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!

This is a comprehensive guide to the kicks of Taekwondo from white belt to black belt and beyond. Sang H. Kim shares his expert knowledge of fundamental, jumping, spinning and multiple kicks. You will get in-depth instruction for over 40 kicks, including the purpose of the kick, key points to pay attention to when practising, step-by-step execution of the kick, the best targets for each kick, applications for sport fighting and self-defence, plus the most common kicking mistakes and how to fix them. As you progress, you'll also learn exercises designed to improve your kicking flexibility, power, speed and balance. This book goes beyond the basics and explains the concepts behind awesome kicks including how to generate power using your whole body in every kick, how to generate maximum impact, how to use body mechanics to kick higher, and how to get the most out of every practice session. This is the ultimate reference for martial artists of all styles who want to master the art of kicking. Kicks included: Front Kick; Roundhouse Kick; Side Kick; Knee Kick; Raising Kick; Outside Crescent Kick; Inside Crescent Kick; Axe Kick; Whip Kick; Twist Kick; Pushing Kick; Flying Side Kick; Back Kick; Turn Kick; Spin Whip Kick; Hopping Kicks; Jumping Kicks; Jumping Spin Kicks; Multiple Kicks; Combination Kicks.

Melanie Gibson was an independent woman with a good job, multiple college degrees, and a condo in the trendy part of town. She also had a few mental illnesses, a minor substance abuse problem, and rotten relationship skills. She was a high-functioning crazy who needed a good kick in the pants, literally and metaphorically. In early 2013, as a last desperate means to save her sanity, Melanie turned to a nearly forgotten childhood activity: the Korean martial art of taekwondo. As if the universe were listening, she discovered her West Texas childhood taekwondo instructors’ Grandmaster operated a taekwondo school a few miles from her home in Fort Worth, Texas—and she decided to start her training over as a white belt. In taekwondo, Melanie felt like she had a fresh start in more ways than one. She found an inner peace she’d never known before, a sense of community, a newfound confidence, and a positive outlook on life. The kicking and screaming she was doing in class quieted the long-term kicking and screaming in her mind. Funny and frank, Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts is the story of Melanie’s life-changing journey from troubled, lost soul to confident taekwondo black belt.

Kicks Anybody Can Learn This book covers twelve basic kicks that are fundamental to many martial arts, particularly Taekwondo. The kicks are well illustrated; they are easy enough to learn even for somebody who has no martial arts knowledge. It also covers stretching, target kicking, application and conditioning exercises. If you want to learn the kicks on your own the best possible way, this is the book for you.

The Illustrated Guide to "Taegeuk Forms" contains all of the 8 Taegeuk forms that are taught for the black belt promotion test. The book elaborates each form in four different fashions; Starting off with a one-page glance at the entire sequence of the movements, that enables capturing the whole flow. Followed by the form shown in a pattern, in the context of movement in space. Moving forward specifying the English names of each technique. Wrapping up elaborating the most detailed information about each technique of the form, including side and back views, and their names in both English and phonetic Korean. The book also contains a chapter of basic and advanced techniques in Taekwondo, including many additional techniques to what is taught in the forms. Lastly, a fun chapter of animals in Taekwondo.

The Illustrated Guide to "Palgwe Forms" contains all of the 8 Palgwe forms that are taught for the black belt promotion test. The book elaborates each form in four different fashions; starting off with a one-page glance at the entire sequence of the movements, that enables capturing the whole flow. Followed by the form shown in a pattern, in the context of movement in space. Moving forward specifying the English names of each technique. Wrapping up elaborating the most detailed information about each technique of the form, including side and back views, and their names in both English and phonetic Korean. The book also contains the three most basic forms taught in many Taekwondo schools, the "Kicho" forms, as well.

Tae Kwon Do is more than just a fighting style: it combines self-defense, exercise, meditation, philosophy, and self-awareness to improve oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually. Over 400 million students in more than 188 countries have embraced the way of life that Tae Kwon Do provides. Tae Kwon Do, Third Edition combines a complete explanation of the physical aspects of the martial art with a full description of the philosophical elements of its training. It is perfect for both students trying to master techniques and teachers looking for a reliable reference. The authors believe that the true essence of Tae Kwon Do cannot be seen, touched, smelled, tasted, or heard, but only experienced. This book will guide students as they figure out what Tae Kwon Do means to them.

Taekwondo Basics teaches you all the fundamentals of this Korean martial art form in a clear and easy-to-understand manner! This basic introductory survey contains the following vital information: The origins, philosophy, and history of Taekwondo How to find a teacher and a class that are right for you Getting ready for your first class--what actually happens in a Taekwondo class? The essential elements--stances, blocks, hand and arm strikes, and kicks How to complement your Taekwondo training with other conditioning exercises, such as running and biking Powerful ways to improve your technique through target training, partner training, competitive training, free-sparring, and more Resources that can help you further develop your Taekwondo practice Whether you're just getting started, or you've already been training for a year or two, Taekwondo Basics offers an easy to read, yet comprehensive, introduction to the sport.

For beginners; everything from clothes, basic skills, competition, performance, practice.

The eagerly anticipated updated return of a bestselling martial arts classic The leaders of Tae Kwon Do, an Olympic sport and one of the worldÍs most popular martial arts, are fond of saying that their art is ancient and filled with old dynasties and superhuman feats. In fact, Tae Kwon Do is as full of lies as it is powerful techniques. Since its rough beginnings in the Korean military 60 years ago, the art empowered individuals and nations, but its leaders too often hid the painful truths that led to that empowerment „ the gangsters, secret-service agents, and dictators who encouraged cheating, corruption, and murder. A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do takes you into the cults, geisha houses, and crime syndicates that made Tae Kwon Do. It shows how, in the end, a few key leaders kept the art clean and turned it into an empowering art for tens of millions of people in more than 150 countries. A Killing Art is part history and part biography „ and a wild ride to enlightenment. This new and revised edition of the bestselling book contains previously unnamed sources and updated chapters.