Customer Reviews (6)

Karate Applications
This is a very good book showing the grappling methods for karate.It is great to see karate practitioners exploring the art as it was meant to be.

Who knew karate included grappling?
There are many misunderstandings about kata. Iain Abernethy addresses the idea that karate is all about striking. As Abernethy shows, Karate kata are filled with grappling moves if you know what to look for. Even if you don't practice traditional kata you can still get alot out of this book. The kata's at my dojo are not traditional, but they contain many practical grappling moves that I did not understand until I read this book.

Yes, buy it; you can't live without it
Iain Abernethy is the real deal. And I continue to wonder where and how he got so smart. And I'm not talking about all his credentials, including an advanced black belt and so on. Those are surprisingly common these days. But Iain brings rare insight to his study of karate.

A lot of folks have studied karate for a long time, and gotten very good indeed in the kickee-punchee aspect of the discipline.

But most dojos have taught the kata, discussed a few improbable applications, prepared the student to dance through the kata for an examination, and failed utterly to explore the actual use of the kata in self defense.

And that's the case even though Gichen Funakoshi taught that kata was the core of karate training, and Choki Motobu pointed out that all you needed to know about fighting was contained in Tekki Shodan kata.

Then along comes Iain Abernethy and discusses exactly what those wierd movements in the kata are used for in the world of no-kidding fighting. And he is generous in the extreme. Many writers who know something in this area pace themselves. Iain shovels information-no teaspoon for him!

While all of his books and dvds are remarkably useful, this one is particularly well suited to a karate student who has gotten through his first bundle of kata and who has started to wonder why he's wasting time with kata instead of spending more time on the makiwara.

This isn't a deep exam of one kata and it's applications. It examines multiple kata and provides a many different examples of ways to apply the unusual movements that karate students get to practice again and again.

By the way, when you see real and effective applications of kata movements, your first response is likely to be "Eureka!! I knew there was a pony in this pile somewhere!"

As an overview, this book discusses the history of kata in karate, basic techniques drawn from kata, and the sorts of criteria you should consider when evaluating a possible kata application.

This book emphasizes the grappling techniques embedded in kata, because those are the techniques most likely be slighted in most dojos (that's not evil, just factual). And discovering joint locks, chokes and throws that are hiding in plain sight inside karate kata.

But buy the book, and you'll be hooked, and you'll run out and buy everything Iain has written and committed to dvds (you'll need to check out Amazon.co.uk to find his dvds. I don't know why they aren't available on Amazon here in the U.S., but any amount of inconvenience to get your hands on them is well spent).

Worthwhile and informative
Few people understand the hidden aspect of kata.This book presents them in an understandable format.

A real karate student
I am currently studying for my black belt in shotokan.As someone who has been in and out of karate for the last 15 years, I have always known I am a good puncher and a good kicker, but I have always felt I was unprepared by karate as it is currently taught, to go to the ground.I personally was a wrestler so I have some firsthand experience but many of my peers have had no real ground or grappling training whatsoever.This book has helped to answer the persistant question I have asked myself for years "Why is there no grappling in Karate?"The answer is that it is here and it always has been here.This book (and others) are helping to open my awareness to a new understanding of karate.This is not the karate that has been taught in America the last 5 decades, it is the karate of a person who literally may have to call upon it to defend their own life.I am looking at all of my kata with a new spirit of discovery, looking for secrets that have been hidden in plain sight for years.I also very highly recommend Shotokans Secret by Bruce Clayton.These two books have helped to start me on a path to discover and determine what I believe karate should be.It is not the point-sparring sport that is popular in America.It is a serious, spiritual and potentially deadly state of being that one hopes they never have need to call upon.Myself, my fellow students, and even my sensai, are opening ourselves up to this realisation and our club is beginning to evolve.Oddly, we are moving ahead by reaching backwards and this book is a good place to start. ... Read more

Product Description
This single-authored, brief text explores the moral dilemmas in our lives from a philosophical point of view. Society is deeply divided on the matters of life and death discussed in this book: the sanctity of life versus the quality of life; the meaning of death and dying; suicide; euthanasia; abortion; artificial procreation such as in vitro fertilization and cloning; the death penalty; animal rights; world hunger; and war. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Text Book
Text is informative, easy to understand, and interesting.Anyone taking an Ethics course in college will enjoy using/reading the text.

Pojman sucks
The book, at its best, is easy to read for a philosophy book. I have it as a textbook for a Death, Dying, and the Quality of Life class. I am an A student. The concepts Pojman explores are not done justice by his writing. He misses the point in several places, or the view he gives is not widely accepted as accurate. If you are buying this book for pleasure, do yourself a favor and don't. There are plenty more books out there that will satisfy your quest for knowledge. If you are a professor who is considering using this, DON'T. Same reasons. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A good read for any martial art student
I thought most of the articles were very good.This is not to say that all people will agree with everything, but I would definitely recommend this to any student for study.I would suggest that if you are an instructor that these articles would make good class topics for discussion and practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent find
This book was even better than the description.The friend who received it was thrilled with the quality and condition of the book.

A Defininte Must for the Serious Judoka
Another beautiful but hard to find judo book from Japan Publications Trading.Originally published in 1967, This volume shows some of the most elaborate sequences of grapplig applications for competition.Also of importance are the follow ups and escapes for each technique, most of which are not included in the smaller abridged version, "Judo in Action: Grappling Techniques".The variations included in this book are extensive and laudable, and definately set it apart from most publications.That Kudo also focuses on transitions from grappling technique to technique and doesn't just stop at going through the mechanics of each technique also makes this book something extraordinary.

Contents include:
1.Fundamentals:
2.Pinning Techniques: (Main Points, Training Rules)Kesa Gatame, Kuzure-Kesa-Gatame, Ushiro Kesa Gatame, Kata-Gatame, Kami-Shiho-Gatame, Kuzure-Kami-Shiho-Gatame 1 & 2, Yoko-shiho-gatame, Kuzure-yoko-shiho-gatame, Tate-shiho-gatame 1 through 3
3.Strangling Techniques (Main Points, Training Rules) Kata-juji-shime 1 thruogh 3, Gyaku-juji-shime 1 through 3, Hadaka-jime 1 through 4, Kataha-jime 1 through 3, Okuri-eri-jime 1 through 6, Jigoku-jime, Sakaku-jime 1 through 3
4.The Joint Techniques (Main Points, Training Rules), Ude-garami 1-5, Juji-gatame 1-7, Ude-gatame 1 through 3, Hiza Gatame 1 through 4, Waki-Gatame
5.Getting into the Grappling Techniques: Grappling Techniques as follow-ups to throws, Lwad-in by moving your opponents legs, when your opponent who is lying below you attempts to pull you to him, Lead-in by lifting one of your opponents legs, lead-in by lifting both of your opponents legs, controlling your pponents body from below--rolling him over, Downing your opponent from a standing position and moving him into a grappling technique, Lead-ins when your opponent is lying facedown or is on all fours, clamping your opponents legs, drawing your leg free.
6.Follow-ups and counter attacks: FOLLOW UP ATTACKS: Pinning to pinning, pinning to strangling, pinning to joint techniques, strangle to strangle, strangle to pinning, strangle to joint technique.Joint Technique to joint technique, joint techniquwe to pinning technique, joint technique to strangle technique.COUNTER ATTACKS: Pinning against pinning, strangle againt pinning, joint against pinning, strangle against strangle, pinning against strangle, joint against strangle, strangle against joint, joint against joint, pinning against joint
7.Background: Jigoro Kano and the Kodokan, Training Methods, The Road to Progress, Judo Matches
-Bibliography
-Index

A quality publication, the photographs are crisp and clearly communicate the crux of each given technique.If you're lucky enough to find aone in good or better condition, it may have a green dustcover and green box.This is one of the important out of print judo books, along with it's sister publication, "Dynamic Judo: Throwing Techniques", and a few others including Mifune's original "Canon of Judo", Draeger's works with Inokuma, Otaki, and Ishikawa, Ito & Sato's 2-volume "Vital Judo" series, and Kazuo Ito's "This is Judo".As Kazuzo Kudo studied extensively with Kano and many of Judo's first generation's masters, his understanding of technique and competition are important. ... Read more

Product Description
Grappling with the beliefs and unbeliefs which shape our society; Many people who live in the West describe themselves as unbelievers, but this does not mean that they believe nothing at all. Martin Robinson explores what those who call themselves unbelievers actually believe. The forces that shape our belief structures are as important as the beliefs themselves. Once we understand why people believe in the way they do, we can begin to see why modern Westerners find some beliefs impossible - and yet remain spiritually hungry. Martin Robinson untangles the various threads that make up this complex opposition to the Christian faith. In the process he reveals the make-up of the present spiritual landscape in the West. He writes both for those who are sympathetic to Christianity and for those who are hostile. He suggests ways in which Christians and unbelievers can begin to communicate with each other. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

How and what to talk to those who are not believers
Martin Robinson, The Faith of the Unbeliever (London: Monarch, 1997)

Robinson explores what people who call themselves unbelievers actually believe, and the worldview and history of ideas that lie behind popular beliefs. Understanding why people believe the way they do will help explain why they find parts of Christianity implausible and suggest ways for Christians and `unbelievers' to communicate about faith. Robinson urges the celebration of friendships, humour, narrative, festivals, the arts, rites of passage and the transcendence of God.

Originally reviewed in Darren Cronshaw `The Emerging Church: Spirituality and Worship Reading Guide.' Zadok Papers S159 (Autumn 2008).
... Read more

Product Description
Willy Lin follows his first successful chin-na book with advanced information and illustrations on how to counter the most common street attacks with this gentle art. ... Read more

Product Description
The book "CHIN NA FA" was written by Liu Jin Sheng in collaboration with Zhao Jiang. The first edition of the book was issued in July of 1936 as a manual for the Police Academy of Zhejiang province. The book was printed by the publishing house Shan Wu in Shanghai. "...If you are in command of this technique, you can sway the destiny of the enemy. You can kill your enemy, cause unbearable pain, tear his muscles and sinews, break his bones or make him unconscious for some time and completely disable him to resist. Even a woman or a physically weak man who mastered this technique can curb a strong enemy. This technique demands deftness and skill, not brute force. It is necessary to train oneself daily to make the body flexible and nimble, but "hardness" must be hidden inside this "softness." /Author Liu Jin Sheng. The Police Academy of Zhejiang province. 1-st of May of the 24-th year of the Chinese Republic (1935)/ ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A great historical instruction manual translation
Quality of presentation reflects the era but I think its great to have such an early text on chin na translated.

A sensible introduction to Chin Na applicable to both past and present.
This book is an excellent compendium of techniques described in a meticulous fashion.The photographs as a bit grainy, but this is understandable given the age of the manuscript.However, there are only two or three photos given for each technique, which tells me that the writers' intention was for the reader to discover the techniques in their greatest part through the written word.Taking this into consideration, the skills are well described, including the martial spirit and intent needed to make them effective.A wide arrange of skills is laid out for dealing with a variety of attacks such as, grabs to the hair, head, wrists, arms, lapel, groin, etc; from which effective defensive actions are explained.Many of the techniques are inately deadly however, and once applied require knowledge of "reanimation" techniques to resume blood flow to the brain, etc.These massage techniques are unfortunately not included in this work.
Although there are other Chin Na Fa books now available that are more extensive, I feel that this book has immense value as a historical piece.Beyond that, the techniques are very real, and should stand the test of time for martial aritists willing to dedicate the time to learning them.
Sincerely, Erik D.J. O'Brien Author of "Kur's Rage and The Drums of Doom."
The Drums of Doom: Part 2 of The Duaredheim Staff Saga

Shao-Lin Chin Na
Photos are small and difficult to see clearly.These are obviously photos from the very far past when photography was not as good as it is today. ... Read more

Product Description

Hundreds of full-color throws and grabs make this the black belt of instructional judo books

In Judo Unleashed, master coach Neil Ohlenkamp brings together the form, practice, and grace of this venerable sport in an all-inclusive handbook. From philosophical and technical foundations through advanced grappling and self-defense techniques, this authoritative guide, with 350 color photos, covers all the bases you need to refine your technique and gain a deeper understanding of this increasingly popular martial art.

Customer Reviews (19)

the best judo book money can buy.
great master, great book , i have a lots of judo ,bjj books but this one is diferent not only for techniques self defence and tips for competition . This book talk about most important component of any martial art the way of life a very few books write about that. all colour, beatiful pictures, all the techniques complete, amazing book.

This is a good book for people new to Judo
I found this book to be a good introduction to Judo.It touches on a lot of topics like the history of Judo, what Judo is, how it works, self defense, sport, personal development, theory, and techniques.That's a lot to try to pack into one book but Mr. Ohlenkamp did a good job and has put together a book that he can be proud of.

Pros: The book is very well laid out in a neat, organized manner.It's printed on high quality paper which makes the book easy to read and visually appealing.It goes over the official 67 throws that are recognized by the Kodokan and some of the moves have variations to help you out when you can't get a technique to work in the traditional way.Along with each move there is a little diagram that shows the ending position for your feet which helps in the understanding how to perform each technique.The part I found the most valuable is the Appendices.This section does many things; it translates the Japanese words for easier understanding.It goes over and explains sport rules and scoring.The appendix tells you which moves are recognized by the Kodokan and Judo Federation.Last but not least is my favorite part.It has a chart that tells you which moves are good to set up other moves and a follow up attack in case you miss the technique you were going for along with the most used counters to each move.As a beginner Judoka, I'm finding the appendix section of the book very helpful.

Cons: Often the moves are described in about 3 pictures with a paragraph explaining the whole move.I felt this made it hard to tell when to apply the details within the move and sometimes it was hard to tell what was going on in the pictures.The Grappling section I found very weak.The book only had one picture per move and that was the ending position without any explanation of how to set it up or the mechanics of the move.I felt this section could have been skipped and I wouldn't have missed anything.The only other thing that I didn't care for in this book was that at times Neil gets a little long winded but that can also be a good thing depending on who's reading it.

I'm keeping this book around as I found it to be a good reference book for my Judo needs.Overall, I felt this was a good book with a lot to offer people that are new to intermediate in Judo but it might be just the same old stuff or people that have been in the sport for a long time.

Great for starting out.
Unleashed is an overrated word, nothing too technically difficult. I'm new in Judo, but not to martial arts and grappling. I found the breakdown of the basics very helpful and the fundamentals are well explained also, coupled with the excellent pictures the book is a must have for any martial artist. So even though its not "unleashed" I still give it a full 5 stars for its content.

Best Judo techniques out there!
What a fantastic introduction to Judo. I have been doing jiu jitsu for 3 years now and I was hoping to increase my throwing knowledge, oh boy is this book a gold mine!!! I highly recommend this book!

Not as billed...
This is simply not a book for advanced judoka, and likely will be old hat to the intermediates.While this text is probably one of the most visually appealing in terms of photos and layouts, many of the photos are simply fluff (tomoe-nage in the surf?Seriously?)The treatment of the various techniques is no more advanced than good ol' Kodokan Judo, and sometimes less so.I guess from the title (and the reputation of the author) I was expecting something more along the lines of the Masterclass series, not another rehash of the basics. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A practical guide to self-defense by a true legend.
If you are seeking a simple but practical text on self-defense, this is a book for you.The clear explanations combined with the drawings will be easy to follow.Gene LeBell is a true master of grappling and self-defense.All the techniques shown in this volume are fully illustrated in a step by step manner making it easy to follow.You should, however, have a partner and practice the techniques slowly in order to actually master the movements. In this respect, this book is best used in conjunction with actual hands-on training with a self-defense expert.I give this book 4 stars and recommend it highly to anyone interested in self-defense. Joseph J. Truncale

Good moves!
This is by the great Gene LeBell. His self defense techniques are very effective if trained for enough. There are plenty of moves for every situation. There are also little ryhmes and lessons about life included asan extra "bonus" you could call it. They are quite humorous andyou will most likely enjoy both aspects of the book. It is a classic! .... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

simplistic and poorly illustrated
I agree with the other 1 star reviewer in that this book very poorly illustrates proper technique and is very, very basic. Fortunately, I read it at the book store and therefore did not waste any money.

When I found the book on Amazon while searching for other Wing Chun books, I was very surprised to see such good reviews for it. Of course, it could just be the author or friends of the author ;)

Especially watch out for anybody who tries to tell you you can learn the martial arts from a book - you can not. You can learn about it, but without qualified instruction, you can't learn how to do it.

Please, buy another book
I don't know why I keep on buying this kind of manual and after having read this book I've got a good reason to stop. 70 pages of chatting that 'any master' can do. The picturesdon't show what the written should want to explain. They don'thave a dynamical sequence and it's difficult to realize the words' author. 1 star is enough.

I likedit
A good book inseries. Same open mindedness of the others.
Well written easy to read and understand. I will probably buy more of his works.

The essence of martial science...
Smith follows up volume one in this Wing Chun trilogy with another fineeffort, this time detailing the techniques and tactics of the style.Thematerial in this book can be used creatively as a guide to the applicationsof the forms described in volume one.This edition also contains anintroduction to Chi Sau exercises, a vital component to Wing Chun training. What I like most about Smith is his open-minded perspective; in this book,he sights some of the strengths and weaknesses of the style, and he's notafraid to suggest solutions for oversights such as fighting outsidetrapping range and the lack of power strikes (readers might also consider aWing Chun practitioner's vulnerability to a skilled wrestler's attack, anissue not addressed here).Another excellent analysis of this practicaland highly efficient martial art.

A MUST buy for the begining Wing Chun practioner
If your interested in finding out what all the hype is about, or just wanting some interesting techniques to try out, buy this book. it covers dar mak, chin na, and many combination hand and feet techniques. A verygood compliment to a wing chun student's martial arts library ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tremendous Disappointment
I am in awe of C.S. Lewis.I have read many of his writings.I join with so many critics who list him among the most accomplished writers of the 20th century.He has helped me through very difficult periods in my life, and I am grateful to him for sending me to his inspirational sources as well, who have also been of great spiritual benefit (and rescuing).You may imagine, therefore, I was excited to be going on a seven-day self-directed retreat, and brought this volume with me, expecting much inspiration.

What a tremendous disappointment!The author sadly was much more concerned with writing his thoughts than those of C.S. Lewis.There is a paucity of passages written by Lewis, and a plethora of mediocre pages written by this average at best author.He also references many other sources besides Lewis, but I'm not impressed.I wanted Lewis, and I got Robert Morneau, whoever he is.Only when I had reached my sad conclusion about this book did I consult the back flap to discover Morneau is a Catholic bishop.This book is something else besides the bishops' horrific failure to act on child sexual abuse that he has to be ashamed of.

And the editor shares his blame, for allowing this text to be published as is.Some of the "Retreat With" books are excellent (John the Evangelist by Raymond Brown is at the top of the list, and right behind it is the book on Brother Lawrence), and some are very poor.This is the poorest, only in part because it should have been the best.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

fun, informative read
grappling glory is a fun, nostalgia romp through the awa and amateur wrestling.it brings back fond memories watching the wrestlers on tv, then running to the auditoriums and see them live.although very informative, i think it could of been more objective.it does mention the shaddier side of the sport here and there, but should of talked more about it.the book discusses the fall of the awa, mainly focusing on the wwf and how it took wrestlers away.ross does causally mention weak story lines, but should of make more of it.there were times on tv, where the audience was booing, and yelling "boring" (along with other words)throughout the matches.when they started taping shows without audience, it was miserable.ross spends a lot of time being very, very kind to the gagnes.although he mentions greg as being undersized compared to most wrestlers and their steroid use, he really misses the point that greg was a stiff.greg was the reason i turned off watching awa wrestling and in my opinion, was the final nail in awa's coffin.he had no personality, and was dull to watch.he had no business to step into the ring.watching him do car commercials was bad enough.with regards to wrestlers, i believe verne introduced new headliners about once a year.this made for many, many "rematches".sometimes you'd see the same main events 3 times in a row.i believe they were losing audience with that redundancy.ross only mentions the jobber/heel george "scrap iron" gadaski once, (yet he was a regular on tv and the cards) along with kenny yates, who is not mentioned at all.ross does not discuss verne gagnes "gera-speed and gera-lac" products he pushed on tv.both were taken off the market by the fda.the book is roughly divided in half, the first being spent on amateur wrestling.i would have like less of that and more on the professional end.overall the book is a fun, recommended read.

Very interesting book
I enjoyed this book a lot.Interesting and funny.Tons of pictures, and some great insights.

BOOK COVER JACKET INFO FROM THE AUTHOR, ROSS BERNSTEIN
Forewords by Jesse Ventura, Verne Gagne & J Robinson

Minnesota's amazing amateur and professional wrestling histories come to life like never before in best-selling sports author Ross Bernstein's newest coffee-table book, "Grappling Glory."Featuring interviews and biographies from hundreds of our state's greatest wrestlers, coaches, media personalities, supporters and fans, the book is both intriguing as well as insightful.In it are stories ranging from inspirational to heartwarming to downright hilarious.While these two completely different animals, wrestling and rassling, surely make for some odd bedfellows, Bernstein went to great lengths to make sure that each entity had its own place in the book: amateur in the first half and professional in at the latter.He also made sure to acknowledge that amateur wrestling is a sport, while professional wrestling is a form of sports-entertainment.There are many common denominators between the two, however, in that they both require incredible athleticism, extremely hard work and a boat-load of self-confidence to succeed.Both have also produced a whole bunch of extraordinary people over the years, and that is what this book is all about - celebrating the achievements of those who have made Minnesota proud both on the mat and in the ring. With some 350 photos, the book highlights a tremendous sampling of local heroes - both native Minnesotans as well as transplants.Some were obvious choices, while others came from way outside the box.All of them, however, had a very unique and interesting story to tell, and all of them have touched the lives of countless people along the way. Bernstein spent nearly a year doing research and interviewing wrestling aficionados from all spectrums of the world of sports and entertainment to get the inside scoop.On the amateur side, the book dives into the state-of-the-state of youth, high school, collegiate and Olympic freestyle & Greco-Roman wrestling.Take a trip back in time as you read about and look at pictures of every high school state champ from the very first tourney in 1937, all the way through 2004.From in-depth interviews with dozens of local high school coaches, to feature chapters on every college and university program statewide - it's all here. Highlighting this section are the two-time National Champion Golden Gophers, as well as Division III powerhouse, Augsburg, which has very quietly turned its program into a dynasty over the past two decades.In addition, there are even sections devoted to junior college wrestling as well as the advent of women's wrestling too.Now, on the professional side of the fence, the book chronicles the glorious history of grappling in the Gopher State, going all the way back to the turn of the century - when the "f" word (fake) dared not be mentioned out loud... or else!It also features a huge chapter on the history and evolution of the old American Wrestling Association (AWA), and its legendary founder/promoter/world champion - Verne Gagne.There are also more than 100 feature biographies on nearly every home-town or home-grown pro wrestler with ties to Minnesota as well.From "Jumping" Jim Brunzell to "Mean Gene" Okerlund, and from Stan "Big K" Kowalski to Larry "The Axe" Hennig - the AWA's entire cast of colorful characters is all on board.Learn about life on the road from Joe Laurinaitis (aka "Animal") of Road Warriors fame; find out what Baron Von Raschke is up to these days; and laugh yourself silly reading about the antics of legendary wrestler-turned-trainer Eddie Sharkey.Relive the glory days of watching the action up close and personal out at the old Minneapolis Auditorium, it will be a trip down memory lane that will surely bring a smile to your face.It was all about the journey and about making a difference... and the difference these legends have made has left a truly lasting legacy - for all of us all here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.From high school state champs to world heavyweight champs, their personal memories dot the canvas of this century-long saga, in what is sure to be a wonderful trip through time.

IF YOU WISH TO ORDER A SIGNED, PERSONALIZED COPY FROM ME DIRECTLY, PLEASE VISIT MY WEB-SITE: WWW.BERNSTEINBOOKS.COM.THANKS! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The best and most unique approach to using the police baton.
As an international police baton instructor, I found this text absolutely outstanding and highly interesting.Gene LeBell is well known in the martial arts field for his expertise in grappling. This fantastic book demonstrates he is also an expert in the use of both the straight baton and the PR-24 Side Handle Baton.Until I read this book, I thought I knew just about every baton control technique variation.One of the many things that make this particular text so unique is that there are no baton striking techniques.Gene LeBell focuses purly on using the baton in numerous control holds and locks.The other thing I really loved about this book were the clear drawings of each technique.I don't care whether you are into Judo, Jujitsu, Hapkido, Aikido, Karate, Combatives or any other martial art, this manual has techniques and tactics that you can incorporate into your own fighting specialty.This is a book that should be in every police defensive tactics instructor's personal library for both learning from and for reference purposes.I give this book the highest rating of 5 stars.Joseph J. Truncale ( Author: Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, PR-24 Baton Advanced Techniques, The Monadnock Defensive Tactics System)

Nothing like it
Gene LeBell's ability with the club, nightstick and pr24 will surprise some people but anyone who has trained with Judo Gene knows that his knowledge of all aspects of combat is the equal of any teacher alive.Combining grappling and police application with stick use is innovative and has applications for all martial art systems.

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO STICK FIGHTING
"Judo" Gene LeBell understands the needs of security personnel and law enforcement officers & has presented some practical skills in the use of the baton, flashlight and side-handle baton.I was especiallyimpressed with the "VITAL" techniques illustrated in the book,featuring some great takedowns, restraints and come-along tactics. Students of stick fighting will want to learn these techniques to expandtheir knowledge and add a grappling & non-lethal component to thestriking aspects of their art.While many of the scenarios appear to be alittle too much "jujitsu with a stick," there are neverthelesssome terrific gems in this book.

A newer approach to Defensive tactics
This text covers grappling techniques with a straight baton with overlaping for the PR-24 and the flashlight. Fourteen chapters with cartoon like illustrations cover this large 318 pg book on non-lethal clubgrappling techniques.

Blocks, grips, stances, vital points cover thefirst 3 chapters. The slap and catch method, go behinds with theclub,comealongs, takedowns, wrist/elbow/shoulder hold leg and neck locks,chokes, hold downs make up the majority of the text. A section oncontrolling violent suspects takes up the last three chapters, controllinga suspect from cars or motorcycles on the ground. The last chapter focuseson the use of the hood restraint.

This book combines elements of USmilitary baton techniques, grappling techiques from BJJ and other arts, andcompliance techniques from officer defensive tactics. There is slightreference to knife wielding suspects and drugged individuals. Marketed forLEO personnel, some of the techniques are best for those alreaady trainedin combatives or grappling martial arts. With this in mind, some DTpersonnel might not like this book particularly those who hated theMonadnock PR-24 manual. Pistol retention is not covered here as well andmust always be kept in mind for any officer buying this book. Weapons basedmartial artists may find a few techniques to add to their arsenal. I do notagree with all the techniques but in my opinion the takedowns, chokes, andholds are the most practical section of the book.

Gene Lebell
Gene Lebell is truely the grappling master, His expertise is shown by all of his accomplishments. To learn from him, even through a book, will surely help you become a winner in the ring.Buy this book to further yourknowledge of grappling ... Read more

Product Description
"The Lazy Man's Guide to Grappling" is a hilarious look at what some grapplers do to cope in the hard charging grappling environment.

It exposes the truth about grapplers and grappling that is never discussed but everyone thinks about. We are all guilty of some of the Lazy Man's practices to varying degrees.

This book exposes:

The Lazy Man's Takedowns
The Truth about Warmups
Magic Funk Taps
Credit Vision
Injured Grapplers' Psyche Out Methods
Superhero Taps
Blue Belt Heaven
Grappling Dummy and Heavy Bag Secrets

and so much more.


From the author:

This is not a how to book. So there won't be any pictures demonstrating techniques. If there were I would lose all credibility. It is more of an approach towards grappling; my overarching philosophy.

I will not be sharing my life story and detailing all of my wins at NAGA or Grapplers Quest or how I trained five hours a day for six years to get where I am now. I am just a man who loves grappling but not all of the extras that are attached to it. If I could get up in the morning and just learn a technique and grapple for about 20 minutes then life would be golden.

I am like BJ Penn who popularized the term, "Just Scrap." I feel the same way.

Just Grapple!

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Customer Reviews (8)

Well beyond cost-effective
This book is an exemplar of the golden age of martial arts texts. The black and white photography is crystal clear, and there are stop action photos from every angle.

The author was a direct student of Jigoro Kano, and that shows before page one, in the quotation about perfecting yourself and contributing something of value to the world.

That's one of the reasons that judo and karate have flourished in the United States; the cornerstones of martial arts here in the United States started with perfection of character and moved from that point to technique.

In this little volume, the photographs are as clear as though the book were tabletop sized.

The book has a mass of information, including tips to get better results and common mistakes.

This is a book about the grappling techniques used in sport judo, and that is the focus of the book. If you're looking for a book about crushing throats or breaking necks and sentry stalking, look at book about World War II combatives, not here. Mind you, if you get a little frisky in competitions, you can hurt your opponent with these techniques, but that's not the goal of this book, which is designed to assist you in sport competition (where hurting your opponent tends to leave you without willing opponents, and you can't progress without training partners).

This is a breathtakingly beautiful and encyclopedic pictoral essay about grappling techniques used in sport judo (it's a rough sport, but it's a sport).

The currently-famous BJJ versions of this discipline spring from exactly the same roots as the techniques shown in this book. If you're studying BJJ, you may want to review this because the emphasis is a little different, and you may pick up one or two techniques that aren't frequently encountered in your competitions (and having an extra waza in your bag 'o tricks never hurts).

For those interested in sport judo, this is an excellent resource. For those interesting in seeing if they can find a new trick for street defense, this is a fully stocked larder; you'll need to sift, but this is pure gold. Note that using grappling in street defense is sometimes criticized as exposing you to the attacks of the friends of your opponent. On the other hand, if things went wonky and you're on the ground, having practiced these techniques could get you out of a tight spot.

The price-per-technique ratio here is great, and the quality of exposition is also world class.

Frankly, the only way you can go wrong with this book is if you want to learn dog grooming and get this book by mistake.

40 years & still a valuable classic
I purchased this book in '67 as a companion to Prof. Kudo's throwing guide.Together they provide an excellent "pocket" review guide, to be expected since he was founder Kano's # 1 pupil for many years. Beware of mistaking this reference volume for a sensi.Without a partner and/or a qualified teacher it is limited at best.One of the volume's greatest assets is that Kudo offers reversals & counters for many throws (for those which might be reversed if the technique hasn't been applied well). For those looking for an edge in MMA competition, remember that in Judo you can "turtle" - curling up on your stomach to avoid a pin or joint lock whereas on the street on inside an octagon that can get you butchered.Having said that, if you get the chance to obtain a copy in good condition, grab it & you won't be disappointed. Professor Kudo's combined grabbling & throwing volume would be an even better bet.

An excellent guide to improve your grappling skills!
Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Kazuzo Kudo's, "Judo In Action; Grappling Techniques."

This is really an outstanding book for the way it focuses on the various aspects of grappling with an opponent while on the ground. I was particularly impressed with the layout and design of this book. Very easy to follow and understand. Here are some of the key points that this book focuses on.

1. Fundamentals:

The author starts out be explaining exactly what constitutes a grappling technique and how in Judo that grappling and throwing techniques are much like the front and rear wheels of an automobile in that they work best when combined with one another.

The author also explains the importance of utilizing your entire body correctly and in unison when learning, practicing, and executing not only the techniques explained in this book, but all techniques regardless of what they are.

This section finishes up with photographs and detailed explanations on how to execute numerous warm-up exercises.

2. Pinning Techniques:

This section covers a lot of the basic principles and concepts that you should not only be aware of, but should also strive to apply when faced with a grappling situation while on the ground. It also covers some very good training rules that should be adhered to too the letter in order to optimize your training time and to avoid injuries to both you and your training partner. It then follows up with approximately 12 various pinning techniques.

3. Strangle Techniques:

Just like the previous section on pinning techniques, this section covers a lot of the basic principles and concepts that you should not only be aware of, but should also strive to apply when faced with a grappling situation while on the ground. It also covers some very good training rules that should be adhered to too the letter in order to optimize your training time and to avoid injuries to both you and your training partner. It then follows up with approximately 20 various strangling techniques.

4. Joint Techniques:

Just like the previous two sections on pinning and strangling techniques, this section covers a lot of the basic principles and concepts that you should not only be aware of, but should also strive to apply when faced with a grappling situation while on the ground. It also covers some very good training rules that should be adhered to too the letter in order to optimize your training time and to avoid injuries to both you and your training partner. It then follows up with approximately 13 various joint locking techniques.

5. Getting into the Grappling Techniques:

This section was very good in showing you how to get into the grappling position on the ground. This is very similar to learning how to enter into your opponent's body before actually executing a throw. This section was very informative and I really learned a quite a bit from it, as well as the rest of the material in this book.

Each one of the sections which focused on the physical techniques (sections 2, 3, and 4) followed the same six (6) point guideline when explaining each of the techniques contained in their respective sections. These six points are as follows:

a. General Gist of the Technique
b. The Right Moment
c. Pinning, Strangling, or Holding
d. Special Hints
e. Vital or Key Points
f. Escapes

The entire book was literally full of great photographs which really detailed the techniques for you, and combined with the detailed text, made it very easy to learn from. The presentation of the material in this book is nothing short of excellent and it a definitive benchmark in the way any martial arts book should be presented.

You'll come back to it again and again
Being out of print, this book is worth the high price. The author really understands the fundmental of grappling and each technique, and believe me whether you are a beginner or advanced practioner you can learn something new every time you refer to this book after a practice session. It worked for me.

Required reading for the judo competitor
I have dozens of books in my judo library, and this one is the best of them all.This is one of the few judo books that actually teach techniques that translate directly into competition. ... Read more

Product Description
Why does a good God allow innocent suffering? Why does a just God act unfairly? Why does a sovereign God let disease and evil run rampant? These are not questions asked from the onlooker's armchair, nor from the academic's desk, but from the anguish of the sickbed and the frustration of the wheelchair: The problem of pain is considered with the heart as well as the head.In Out of the Storm: Grappling With God in the Book of Job, Christopher Ash leads us through the biblical story of Job as we wrestle with these questions today. He explores honestly the lonely and cruel nature of suffering and whether or not God can be found in the midst of it. He exposes the shortcomings of Job's friends, who deny the possibility of innocent suffering and are unaware of the roles that evil, the fall and the cross have to play. With compassion and clarity he takes the reader through Job's long debate with God towards a humbling-and hopeful-resolution.Christopher Ash is Principal of the Cornhill Training Course in London, a teaching ministry of the Proclamation Trust . He is married to Carolyn and they have four children. ... Read more

Product Description
Jujutsu, ("jujitsu") literally meaning the "art of softness", or "way of yielding" is a collective name for Japanese martial art styles including unarmed and armed techniques. Jujutsu evolved among the samurai of feudal Japan as a method for defeating an armed and armored opponent without weapons. Due to the ineffectiveness of striking against an armored opponent, the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker's energy against him, rather than directly opposing it. There are many variations of the art, which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools (ry?) may utilize all forms of grappling techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, joint locks, holds, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking). In addition to jujutsu, many schools teach the use of weapons. ... Read more