This past weekend, Kalah Amsterdam had the privilege of co-hosting a two-day family protection training seminar with Kalah Netherlands HQ, led by the one and only Idan Abolnik. Focused on family protection, the seminar was as intense as it was insightful—a deep dive into scenarios most people never want to imagine but need to prepare for. As always with Kalah, the training was brutal, direct, and unflinchingly real.
Day 1: Gun Threats and Knife Threats
The first day set the tone. We began with the unthinkable: gun threats. From the front, the back, and even more distressingly, when the gun is aimed not at you but at your loved one. This aspect of family protection training drilled into us the psychological weight of such scenarios—not one life but two (or more) are on the line. The idea that your partner, child, or anyone you care about could take a bullet or a deep stab wound right in front of you is paralyzing. That psychological paralysis is exactly what we are trained to overcome. Keeping your head clear enough to take action, even knowing you might lose your own life in the attempt, is not a mindset that comes naturally. It has to be forged through relentless, realistic practice.
We trained hard. Full resistance. Aggressive attacks. Screaming. Shouting. Every ounce of chaos you might expect in a real-life situation. The goal? To hold the attacker long enough to give your VIP precious seconds to escape or create distance. It’s brutal and ugly work. You learn to inflict maximum pain because taking the attacker out of the fight—whether through injury or sheer shock—is often your only chance. But there are no guarantees. Every detail matters: where the barrel of the gun is pointed, how your body mechanics secure control, and whether you’re communicating effectively—de-escalating when possible, instructing your loved one to run, warning bystanders, or demanding the attacker drop their weapon. All of this is under unimaginable stress.
Watching Idan instruct was remarkable. He guided people who were entirely new to the Kalah combat system through the hardest scenarios with clarity and precision. The techniques, while demanding, felt instinctive under his instruction, and even the rookies were holding their own by the end of the day. The realization that your margin for error is razor-thin became all too clear during the drills. If the attacker gives you even a fleeting opportunity by bringing the weapon close, you might have a chance. If they keep their distance, you’re nearly powerless.
Day 2: Grabs, Knives, and Managing Escalation
Day 2 brought its own set of challenges in our family protection training. We explored the scenario of your partner being grabbed by the collar with both hands—an ambiguous and terrifying position. Is there a weapon in the far hand? You can’t see it, but you have to act as if there is. We worked through options, understanding how to maintain control while preparing for the worst. Adding a knife to this equation elevated the stakes even higher. Later, we faced situations where an attacker postures, gets in your partner’s face, threatens, and closes the gap. Here, the key is managing proximity and escalation. You must remain calm while readying yourself to act decisively the moment the threat crosses the line.
The Lighthearted Side of Intensity
The training wasn’t just physically intense—it was packed with moments that left a lasting impression. At one point, my training partner made a mistake mid-fight, corrected it brilliantly, and not only did I compliment him mid-action, but he also started talking to himself, proudly confirming his correction. The timing was hilarious because we were going full tilt, with real aggression at the moment. Later, during another drill, he bit into my face—not only acceptable but encouraged in this context because you do whatever it takes to survive. And then there was the pleasure of having a 120kg training partner leaning—or worse, crashing—onto my ribcage.
These lighthearted moments provide relief mostly after the training, as we sit back and laugh at the absurdity of it all. It’s astonishing when you think about it: people training with relentless intensity, but still showing the utmost respect for one another. The shared experience becomes a bond, turning chaos into something memorable and even funny to look back on.
The Value of Being a Student Again
For me, one of the most valuable aspects of the weekend was stepping back into the role of a student. It’s humbling and refreshing to experience training from the other side, being pushed, corrected, and challenged. No matter how much experience you have, there’s always room to grow, to refine, to learn. That’s what Kalah is about—continuous improvement, facing reality head-on, and preparing for what most people would rather ignore.
A Human Connection
But the weekend wasn’t just about techniques and drills. At the end of each day, Idan brought us together for something profoundly human. He gathered us in a circle for a group prayer, a tradition he follows after every training session. Idan is religious (Jewish), and I’m not religious at all, but in that moment, it didn’t matter. When you train for real violence, you begin to understand its gravity, and the more you know about it, the less you want to face it. Idan’s prayers weren’t confined to any one belief system. They were for good things—better lives for those in need, peace between people of all backgrounds, and hope for a kinder world. In today’s turbulent times, his words landed deeply with the group. It wasn’t about religion; it was about humanity. A fitting reminder that while we prepare for the worst, we must never stop striving for the best.
Final Thoughts
This seminar was a stark and humbling experience. It pushed us physically, mentally, and emotionally. But more than anything, it reminded us why we train: to protect, to survive, and to ensure that if the worst ever happens, we’re ready to fight for what matters most.
If you’re ready to explore the power of Kalah for yourself, join us for a free open training session every first Monday of the month. It’s the perfect opportunity to get hands-on experience and see what the Kalah system is all about. Sign up here.
Stay updated on all our upcoming events by visiting our events page. We look forward to training with you!
P.S.: Stay in the loop and sign up for our newsletter.
