Martial Mechanics: Maximum Results with Minimum Effort in the Practice of the Martial Arts - Softcover

Philip Starr

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1583942114 ISBN 13: 9781583942116

Publisher: Blue Snake Books, 2008

Synopsis

Interest in a wide range of martial arts grows exponentially each year, but few practitioners understand the scientific forces that underlie these arts. The originators of ancient traditional systems intuitively grasped the body mechanics behind their disciplines, and thus were capable of generating uncanny striking force. Contemporary students, on the other hand, often fail to achieve the high levels of technical proficiency they desire because they are unaware of these laws and how they work in a martial arts context.

Drawing on the author's decades of experience as both student and teacher, Martial Mechanics explains, in humorous, easy-to-understand language, how physics and kinesiology affect martial arts techniques and how readers can best utilize them to make them faster, more powerful, and hence more effective in actual combat. Featuring black-and-white photographs throughout, Martial Mechanics is written for both internal and external martial artists, mixed martial arts practitioners with an interest in competition or self-defense, students of kung fu, karate, taekwondo, muay thai boxing, kickboxing, wing chun, and more. Even many of the traditional grappling arts utilize certain striking techniques, and their disciples as well can improve their percussive skills with this practical guide.

About this title

Review:

"Sifu Phillip Starr presents clear-cut, easy-to-read, and convincing explanations about the how and why behind some of the most important concepts in traditional martial arts training. This book divulges valuable insights that will save you from countless hours of incorrect practice, frustration, and injury. Read it, re-read it, and then read it again! It's that good."
--Mark Cheng, LAc, PhD, RKC II, director and chief physician, Chung-Hua Institute and contributing editor to Black Belt magazine

"This book will enrich any martial artist's understanding of the martial arts basics."
--John A. Morrow, adjunct professor of Kinesiology, St. Ambrose University and 7th Level Black Sash in Shaolin Chuan Kung Fu

"Martial Mechanics will make you a better martial artist...period. Using terms we all can understand and techniques you can integrate quickly, Sifu Starr gives you priceless insight into the ancient fighting arts in today's terms. Simply put, Martial Mechanics is extraordinary!"
--Kris Wilder, author of Lessons from the Dojo Floor and Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, Kodokan Judo, and Goju-Ryu Karate

Synopsis:

"Martial Mechanics" explains how certain immutable laws of physics and principles of kinesiology have an impact on martial arts techniques, and how and why many contemporary martial arts practitioners are unable to achieve a high level of technical proficiency. Most of them unknowingly violate key principles of body mechanics and/or physics, resulting in a loss of both speed and power. Although they probably knew very little about modern physics and kinesiology, the originators of the ancient traditional martial arts systems learned how to utilize these laws and principles to their best advantage, enabling them to generate uncanny striking force.Many of these time-tested principles have never been taught to Westerners; after all, the Japanese had suffered terribly at the hands of the Allies by the end of WWII, the U.S. had totally devastated Okinawa, and shortly after the war China vanished behind the iron curtain of communism. Of the principles that were taught, many have been ignored and/or forgotten by contemporary martial arts enthusiasts, resulting in an overall deterioration of martial arts skill.

The book goes on to explain why certain popular training exercises are actually counterproductive to the acquisition of real martial technique, dispels some myths regarding popular training techniques, and provides the reader with highly effective alternative routines.

About this edition

• Publisher: Blue Snake Books
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1583942114
• ISBN 13: 9781583942116
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200