Product Description


Side Kick is the tenth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Side Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Back Leg Side Kick, and several of its main variations.

Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Side Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Back Leg Side Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Back Leg Side Kick, by teaching you 10 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing the Side Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Side Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Side Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Side Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 10, which is Side Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 20. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Side Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next ten volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which are the Applications in Combat volumes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Side Kick - What you need to know
In Achieving Kicking Excellence - Side Kick, Mr. Kovacich has again provided a great service to martial arts practitioners.Side Kick provides a very detailed description complete with photos on the proper way to perform a side kick and variations.I have found that this book has helped with my kicking and also in the way I teach the kicks to my students.I would highly recommend this book to all beginning and intermediate level martial artists and maybe advances practitioners may pick something up as well.

How's your side kick?
Here we go again.I have read all but two of Shawn's books on kicking and it is amazing how he has managed to get so much information on kicks into each book.What is of interest to me is the fact that you will learn variations of the side kick.You won't have just learn a side kick but a hop/sliding side kicka jumping side kick plus more.
Shawn has taken the time to give you real skills and a way to build on those skills.He shows you, withpictures,which part of the body you will be using for the side kick.There are target references (a kick is no good if it doesn't hit a viable target).You will get tips on how to build up your speed, power and execution.
The only thing left for you to do is practice but practice correctly.Shawn says in the book it is better to practice 100 times correctly than 1,000 times incorrectlly.I agree!
These are not just words on a piece of paper but personal experience that has taught Shawn this is the way to properly execute a side kick.What you won't learn in this series is timing and distance.That is reserved for another series of books on Application of Kicks.
There is not a lot more I can say about Shawn's books that I haven't said already.Get it, put it in your library and refer to them often.

everything you needed to know about kicking
I have been practicing the martial arts since the age of 14. This year will mark the 40th year that I've studied one system of combat or another. Additionally, I have been a police officer for 31 years and my profession has occasionally offered me the opportunity to use the thingS that I've learned in the Dojo. I have an entire set of Shawn Kovacich's superb series on AchievingKicking Excellence (Vol. 1- 10) and can truthfully say that I have seen no more thorough books on the art of kicking in the all my years in the martial arts. The kicks covered (one per volume) include the back kick, the heel kick, the axe kick, the crescent kick, the reverse crescent kick, the front kick, the hook kick, the hatchet kick, the round house kick, and the side kick.
Each volume begins with an overview of the kick and instructions on how to make the best possible use of the kick. Chapter 1 delves into the anatomy of the kick and which muscles are used, and in what manner, to achieve the maximum possible efficiency in kicking.
Chapter 2 outlines a stretching program and offers helpful tips in that area for the student. Chapter 3 deals withthe basic principles of kicking movement. These include the striking implement, target areas, stability (a biggie!),balance, alignment, sequence of movement, accuracy. Strength, speed, timing and distance, impact, retraction, and visualization. Each area is explained in detail as it relates to developing your kicking ability.
Chapter 4 deals exhaustively with the primary kick. It follows the kick from initiation through each phase of the kick to impact, recoil, and recovery. He troubleshoots the problems that many martial artists experience with the kick at each phase and offers corrective actions for each problem.
Chapter 5 goes over pretty much every variation of the kick known to man and these are dissected with master Kovacich's usual thoroughness.
Chapter 6 is one of the strongest parts ofthe book for me. In this chapter, Master Kovacich discusses training and practice methods. He details skill, strength, speed, and power training. Learning how to do the kick is only half the battle.Developing the kick through specific training methods and exercises is the other half and is usually overlooked by other authors.
As if he hadn't already done enough in this area, Master Kovacich outlines further specific trouble areas for the student in chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers kicking applications for tournament and street.. Master Kovacich shows how the kick is set up and how delivery can be affected by your opponent's actions as well as your own.
In chapter 9 you can see why Master Kovacich's kicks are so good and why you should pay attention to his advice. He is in the Guiness Bookof World records for throwing more high kicks in an afternoon that I believe I have thrown in my life.
If you desire to become a more powerful, competent kicker, then these books represent an important investment for you . I can tell you that, even after 40 years of fighting experience, there are things in these books that have made me re-think some of my training methods regarding kicking.
Master Kovacich will be coming out with a new series of books dealing with the combat applications of each kick in the near future. As I'm sure these books will cover combat applications with the same thoroughness of this series, I eagerlyawait their publishing.

Get this book
Shawn Kovacich has been training in the fighting arts for many years, competing in some of the toughest bare knuckle tournaments around, setting world records for the Guinness Book of Records (11,000 high kicks in 5 hours) and working as a bouncer in places angels fear the tread.

Shawn is an excellent all-around martial artist with kicks that could flatten the face on a statue. He shares his knowledge of his kicking ability in a large book series he calls "Achieving Kicking Excellence" that is like nothing else on the market.

In the Sidekick volume, the author offers something for everyone. If you're a visual reader, there are tons of how-to-do photos that show the many forms of the sidekick from every angle. For the more technically minded, the author breaks down every facet of the kick so that you know exactly how and why it's executed mechanically, to include which muscles are involved and how precisely to align the skeletal system.

The book also includes exercises - weights and free-hand - that target the specific muscles needed to develop your power, speed and accuracy in the sidekick.

There is a small applications section that he uses to clarify certain points about delivering the sidekick. One section I really liked was the troubleshooting guide. It's a little like getting personal coaching since you'll probably find a question answered there that you have been wondering about.

The word "complete" is overused in reviews but not in this case. Achieving Kicking Excellence Sidekick is a complete book on developing your optimum sidekick kick. Every martial artist - veteran and newbie - will benefit from the insightful instruction in this book, written by a guy who has truly mastered kicking and applied his knowledge in the ring and in the street.

I've been training, teaching and writing about the martial arts since 1965 and I highly recommend this book.

Loren W. Christensen, author of over 40 books, martial artist, 8th dan.

A Master Athlete and Teacher Shares His Art
Shawn Kovacich is a committed, highly regarded and honored practitioner of martial arts with a specialization in Kicking. Yet not satisfied to have achieved the degree of excellence in his craft, Kovacich has devised a series of books that extend beyond the usual 'self-help' category of writing.His considerably cautious eye and sense of balance, in sport and in life, has resulted in his publishing a series of books - ACHIEVING KICKING EXCELLENCE - that at this point are ten in number but promise in the near future to be doubled in amount.Each of these books, handsomely designed and with excellent photographic illustrations, takes one type of kick at a time and explore not only the development of that kick, but also inform the student reader the kinesiology of that kick as well as slowly advising how to develop and master that kick.

Most books on martial arts fall into one of two categories: some are written in a format that is beyond the understanding of the reader who may be completely new to martial arts while others dumb down the reader with superficial 'quick fix' problems thinking the reader is already proficient in the fundamentals of Martial Arts.Kovacich respects his reader/pupil, and with great dignity of writing style and unfolds each kick mastery with surety of developmental skill and encouragement of each aspect of a single movement.This allows the reader who may be proficient in Kicking to buy just the one book written for the type of Kick the reader finds difficult to master: buying the entire set of books assures the reader that each stage of development will be respected from the beginning to the mastery of the ten Kicks Kovacich addresses.

Each of these ten volumes is equally excellent.The ten volumes include Back Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Front Kick, Side Kick, Crescent Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick, Hook Kick, Wheel Kick, Axe Kick and Hatchet Kick.Having exposure to each of these ten volumes gathers respect for Shawn Kovacich not only as a man who is able to master a tough medium of sport, but also one who has discovered the perfect manner of teaching and communication.The ten volume set is well worth the investment, monetarily and educationally.Grady Harp, May 09 ... Read more

Product Description


Roundhouse Kick is the ninth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Roundhouse Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Back Leg Roundhouse Kick, and several of its main variations.

Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Roundhouse Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Back Leg Roundhouse Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Back Leg Roundhouse Kick, by teaching you 10 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing the Roundhouse Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Roundhouse Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Roundhouse Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Roundhouse Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 9, which is Roundhouse Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 19. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Roundhouse Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next volume in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which in this case is the Side Kick. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Excellent Subject Presentation
As are all Mr. Kovacich's kicking books that I have read, Achieving Kicking Excellence - Roundhouse Kick is a must read for the martial arts practitioner.The Author provides a very detailed breakdown of the roundhouse kicks and variation.As this is one of my most used kicks, I found this publication useful in understanding what I was doing right and what was wrong. I highly recommend this book to all that want to master this important kick.

Excellent......
There are four kicks that are the bread and butter of kicking. The front kick, the side kick, the back kick and the roundhouse kick.Shawn has managed to convey to the reader the mechanics of all four and with this book the roundhouse kick.If you have never learned the roundhouse kick try the instructions Shawn gives you in this book.When you think you have it go to a martial arts school in your area and try it.I'm not asking you to challenge anyone, just try the kick.See if yours is at least as good if not better than theirs.This doesn't mean you don't need a teacher only that, this is a good substitue until you can find a teacher to your liking.

Shawn gives you solid training techniques to learn the roundhouse kick.You get to see the progression of the kick in pictures.Shawn also asks you at the end of the book if you see anything improper.That helps to train you to look for errors in your kicking.Shawn Kovacich, has done his research to make sure you have the best information to perform the roundhouse kick correctly.The only way to get better is to get a teacher or at the very least a training partner.

Shawn has done you a service by repeating certain training techniques throughout the book and the series.You don't have to keep flipping pages to find information you need.That was done, I believe, intentionally because this is a reference book.Something to be referred to again and again to help you learn the roundhouse kick.
Note: For those of you who have an awesome kicking regimine might I suggest you try Shawn Kovacich's kicking application series, who knows you might learn something your classmates don't.

A great book a great series of books
As a student of Martial Arts holding 2nd Dans in Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate and a amatuer competitor in sports karate ,I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Kovacich's books.
I own several of Mr. Kovacich's books , Axe Kick , Back Kick , Crescent Kick , Front Kick ,Hook Kick ,Roundhouse Kick, and Side Kick .
each book stands on its own fully describing each particular kick to the nth detail.
The muscles needed to throw the kicks , the proper methods to throw the kick different various ways to throw the kick for example front leg , rear leg , spinning , jumping etc are fully described, the strength and conditioning exercises used to help develop the kick. Even common mistakes are discussed.
I really feel its must reading for any serious student of Martial Arts that uses kicking as a technique to really amp up their kicking abilities.
Im actually hoping my competitors don't read these books.
Seriously a great read.
Well Done Mr. Kovacich . OSU

Extremely detailed and helpful
After reviewing this book I can't without hesitation that I learned quite a lot about the proper execution of the roundhouse kick. For a kick that I thought looked simple, I was surprised to see how many details there are to it. It's a surprisingly technical type of kick that requires much practice to deliver it properly.

I've been doing martial arts for the past years and I've had competent instructors show me how to perform the roundhouse kick. However, I was never told the little details about the kick that really makes it work correctly. Either my instructors didn't tell me the details or they were unaware of them. That is why I think it's very important to read this book if you want to learn the roundhouse kick properly because even instructors can miss details with techniques.

The roundhouse kick is broken down into various stages of it's delivery, Shawn writes each stage in extreme detail covering everything about the roundhouse kick. Also included in the book: the basic anatomy of the kick, warm up and stretching, variations of the kick, training and practice methods, trouble shooting guide and even a small section of the applications of the kicks.

Reading this book has definitely improved my understanding of the roundhouse kick, it was very helpful for me to really understand why the kick is done the way it is. Now that I have a better understanding of it, I just need to practice thousands of repetitions :)

Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced martial artist you will still benefit, even advanced students will learn something from this book.

While it is important to train hard, it is even more important to train smart. This book will show you how.

Thanks Shawn

everthing you ever needed to know about kicking
I have been practicing the martial arts since the age of 14. This year will mark the 40th year that I've studied one system of combat or another. Additionally, I have been a police officer for 31 years and my profession has occasionally offered me the opportunity to use the thingS that I've learned in the Dojo. I have an entire set of Shawn Kovacich's superb series on AchievingKicking Excellence (Vol. 1- 10) and can truthfully say that I have seen no more thorough books on the art of kicking in the all my years in the martial arts. The kicks covered (one per volume) include the back kick, the heel kick, the axe kick, the crescent kick, the reverse crescent kick, the front kick, the hook kick, the hatchet kick, the round house kick, and the side kick.
Each volume begins with an overview of the kick and instructions on how to make the best possible use of the kick. Chapter 1 delves into the anatomy of the kick and which muscles are used, and in what manner, to achieve the maximum possible efficiency in kicking.
Chapter 2 outlines a stretching program and offers helpful tips in that area for the student. Chapter 3 deals withthe basic principles of kicking movement. These include the striking implement, target areas, stability (a biggie!),balance, alignment, sequence of movement, accuracy. Strength, speed, timing and distance, impact, retraction, and visualization. Each area is explained in detail as it relates to developing your kicking ability.
Chapter 4 deals exhaustively with the primary kick. It follows the kick from initiation through each phase of the kick to impact, recoil, and recovery. He troubleshoots the problems that many martial artists experience with the kick at each phase and offers corrective actions for each problem.
Chapter 5 goes over pretty much every variation of the kick known to man and these are dissected with master Kovacich's usual thoroughness.
Chapter 6 is one of the strongest parts ofthe book for me. In this chapter, Master Kovacich discusses training and practice methods. He details skill, strength, speed, and power training. Learning how to do the kick is only half the battle.Developing the kick through specific training methods and exercises is the other half and is usually overlooked by other authors.
As if he hadn't already done enough in this area, Master Kovacich outlines further specific trouble areas for the student in chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers kicking applications for tournament and street.. Master Kovacich shows how the kick is set up and how delivery can be affected by your opponent's actions as well as your own.
In chapter 9 you can see why Master Kovacich's kicks are so good and why you should pay attention to his advice. He is in the Guiness Bookof World records for throwing more high kicks in an afternoon that I believe I have thrown in my life.
If you desire to become a more powerful, competent kicker, then these books represent an important investment for you . I can tell you that, even after 40 years of fighting experience, there are things in these books that have made me re-think some of my training methods regarding kicking.
Master Kovacich will be coming out with a new series of books dealing with the combat applications of each kick in the near future. As I'm sure these books will cover combat applications with the same thoroughness of this series, I eagerlyawait their publishing.


... Read more

Product Description


Back Kick is the first volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Back Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Turning Back Kick, and several of its main variations.

Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Back Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Turning Back Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Turning Back Kick, by teaching you 11 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing the Back Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Back Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Back Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Back Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 1, which is Back Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 11. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Back Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next volume in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which in this case is the Wheel Kick. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Practical, Detailed, Scholarly and Essential
Volume I: Back Kick in Shawn's Achieving Kicking Excellence series starts from the ground up. Shawn literally begins with human anatomy 101 from the foot, legs, hips, both skeletal and muscular structures that are used to form the kick.He has written an incredibly scholarly work.When I first heard that a martial artist had written 10 volumes on kicking - each on a different core martial arts kick, I thought, yeah - right.How much can you say about any one kick?I thought, there isn't that much knowledge in the universe about kicking that could fill 240 or so pages, even with pictures! Well I was wrong.

What is so amazing about this book and the others in the series is that Shawn has created an easy to follow format that is also very easy to read. I very quickly found myself lost in the details of this book - wanting to absorb as much as I could.I've been teaching martial arts for more than 20 years and yet I never really thought about how much information an instructor might pass on to a student about any particular kick.Each day we cover a few more details and finer points with our students.What Shawn has done a magnificent job of here is capturing, structuring, packaging and synthesizing in one volume, everything a martial artist needs to know about a given kick.If you're going to practice for hundreds of hours, performing thousands of kicks, you need to get it right and understand what you're doing.This goes for the back kick, the side kick or any of the other kicks that Shawn covers in his other volumes.

If you take the time to assimilate this easy to read book, practice the various concepts, drills and stretches, then you will be learning correct kicking from a true master of the art! I highly recommend this book.I have been involved in martial arts for a long time and yet still found a wealth of excellent material; some new to me and some which I already understood.Whether you are a sixth degree black belt or a white belt, this book will serve you as an excellent companion throughout your studies. This book proves that, no matter how long we may have been studying or teaching, there is still more knowledge out that that can help us improve and that we are still always white belts inside.

Buy it! Enjoy it! and you will begin achieving kicking excellence!

Kevin Brett: Author
The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life!

Everything you ever needed to know about kicking
I have been practicing the martial arts since the age of 14. This year will mark the 40th year that I've studied one system of combat or another. Additionally, I have been a police officer for 31 years and my profession has occasionally offered me the opportunity to use the thingS that I've learned in the Dojo. I have an entire set of Shawn Kovacich's superb series on AchievingKicking Excellence (Vol. 1- 10) and can truthfully say that I have seen no more thorough books on the art of kicking in the all my years in the martial arts. The kicks covered (one per volume) include the back kick, the heel kick, the axe kick, the crescent kick, the reverse crescent kick, the front kick, the hook kick, the hatchet kick, the round house kick, and the side kick.
Each volume begins with an overview of the kick and instructions on how to make the best possible use of the kick. Chapter 1 delves into the anatomy of the kick and which muscles are used, and in what manner, to achieve the maximum possible efficiency in kicking.
Chapter 2 outlines a stretching program and offers helpful tips in that area for the student. Chapter 3 deals withthe basic principles of kicking movement. These include the striking implement, target areas, stability (a biggie!),balance, alignment, sequence of movement, accuracy. Strength, speed, timing and distance, impact, retraction, and visualization. Each area is explained in detail as it relates to developing your kicking ability.
Chapter 4 deals exhaustively with the primary kick. It follows the kick from initiation through each phase of the kick to impact, recoil, and recovery. He troubleshoots the problems that many martial artists experience with the kick at each phase and offers corrective actions for each problem.
Chapter 5 goes over pretty much every variation of the kick known to man and these are dissected with master Kovacich's usual thoroughness.
Chapter 6 is one of the strongest parts ofthe book for me. In this chapter, Master Kovacich discusses training and practice methods. He details skill, strength, speed, and power training. Learning how to do the kick is only half the battle.Developing the kick through specific training methods and exercises is the other half and is usually overlooked by other authors.
As if he hadn't already done enough in this area, Master Kovacich outlines further specific trouble areas for the student in chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers kicking applications for tournament and street.. Master Kovacich shows how the kick is set up and how delivery can be affected by your opponent's actions as well as your own.
In chapter 9 you can see why Master Kovacich's kicks are so good and why you should pay attention to his advice. He is in the Guiness Bookof World records for throwing more high kicks in an afternoon that I believe I have thrown in my life.
If you desire to become a more powerful, competent kicker, then these books represent an important investment for you . I can tell you that, even after 40 years of fighting experience, there are things in these books that have made me re-think some of my training methods regarding kicking.
Master Kovacich will be coming out with a new series of books dealing with the combat applications of each kick in the near future. As I'm sure these books will cover combat applications with the same thoroughness of this series, I eagerlyawait their publishing.

Super book
For many students, the back kick, especially the turning back kick, can be a real challenge to learn and to perfect. Done well, the kick is arguably one of the most beautiful to behold and, with little argument, one of the strongest in the martial arts.

Shawn Kovacich's fine book, Achieving Kicking Excellent: Back Kick, is a tremendous source to guide you on the path of having the best back kick of which you are capable. Shawn is a long-time martial artist with an amazing history that includes competing in brutal full-contact tournaments, setting world records for the Guinness Book of Records (11,000 high kicks in 5 hours) and applying his fighting skill for real virtually every night as a bouncer in some of the toughest joints around.

It should be noted that this book is just one of many in which Shawn Kovacich shares his knowledge of his kicking ability. Just keyword "Achieving Kicking Excellence" and you will find a variety of kicking books like nothing else on the market.

In the Back Kick text, Shawn has crammed the book with solid information that every martial artist needs to make his or her kick absolute dyno-mite. If you favor lots of photos, you will find that in this easy-to-follow text. If you like lots of detail as to what all makes this kick work, you'll find that in this book, too. It truly is a book for every reader.

Back Kick includes lots of exercises - weights and free-hand - that when followed for just a few months will develop all the specific muscles needed to develop your power, speed and accuracy of the straight back kick, turning back kick and all the other variations.

Achieving Kicking Excellence Back Kick will improve your kick, maybe even make you a master of it.

I've been training, teaching and writing about the martial arts since 1965, and I highly recommend this book.

Loren W. Christensen, author of over 40 books, martial artist, 8th dan.

A Master Athlete and Teacher Shares His Art
Shawn Kovacich is a committed, highly regarded and honored practitioner of martial arts with a specialization in Kicking. Yet not satisfied to have achieved the degree of excellence in his craft, Kovacich has devised a series of books that extend beyond the usual 'self-help' category of writing. His considerably cautious eye and sense of balance, in sport and in life, has resulted in his publishing a series of books - ACHIEVING KICKING EXCELLENCE - that at this point are ten in number but promise in the near future to be doubled in amount. Each of these books, handsomely designed and with excellent photographic illustrations, takes one type of kick at a time and explore not only the development of that kick, but also inform the student reader the kinesiology of that kick as well as slowly advising how to develop and master that kick.

Most books on martial arts fall into one of two categories: some are written in a format that is beyond the understanding of the reader who may be completely new to martial arts while others dumb down the reader with superficial 'quick fix' problems thinking the reader is already proficient in the fundamentals of Martial Arts. Kovacich respects his reader/pupil, and with great dignity of writing style and unfolds each kick mastery with surety of developmental skill and encouragement of each aspect of a single movement. This allows the reader who may be proficient in Kicking to buy just the one book written for the type of Kick the reader finds difficult to master: buying the entire set of books assures the reader that each stage of development will be respected from the beginning to the mastery of the ten Kicks Kovacich addresses.

Each of these ten volumes is equally excellent. The ten volumes include Back Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Front Kick, Side Kick, Crescent Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick, Hook Kick, Wheel Kick, Axe Kick and Hatchet Kick. Having exposure to each of these ten volumes gathers respect for Shawn Kovacich not only as a man who is able to master a tough medium of sport, but also one who has discovered the perfect manner of teaching and communication. The ten volume set is well worth the investment, monetarily and educationally. Grady Harp, May 09

Detailed
The books in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series are very detailed and will be well suited for the adamant student of Korean systems. ... Read more

Product Description


Front Kick is the sixth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Front Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Front Kick, and several of its main variations.

Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Front Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Front Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Front Kick, by teaching you 10 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing the Front Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Front Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Front Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Front Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 6, which is Front Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 16. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Front Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next volume in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which in this case is the Hook Kick. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

everything you ever need to know about kicking
I have been practicing the martial arts since the age of 14. This year will mark the 40th year that I've studied one system of combat or another. Additionally, I have been a police officer for 31 years and my profession has occasionally offered me the opportunity to use the thingS that I've learned in the Dojo. I have an entire set of Shawn Kovacich's superb series on AchievingKicking Excellence (Vol. 1- 10) and can truthfully say that I have seen no more thorough books on the art of kicking in the all my years in the martial arts. The kicks covered (one per volume) include the back kick, the heel kick, the axe kick, the crescent kick, the reverse crescent kick, the front kick, the hook kick, the hatchet kick, the round house kick, and the side kick.
Each volume begins with an overview of the kick and instructions on how to make the best possible use of the kick. Chapter 1 delves into the anatomy of the kick and which muscles are used, and in what manner, to achieve the maximum possible efficiency in kicking.
Chapter 2 outlines a stretching program and offers helpful tips in that area for the student. Chapter 3 deals withthe basic principles of kicking movement. These include the striking implement, target areas, stability (a biggie!),balance, alignment, sequence of movement, accuracy. Strength, speed, timing and distance, impact, retraction, and visualization. Each area is explained in detail as it relates to developing your kicking ability.
Chapter 4 deals exhaustively with the primary kick. It follows the kick from initiation through each phase of the kick to impact, recoil, and recovery. He troubleshoots the problems that many martial artists experience with the kick at each phase and offers corrective actions for each problem.
Chapter 5 goes over pretty much every variation of the kick known to man and these are dissected with master Kovacich's usual thoroughness.
Chapter 6 is one of the strongest parts ofthe book for me. In this chapter, Master Kovacich discusses training and practice methods. He details skill, strength, speed, and power training. Learning how to do the kick is only half the battle.Developing the kick through specific training methods and exercises is the other half and is usually overlooked by other authors.
As if he hadn't already done enough in this area, Master Kovacich outlines further specific trouble areas for the student in chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers kicking applications for tournament and street.. Master Kovacich shows how the kick is set up and how delivery can be affected by your opponent's actions as well as your own.
In chapter 9 you can see why Master Kovacich's kicks are so good and why you should pay attention to his advice. He is in the Guiness Bookof World records for throwing more high kicks in an afternoon that I believe I have thrown in my life.
If you desire to become a more powerful, competent kicker, then these books represent an important investment for you . I can tell you that, even after 40 years of fighting experience, there are things in these books that have made me re-think some of my training methods regarding kicking.
Master Kovacich will be coming out with a new series of books dealing with the combat applications of each kick in the near future. As I'm sure these books will cover combat applications with the same thoroughness of this series, I eagerlyawait their publishing.

Front Kick
Over the past 7 -8 months, I have been searching extensively for descriptions of the various kicks and how to properly execute them. I have read numerous explanations of kicking techniques, gauging each according to length, clarity, detail, and thoroughness. Although I was able to learn something from most, none of the descriptions were of the caliber that I had been seeking. Having yet to be satisfied, I continued to search for a description that would meet my criteria - and stumbled upon the Achieving Kicking Excellence series by Shawn Kovacich. I was interested immediately. What initially fascinated me was that the author had created an entire series about kicking, with each book devoted to all the particulars of a single technique. After reading the book, I can say that the series has been all that I was looking for and more. The Achieving Kicking Excellence series is unparalleled in length, clarity, detail, and thoroughness. I believe these books to be the single most exhaustive explanations of each kick that have ever been written.

Achieving Kicking Excellence: Front Kick first covers the basic anatomy of both the bones and the muscles in relation to the front kick. I had never previously considered its significance, but I now realize the importance of understanding anatomical structure. Knowing which muscles are involved in the front kick cultivates an awareness of the contracting and expanding of each muscle during each part of the kick. Understanding the bone structure allows the person to clearly visualize and apply proper alignment to each part of the front kick.

The book then describes the basic principles of kicking. Some of the principles are specifically detailed to the front kick, while others apply to all kicks in general. The principles described include target areas, balance, alignment, striking surface, accuracy, speed, and strength. The author provides a clear description of each principle along with an explanation of how the principle relates to the front kick.

Next, the book details the proper execution of the back leg front kick - the primary form of the front kick. The author breaks the back leg front kick down into 8 parts: fighting position, raise knee, coil, midway to impact, impact, recoil, lower knee, and return to fighting position. Each part is then further broken down into 7 -8 technical points, each point pertaining to the position of the feet, knees, upper body, head, etc with a total of 62 technical points for the kick from start to finish. Accompanying the description of each part of the kick are two full-page pictures [front view and side view], providing a quick visual reference of the technical points - perfectly complementing the detailed explanation.

Following the comprehensive explanation of the back leg front kick, the book then goes on to describe 11 variations of the kick. Although they contain less depth of detail [as well as smaller pictures], each description provides all the information necessary to execute the variation, provided that you have read and understand the explanation of the back leg front kick.

The book then describes a wide variety of training and practice methods to help improve the execution of the front kick. Specifically, the book covers several methods in each of skill training, strength training, speed training, and power training.

Next, the book contains a trouble shooting guide. Detailed in this section are 10 common problems people have executing the front kick. Each problem is followed by a description of the most common mistake(s) that cause the problem, and possible remedies to those mistakes.

The trouble shooting guide is followed by a guide to some of the basic applications of the front kick. The kicking applications guide is brief [in comparison to the second Achieving Kicking Excellence series by Shawn Kovacich - Applications in Combat], containing one application for each variations of the kick. But, keep in mind that the book is about how to properly execute the front kick, not about how to use the kick - so I consider the applications section to be an added bonus to the main content of the book.

The Achieving Kicking Excellence series would make an outstanding addition to the library of any martial artist. The book functions as both an exhaustive guide and a valuable reference. I believe that this series would benefit anyone, from the beginner to the expert, regardless of their skill level. The series could easily be used by a beginner, as an aid in learning the techniques; as well as by an expert, looking to refine their execution of the techniques.

You WILL improve your kick
Although the front kick is usually the first one taught in most martial arts schools, it's arguably one of the most difficult to master. It's not uncommon to see even veteran fighters throw it incorrectly.

Shawn Kovacich is a long-time martial artist with an amazing history that includes competing in brutal full-contact tournaments, setting world records for the Guinness Book of Records (11,000 high kicks in 5 hours) and applying his fighting skill for real virtually every night as a bouncer in some of the toughest joints around.

Shawn is an excellent all-around martial artist with kicks that are extraordinarily flexible, powerful and fast. He shares his knowledge of his kicking ability in a large book series he calls "Achieving Kicking Excellence" that is like nothing else on the market.

In the Front Kick volume, Shawn has included information for every martial artist wanting to make this powerful and versatile kick their own. For the fighter who learns best with lots of photos, the author employs dozens that depict step-by-step over 10 variations of the front kick. For those who want to understand the body mechanics involved, Shawn does an amazing job explaining it all in an easy-to-read format.

The book also includes exercises - weights and free-hand - that target the specific muscles needed to develop your power, speed and accuracy in the front kick.

Achieving Kicking Excellence Front Kick is an information-crammed book on developing your optimum front kick, written by a guy who has truly mastered kicking and applied his knowledge in the ring and in the street.

I've been training, teaching and writing about the martial arts since 1965, and I highly recommend this book.

Loren W. Christensen, author of over 40 books, martial artist, 8th dan.

A Master Athlete and Teacher Shares His Art
Shawn Kovacich is a committed, highly regarded and honored practitioner of martial arts with a specialization in Kicking. Yet not satisfied to have achieved the degree of excellence in his craft, Kovacich has devised a series of books that extend beyond the usual 'self-help' category of writing. His considerably cautious eye and sense of balance, in sport and in life, has resulted in his publishing a series of books - ACHIEVING KICKING EXCELLENCE - that at this point are ten in number but promise in the near future to be doubled in amount. Each of these books, handsomely designed and with excellent photographic illustrations, takes one type of kick at a time and explore not only the development of that kick, but also inform the student reader the kinesiology of that kick as well as slowly advising how to develop and master that kick.

Most books on martial arts fall into one of two categories: some are written in a format that is beyond the understanding of the reader who may be completely new to martial arts while others dumb down the reader with superficial 'quick fix' problems thinking the reader is already proficient in the fundamentals of Martial Arts. Kovacich respects his reader/pupil, and with great dignity of writing style and unfolds each kick mastery with surety of developmental skill and encouragement of each aspect of a single movement. This allows the reader who may be proficient in Kicking to buy just the one book written for the type of Kick the reader finds difficult to master: buying the entire set of books assures the reader that each stage of development will be respected from the beginning to the mastery of the ten Kicks Kovacich addresses.

Each of these ten volumes is equally excellent. The ten volumes include Back Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Front Kick, Side Kick, Crescent Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick, Hook Kick, Wheel Kick, Axe Kick and Hatchet Kick. Having exposure to each of these ten volumes gathers respect for Shawn Kovacich not only as a man who is able to master a tough medium of sport, but also one who has discovered the perfect manner of teaching and communication. The ten volume set is well worth the investment, monetarily and educationally. Grady Harp, May 09

Excellent source for perfecting your kicks!
The following review will encompass three books out of Shawn Kovacich's excellent series "Achieving Kicking Excellence."I recently received and tried out Volume 4: Crescent Kick, Volume 5: Reverse Crescent Kick, and Volume 6:Front Kick.

One of the first books I ever picked up when I started training in Karate was Gichin Funakoshi's "Karate-Do Kyohan."My background was primarily in Chinese Boxing but I decided to branch out into other art forms.My instructor at the time told me that Funakoshi's book was essential if I wanted to perfect my form.The book was a fantastic read and definately gave me guidance on my technique.

The reason why I mention "Karate-Do Kyohan" is that this text is recommended by so many instructors in Karate to students for the main purpose of perfecting technique.When someone recommended Shawn Kovacich's series on kicking techniques, I was a little skeptical.How much could you actually write about a front kick, for example?Funakoshi's book only spends 4 pages on specific foot techniques.Most technical training comes from a one-on-one session with a trainer.My perception on this matter has been shattered after spending some time with just three of Kovacich's books.

Each of the three books has a similar format.Chapter one usually addresses the basic anatomy of the specific kick.Chapter two, outlines a stretching routine specific to the kick.Next, Kovacich describes the basic principles of the kicking movement before going into great detail on the primary kick.Once the primary kick is disected, Kovacich teaches you the variations of the kick.The next section, where each book really shines, are a set of excercises designed to increase the power, speed,and flexibility of each kick.The rest of each book is composed of a trouble shooting guide and kicking applications.

The books do not just present the kick as a series of movements.Kovacich provides detail on what muscles you use in the kick, where your balance should be in the transition, what is the best target for the kick, and how to develop speed and power for your kick.I was amazed at how easy the books were to use and how the approach was almost as good as being in a formal setting with an instructor.

Nothing can replace going to an instructor and learning the martial arts under supervision.I will say, however, Shawn Kovacich's "Achieving Kicking Excellence" is the next best thing in terms of elevating your kicking technique.These books are essential companions to the classic kata texts. ... Read more

Product Description


Hatchet Kick is the eighth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Hatchet Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Turning Hatchet Kick, and several of its main variations.

Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Hatchet Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Turning Hatchet Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Turning Hatchet Kick, by teaching you 10 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing the Hatchet Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Hatchet Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Hatchet Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Hatchet Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 8, which is Hatchet Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 18. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Hatchet Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next volume in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which in this case is the Roundhouse Kick. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

everything you ever needed to know about kicking
I have been practicing the martial arts since the age of 14. This year will mark the 40th year that I've studied one system of combat or another. Additionally, I have been a police officer for 31 years and my profession has occasionally offered me the opportunity to use the thingS that I've learned in the Dojo. I have an entire set of Shawn Kovacich's superb series on AchievingKicking Excellence (Vol. 1- 10) and can truthfully say that I have seen no more thorough books on the art of kicking in the all my years in the martial arts. The kicks covered (one per volume) include the back kick, the heel kick, the axe kick, the crescent kick, the reverse crescent kick, the front kick, the hook kick, the hatchet kick, the round house kick, and the side kick.
Each volume begins with an overview of the kick and instructions on how to make the best possible use of the kick. Chapter 1 delves into the anatomy of the kick and which muscles are used, and in what manner, to achieve the maximum possible efficiency in kicking.
Chapter 2 outlines a stretching program and offers helpful tips in that area for the student. Chapter 3 deals withthe basic principles of kicking movement. These include the striking implement, target areas, stability (a biggie!),balance, alignment, sequence of movement, accuracy. Strength, speed, timing and distance, impact, retraction, and visualization. Each area is explained in detail as it relates to developing your kicking ability.
Chapter 4 deals exhaustively with the primary kick. It follows the kick from initiation through each phase of the kick to impact, recoil, and recovery. He troubleshoots the problems that many martial artists experience with the kick at each phase and offers corrective actions for each problem.
Chapter 5 goes over pretty much every variation of the kick known to man and these are dissected with master Kovacich's usual thoroughness.
Chapter 6 is one of the strongest parts ofthe book for me. In this chapter, Master Kovacich discusses training and practice methods. He details skill, strength, speed, and power training. Learning how to do the kick is only half the battle.Developing the kick through specific training methods and exercises is the other half and is usually overlooked by other authors.
As if he hadn't already done enough in this area, Master Kovacich outlines further specific trouble areas for the student in chapter 7. Chapter 8 covers kicking applications for tournament and street.. Master Kovacich shows how the kick is set up and how delivery can be affected by your opponent's actions as well as your own.
In chapter 9 you can see why Master Kovacich's kicks are so good and why you should pay attention to his advice. He is in the Guiness Bookof World records for throwing more high kicks in an afternoon that I believe I have thrown in my life.
If you desire to become a more powerful, competent kicker, then these books represent an important investment for you . I can tell you that, even after 40 years of fighting experience, there are things in these books that have made me re-think some of my training methods regarding kicking.
Master Kovacich will be coming out with a new series of books dealing with the combat applications of each kick in the near future. As I'm sure these books will cover combat applications with the same thoroughness of this series, I eagerlyawait their publishing.

The best


Shawn Kovacich is a long-time martial arts veteran who has faced many formidable opponents in tough bare knuckle tournaments and as a bouncer working in places most people avoid. Just to see if he could do it, he set a world records for the Guinness Book of Records, throwing 11,000 high kicks in 5 hours. He shares his superb knowledge of kicking in a 10-book series he calls "Achieving Kicking Excellence."

In the Hatchet Kick volume, Kovacich has included something for every martial artist. If you like how-to-do books with lots of detailed photos, you will find that here. If you're looking for a technical explanation of how to execute this difficult but highly destructive kick, this book is for you. My favorite feature, and one seldom found in martial arts books, is the section that explains which precise muscles are involved and how you need to align your body to maximize whichever variation of the kick you're doing.

The book also includes exercises - weights and free-hand - that target the specific muscles needed to develop your power, speed and accuracy in the hatchet kick.

Not only does the author show you several approaches to launching the hatchet, he also shows how to apply it against an opponent. And as he does in this entire series of kicking books, Kovacich includes a Trouble Shooting section to answer the most common questions he has received over his long teaching career.

Achieving Kicking Excellence Hatchet Kick is a complete book on developing and delivering this exciting-to-do and exciting-to-watch kick. Every martial artist - veteran and newbie - will benefit from its insightful instruction.

I've been training, teaching and writing about the martial arts since 1965 and I highly recommend this book.

Loren W. Christensen, author of over 40 books, martial artist, 8th dan.

A Master Athlete and Teacher Shares His Art
Shawn Kovacich is a committed, highly regarded and honored practitioner of martial arts with a specialization in Kicking. Yet not satisfied to have achieved the degree of excellence in his craft, Kovacich has devised a series of books that extend beyond the usual 'self-help' category of writing. His considerably cautious eye and sense of balance, in sport and in life, has resulted in his publishing a series of books - ACHIEVING KICKING EXCELLENCE - that at this point are ten in number but promise in the near future to be doubled in amount. Each of these books, handsomely designed and with excellent photographic illustrations, takes one type of kick at a time and explore not only the development of that kick, but also inform the student reader the kinesiology of that kick as well as slowly advising how to develop and master that kick.

Most books on martial arts fall into one of two categories: some are written in a format that is beyond the understanding of the reader who may be completely new to martial arts while others dumb down the reader with superficial 'quick fix' problems thinking the reader is already proficient in the fundamentals of Martial Arts. Kovacich respects his reader/pupil, and with great dignity of writing style and unfolds each kick mastery with surety of developmental skill and encouragement of each aspect of a single movement. This allows the reader who may be proficient in Kicking to buy just the one book written for the type of Kick the reader finds difficult to master: buying the entire set of books assures the reader that each stage of development will be respected from the beginning to the mastery of the ten Kicks Kovacich addresses.

Each of these ten volumes is equally excellent. The ten volumes include Back Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Front Kick, Side Kick, Crescent Kick, Reverse Crescent Kick, Hook Kick, Wheel Kick, Axe Kick and Hatchet Kick. Having exposure to each of these ten volumes gathers respect for Shawn Kovacich not only as a man who is able to master a tough medium of sport, but also one who has discovered the perfect manner of teaching and communication. The ten volume set is well worth the investment, monetarily and educationally. Grady Harp, May 09

Exceptional Instruction on the Hatchet Kick
What exactly is a hatchet kick?It is not as well known as your common side kicks and popular roundhouse kicks.Nor is it as self-descriptive as a front kick.So how do you describe it?Guinness World Record holder, black belt, and author Shawn Kovacich describes the hatchet kick like this, "A properly executed hatchetkick performed by a man (or woman), can be compared to a hybrid combination of a turning wheel kick and an in-to-out axe kick."If you are still uncertain just what a hatchet kick is or how to execute it properly, Kovacich's eighth book of his impressive Achieving Kicking Excellence series will ensure you have every component to master this kick.

Hatchet Kick by Shawn Kovacich is similar to the others in the series in that it is a stand alone volume that focuses on all aspects of performing the hatchet kick and ten of its main variations.Like the other volumes, this book contains short chapters on anatomy, warm ups, stretching, strength training, speed training, and power training.

The meat of the book howeveris the detailed descriptions of how to execute the hatchet kick and the variations.Kovacich breaks each kick down into its parts and illustrates these components with detailed photographs.I have not seen any other text illustrate kicking with such detail.The kick variations that Kovacich includes are: Step-Back Hatchet Kick, Spinning Hatchet Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Hatchet Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Hatchet Kick, Front Leg Hatchet Kick, Back Leg Hatchet Kick, Switch Hatchet Kick, Off-Setting Hatchet Kick, Jump Turning Hatchet Kick, 540 Degree Jumping Hatchet Kick, and the Spinning Hatchet Kick (with the left leg).

The book is full of notes and illustrations to assist you with mastering this kick and to be able to use the kick in various situations.Kovacich includes some of the applications for the hatchet kick near the end of the text, right after he addresses some common problems with the kick in his troubleshooting guide.

This volume is another exceptional book on kicking and as I said is the eighth of a ten book series on what Kovacich calls the basic kicks.This book and the rest of the series makes a superb resource for anyone who practices a kicking art.Even if you perform kicks a bit differently than Kovacich's style, you will learn things to make you better.If you teach kicking, Kovacich's books will aid you with imparting kicking knowledge to your students.I highly recommend this book and the entire set to all martial artists.

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.

Hatchet Kick: Devastating Heel Impact!
Author Shawn Kovacich has exploited an important niche in his "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series of martial arts instructional texts.

Shawn is quoted as saying "In an unarmed self-defense encounter, your kicking skills or lack thereof, can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. In today's society, kicking is not only used more frequently, but it also ranks as perhaps the most versatile and underrated weapon that you have in your arsenal." I agree with him.

I found "Hatchet Kick" (volume 8 of 10 in the series) to be so highly detail oriented that it overcame any presupposition of dryness and boredom to which I initially attributed to it. In short, I was "hooked." Laid out in terms that the novice can easily follow and the practicing martial artist can incorporate into his or her regimen, Shawn starts out with the historical background of the Hatchet Kick and then introduces the reader to the physical and physiological body movements and mechanics associated with the kick.

Providing tips on conditioning and training, Shawn demonstrates foot movement by foot movement the Hatchet Kick's basic principles and then introduces the primary Turning Hatchet Kick to his audience and follows with eleven variations; (some of which I have never even heard of!).

Shawn demonstrates the principles of each kick with clear photographs that leave nothing to the imagination. Fortifying the text with chapters on "Warm Up and Stretching," "Training and Practice Methods," "Trouble Shooting Guide," and "Kicking Applications," to name a few, Shawn provides the reader with more than a full understanding of what could and mistakenly be known as a "simple kick."

Totally complete at 224 pages, and chocked with all sorts of valuable information from the "nuts and bolts" of technique description and demonstration to body dynamics, this is without a doubt the "gold standard" by which any examplar of martial arts kicking should be judged by.

This book can stand alone or be incorporated within the series. I rate it at five stars without hesitation or reservation. Well done!
... Read more

Product Description
Nearly 200 illustrations delineate the first three forms required for brown belt as practiced by the Korean Taekwondo Association. Kim (10th dan) also provides a history, tournament match rules, and a glossary. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the first books I ever owned and a very basic look at this series of katas or hyungs!
I just finished rereading "Palgue 1-2-3" by Kim Pyung Soo for the first time in quite a few years and was reminded of the firs time I had purchased this and the other two books in the series when I was first starting out upon my martial arts journey whose primary focus in those early days was Karate and Tae Kwon Do. These books were some of the first ones I owned concerning the martial arts and kata or forms in particular.

After the customary introduction, the author includes a very brief section on the history of Korea and Tae Kwon Do in particular. Since the primary focus of this book is to be on the katas or forms, I was too bothered by the briefness of most of the fringe subjects that the author discusses throughout the book. Subjects such as; target areas, various hand and foot positions used when striking, basic warm-up and stretching exercises, stances and blocks, etc.

I was however surprised to find no real references to kicks with the exception of the three foot positions shown, surprisingly the instep and the back of the heel weren't even mentioned, and the Front Kicks shown in Palgue #2. In addition to that, there were only two strikes shown, those being the Out-to-In Knifehand Strike to the temple and the midsection Lunge Punch. I really don't know why the author included these and the other brief sections in this book other than perhaps as reference material since it doesn't really add to the focus of the book.

Now this is just my personal and professional opinion, but I feel that any book dealing with katas or forms, should focus solely on the movements in the particular kata being discussed and the applications of each movement. There truly is no need to go into striking surfaces, hand and foot positions, stretching, etc., since these techniques should all be learned prior to learning katas anyhow. It is redundant and a waste of the authors talent and the readers time. Now having said that, this book, and the other two in the series, are still cherished and close to my heart as they were instrumental in helping me learn this particular series of katas.

Next comes the "meat and potatoes" section of this book, the demonstrations of Palgue #1, #2, and #3.

The layout is very basic and is the same for all three katas. All of the photographs are taken from the "top of the shaft" position, although there are a couple side views shown for a few on the different techniques. The photographs are all of the starting and finishing positions for each of the techniques. There are no photographs to show body position as you move from one technique to another. A definite drawback! What little explanation there is for each move is very basic and quite brief. Not nearly as detailed as it should be. The foot position diagrams are pretty good and they do help somewhat with how your feet should move when moving from one technique to another. However, it could have been done a lot better.

You can tell that this book was written in the early 70's as the author refers to the ruling body of Tae Kwon Do as the Korea Taekwondo Association, which as you may or may not know, was the predecessor of today's World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The author also includes some obviously dated rules concerning free-style sparring in Tae Kwon Do and a few photographs of non-kata related applications of a few various techniques. This volume finishes up with some common Tae Kwon Do terms in both English and Korean.

If you are just starting out and want some really basic reference material for the Palgue series of forms, then this would be a fairly good book to own on this particular series of katas. However, there are some better ones out there. Two of which are Richard Chung's, "Tae Kwon Do" and "Advancing in Tae Kwon Do."

Shawn Kovacich, martial artist,author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Basic info and details of first three palgue forms
This was written by Grandmaster Kim Soo, currently the youngest 10th dan Tae Kwon Do black belt in the world and founder of the Cha Yon Ryu ("Natural Way") system.This book starts with a brief historicalbackgrodun of Tae Kwon Do and then goes on to basic sections on strikingpoints, warm-up exercises, stance, blocks, and strikes.The majority ofthe book is dedicated to detailed step-by-step instruction in the firstthree palgue forms. ... Read more

Product Description
Orange belt Tang Soo Do Soo Bahk Do step by step instructional guide ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Continuation of an Excellent series
This is the second book in a 4-volume instructional series published by the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation (USSBDMDKF), the official organization of Moo Duk Kwan founder Hwang Kee, now led by his son H.C. Hwang.

This volume includes all of the materials required for promotion by the USSBDMDK to orange belt 6th and 7th gup.Explanations are given for hip rotation and turning through the rear properly, hand and foot techniques, and the following Hyung (forms): Ki Cho Hyung Sam Bu (#3), Pyung Ahn Cho Dan (#1), Pyung Ahn Ee Dan (#2), and the second Chil Sung Hyung (which is learned first), Chil Sung Ee Ro Hyung.The Chil Sung Hyung were created by Hwang Kee after his study of the Chinese-influenced Korean military text Mooyea Dobo Tongji.All hyung include foot/stance diagrams so that the reader can be clear about direction, stance, etc.

Also presented completely are the required One Step Sparring sequences (Ill Soo Sik) #3-8, self-defense (Ho Sin Sool) same side wrist grabs #1-4 and Two-handed wrist grabs #1-3.Sparring combinations 1-5 are also included, but generally aren't part of the required USSBDMDK test.Also sections on breaking, culture and ettiquette and terminology.

A high quality manual with a flexible cover hard enough to be durable, yet soft enough to be placed open on the floor without having to worry about creasing the spine of the book.Glossy laminated sweat-resistant cover keeps this book from wearing out from use. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Entrance to Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do/Tang Soo Do
Here is the official training manual of the Original Moo Duk Kwan school, written by founder Hwang Kee and his son H.C. Hwang.This guide contains the official syllabus of the Original Moo Duk Kwan school.It is a terrific complement to the original Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do Tang Soo Do Textbook, and contains a number of combinations the official Textbook does not.

Covered are all materials to orange belt, including Hwang Kee's Ki Cho Hyung 1, 2, & 3, Hand Techniques, Foot Techniques, One step sparring (Il Soo Sik) 1-4, Self Defense (1-4), Sparring Combinations 1-6, and material on the history of Moo Duk Kwan and founder Hwang Kee.Includes the "Song of Sip Sam Seh", or song of the 13 influences, Hwang Kee's poetic advice.

All techniques and forms are shown completely with footwork diagrams.Privately published by the United States Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation.Especially helpful for those who are "lateralling" (joining) the original Moo Duk Kwan Under the auspices of Hwang Kee's successor, his son H.C. Hwang.

Good Book for Begginers
I like this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who is taking Tang Soo Do.The breakdown of each movement makes it easy for anyone who is new to the art to follow. This is a great manual to use for individual practice in conjuction with a formal class. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

One of the first books I ever owned on kata and a good basic book to start with.
I just finished rereading "Palgue 1-2-3" by Kim Pyung Soo for the first time in quite a few years and was reminded of the firs time I had purchased this and the other two books in the series when I was first starting out upon my martial arts journey whose primary focus in those early days was Karate and Tae Kwon Do. These books were some of the first ones I owned concerning the martial arts and kata or forms in particular.

After the customary introduction, the author includes a very brief section on the history of Korea and Tae Kwon Do in particular. Since the primary focus of this book is to be on the katas or forms, I was too bothered by the briefness of most of the fringe subjects that the author discusses throughout the book. Subjects such as; target areas, various hand and foot positions used when striking, basic warm-up and stretching exercises, stances and blocks, etc.

I was however surprised to find no real references to kicks with the exception of the three foot positions shown, surprisingly the instep and the back of the heel weren't even mentioned, and the Front Kicks shown in Palgue #2. In addition to that, there were only two strikes shown, those being the Out-to-In Knifehand Strike to the temple and the midsection Lunge Punch. I really don't know why the author included these and the other brief sections in this book other than perhaps as reference material since it doesn't really add to the focus of the book.

Now this is just my personal and professional opinion, but I feel that any book dealing with katas or forms, should focus solely on the movements in the particular kata being discussed and the applications of each movement. There truly is no need to go into striking surfaces, hand and foot positions, stretching, etc., since these techniques should all be learned prior to learning katas anyhow. It is redundant and a waste of the authors talent and the readers time. Now having said that, this book, and the other two in the series, are still cherished and close to my heart as they were instrumental in helping me learn this particular series of katas.

Next comes the "meat and potatoes" section of this book, the demonstrations of Palgue #1, #2, and #3.

The layout is very basic and is the same for all three katas. All of the photographs are taken from the "top of the shaft" position, although there are a couple side views shown for a few on the different techniques. The photographs are all of the starting and finishing positions for each of the techniques. There are no photographs to show body position as you move from one technique to another. A definite drawback! What little explanation there is for each move is very basic and quite brief. Not nearly as detailed as it should be. The foot position diagrams are pretty good and they do help somewhat with how your feet should move when moving from one technique to another. However, it could have been done a lot better.

You can tell that this book was written in the early 70's as the author refers to the ruling body of Tae Kwon Do as the Korea Taekwondo Association, which as you may or may not know, was the predecessor of today's World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The author also includes some obviously dated rules concerning free-style sparring in Tae Kwon Do and a few photographs of non-kata related applications of a few various techniques. This volume finishes up with some common Tae Kwon Do terms in both English and Korean.

If you are just starting out and want some really basic reference material for the Palgue series of forms, then this would be a fairly good book to own on this particular series of katas. However, there are some better ones out there. Two of which are Richard Chung's, "Tae Kwon Do" and "Advancing in Tae Kwon Do."

Shawn Kovacich, martial artist/author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good basic book to own for this kata series.
I just finished rereading "Palgue 4-5-6" by Kim Pyung Soo for the first time in quite a few years and was reminded of the firs time I had purchased this and the other two books in the series when I was first starting out upon my martial arts journey whose primary focus in those early days was Karate and Tae Kwon Do. These books were some of the first ones I owned concerning the martial arts and kata or forms in particular.

After the customary introduction, the author includes a very brief section on the history of Korea and Tae Kwon Do in particular. Since the primary focus of this book is to be on the katas or forms, I was too bothered by the briefness of most of the fringe subjects that the author discusses throughout the book. Subjects such as; target areas, basic bowing procedure, basic warm-up and stretching exercises, etc.

I was however surprised to find numerous pages devoted to pre-arranged self-defense techniques, offensive hand strikes, one-step sparring, and free sparring hand strikes. I really don't know why the author included these sections in this book other than perhaps as reference material since it doesn't really add to the focus of the book.

Now this is just my personal and professional opinion, but I feel that any book dealing with katas or forms, should focus solely on the movements in the particular kata being discussed and the applications of each movement. There truly is no need to go into pre-arranged self-defense techniques, offensive hand strikes, one-step sparring, and free sparring hand strikes, etc., since these techniques should all be learned separately from learning kata. Although the principles learned in kata can and do translate into the other areas. It is redundant and a waste of the authors talent and the readers time. Now having said that, this book, and the other two in the series, are still cherished and close to my heart as they were instrumental in helping me learn this particular series of katas.

Next comes the "meat and potatoes" section of this book, the demonstrations of Palgue #4, #5, and #6.

The layout is very basic and is the same for all three katas. All of the photographs are taken from the "top of the shaft" position, although there are a couple side views shown for a few on the different techniques. The photographs are all of the starting and finishing positions for each of the techniques. There are no photographs to show body position as you move from one technique to another. A definite drawback! What little explanation there is for each move is very basic and quite brief. Not nearly as detailed as it should be. The foot position diagrams are pretty good and they do help somewhat with how your feet should move when moving from one technique to another. However, it could have been done a lot better.

You can tell that this book was written in the early 70's as the author refers to the ruling body of Tae Kwon Do as the Korea Taekwondo Association, which as you may or may not know, was the predecessor of today's World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The author also includes some obviously dated rules concerning free-style sparring in Tae Kwon Do and a few photographs of non-kata related applications of a few various techniques. This volume finishes up with some common Tae Kwon Do terms in both English and Korean.

If you are just starting out and want some really basic reference material for the Palgue series of forms, then this would be a fairly good book to own on this particular series of katas. However, there are some better ones out there. Two of which are Richard Chung's, "Tae Kwon Do" and "Advancing in Tae Kwon Do."

Shawn Kovacich, martial artist/author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Lee Tae-Ho, Choi Yong-Soo, Chung Hae-Won, Kim Do-Hoon, Park Seong-Hwa, Byun Byung-Joo, Kim Jong-Boo, Choi Sang-Kuk, Wang Sun-Jae, Park Chang-Sun, Kim Eun-Jung, Chung Kyung-Ho, Namgung Do, Woo Sung-Yong, Ko Jeong-Woon, Choi Chul-Woo, Lee Seung-Ryul, No Byung-Jun, Jung Jo-Gook, Cho Won-Kwang, Park Sung Bae, Kim Hyun-Seok, Hwang Yeon-Seok, Ham Hyun-Gi, Lee Won-Sik, Roh Sang-Rae, Park Yoon-Gi, Shin Byung-Ho, Yang Dong-Hyun, Ko Ki-Gu, Ha Tae-Goon, Kwak Kyung-Keun, Kim Seung-Yong, Cho Young-Cheol, Lee Hoi-Taek, ou Kyoung-Jun, Kim Byung-Suk, Nam Ik-Kyung, Han Dong-Won, Yoo Byung-Soo, Lee Hyung-Sang, Kim Jin-Il, Suk Hyun-Jun, Bae Ki-Jong, Park Jae-Hyun, Choi Dae-Shik, Lee Sang-Hyup, Park Tae-Won, Kim Dong-Sub, Song Ju-Seok, Shim Young-Sung, Gong O-Kyun, Kim Yeon-Gun, Namgung Woong, Cho Hyun-Doo, Hwang Hun-Hee, Ahn Sang-Hyun, Choi Jung-Han, Jung Suk-Keun, Go Seul-Ki, Kim Dong-Chan, Park Gwang-Min, Lee Sung-Min, Lee Jin-Ho, Bang Seung-Hwan, Lee Yong-Jae, Lee Kil-Yong, Sim Woo-Yeon, Park Hee-Young, Park Joon-Kyung, Jang Nam-Seok, Lee Ho-Sung, Kim Han-Won, Kang Su-Il, Ju Kwang-Youn, Yoon Jun-Ha, Song Ju-Hee, Chung Kook-Chin, Cho Dong-Keon, Son Jeong-Tak, Cha Yun-Hee, Lee Sung-Jae, Song Je-Heon, Lee Myung-Hwa, Cho Jin-Soo, Seo Kwan-Soo, Kim Shin-Wook, Kim Jeong-Hyun, Yoo Chang-Hyun, Kim Min-Soo, Park Sung-Ho, Jeon Sang-Dae, Jeon Ga-Eul, Jung Yoon-Sung, Kim Sin-Young, Park Tae-Gyu, Sung Han-Soo, Han Sang-Woon, Lee Hun, Ahn Seon-Tae, Choi Hyun-Youn, Yeo Seung-Won, Kim Sun-Woo, Cha Gui-Hyun, Jang Dong-Hyun, Kim Yong-Han, Lee Dong-Myung, Choi Young-Hoon, Lee Jun-Young, Cho Hyung-Jae, Lee Seung-Tae, Hwang Mu-Kyu, Park Ju-Hyun, Bu Young-Tae, Kim Min-Ho, Jung Soo-Jong, Jeong Da-Woon, Cho Yong-Tae, Yoon Joon-Soo, Moon Dae-Sung, Lee Jin-Woo, Park Byung-Geon, Hong Jin-Sub, Lee Hyun-Jin, Kwak Chul-Ho, Lee Sang-Ha, Kim Jung-Hoon, Bae Sang-Jun. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 345. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free t...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=13662314 ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the best basic books to own for this kata series.
I just finished rereading "Palgue 1-2-3" by Kim Pyung Soo for the first time in quite a few years and was reminded of the firs time I had purchased this and the other two books in the series when I was first starting out upon my martial arts journey whose primary focus in those early days was Karate and Tae Kwon Do. These books were some of the first ones I owned concerning the martial arts and kata or forms in particular.

After the customary introduction, the author includes a very brief section on the history of Korea and Tae Kwon Do in particular. Since the primary focus of this book is to be on the katas or forms, I was too bothered by the briefness of most of the fringe subjects that the author discusses throughout the book. Subjects such as; target areas, various hand and foot positions used when striking, basic warm-up and stretching exercises, stances and blocks, etc.

I was however surprised to find no real references to kicks with the exception of the three foot positions shown, surprisingly the instep and the back of the heel weren't even mentioned, and the Front Kicks shown in Palgue #2. In addition to that, there were only two strikes shown, those being the Out-to-In Knifehand Strike to the temple and the midsection Lunge Punch. I really don't know why the author included these and the other brief sections in this book other than perhaps as reference material since it doesn't really add to the focus of the book.

Now this is just my personal and professional opinion, but I feel that any book dealing with katas or forms, should focus solely on the movements in the particular kata being discussed and the applications of each movement. There truly is no need to go into striking surfaces, hand and foot positions, stretching, etc., since these techniques should all be learned prior to learning katas anyhow. It is redundant and a waste of the authors talent and the readers time. Now having said that, this book, and the other two in the series, are still cherished and close to my heart as they were instrumental in helping me learn this particular series of katas.

Next comes the "meat and potatoes" section of this book, the demonstrations of Palgue #1, #2, and #3.

The layout is very basic and is the same for all three katas. All of the photographs are taken from the "top of the shaft" position, although there are a couple side views shown for a few on the different techniques. The photographs are all of the starting and finishing positions for each of the techniques. There are no photographs to show body position as you move from one technique to another. A definite drawback! What little explanation there is for each move is very basic and quite brief. Not nearly as detailed as it should be. The foot position diagrams are pretty good and they do help somewhat with how your feet should move when moving from one technique to another. However, it could have been done a lot better.

You can tell that this book was written in the early 70's as the author refers to the ruling body of Tae Kwon Do as the Korea Taekwondo Association, which as you may or may not know, was the predecessor of today's World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

The author also includes some obviously dated rules concerning free-style sparring in Tae Kwon Do and a few photographs of non-kata related applications of a few various techniques. This volume finishes up with some common Tae Kwon Do terms in both English and Korean.

If you are just starting out and want some really basic reference material for the Palgue series of forms, then this would be a fairly good book to own on this particular series of katas. However, there are some better ones out there. Two of which are Richard Chung's, "Tae Kwon Do" and "Advancing in Tae Kwon Do."

Shawn Kovacich, martial artist/author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Good as an aid to training, but not a "teach yourself" text
Palgue (1,2,3 of Tae Kwon Do) is intended as a reference book for students of Tae Kwon Do/Karate/Kung Fu, and should be taken as such.However, as a reference, it is incredibly useful.Included in the book are the three basic forms of Tae Kwon Do (Palgue 1,2 and 3, hence the title), and a refresher on the basic uses of the hands and feet in Tae Kwon Do.

This book is well-illustrated, and the illustrations are very useful to the performance of the forms, but this book is no substitute for training under a teacher; the forms are harder than GM Kim Soo makes them appear!However, for practice at home, when you need to remember exactly HOW the forms are performed, this book is what you need ... Read more

Product Description
Manual for Gups published by the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation, Inc. ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Do Kum-Bong, Danny Lee, Kim Nam-Il, Lee Chun-Soo, Lee Keun-Ho, Han Bong-Soo, Ryeowook, Uee, Choi Tae-Uk, Noh Jung-Yoon, Ahn Hyo-Yeon, Ryu Hyun-Jin, Cho Yoon-Hwan, Kim Young-Chul, Moon Dae-Sung, Kang Hye-Jeong, Park Yong-Ho, Lee Lim-Saeng, Kim Hae-Woon, Chang Myon, Cho Yong-Hyung, Lee Sang-Hun, Jang Dae-Il, Shin Ji, Seo Ki-Bok, Yang Sang-Min, Han Jae-Woong, Ahn Seong-Min. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 124. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Do Kum-bong (August 27, 1930 - June 3, 2009) was a South Korean actress whose fame peaked in the 1950s and 1960s. She starred in more than 283 films. ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=22621938 ... Read more