USA Best Book Awards Finalist - USA Book News This book was written to address an important gap that exists in martial arts training. The gap is the space or dirty ground that lives between sport and combat techniques; that is when you need to control a person without severely injuring him (or her). Techniques in this space are called 'drunkle', named after your drunken uncle at the family gathering who needs to be escorted away before he hurts somebody or vice versa. This space reveals itself all too often when friends, family, good Samaritans, crime watchers, and certain types of muggings or robberies get physical. Understand that using the Iron Hammer Fist Punch you learned in karate class will probably put your uncle in the hospital; make your friend your enemy for life; or give the thug, who 'only' wanted your wallet, a chance to sue you for all you're worth. This is not to be taken lightly since you will probably get thrown in jail for excessive force. Know the three environments: SPORT, DRUNKLE, and COMBAT. Understanding these three environments is vital because what is considered appropriate use of force is codified in law, yet interpreted in the public arena, and actions that do not accommodate these rules can have severe repercussions. Martial art techniques must be adapted to best fit the situation you find yourself in. This book is style agnostic. The author's analyze 30 fundamental strikes, kicks and locks, and present 12 well-known sport competition forms modified for each of the three vital environments: SPORT, DRUNKLE, and COMBAT. Be smart. Know how to adapt to a situation.

Cut to the very core of what it means to be successful in the martial arts. Earning a black belt can be the most rewarding experience of a lifetime, but getting there takes considerable planning. Whether your interests are in the classical styles of Asia or in today's Mixed Martial Arts, this book prepares you to meet every challenge. Whatever your age, whatever your gender, you will benefit from the wisdom of master martial artists around the globe, who share more than 300 years of combined training experience. Benefit from their guidance during your development into a first-class black belt. The Wisdom of...* Iain Abernethy* Dan Anderson* Loren Christensen* Jeff Cooper* Wim Demeere* Aaron Fields* Lawrence Kane* Rory Miller* Martina Sprague* Phillip Starr* Jeff Stevens* Kris Wilder ...and many more. Packed with actionable information, The Way to Black Belt will teach you how to set goals, find a good instructor, monitor your progress, overcome plateaus in your training, take advantage of learning opportunities, and work through the inevitable injuries that come with rigorous martial arts training. Putting your skills to the test at each developmental stage of your training requires a certain mental 'clarity.' The authors examine what this means, how to find it, and how to make sure that when the time comes you are 100% prepared. If you are serious about your martial arts training, The Way to Black Belt will arm you with the information you need to swiftly become a highly skilled, well-qualified black belt.

Finalist 2010 Book of the Year Award by ForeWord MagazineFinalist 2010 USA Best Book Award The Little Black Book of Violence will arm you with the knowledge and good sense to make informed choices in hazardous situations. While some yahoo spewing insults about your favorite sports team is worlds apart from a drug-crazed lunatic lunging at you with a sharp knife in his hands and bloodlust in his eyes, there is a large gray area in between these two extremes where hard and fast rules do not always apply. This is where wisdom, oftentimes hard-earned wisdom, makes the difference between good decisions and bad ones. Every time you engage in violence, no matter how small or trivial it may appear to be at the time, it has the potential of escalating into something extraordinarily serious. What is really worth fighting for when you might find yourself spending the rest of your life behind bars, confined to a wheelchair, or trying to dig yourself out of bankruptcy from beneath the crushing weight of a civil lawsuit? It is important to ask yourself, Is this really worth fighting over? While in some instances the response could legitimately be Yes, more often than not it ought to be No. More than mere techniques, this book fills in crucial information about street survival that most martial arts instructors don t teach or even know. You will learn how to use awareness, avoidance, and de-escalation to help stave off violence. Despite the best intentions, however, you may still find yourself in situations where you have no choice but to fight and others where it is prudent to do so. Consequently you will also learn smart things you might want to try and dumb things you should attempt to avoid during a physical confrontation. In addition to learning strategies and techniques for defending yourself on the street you will also learn how to manage the aftermath of violence, including performing first aid, interacting with law enforcement, managing witnesses, finding a good attorney, navigating the legal system, dealing with the press, and overcoming psychological trauma. Men, who commit about 80 percent of all violent crimes, are twice as likely to become victims of aggressive behavior as women. While written primarily for this at-risk demographic, this comprehensive tome is essential reading for anyone who regularly deals with violence, thinks they may encounter a hostile situation, or who simply wants to increase their ability to survive a dangerous encounter.

Many practitioners believe that Sanchin Kata holds the key to mastering traditional martial arts. It is one of the simplest forms to learn, yet one of the most difficult to perfect. Those who truly understand its teachings find that it facilitates enormous quickness and power in any martial application. The challenge lies in gaining that understanding, which is something we had to uncover ourselves by trial and error...until now. When Karate or Ti" was first developed in Okinawa, it was about using technique and extraordinary power to end a fight instantly. These old ways of generating remarkable power are still accessible, but they are purposefully hidden in Sanchin Kata for the truly dedicated to find. This book takes you to new depths of practice by breaking down the form piece by piece, body part by body part, so that the very foundation of the kata is revealed. Test it. Every chapter, concept, and application is accompanied by a test it section, designed for you to explore and verify the kata for yourself. Sanchin Kata really comes alive when you can feel the thrill of having those hidden teachings speak to you through your body across the ages. No other document or video available today provides such depth and exploration of Sanchin Kata. Simply put: once you read this book and test what you have learned, your Karate will never be the same. Contents Include:* Movement Not Seen* The Crescent Step* The Spine* Bones, Sinew, and Muscle* The Energetic Structure* The Mechanical Structure* Iron Shirt* Rooting* The Mind* Ten-minute Sanchin* The 5:7 Ratio* The Entire Traditional Kata in step-by-step Movement* And Much More!

Wolves in Street Clothing: How Animal Behavior Teaches Survival in the Asphalt Jungle will give you a new light in which to see human predatory behavior. As we move farther and farther from our roots insulating ourselves in technology and air conditioned homes we get disconnected from the inherent and innate aspects of understanding the precursors to violent behavior. Violence is not always emotionally bound, often and in the animal kingdom is simply a tool to access a needed resource -or to protect an essential resource. Distance, encroachment, and signals are keys to avoiding a predator. Why would a cougar attack a man after a bike ride? Why would a bear attack a man in a hot tub? Why would a thug rob one person and not another? The predatory animal mind holds many of the keys to the answer to these questions. Learn drills for skills that will help you tune your focus and move through life safer and more aware of your surroundings as sections of Wolves in Street Clothing bring old world survival skills into the modern jungle. Kris wilder is the head instructor and owner of West Settle Karate Academy. He started practicing the martial arts at the age of 15. Over the years he has earned black belt rankings in three styles, Goju-Ryu karate (5th dan), Tae Kwon Do (2nd dan), and judo (1st dan), in which he has competed in senior national and international tournaments. Clint Hollingsworth is a student of the wilderness, having studied with such survival and tracking masters as Tom Brown Jr., Jon Young, and Frank and Karen Sherwood. He is a 4th dan black belt in Okinawan Goju-Ryu and author-illustrator of the long-running graphic novels and web series, The Wandering Ones.

Two veteran martial arts instructors and a renowned comic book illustrator deliver the ultimate course in self-defense
More than three million Americans are involved in a violent physical encounter every year. In these situations, knowledge is power, and few teachers are better equipped to deliver that knowledge than Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder. Veteran martial arts instructors and masters in their field, Kane and Wilder have teamed up with DC Comics artist Matt Haley to produce a step-by-step guide revealing the secrets of surviving-and preventing-violent encounters.
The defense begins by scanning the environment for dangerous situations and using verbal de-escalation to defuse tense situations. If a fight is unavoidable, the authors offer clear guidance for being the victor, along with advice on legal implications, including how to handle a police interview after the attack.

""Finally a book that will actually move the needle in closing the leadership skills gap found in all aspects of our society."" - Dan Roberts, CEO and President, Ouellette & Associates

Many books weave platitudes, promising the keys to success in leadership, secrets that will transform you into the great leader, the one. The fact of the matter is, however, that true leadership really isn't about you. It's about giving back, offering your best to others so that they can find the best in themselves.

The methodologies in this book help you become the leader you were meant to be by bringing your goals and other peoples' needs together to create a powerful, combined vision. Content includes: Seven essentials of leadership Four keys to group unanimity Six ways to instantly improve problem solving Three steps to calibrating your internal compass Fifteen negative attitudes to banish from your brain Five ways to kill fear and move forward Three principles to utilize the genius of foolish ideas

Learn how to access the deeper aspects of who you are, your unique qualities, and push them forward in actionable ways. Acquire this vital information and advance your leadership journey today.

Kris Wilder is a small business owner, bestselling author, and martial arts instructor who teaches seminars worldwide. Currently a member of The Order of St. Francis, he has previously worked in public affairs and political consulting at the local and national levels.

Lawrence Kane is a senior leader at a Fortune(r) 50 corporation where he is responsible for IT infrastructure strategy, sourcing, and asset management. A bestselling author, he has also worked as a business technology instructor, martial arts teacher, and security supervisor.

""Had I had this book when I was starting out I would have been ahead of my peers and much wiser for it."" - Kathy Rudy, Partner, Information Services Group

""It's about increasing your contribution to, influence on, and satisfaction with reaching any stated objective."" - Michael Murphy, Director, Bellevue WA School Board