David L. Mitchell (1) (1944–)

This unique book is the first known to exist on the new fighting art and combat sport of freestyle karate: the refinement and development of a classical martial art to the pont that it now enjoys worldwide participation.

With origins in the karate practitioners of America, freestyle broke new ground by taking aspects of the old techniques and refining them according to their own rules, importantly involving new methods of restraint and adapting judo and aikido moves to elaborate and expand show more freestyle to an all-embracing system. The book is both a history of he movement and a practical handbook showing and explaining what to do, with comprehensive detail on all major aspects of the activity: stance, punching and kicking, blocking and sparring techniques are all described in clear text and illustrated with crisp photography, as well as guidance to the philosophical demands of freestyle karate.

The first evaluation of the new variant of karate techniques will be welcomed by freestylers as the definitve reference to their art, whilst traditional classicists will recognise their own form as the roots of the new karate movement.

Trained in martial arts form an early age, the author's name is well known in the karate world through posts on the Martial Arts Commission and English Karate Counciil, and is now an honorary member of the World Union of Karate Organisations. Active in getting karate recognised as an Olympic sport he has written extensively for international martial art publications and now lives in Lancashire.

Freestyle karate is a term from America where karate practitioners took aspects of the sport and refined them according to their own rules. The freestyle form is based on the central principles of karate but the actual moves have been continually adapted to be more elaborate and advanced. This book provides a critical evaluation of this sub-variant of karate techniques. It provides details of technique alongside photography showing and explaining what to do.

Contents

Foreword
Chapter 1 A short history of karate and its development
Chapter 2 A philosophy of karate practice
Cahpter 3 Getting the best from karate training
Chapter 4 Working with stances
Chapter 5 Developing high-energy punches
Chaptre 6 Developing effective striking techinques
Chapter 7 Freestyle kicking techniques
Cahpter 8 Foot sweeps and hooks
Chapter 9 Freestyle blocking techniques
Chapter 10 Combination techniques
Cahpter 11 Throws, hold-downs and locks in freestyle karate
Chapter 12 Effective sparring
A freestyle grading syllabus show less

I found this book to be very informative about different martial arts. However with this book being about 15 years old it is a bit out dated. Some techniques have changed and new styles have been added, also at the end of the book there are addresses that can be written to that may no longer exist.

Covering karate, kendo, kung fu, judo and aikido-as well as the less known martial disciplines of budo, hapkido, the Thai martial arts, and many more-this book is an ideal introduction for the novice and a comprehensive survey for the more experienced. Illustrated with 150 superb line drawings, including the history, basic moves, principles, equipment and terminology of each, The Overlook Martial Arts Handbook is a thorough overview to the study of these anceint discipines. And for those show more interested in pursuing a martial arts discipline, a full list of addresses for clubs and organizations is provided. The Overlook Martial Arts Handbook provides an opportunity to develop mind and body to a perfect pitch of mental fitness and is, quite simply, the most authoritative, accurate and reliable guide to the sport ever produced.

David Mitchell was chairman of the British Karate Control Commission, a member of the Directing Committee of the European and World Karate Organizations, and is the author of many books on martial arts. He holds a black belt.

Contents

Introduction
Japan
1 The weapon arts-Kobudo; Kendo; Iaido; Kyudo; Ninjitsu
2 Jiu jitsu
3 Aikido
4 Karate
5 Kempo-Shorinji kempo; Nippon kempo
China
Kung fu
Korea
1 The classic arts-Hwarang-do; Hapkido; Tang soo do
2 Taekwondo--The modern Korean art
Other martial arts
1 Full contact
2 Others-Thai boxing; Viet vo dao; Mersilat; Escrima
Glossary show less

The ancient martial arts of Japan, China, and Korea are immensely popular in the West. Theri followers are passionate in their imvolvement. The Complete Book of Martial Arts informs and encourages anyone intersted in learning more about the martial arts as well as those already dedicated to a particular discipine.

There are many differeent schools of martial arts, stressing a wide variety of approaches. Do you know the difference between Thai Chi Chuan and Taekwondo? Can you tell which show more martial arts need suppleness and strength and which need the very minimum of bodily fitness? Which is the best self-defence system for you?

The author David Mitchell traces the history and developoment of the marital arts-so important in the culture of their country of origin. He describes the princiipal charactersitics, selecting key techniques and explaining how these are performed. All the major martial arts are coverd from aikido to kendo, kung fu to Thai boxing-including the best-known, now Olympic sports: judo and karate.

The book includes over 300 color and black and-white illsutrations, over 250 of which were specially commissioned, including many step-by-step sequences featureing leading exponents of each discipine. The Complete Book of Marital Arts is the most authoritative book available on the subject today, providing a fascinating source of knowledge and a multi-martial art training manual.

The author David Mitchell has been chairman of the Welsh Karate Board and the British Karate Control Commission and a member of the Directing Committee of the Eruopean and World Karate Organizations. He has written manybooks on the martial arts and is a regular contributor to martial arts magazines. He holds a black belt in karate.

Contents

Martial arts philosophy
Training
Developing force
Stances
Blocking
Aikido
budo and bujutsu
Full contact
Hapkido
Iai jutsu and iaido
Fighting arts of India and Pakistan
Judo and jiu jitsu
Karate
Kenjutsu and kendo
Kobujutsu and kobudo
Kung fu
Kkyudo
Ninjutsu
Shorinji kempo
Silat
Sumo
Taekwondo
Taiho jutsu
Tang soo do
Thai boxing
Glossary
Index show less