On snakes and this week's Krav Maga Classes

It's snake season here in Perth and all is going well -- In my "other life," I am a venomous snake catcher and I had my first catch and rescue of the season last week. While I was catching, then releasing the tiger snake, it struck me how grateful I am to have learned Krav Maga.

It's not that I'm going to kick or punch the snake -- but one some occasions, I have had to move very quickly. That's when Krav instinct kicks in, and when I burst just the way we are trained to do in class -- just maybe a bit quicker.

There are also "fight skills" that transfer from Krav Maga to snake catching. You try to de-escalate the situation, keep things as calm as possible, give the snake a clear way out and make it feel as if it isn't threatened -- but at the same time, you're in your "fight position" and ready for swift action if need be.

I think that Krav Maga has saved me on several occasions when tiger snakes have tried to bite me -- so I'm grateful for these life-saving skills.

Last week we had a great Tuesday session on outside defences and Thursday we did groin kick-punch combinations. Everyone did well, and you should be proud of yourselves.  We won't be catching any live snakes in class this week, but we'll have some great Krav Maga classes, at the usual time and place, Tuesday and Thursday 6-7pm, in the Health Sciences gym, of Phillimore Street. I look forward to sharing the classes with you!

Be safe!

Matthew Ogilvie