Sunday, August 31, 2008
Reverse Crescent Kick review
Reverse Crescent Kick is the fifth book of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series by Shawn Kovacich. Just as he did with the other volumes of the series, Kovacich attacked the instruction of the reverse crescent kick with meticulous detail and thoroughness. I have to admit, ever since Billy Jack wopped Posner on the right side of his face with his right foot, I've had a sentimental spot for the reverse crescent kick, and that makes this my favorite book of the series.
This book is the most detailed written description you will find on executing the reverse crescent kick, and should be included in any martial artist's book collection who incorporates kicking into his or her training. This is not a book you just sit down and read cover to cover for enjoyment. It is a resource text to be studied and referred to at various times during your training or teaching. Yes teaching! I think instructors will learn tips on how to teach the reverse crescent kick by reading this manual.
The most valuable sections of this book are the chapters that teach the basics of the reverse crescent kick and then the variations. The variations Kovacich covers include: Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Spinning Reverse Crescent Kick, Step-Back Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Switch Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Reverse Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Reverse Crescent Kick, Front Leg Reverse Crescent Kick, Cross-Over Reverse Crescent Kick, Off-Setting Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Jump Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, and the Switch Turning Reverse Crescent Kick (left leg). The chapters do have some repetition, but this enables the book to be more easily used as a reference tool, since you can pick the book up and review any of the kicks without having to refer back to different chapters. Kovacich uses plentiful photographs and illustrations to demonstrate all aspects of the kick, striking angles, foot placement, and the arc of the kick. As I mentioned, he attacks this with meticulous detail and you will not find a more complete written account of the reverse crescent kick anywhere.
The chapters on strength, speed, and power are the weakest chapters of the book. While it is nice that Kovacich included a bit on these topics, the real strength of this book is with the detailed instruction of the kick itself. There are many other resources out there that cover strength, speed, and power in more detail and depth than Kovaich does here. The good thing is he introduces these concepts and any good martial artist will further his or her study of these to incorporate into their training with different resources.
The trouble shooting guide offers some good tips to better your kicking, and Kovacich also includes a short chapter on reverse crescent kick applications.
If you want in-depth instruction on the reverse crescent kick and ten of its main variations, this book with over 200 pages of text, photographs, and illustrations is a must have addition to your martial art library. It is an excellent resource for any martial artist regardless of style.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
This book is the most detailed written description you will find on executing the reverse crescent kick, and should be included in any martial artist's book collection who incorporates kicking into his or her training. This is not a book you just sit down and read cover to cover for enjoyment. It is a resource text to be studied and referred to at various times during your training or teaching. Yes teaching! I think instructors will learn tips on how to teach the reverse crescent kick by reading this manual.
The most valuable sections of this book are the chapters that teach the basics of the reverse crescent kick and then the variations. The variations Kovacich covers include: Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Spinning Reverse Crescent Kick, Step-Back Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Switch Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Reverse Crescent Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Reverse Crescent Kick, Front Leg Reverse Crescent Kick, Cross-Over Reverse Crescent Kick, Off-Setting Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, Jump Turning Reverse Crescent Kick, and the Switch Turning Reverse Crescent Kick (left leg). The chapters do have some repetition, but this enables the book to be more easily used as a reference tool, since you can pick the book up and review any of the kicks without having to refer back to different chapters. Kovacich uses plentiful photographs and illustrations to demonstrate all aspects of the kick, striking angles, foot placement, and the arc of the kick. As I mentioned, he attacks this with meticulous detail and you will not find a more complete written account of the reverse crescent kick anywhere.
The chapters on strength, speed, and power are the weakest chapters of the book. While it is nice that Kovacich included a bit on these topics, the real strength of this book is with the detailed instruction of the kick itself. There are many other resources out there that cover strength, speed, and power in more detail and depth than Kovaich does here. The good thing is he introduces these concepts and any good martial artist will further his or her study of these to incorporate into their training with different resources.
The trouble shooting guide offers some good tips to better your kicking, and Kovacich also includes a short chapter on reverse crescent kick applications.
If you want in-depth instruction on the reverse crescent kick and ten of its main variations, this book with over 200 pages of text, photographs, and illustrations is a must have addition to your martial art library. It is an excellent resource for any martial artist regardless of style.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
Monday, August 18, 2008
In Your Hands
A long time ago, there lived a wise warrior sage in the wooded mountains. He dedicated his later years to study, training, and meditation and was known throughout the land for his wisdom. People from all walks of life came to visit him and seek his guidance. Regardless of the question, the wise sage had the correct answer. Just as his sword cut through targets, the warrior sage cut to the essence of any problem or issue. He became famous for the answers, solutions, and guidance he offered to all that sought him out.
At the base of the mountain where the warrior sage lived, there was a small village. Several young boys from this village enjoyed trekking up the mountain path to where the warrior sage would share his wisdom, answer questions, and every once in a while share a little of his physical trainings with the young boys. A game developed between the group of boys and the wise man of the mountain. The boys continually tried to think of a question that the old man could not answer, but were never successful.
One day, the prankster of the group, a boy named Toro, announced to the other boys, "I finally have a question that the old man will not be able to answer." Toro opened his hands to show the others a small Shrike he had found in a nearby nest. "We will go ask the old man if the bird in my hands is alive or dead. If he says it is dead, I will show him the little living bird. If he says it is alive, I will crush it and the bird will be dead. Either way, the old man will be wrong, and we will have finally stumped him."
The group hurried up the hill behind Toro to witness the old man’s first wrong answer. As they neared the old warrior's cabin, they saw him out back practicing a form with his sword. When he saw them, he smoothly sheathed the razor sharp blade and effortlessly walked toward them noticing their eager looks. Toro stepped forward and asked, "Is the bird in my hands alive, or is it dead?"
The old warrior’s eyes seemed to reflect a coldness that the boys had never seen before. They were eyes that had seen more than their share of death. At the same time, there was a compassion and tenderness in those eyes that seemed unequaled. The warrior sage looked at the mischievous Toro and softly spoke, "My son, the answer is in your hands."
This ancient story reflects on a truth that is shared by almost everyone in most situations. Almost everything that happens to you is in your hands. We are the masters of our own destinies. Our futures are up to us.
The choices and decisions you make will determine the results you achieve. You can go to the finest university, but the education you receive will be in your hands. You can seek out the greatest of martial art masters, but your training will be in your hands. You can land a job, but you success will be in your hands. Bookstores and libraries are full of books to help you learn and achieve in all areas, but reading them is in your hands.
We are responsible for our own lives. No one else is going to do it for you. You must take responsibility and realize that your life, your future, your successes, are in your hands.
At the base of the mountain where the warrior sage lived, there was a small village. Several young boys from this village enjoyed trekking up the mountain path to where the warrior sage would share his wisdom, answer questions, and every once in a while share a little of his physical trainings with the young boys. A game developed between the group of boys and the wise man of the mountain. The boys continually tried to think of a question that the old man could not answer, but were never successful.
One day, the prankster of the group, a boy named Toro, announced to the other boys, "I finally have a question that the old man will not be able to answer." Toro opened his hands to show the others a small Shrike he had found in a nearby nest. "We will go ask the old man if the bird in my hands is alive or dead. If he says it is dead, I will show him the little living bird. If he says it is alive, I will crush it and the bird will be dead. Either way, the old man will be wrong, and we will have finally stumped him."
The group hurried up the hill behind Toro to witness the old man’s first wrong answer. As they neared the old warrior's cabin, they saw him out back practicing a form with his sword. When he saw them, he smoothly sheathed the razor sharp blade and effortlessly walked toward them noticing their eager looks. Toro stepped forward and asked, "Is the bird in my hands alive, or is it dead?"
The old warrior’s eyes seemed to reflect a coldness that the boys had never seen before. They were eyes that had seen more than their share of death. At the same time, there was a compassion and tenderness in those eyes that seemed unequaled. The warrior sage looked at the mischievous Toro and softly spoke, "My son, the answer is in your hands."
This ancient story reflects on a truth that is shared by almost everyone in most situations. Almost everything that happens to you is in your hands. We are the masters of our own destinies. Our futures are up to us.
The choices and decisions you make will determine the results you achieve. You can go to the finest university, but the education you receive will be in your hands. You can seek out the greatest of martial art masters, but your training will be in your hands. You can land a job, but you success will be in your hands. Bookstores and libraries are full of books to help you learn and achieve in all areas, but reading them is in your hands.
We are responsible for our own lives. No one else is going to do it for you. You must take responsibility and realize that your life, your future, your successes, are in your hands.
