Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

How do I get started in Haganah?
First - you need to see if it is for you. We make this easy. We give you a free week - no obligation. You can take (or watch) any class you want. This makes it easy to decide if this is really for you. Most people like it so much, they decide they want to do it after their very first class. It's conveniently scheduled and doesn't require a long term commitment to greatly increase your safety and physical condition. Although we try to give you a look at what we do via this website, seeing is believing. Take an hour out of your life and come in to try some free training. Put yourself in a position to make an informed decision.

Who Trains in Haganah?
All sorts of people. Haganah has specialty programs for virtually every type of individual. Doctors, lawyers, administrative assistants, people from all walks of life, students, police officers, military units, teens and many others train in Haganah. Programs are focused on the population served. Adults train together - a mix of professionals and civilians train in our open classes.

Do I have to have experience in martial arts in order to learn Haganah?
No. Haganah is designed to be simple-to-use and quickly learned. The movements are based on natural reactions and are not difficult to pick up. Haganah, unlike many traditional martial arts, isn't meant to be "beautiful." It's meant to be effective. And to reach that level of effectiveness in the shortest period possible. Haganah has to be all of this. The system is based on tactics taught in the Israeli Military. Israel has a mandatory military service requirement therefore its military must teach all Israeli civilians to be effective combatants quickly regardless of their background. You get the benefit of a system designed to teach average people (both men and women) to protect themselves in all types of situations.

All Haganah programs are based upon this approach.
Interestingly, we have lots of students who do have martial arts experience. Virtually all say that Haganah what they rely on for self defense in a real life attack. In competition, it's their martial arts training. In the street, it's Haganah.

Do I have to be in good physical shape before starting classes?
No. Our classes will soon get you in great shape, but you'll be able to pace yourself as your strength and endurance build. It won't be long until you surprise yourself with what you're able to do.

I'm in my early-40s. Am I too old to start learning Haganah?
Most definitely you are NOT. Our self-defense and fitness classes are geared toward adults. While most of our students are in their 20s and 30s, we have trained people well into their 60s.

Do I need a workout partner?
No, you'll work with other students in class and assistant instructors. It is a very friendly atmosphere - those who are more experienced are paired up with those who are less experienced. In a safe, team oriented approach, people work together to achieve a common goal. Even so, couples, friends and families often join together to work out with each other.

Is Haganah really different than other martial arts systems out there today?
Very much so. Haganah is not a sport based system modified to deal with self-defense situations. Haganah is a self-defense system built from the ground up and tested in combat. Haganah integrates unarmed and armed combat, including gun and knife use, from many different sources to create practitioners capable or dealing with any type of self-defense situation. Even though you may not take a single course in armed combat, and you certainly won't take the specialty courses designed for law enforcement and military members, you benefit from their existence in the system. Those elements ensure that everything you learn is real - it's effective and tested.

Haganah combines its elements in very unique ways to create new approaches. Although common attack scenarios are covered in Haganah, Haganah is not a scenario based system per se. It focuses on achieving certain common objectives in virtually all scenarios, thereby making it easier to learn and more immediately effective than many systems. Finally, unlike many other self-defense systems, Haganah does not use a hierarchical belt system where it can take years to learn the most effective advanced material. It uses a rotation system where substantially all hand-to-hand defensive tactics material is presented within three to four months. Only one belt can be achieved- Black Belt- in recognition of an expert practitioner.

Visit HaganahUSA's official website for more information.