Among the special training sessions we offer, at SGS Krav Maga and at Krav Maga Global, is low light training. We consider low light training both important and significant to students overall training in self-defence. When possible, we do our best to incorporate this training session in various night time classes and workshops. Why is this training session important and what benefits does it have?

Identify Objects Around You IN LOW LIGHT TRAINING

Much like CQB training, the low light training is about pushing your limits and testing your (Krav Maga) skills. This type of training takes you out of your comfort zone. Literally. This results in trainees and instructors getting to know their advantages and disadvantages better and which weak points they need to work on.

Training in a more challenging environment – low light, for this instance – forces you to use other senses and certain techniques in order to compensate for the lack of sight.
Training includes releases from grabs, defending strikes and kicks, defending attacks and threats with & without weapons and fighting/sparring.

Some of the important points you should know about functioning under low-light conditions:

It takes us about 15 minutes to regulate our Low-light sensors when going from light to dark areas. 

• More low light sensors are concentrated around the center of vision, 5-10 degrees around it. Same for the sensors to detect motion. We need to scan with peripheral vision and not look straight at the object to detect motion and differences in shades of gray light-color

Use of backlight, be with your back to the light.

• Eyesight can be diminished when you are facing the light. Many key visual details can be seen when your back is to the light.

Understanding how a silhouette change enables us to respond more easily.

• As a KMG trainee within SGS Krav Maga, you should use straight attacks to be less detectable.

Changing horizon – To put head near the ground to see body/feet and get images close to the line of the horizon.

• When you get very low the body (or object) is above the horizon and it can be seen easily.

In dark conditions – Closing one eye when a sudden light is expected; while/when: night driving; shooting; lighting a cigarette. Putting on a flashlight, etc.

• We prove this while flashing strong light to an exposed eye when the other is closed. Then make them check the difference, how good they see with each eye.

When planning to go from high light to low light, prepare yourself by closing an eye 10 minutes before.

In each of these situations, establish one or two potential scenarios that would put you in danger, and outline how you would handle them. We’re not recommending that you allow your imagination to run wild with constant fear and anxiety, but actively working on your ability to identify potential threats can be crucial in improving your situational awareness and automatically choosing an appropriate response to danger.

It’s actually healthy to maintain the realistic mindset of being alert. Ideally, on the Jeff Cooper colour code chart being slightly aware at a yellow level is prudent.

• Pirates were putting the black eye-cover on a good eye minutes before they would go to the inside of the ship before conquering it.

Correct use of flashlight – to distract and disturb opponent,

• How to hold the flashlight, so it doesn’t blind you.

How to use it to disturb others during regular or fighting conditions.

Putting theory into practice – here are some of the drills we use during a Low Light class:

• Defending strikes and kicks – understanding how difficult and dangerous the light conditions make the situation. Use of range and changing distances
• Self-defence – releases vs. grabs; the use of prevention.
• Finding/detecting people in the dark (& fulfilling mission)
• Slow fighting – in low light (not total darkness) 
• Defending knife attacks – to understand what can and can’t be seen
• Fighting with the use of a flash-light
• Drills to improve data/stimulus processing and use of different senses.

Training in low light sharpens your senses and skills; you will become better with detecting the actions of others, and can better prepare for it.
Also, it’s simply great fun ☺

Keen to try out a reality-based self-defence system?  Book a free trial class today.