The Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks: 89 Kicks from Karate, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, and Others [DVD Included] Paperback – December 10, 2010

When I first started martial arts several years ago I couldn't figure out why the instructor paid such detail to the way I kicked, the exact placement, chambering, execution and timing. It wasn't until I entered my first sparring match that I began to recognize that sloppy kicks do little more than annoy, but well executed kicks deliver a wallop. Now as a second degree black I strive to develop better kicks. So I was delighted when I picked up a copy of Marc De Bremaeker's and Roy Faige's satisfying 256 page manual "Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks," accompanied with an instructional DVD, from the local public library. As the authors note, this "book is not a "how to" book for the neophyte, but a reference work for the experienced martial artist" (8).This is one installment in a series of works meant to focus the karateka on specific levels of kicks. "Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks" takes six basic kicks and moves around them into various deliveries and styles. For example, the front kick is expanded from the primary, simple front kick to the heel front kick to the phantom groin kick and beyond. De Bremaeker and Faige have poured a lot of thought into the numerous variations giving the reader a total of eighty nine well developed kicks. The photographs are clear and crisp, the directional sketches are sharp and straightforward, and the explanations are intelligible and explicit. The authors have also taken great pains in describing and demonstrating the self-defense possibilities of each kick."Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks," and the accompanying DVD, is a must-have for any martial artist who is serious about sharpening their skills. If you are a seasoned martial artist or an instructor, this volume will help boost your delivery and enrich your training. If you run a school, this manuscript would make a great addition to your collection of books to be lent out. I was so gratified by what I saw in this handbook that I returned it to the public library and purchased my own copy. I recommend you do the same.

The good news;Every conceivable variation of kicking is described in detail. If it involves throwing your foot out to strike an opponent, it's covered here. You get quite a lot covered; targets, trajectory of kicks, angles, hip positions, point of contact (ball of foot, etc), body positioning in relation to hips, exercises to strengthen your kicks, different names for the kick, martial arts utilizing the kick, and more.You are shown every kick from multiple angles. You are shown combinations to use the kicks.Even the paper is very thick, almost laminated, to take abuse in a studio. I'm an experienced Kung Fu practitioner, and there were a few kicks that I hadn't seen before, and I think I'll try.There is even a DVD that shows practically all the kicks, live. Very much worth the price paid.The bad news;It's very difficult to teach movements in a book. If you have no martial arts experience, you won't learn how to kick properly from this book, or any book...or any DVD.There are just way too many things going on at the same time (and in sequence) when kicking, to cover it all in a book. When you make mistakes, and you will, a book won't see them, and correct them.My suggested use of the book, is to use it as a training aid, when taking lessons from an instructor. Once you know the subtle mechanics involved (mostly in the hip rotation), you can apply that knowledge and feel to learn all the variations of the kick.The DVD was a welcome plus. But there was no real instruction on it...just a series of kicks thrown to show you what they look like.Certainly worth the price.

good stuff for your kicking reference guide

Numerous kicks from different disciplines. Excellent resource for all martial artists, especially instructors. Worth every cent.

I really enjoy this book.It covers a lot of kicking techniques, gives practical examples for use in class, and in real situations.It also show tips and tricks for training the specific form of kick.As a black belt, I would recommend this to my class.

Very in depth and technical. I am very pleased with this book. Covers evrything it claims. Great quality. I have immediatly considered the advice of the book and will apply it.

Great stuff. A must hAve in ur mma libery

Bought this book yesterday. The author tries to cover as many variations as possible, but this is only HOW HE understands kicking mechanics. He doesn't explain the hip rotation, which feeling is to develop when rotating the hips, how to tilt or twist pelvis etc. He has not enough flexibility and some kicks (especially high ones) are looking wrong, because his pelvis is back and his upper body leans. There are no exercises for certain kicks, for muscle abductors and adductors and without developing them you cannot kick high and strong.A beginner can't learn deeply the art of kicking and for an advanced martial artist this book is useless.Waste of money, sorry.