other attacks

  • Leverage Elbow- to freehand and attack

Integration Drills: High-Pressure Drills

Being the coach and stretching your partners

Module 10

Ferociousness

Biting and the Biting Game

The Finger Game

Biting, Finger and Pinching Game

Extreme Close Quarter Fighting

Fighting to Live

When you are Attacked ..your whole  life is attacked

Growling like a Wild Animal

Tearing, Gouging using all close quarter weapons

Will up you get Hurt more for fighting?

The efficacy of Self Defence

Module 11

Extreme Close Quarter / Ferociousness Continued

Right Tactic Right Range

XCQ - hands to Face Drill

Cheap Suit Drill

Shielding Defence Against Punching

4 Man Drill - Blasing, Escapes, XCQ

Module 12

Round-Up - Putting it all together

Focus on Essential Skills

Train Module by Module

Combatives Mindset

Awareness/Space Management

Activating Self Defence Mindset

Having a Plan.. Think about coming Home

The No Trip Wire

Simple Striking Model: Palms Elbows, Knees + XQC

Chokes- Pluck EscapeSelf Defence Mindset and Ferociousness are key

How to get the most out of this course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to avoid being selected as victim
  • How to deter and attacker and prevent assault
  • How to position yoursself when threatended
  • How to escape from grabs with the arms free and pinned
  • How to strike in your own defence
  • How to escape from chokes
  • How to fight close in

Syllabus

How to Strike..Blasting
Avoid, deter and escape from an Initial Assault
Introduction
Real Violence... How it Happens
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on essential Krav Maga concepts, which are known for their practicality and effectiveness in real-world self-defense scenarios
Emphasizes speed and ease of recall under pressure, which are critical for effective self-defense in high-stress situations
Includes modules on predator psychology and victim selection, which can help learners avoid dangerous situations before they escalate
Covers a range of escapes from common grabs and chokes, which are essential skills for defending against physical attacks
Integrates stress drills to desensitize learners to violence, which can improve their ability to react effectively in a real-life confrontation
Recommends learners grab a partner and follow along with the exercises and drills, which may be difficult for some learners to arrange

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Reviews summary

Practical krav maga for self-defense

According to learners, this course offers a practical and effective introduction to self-defense using Krav Maga principles. Students appreciate the instructor's clear and straightforward teaching style and the course's focus on simple, repeatable techniques designed to work under pressure. Many found the material easy to follow and directly applicable to real-world scenarios. While the production quality is noted as raw footage from an in-person class, most feel this adds authenticity and doesn't detract significantly from the learning, though a training partner is highly recommended to practice the drills effectively.
Filmed from a real live class setting.
"The video quality is raw, like being in the actual class, which feels authentic."
"It's clearly recorded from a live class, which gives it a realistic feel, not polished."
"Didn't mind the non-studio setting; it felt like I was really there learning."
Best results when practicing with someone.
"To really benefit, you absolutely need a partner to practice the drills."
"Watching alone is helpful, but practicing the techniques with a partner is essential."
"Wish this was emphasized more upfront – finding a practice partner is key to implementation."
Accessible even with no prior experience.
"As someone completely new to self-defense, I found this course very accessible."
"Great starting point for basic self-protection skills."
"You don't need any previous martial arts experience to follow along."
Beyond techniques, covers mental aspects.
"Really appreciated the focus on awareness and avoiding becoming a target, not just fighting."
"The mindset part of the course was just as valuable as the physical techniques."
"Learning about predator psychology was eye-opening and practical."
Instructor is easy to understand and follow.
"The instructor explains things very clearly and makes complex ideas simple."
"Patrick is a great teacher, very down-to-earth and his passion comes through."
"Found his direct teaching style very helpful for grasping the concepts quickly."
Focuses on simple, high-percentage moves.
"The techniques taught are very practical and easy to remember, which is crucial for self-defense."
"I feel more confident knowing these simple, effective moves that don't require years of training."
"Learned useful strategies for avoiding conflict and escaping common grabs. Very applicable."
"The emphasis on effectiveness under stress is evident; the drills feel realistic."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Learn Krav Maga for Self Defense Fast! with these activities:
Review Predator Psychology
Reinforce your understanding of predator psychology to improve your ability to avoid becoming a target.
Browse courses on Situational Awareness
Show steps
  • Research common tactics used by predators.
  • Identify vulnerable behaviors and situations.
  • Practice recognizing pre-attack indicators.
The Gift of Fear
Enhance your understanding of threat assessment and intuition by reading 'The Gift of Fear'.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the sections about pre-incident indicators.
  • Reflect on how to apply the book's principles to your daily life.
Practice 'No Trip Wire' Response
Practice the 'No Trip Wire' response to improve reaction time and de-escalation skills.
Show steps
  • Simulate common threat scenarios with a partner.
  • Practice verbal de-escalation techniques.
  • Drill the physical response (hands up, voice escalation).
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Elbow Strike Drills
Refine elbow strike techniques for close-quarters combat.
Show steps
  • Practice alternating elbow strikes on a heavy bag.
  • Focus on generating power from your core.
  • Work on different elbow strike variations (stabbing, diagonal).
Create a Self-Defense Scenario Plan
Develop a personalized self-defense plan for common scenarios to improve preparedness and decision-making under pressure.
Show steps
  • Identify potential threat scenarios in your daily life.
  • Outline escape routes and safe zones.
  • Document verbal and physical responses for each scenario.
  • Practice your plan with a partner.
Meditations on Violence
Gain a deeper understanding of the realities of violence and self-defense by reading 'Meditations on Violence'.
Show steps
  • Read the book, paying attention to the sections on mindset and tactics.
  • Consider how the book's principles apply to the Krav Maga techniques learned in the course.
Sparring and Scenario Training
Practice techniques in realistic scenarios with a partner to improve reaction time and adaptability.
Show steps
  • Find a training partner with similar skill level.
  • Design realistic self-defense scenarios.
  • Spar using techniques learned in the course.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn Krav Maga for Self Defense Fast! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Self Defense Instructor
A self-defense instructor benefits from this course, as it offers a structured approach to teaching practical self-defense techniques. The course emphasizes rapid, effective self-defense strategies based on Krav Maga principles. It covers vital techniques, including escapes from grabs, chokes, and the effective use of elbows and knees. The course is delivered in 12 structured modules that build upon each other and incorporate integration drills, which is valuable for instructional purposes. The course also discusses combative mindset, awareness, and space management, thus taking a holistic approach. A self-defense instructor might use the techniques and methodology of this course in their own classes.
Bodyguard
A bodyguard would benefit from the self-defense skills taught in this course. The course's emphasis on practical, effective self-defense techniques, focusing on rapid learning and real-world application, are very relevant to a bodyguard. The course covers escaping from grabs, headlocks, and chokes, as well as how to strike. A bodyguard can learn to use their elbows and knees as weapons, and how to apply the techniques under pressure. The course also emphasizes awareness and space management, as well as the mindset required in combative scenarios, which is useful for threat assessment in real life situations. This course equips a bodyguard with essential self-defense knowledge.
Bouncer
Bouncers can benefit from learning self-defense from this course. The course focuses on simple, effective techniques that work under pressure, such as escaping from grabs, headlocks, and chokes. Bouncers often confront physical altercations and need quick, decisive movements to manage situations. This course includes techniques to strike, create space, and defend against various attacks which would be helpful in managing conflicts. The course also emphasizes integrating techniques, using elbows and knees effectively, and applying strategies like the 'pluck' method when dealing with chokes, improving a bouncer’s ability to manage physical threats. Learning to ‘be worse than the attacker’ is a mindset that may be useful for a bouncer.
Security Guard
A security guard benefits from the practical self-defense skills taught in this course. The course emphasizes rapid, effective techniques for escaping grabs, headlocks, and chokes. Security personnel frequently face unpredictable situations that require quick reactions to protect themselves and others. This course teaches a method of self-defense that focuses on essential concepts and integration drills to handle common threats, including strikes, escapes, and close-quarters combat. The course also covers awareness and space management, which are critical for a security guard to maintain a safe environment, improving their ability to deter potential threats before they escalate. Learning how to use elbows and knees as weapons and how to escape from rear naked chokes provides guards with an arsenal of defensive techniques as a last resort.
Martial Arts Instructor
A martial arts instructor might use this course to expand their knowledge of self-defense. The course's emphasis on practical, fast, easy-to-remember techniques for self-defense, particularly Krav Maga principles, offers a different approach than traditional martial arts. It focuses on real-world scenarios, such as escaping headlocks, chokes, and grabs. The course's curriculum, which builds from basic to complex defense tactics, could be valuable when creating training modules. The course addresses combative mindsets, awareness, and space management, which may be useful to an instructor. The detailed breakdown of modules, with integration drills and stress exercises, could inform curriculum development. A martial arts instructor may use this course to enhance their skill set.
Social Worker
Social workers can find a practical use for the self-defense skills taught in this course. The course emphasizes techniques for rapid self-defense. The course covers escaping from grabs, chokes and headlocks, as well as how to strike using the elbows and knees. Social workers often work in environments where situations can escalate quickly and having self-defense skills may be useful for self-protection in unpredictable environments. The course emphasizes awareness and space management, which may allow social workers to better assess and de-escalate potential threats before they turn physical. This course may provide social workers with a skillset for maintaining personal safety.
Park Ranger
Park rangers may encounter situations that require self-defense skills. This course may give rangers some tools to use in unpredictable situations. The course teaches self-defense techniques that are simple and easy to remember. The modules build on each other, and cover escaping from grabs and chokes, while also incorporating combative strikes such as the use of elbows and knees. By covering awareness and space management, the course provides context to threat assessment and deterrence. A park ranger may find the skills taught in this course to be beneficial.
Corrections Officer
Corrections officers often work in environments where they may face physical threats. This course focuses on practical self-defense skills that may be applicable in those environments. The course emphasizes the use of simple, effective techniques in escaping grabs and chokes. The course's modules progress step-by-step, covering a range of skills, such as striking, using elbows and knees as weapons, and defending against rear naked chokes. The course content may be valuable for a corrections officer. By focusing on awareness, space management, and the effective use of close-quarters combat techniques, this course could enhance a corrections officer's ability to handle potential physical altercations.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers who wish to incorporate self-defense into their fitness programs may find this course useful. This course delivers a practical method of self-defense, emphasizing easy-to-remember techniques that work under pressure. The focus on integration drills, striking, and escaping from various holds and chokes is directly applicable to self-defense training. The course also covers how to instruct others in the techniques, which can be valuable to a personal trainer. Additionally, the course's mindset component, such as activating self-defense and combative awareness, could give clients a holistic approach to well-being. A personal trainer who completes this course can offer their clients training in practical self-defense.
Emergency Medical Technician
An emergency medical technician may find this course beneficial for personal safety. The course teaches a method of self-defense with techniques that are simple and easy to remember. The course teaches how to escape from grabs, chokes and headlocks, while also incorporating striking techniques. An EMT may encounter dangerous situations and knowing how to defend oneself is an important skill to have. The course emphasizes awareness and space management, which are critical for maintaining safety in various environments. Emergency Medical Technicians may find the skills and concepts covered to be valuable.
Law Enforcement Officer
Law enforcement officers may find that this course builds some capabilities useful to their line of work. The course's emphasis on self-defense techniques for real-world scenarios, including escaping grabs, chokes, and using elbows and knees as weapons is useful for many physical altercations. The modules introduce techniques gradually, integrating skills step-by-step. This could assist with officer training. The course covers integrating techniques and high-pressure drills to improve response during dynamic situations, as well as awareness, space management, and threat deterrence. A law enforcement officer may find that this course may reinforce their self-defense skills.
Athlete
Although not directly related to athletics, an athlete may find benefit in this course. The focus on rapid, effective self-defense training could improve an athlete's reaction time and overall physical agility. The course provides techniques for escaping from grabs and chokes and how to strike using the elbows and knees. The skills taught could be useful in a variety of physical situations. The course's emphasis on awareness could also improve an athlete's ability to anticipate and react to changing circumstances, whether in competition or life situations. This course may be useful for athletes who wish to develop their skills.
Teacher
This course may be useful for teachers who want to be prepared for emergency situations. The course provides a framework for rapid self-defense, with techniques that work under pressure. The course teaches escapes from grabs, headlocks, and chokes, as well as strikes using the elbows and knees. While teachers may not be in a profession that commonly involves physical altercations, this course may prove useful in situations that require self-protection. The course also teaches awareness, space management, and techniques to control close-quarters combat. A teacher may find this course helpful for personal safety.
Investigator
An investigator may find that this course provides some benefit in their line of work. Though this course emphasizes self-defense and combative techniques, the course’s focus on awareness and space management may be applicable to situations an investigator may encounter. The course teaches how to escape from a variety of holds such as headlocks, grabs, and chokes. The course also trains individuals in striking techniques and how to use elbows and knees as weapons. This course may make investigators better able to respond to physical altercations, if they were ever to arise.
Emergency Dispatcher
Emergency dispatchers can find value in the self-defense techniques taught in this course. Although not directly applicable to their daily tasks, the course offers a practical system of self-defense. The course’s techniques are designed to be easy to remember and effective under pressure. The course includes escapes from grabs, chokes, and headlocks, while also demonstrating striking techniques using elbows and knees. Although they are not typically in situations which require self-defense, a dispatcher may find some value in this course. The course also covers awareness and space management, which could provide a dispatcher with a more thorough understanding of circumstances described to them by emergency callers. This course may be useful for emergency dispatchers.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Learn Krav Maga for Self Defense Fast!.
Provides a realistic perspective on violence, contrasting martial arts training with the realities of real-world self-defense situations. It offers valuable insights into mindset, tactics, and the psychological aspects of conflict. This book is useful for understanding the difference between sport and self-defense. It is also useful for understanding the importance of mindset and awareness.

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