Roger is an example of someone that was true to himself, rather than someone with a 'stick with what he knows' attitude. His realisation came after attending a Krav Maga course that his traditional Taekwondo training could not prepare him for some situations, and that Krav Maga was the outlet he needed to explore.
It was aimed to save the defender, while sustaining minimal harm, no matter what form the attack took. The first civilian course in Krav Maga was in 1972. In 1981 the system was taken to the U.S.A. and was received with enthusiasm. However it was not until the late 1990's with the foundation of the International Krav Maga Federation ( IKMF) that took the system worldwide. Roger is an example of someone that was true to himself, rather than someone with a 'stick with what he knows' attitude. His realisation came after attending a Krav Maga course that his traditional Taekwondo training could not prepare him for some situations, and that km was the outlet he needed to explore.
Martial Edge: Roger, when and where did you get involved with Krav Maga?
Roger Ennals: I was a second Dan in WTF Taekwondo then about six years ago I went to a Krav Maga seminar held by Soo Dixon in Tottenham Court Road, London. It lasted 2 hours and I was immediately hooked. It just made sense. No fancy moves just functional ones. After the two hours I was a convert and so continued to train under Jon Hegan, in Upminster. Jon has a wealth of experience and is one of only two instructors to have reached Expert Level 1 in the country.
Martial Edge: The concept of Krav Maga is discussed freely amongst martial art circles, yet not many people actually know what it is. Can you give a simple definition?
Roger Ennals: Krav Maga's literal translation is 'Contact Combat'. Its aim is to be practical, easy to learn and not dependent on size or strength.
Martial Edge: Does this mean it has an advantage over todays martial arts?
Roger Ennals: Krav Maga is a self defence system and not a martial art. I still teach Taekwondo and feel martial arts are invaluable but by their nature they usually have a rigid structure. A good example being patterns, which are set in stone. Krav Maga is purely designed for self defence and hence needs to be as uncomplicated as possible.
Martial Edge: You mention keeping things uncomplicated, how do you get this message across to your students?
Roger Ennals: With gun and knife defences, for example, we will use the same technique against either weapon if possible. We also try and use the bodys natural instincts. This cuts down on the number of techniques' the student has to learn which in turn means they can react in a shorter time. Some martial arts justify their existence by having a different technique to every other system even though they are highly impractical. I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing as long as the student is aware of the fact.
Martial Edge: Have you found advantages over using KM rather than your traditional martial arts background?
Roger Ennals: My TKD training has taught me how to kick, punch and via sparring gets me used to the mental state of controlled aggression that is necessary in a conflict situation. But if you asked me if I'd use TKD or Krav Maga in a real life situation it would be KM every time.
Martial Edge: How long have you been teaching Krav Maga for?
Roger Ennals: In 2002 The IKMF ( International Krav Maga Federation ) ran their second instructor course in the U.K. and it was too good an opportunity to be missed. I know many martial artists who on reaching black belt open a school, although being a black belt doesn't make you a good instructor.
Krav Maga's first aim is to be the best self defence system and is not too proud to change techniques if better ones come out of situations. - Roger Ennals
Martial Edge: So can anyone be an instructor with a martial arts background? Or do you have to become qualified?
Roger Ennals: To be associated with the IKMF one has to do an instructors course before they'll licence you to teach. This ensures a minimum standard of teaching. I started teaching in Waltham Abbey in early 2003 and now also have classes in Enfield and Elstree. Plus I do short intensive courses every few months and teach privately. I still train in Krav Maga with Jon and recently went to Norway to participate in a six day seminar, where I also managed to gain Graduate level 4.
Martial Edge: Could you explain the grading levels?
Roger Ennals: The grading system in IKMF use patches instead of a belt system. It starts off as Provisional Levels 1 -5 (P1-P5) then Graduate Levels 1-5 (G1-G5) followed by Expert and Master Levels. To be allowed to teach you must have passed the instructor course with a minimum of G1.
Martial Edge: Krav Maga is a lethal form of combat. What principles do you teach by in order to stop your students going out and using the methods they have learnt?
Roger Ennals: I hope they do use what they have learnt. After all it is a form of self defence. But I know what you mean. I've been teaching Taekwondo and Krav Maga for over 14 years and have only come across two idiots who wanted to learn how to be more violent. I think people who are into brawling don't have the inclination or patience to attend regular classes. They'd rather get free training down the local pub or club after doing an 8 pint warm up. As to the 2 'gentlemen', they lasted about half a class before being too cream crackered to continue. I think one was sick in the toilets after. Shame. I believe, in general, people that study a martial art or self defence do so in order to defend themselves and not to become aggressors.
Martial Edge: What plans do you have for the future of your schools?
Roger Ennals: As long as the training halls have big blue plaques, over the doors, with my details on I'll be happy. Oh, and of course, all my students will carry a small, yet treasured, photo of me. I still have a lot to learn which means so do my students and hopefully we will all grow and improve.
Martial Edge: With Krav Maga been a system of self defence and therefore involves close physical contact, do you think this excludes women and children who might be put off by the idea?
Roger Ennals: Well, I have plans for teaching kids a watered down version of Krav Maga and will probably start doing women only classes. Many ladies don't like the idea of training with men and although in an ideal world they should the reality is they don't. We do a fair amount of groundwork and grabs and bear hugs and I appreciate it can be unnerving having a sweaty male stranger as a training partner. So if they get confidence by training with other females then at least they are learning the techniques. Then when they have the confidence the plan is they'll join the mixed class. I do have some ladies already in my classes who are on par with the guys and why shouldn't they be. Also women are often under threat from predatory aggressors whereas males are more confrontational. Having their own class means they could train in more female specific scenarios.
Martial Edge: The trend in the martial arts is that an increased number of people are doing some kind of Martial art more as a hobby to keep fit. Where does Krav Maga come into that statement?
Roger Ennals: I always tell prospective students that my classes are aimed, primarily, at teaching self defence as you don't have to be fit to defend yourself. However, by doing an hour of physical training they will get fitter and they nearly always get a good sweat up. I have a wide range of students, from teenagers to people in their 60's to a guy who has had both hips replaced. The last gentleman can't do too much aerobic work but has the same right to learn how to defend himself. One of the good things about Krav Maga is so much of the stuff can be adapted. I do every now and again make one of the classes a Krav Maga circuit training session. This does make them blow a bit but it also means as they get more exhausted their techniques tend to go out of the window. This in turn means they start to react as they would under stress and that shows if their defences are up to scratch.
Martial Edge: Self defence could be described as something that needs to be fluid and evolving. Do you think that there is a danger of Krav Maga becoming just another system and therefore losing its fluidity?
Roger Ennals: Krav Maga's first aim is to be the best self defence system and is not too proud to change techniques if better ones come out of situations. Don't forget it is used in real life, worldwide, and so any shortcomings are soon found out. Since I have been teaching a couple of techniques have been improved slightly. Also as I said earlier Krav Maga can often be adapted for people who have different abilities. This for me makes it such a comprehensive system.
You can find Rogers details in the school directory but why not explore Krav Maga yourself in the below links. www.kravmagaessex.co.uk and our main U.K. website, www.ikmf.org.uk
Share Our Martial Arts Features With Your Friends:
Interviews 
Roger is an example of someone that was true to himself, rather than someone with a 'stick with what he knows' attitude. His realisation came after attending a 
someone that was true to himself, rather than someone with a 'stick with what he knows' attitude. His realisation came after attending a Krav Maga course that his traditional Taekwondo training could not prepare him for some situations, and that 
(0 vote)
