K1, UFC, Kyokushinkai and Muay Thai are enjoying ever increasing popularity. People practicing Martial Arts, who want to train and fight in the Full Contact manner, will find a systematic guide to the development and long-term build up of their training. This guidebook provides a concept for Full Contact training and effective self-defence. One can imagine that Full Contact training would be a very hard and demanding martial art form, however, given adequate training, it can be undertaken completely without any danger. Karateka, who have been training in the traditional Karate form, will see in this book a possibility of combining the training suggestions given with their own learned style, thus making their training more varied and even more interesting.

The Essential Karate Book is an informative, illustrated guide to the techniques, philosophy and practice of karate. With 20 chapters covering practically every aspect of karate, this in-depth reference will assist students and instructors as they plot their course through karate instruction, benefiting those at all levels. The Essential Karate Book contains 200 diagrams mapping out moves with 300 step-by-step photographs and companion videos, making it a comprehensive general karate reference for Western audiences. Readers of this karate guide will learn about: Stances, blocks, strikes and kicks Preparing your body through warm-ups, stretching, and conditioning through karate-specific exercises Kata grading and fighting (kumite) techniques and competition rules Martial arts weapons (kobudo), and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) applications The origins and history of karate Required behavior, clothing and etiquette, as well as the fundamentals of karate and the different styles that share them The Essential Karate Book is a must-have for any martial arts enthusiast, from beginners to black belts!

A well-placed kick can mean the difference between victory and defeat in a fight! This illustrated guide to martial arts kicks provides the reader with a wealth of information on 89 different types of kicks from various styles. This martial arts book features kicks from Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Kempo, Capoeira, Jeet Kune Do, and more. In a self-defense situation, there is no room for defeat. Readers will learn how to unleash a devastating barrage of kicks to throw their opponents off guard and leave every match in victory. The Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks has one purpose: to help readers hone their kicking proficiency so that they can readily deploy the most powerful tool in the fighter's repertoire. It contains thousands of photos and diagrams to show readers exactly how to perform all of the 89 kicks inside this book. Packed with full-color photos, detailed diagrams and a companion DVD featuring 50 of the most powerful kicks, this book is required reading for every martial artist who wants to sharpen and expand their kicking skills. You'll learn all about: Front Kicks Side Kicks Roundhouse Kicks Back Kicks Hook Kicks Crescent Kicks And many more!

Ron Marchini, Black Belt Hall of Fame member and top tournament competitor, demonstrates this weight-training regimen with partner and kung fu expert Leo Fong. Included are weight routines, iron hand exercises, kicking and nonweightresistance exercises. These exercises supplement regular martial arts workouts for developing explosive power.

Grounded in a comprehensive overview of the philosophical and spiritual foundations that underlie karate, The Art of Killing emphasizes its original purpose: to kill an attacker swiftly and brutally. Prior to 1900, karate-dō was exclusively an art of unarmed self-defense. Its practice was designed for life-or-death situations--effectively, an art of killing. Here, authors Leonard Pellman and the late Masayuki Shimabukuro restore karate to its original intent. They move karate away from its popular modern-day sporting applications back to its deadly origins---and to the restraining philosophy of peace, self-sacrifice, compassion, and service to others that necessarily accompanied it. With chapters on kokoro (heart, mind, and spirit), ki (spirit and energy), and the seven major precepts of bushidō, The Art of Killing shows readers that the lethal art of karate is more than a method of bringing an enemy down--it’s a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in essential lessons to guard against abuses of power. This book does not contain detailed instruction in killing methods, but it does showcase the deadly power of karate--and explain why purity of intentions matters, and how compassion and respect are the essence of karate training. Readers will learn: The purpose and meaning of karate-dō The origins and major precepts of bushidō Training methods, preparation, and etiquette Fundamentals, spiritual power, training patterns, and analysis and application of kata About the body as a weapon

Readers will learn about the history of karate and details on the different styles and belt categories. Charts and tables organize information in a visually appealing and easy-to-grasp way. Detailed step-by-step instructions and accompanying photographs help readers learn the positions and fundamental techniques followed by a demonstration of basic attacks and counterattacks. As the book progresses, the attacks become more and more varied and complex. Formal exercises encourage students to practice what they have learned, keep track of personal progress, and improve their mastery of karate.

Learn the background of Japanese Karate along with the ins and outs of belonging to a dojo with this readable martial arts guide. The Japanese martial art of Karate is not only a means of self-defense; it is also a sport and a philosophy. The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art examines each of these aspects--through the colorful legends, tales, and traditions that are associated with the art--and explains why educators and parents are becoming increasingly interested in karate. This karate book shows how karate training can change the lives of those who practice it, by giving them health, self-confidence, both physical and mental discipline, as well as calm maturity. This martial arts book includes information about: the dojo, the belt system, kata and jiu-kumite, potential and goals, famous dojo stories, Okinawan martial arts fighters, ninjutsu, and more!

He's been named the Instructor of the Year by Black Belt magazine and dubbed "the published authority on American karate" by Karate International magazine. Now Jerry Beasley, ninth-degree black belt, shares his insights on the technique and tradition behind the most popular form of karate in the western world. In Mastering Karate, Beasley focuses on the crucial components of advanced karate techniques that will enhance your individual performance and give you the edge in sparring situations. The detailed descriptions and photographs will help you visualize and develop the critical skills needed to progress through the intermediate and advanced ranks. Mastering Karate also includes specific offensive and defensive strategies you can adapt in competition as well as an entire chapter dedicated to teaching styles and methods that you can apply to become more effective in the dojo. With advanced training methods for physical and mental preparation, this book offers the practical tools you need to succeed. In addition to a wealth of training techniques, Mastering Karate presents ideas and concepts about history, traditions, etiquette, and training methods, it traces the evolution of western karate and shows how it has been influenced by superstars like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Bill Wallace. Mastering Karate is an invaluable resource for students in all karate disciplines. Whether you're an advanced black belt, an intermediate student striving for improvement, or an instructor in search of contemporary training methods, you'll benefit from this comprehensive resource. Use the experience and instruction of Jerry Beasley to guide you to success.

Explains the history, steps, and training of karate.