Stick Fighting: Techniques Of Self-defense

I'll start out by admitting that I train in the style, so this really was a necessary investment for me. However, since buying the book and since we've been going through it in more detail, I have now resultantly been thrown, clocked and locked in more ways than I ever thought possible (and when I was first face-planted by a tiny woman with a stick, well that's when I realised both how funny and how painful it could all be). Now, as has been pointed out, this isn't a book on stick-on-stick fighting, but rather a way to apply the stick against an assailant. "Oh, but why would someone attack a guy with a big stick?", many people will say. Well, I don't know. Why would some young fellow attack an old fellow with a walking stick? And how might the old fellow apply his walking stick to the breaking of bones and cranking of limbs? Plus, as has also been said, practice with the stick leads to greater understanding of space, body mechanics and leverage.Now, to be balanced, I found most of Hatsumi's other instructional texts to be a little bit hmmm. This book, however, this is a book worth owning!

This is not book about Filipino Martial Arts, All techniques are based on Japanese styles of fighting with stick.Book itself if well laid out and all techniques are clearly depicted and explained.Book consists of many techniques with different stick lengths (30" , 12-15"), you might be interested in that book if you want to explore some of the locking techniques using sticks. For me as Escrima practitioner it's more informative in a sense what other styles have to offer rather than practical .Most techniques are quite difficult form beginner point of view and include Aikido like takedowns , and throws - not very practical and difficult to execute especially in life threatening situations. Also no empty hands applications are presented, it's assumed you always carry some sort of stick with you to defend yourself.All in all you might like that book if you're into Japanese styles of Martial Arts, if you're not I wouldn't recommend it

Excellent book, but the size is quite small, hence the b/w pictures are not very clear. For a few dollars more this book could be released in a larger format. Still very much worth the while. Authorative and a must-buy!

informative

A good description of an old martial arts practice.