Martial arts research library

[bushido_man96]

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gracie Submission Essentials

Helio Gracie, Royler Gracie

The book opens with some ideas on strategies that GM Helio and Master Royler have for their groundfighting game. Helio was always a fan of the submission, and the choke in general. The intro goes on to expound on certain important aspects of the submission game, including timing, power, and execution, and brief ideas on devoloping traits like this.

Follows are the typically well photographed and well explained move sequences and scenarios, with the opening section covering GM Helio's favorites, followed by a more extensive section on Royler's favorite sequences from various scenarios, including the mount, guard and half-guard, turtle, standing, and side-mount positions. The importance of being prepared to switch to different submissions while attacking with a different one is expressed throughout. All moves in the book are illustrated with gis.

I enjoy this series of books, printed by Invisible Cities Press. They are well photographed, and the descriptions seem good to me, for not having any grappling experience. The moves are very interesting, and I enjoy seeing the cross-over of the moves from the Judo books that I have seen, including the common grips that are used when standing or in the mount, guard, etc. I would recommend these titles to anyone interested in BJJ.

[bushido_man96]

The Elite Forces Handbook of Unarmed Combat

Ron Shillingford

This book gives a general overview of the focal points of unarmed combat training of the elite forces of the world. It opens with the chapters on essentials of unarmed combat training, and goes into the Martial Heritage of unarmed combat as well, and the simplistic training used for special forces.

The book then goes into chapters on blocking and striking with body tools, using chokes, headlocks, breaking free of holds, and chapters against various weapons, and then multiple opponents.

A very straightforward setup, the book also has side bars throughout that discuss various special forces Martial Arts from other countries, including Israel and Korea. The book uses photos and drawings to elaborate on various techniques and scenarios. One thing that is noticeable is the similarity that appears in many of the combinations that are trained in. Different attacks are dealt with in many similar ways, in order to attain high degrees of proficiency in the shorter amount of time that combat soldiers have available for training.

I thought that this book was very insightful and informative, although some of the general MA information that was presented was a bit generalized, and in some cases, I felt, a bit off (Boddiharma makes an appearance in the book early on). Overall, I think it is a good book, giving a unique look to the Combat Arts of the military.

[ericjones80]

i have a real quality Muay Thai book...the name escapes me ill get back to you guys

[bushido_man96]

The Way of Sanchin Kata The Application of Power

Kris Wilder

It is hard for me to give a very good review of this book, because I have no knowledge or experience with Sanchin Kata. However, I think that this book is very well written, and the subject matter is explored to its fullest extent.

Wilder explores everything from a history of the Sanchin Kata to the ways that people learn, and how those learning experiences have changed Sanchin Kata in so many ways. He discusses, in detail, the bringing together of the "three difficulties" beginning with the architecture of the body, starting with the feet and working meticulously up the body to each other section; up the shins and to the thighs, the hips, the back, the neck and the head, and out to the shoulders, arms, and fists. He also moves into chapters on breathing, getting into the state of zanshin, Iron Shirt, and many other concepts that fall into the study and integration of this kata.

Wilder has put out a great book here, and I enjoyed it a lot, even with a lack of knowledge of Karate and Sanchin Kata, despite general knowledge. A nice addition that Wilder has are the "Test It" sections of each of his chapters that give students physical feedback from partners that allow them to guage their training.

I recommend this book for any Martial Artist in general. And if you practice the Sanchin Kata, then it will definitely give you a focus on the kata that will keep you training for years.

[bushido_man96]

The Little Capoeira Book

Nestor Capoeira

This was a very good book. When I picked it up, I expected a book full of the flashy kicks and techniques of Capoeira, and I got that, and so much more.

Although it is not an extensive how-to book on the Art of Capoeira, it does give introductions to moves and sequences, but is very full of some of the history, philosophy, and roots of the art of Capoeira. The history was very interesting, and the philosophies behind the style is very interesting to learn about as well. It talks of the differences between the styles Regional and Angola, and where they came from, along with more recent styles and groups.

Of particular interest (to me, anyways) was the appendix in the book, where the author elaborated on a meeting of Capoeira Mestres in masse that took place in 1984. Many discussion went on in that assembly, ranging from art and science being introduced in Capoeira, Capoeira abroad, and what is becoming "lost" in Capoeira.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about the style, art, and philosphies of Capoeira.

[bushido_man96]

Encyclopedia of Taekwon-do, 15 volumes

General Choi Hong Hi

This 15 volume set of encyclopedia covers just about everything technical for ITF TKD (at, least the way it was when they debuted). Hardbound, with a ribbon book mark in each volume, these books are pretty nice, and the English translation is pretty good. Each volume covers something a bit different.

Volume 1 covers basic history of TKD. It also covers the ideals, philosophies, and methodologies of Gen. Choi.

Some notes I made from v. 1:

*importance of student development over commercialism

*importance of developing students outside of the dojang as well as inside

*students should be encouraged to study in other dojangs

*instructors should answer questions honestly and admit when they do not know the answer

*instructors should not expect favors from students; cleaning school, etc.

Volume 1 also includes layouts for testing cycles, testing requirements, and training schedules.

Volume 2 covers:

*Power: Reaction force, Concentration, Equilibrium, Breath Control, Mass, Speed, Reflex.

*Attacking and Blocking tools, Vital spots.

*Complete charts relating attacking tools to blocking tools.

*Stances

*Belt System-color significance

*Instructions for making/training on a makiwara, along with training for heavy bag, focus pad, shield, a very interesting blocking apparatus, stretching pulleys, wooden horses, jars, stance moulds, and speed bags.

*Stretches

Volume 3 covers Hand Techniques for attacking and blocking, along with some applications and dodging footwork.

Volume 4 covers Kicking, including flying kicks, defensive kicks and checking kicks. Also covered is stepping with the sine wave.

Volume 5: Sparring

*What level of sparring for each rank

*Pre-arranged sparring (1, 2, 3-step sparring), including footwork

*Semi-free and free sparring; also points out limitations of free sparring

*Foot sparring, which he says is derived from the old Taek Yon

*Hoo Sin Sul: here, you can begin to see some forms applications

*Throws and falling

*Some weapons defenses, which are kind of questionable

Volumes 6 and 7 cover fundamental and basic movements, including stances, walking, and turning. Volume 7 is a bit more advanced, including flying kicks, flying multiple kicks, and dodging/jumping hand strikes. Most of the techniques are shown from a beginning stance and position, and are then executed like a floor drill style.

Volumes 8 through 15 cover all of the forms of the ITF system. Included are lots of photos; a large photo of the technique, and on the facing page, smaller photo sequences beginning with the previous position, showing the transition, and then the finished technique position, along with an appliaction picture. Footwork diagrams are also provided to show direction of travel. Each section begins with the new moves/basics/stances for the form being shown.

*v8: 4 direction punch, 4 direction block, Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San

*v9: Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok, Joong-Gun

*v10: Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo

*v11: Kwang-Gae, Po-Eun, Ge-Baek

*v12: Eui-Am, Choong-Jang, Juche

*v13: Sam-Il, Yoo-Sin, Choi-Yong

*v14: Yon-Gae, Ul-Ji, Moon-Moo

*v15: So-San, Se-Jong, Tong-Il

Overall, if you are an ITF practitioner, or a practitioner of the Chang 'On forms, then this volume of encyclopedia can be very helpful to you. They are well written, and fairly easy to understand. Even if the style of forms you do is varied in some way, these books will still help to point you in the right direction. If anything, it is nice to see the way Gen. Choi laid things out.

[A Man]

"The Quick and the Dead", By Louis L'Amour

[CTOWNP]

what about tao of jeet kune do. Is that a good beginner book for someone just learning the martial arts?

[bushido_man96]

I am not really sure what would classify as a "beginner book." However, the Tao of Jeet Kune Do does have a lot of good information in it. However, it is important to keep in mind that the book is one person's take on what he felt that the Martial Arts were to him.

[bushido_man96]

Chon-Ji of Tae Kwon Do Hyung

 

Tan-Gun and To-San of Tae Kwon Do Hyung

 

Won-Hyo and Yul-Kok of Tae Kwon Do Hyung

 

Chung-Gun and Toi-Gye of Tae Kwon Do Hyung

Jhoon Rhee

Each of these books begins with the familiar history lesson of TKD, which, to me, is a bit suspect, as far as fact goes. Whenever I read a TKD book anymore, I usually just skim through the history section, and pretty much disregard it. This set of books does little to curb my skeptisism in this area.

However, technically speaking, these books are pretty good. Before each form is elaborated on, each is shown "at-a-glance," giving an overview of the form, front to back, in pictures. Then, each picture is blown up, and the movements explained, along with diagrams showing foot placement, movement from the previous technique, and then a top view. Included for each move is an application photo as well, but they leave much to be desired. The first two books include a pictorial glossary at the end as well.

Chon-Ji: The first form in TKD ITF, the book begins with an overview of basic stances, using feet-on-the-floor diagrams to elaborate on the length and foot position of each stance. This volume also includes stretching exercises and a basics section. The basics section includes photos for basic blocking and striking techniques and kicks, showing them from a beginning stance, and then depicting the movement to the move in the next stance, and then finally instructions for turning around for the floor drills. This section should probably be at the beginning of the book, but the addition is nevertheless beneficial to the beginner. The book finishes with a section on one-step sparring. As an added bonus, this volume contains both English and Spanish translations.

Tan-Gun & T-San: After the forms sections, this book elaborates on attacking combinations, using pictures and floor drawing demonstrating the movement of the feet as the combination advances. This is then followed by a self-defense technique section, showing the standard joint locking breakaways, escapes, and counterattacks.

Won-Hyo & Yul-Kol: Just the forms.

Chung-Gun & Toi-Gye: Just the forms.

Hwa-Rang & Chung-Mu: Just the forms.

I would recommend these books as far as the technical aspects of TKD hyungs and techniques goes. The author, Jhoon Rhee, is touted as the "Father of U.S. TKD," and his technique is more than reputable. Although not the end-all, be-all of TKD books, these will fill the void nicely if you lack any TKD information in your library.