A couple of months ago, I received a spirited message from Martial Journal writer Elke Weiss–she had just finished an incredible Krav Maga class led by a young instructor who greatly impressed her and who she knew would have many more great thoughts they could share on website. With that being said, I couldn’t be any happier or more proud to present this guest post by said now-author, Ori Cohen!
Rock on!
~~~~~~~~
Getting It Done
My name is Ori Cohen. I have trained in Traditional Krav Maga (TKM) for eight years under Eliran Cohen, a Dan 4 Black Belt who trained under K.A.M.I founder Eli Avigzar. Last November, I took all I had learned in techniques and defenses and took it to the next level in the Instructor A course. There, I learned how to teach these techniques and how to think like an instructor.
Now I’m a certified instructor. During class, I’m in charge.
Then I go home and I’m a regular fifteen-year-old teenage girl who has to balance school, social life, and bossing around my younger siblings. It’s a unique feeling that not many people get to feel, and I’m proud of it.
Teaching Krav Maga is an amazing way to work with people and to be able to help them, and myself, learn. At the same time, we enrich our own training when answering any questions the students have. We interact with students from all backgrounds, including those with backgrounds in other martial arts. Every student gives me the chance to consider how best to use the techniques to suit their needs.
To me, being an instructor of Krav Maga is not only about teaching techniques. It is self-defense, an invisible means of protection. It gives people confidence. Learning and teaching Krav Maga has not only given me a way to protect myself, but it has also given me confidence and a way to give that to others.
So, how do I have the confidence to teach people twice my age and not feel like a little kid?
Firstly, I know that if I make a mistake or miss something, my instructors (including my own dad) will be there to correct me. That way, I’ll know it next time I teach. I don’t have all of the answers about teaching, but I don’t let the fear stop me from trying. The truth is, that the fear of standing in front of people and not just talking, but teaching is strong, but I block it out and lean on my knowledge of Krav Maga and the other instructors on the mat to be able to teach and deliver the techniques in the most effective way possible.
Second, I’ve watched the instructors teach for years. I remember how they teach the curriculum and that guides my own teaching. Using their methods gives me the confidence to know I’m not missing any important details. I’ve been practicing for years. By now, the release from a choke almost comes naturally to me after doing it so many times over the years. Even though it looks complicated, the steps feel like second nature and sometimes come without thought.
For students who aren’t trained, it doesn’t feel natural like that, and remembering how my teachers taught me allows me to be as accurate as possible, to give the students the same amazing training and degree of passion and importance that my instructors taught me with.
Third, I know how important my work is. I have seen firsthand the positive results of the amazing instructors who taught me, and how they earned my trust and respect. I want to be able to give those lessons of self-defense and confidence to more students.
Whenever I am challenged, I think of the incredible instructors that taught me not only to defend myself but to know how to handle myself in certain situations, whether it be in the street or standing in front of a class.
Then I know I can do anything.
BIO: Ori Cohen is fifteen and has been training in Traditional Krav Maga (TKM) for 8 years under Dan 4 Black Belt Eliran Cohen, who was himself a student of K.A.M.I founder, Eli Avigzar. She holds the rank of Blue Belt and is an Instructor Level A.
- GUEST POST: Getting It Done (by Ori Cohen) - October 18, 2022
- Martial Journal Magazine (Big Ole Reminder!) - July 28, 2021
- Book Review: Shodai-Soke - July 1, 2021
Ori is a powerhouse and I am so proud to work with her. She’s an incredible role model for me, despite being so young. This summer I was terrified of not having my regular coach, but because of her and her awesome father and brother, it was the best summer of Krav Maga I ever had. I am so excited to work with her in the future.
Kida!!!