Back Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 1) (Paperback)

by Shawn Kovacich (Author) "In this chapter I will attempt to give you a basic understanding of the primary muscular groups and bones in the skeletal system that form..." (more)
Key Phrases: kicking leg shoulder, kicking leg calf, base leg knee, Side Kick, Wheel Kick, Pictorial Overview (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Over the course of my career I have reviewed many books, videos, and DVD's on the subject of kicking across all the arts, but this volume I found to be quite unique simply because it takes one kick, the titular Back Kick and devotes the whole book to it.

When Shawn first spoke to me about reviewing his book he stressed two important elements; first, that he had devoted a goodly number of years to the development of the book to ensure that he got it right and second, that he genuinely felt that no other author had presented such an in-depth manual devoted to a single kick and on both counts I feel he has a strong argument.

Obviously Shawn loves to kick and this is reinforced in his detailed text, where he dissects every aspect of the Back Kick across two hundred pages. This is a genuine labour of love and the first thing to note is the solid structure. Shawn has taken great care in his approach and the book takes a platform building approach to its subject that is comprehensive in nature.

The text is flowing and illustrated throughout with black and white photographs and the sections are in digestible chunks. Overall however, the real selling point is the aforementioned attention to detail with regard to all elements of the Back Kick.

Where Kovacich scores heavily is in where he goes from here in that once he has fully described and illustrated the kick, he then looks at subtle yet important variations, 11 in total. Again, good use is made of photographs, diagrams and foot positioning illustrations to aid the explanation, finishing with a pictorial overview of each variation.

Overall however, this is about as comprehensive as it gets and as the author points out, universal in appeal as the kick is used in virtually every stand up art, only the name varies. Mr. Kovacich explains in his preface that "years went into the making of this book" and the end result does his efforts justice. --Malcolm Martin, Editor: Tae Kwon Do & Korean Arts December 2005

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Chikara Kan, Inc.; Author Approved Revised edition (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975949101
• ISBN-13: 978-0975949108
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #920,989 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the back kick!, October 22, 2006

By	Alain B. Burrese "Author, Speaker, Mediator, ... (Missoula, MT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Back Kick: Achieving kicking excellence, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

There are many martial art books that have chapters on kicking. Often, you will get a page or two of pictures and descriptions regarding the basic kicks. How many books have you seen that focus exclusively on one kick? That's right, an entire book focusing on one kick. Back Kick, the first book in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, by Shawn Kovacich does much more than briefly describe the back kick with a couple accompanying photographs. It is a detailed analysis of every movement of the back kick from beginning to end. Back Kick explains the back kick, variations of the back kick, training and drills for kicking, and applications of the back kick in this comprehensive volume.

The author, Shawn Kovacich, is an instructor that has walked the walk. He set two world records for endurance high kicking that were certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, and has an impressive record in the tournament circuit having competed in tournaments such as the Sabaki Challenge among others. Seeing a lack in written instructional material on kicking, Kovacich set out to remedy that fact with his Achieving Kicking Excellence series. Judging by this first book, he has achieved his goal with the back kick and well on his way to achieve his goal regarding all of the basic kicks. Students and instructors alike will benefit from this book.

Back Kick begins with a quick explanation of how the reader can benefit most from the book. It then proceeds with a chapter on the anatomy of the back kick. Kovacich covers the bones and muscles along with their function relating to the back kick. He then provides a very brief section on warming up and stretching. The reader who is not already well adept in exercise, warm-ups and stretching would be advised to seek further information on this topic to ensure adequate preparation before kicking.

Next comes the meat of the book. Kovacich provides a detailed analysis of the back kick with clear photographs, explanations and diagrams. It is the most detailed written description of a kick I have ever seen. A person could use his descriptions as a check list on proper kicking technique. Each and every part of the kick is covered. After explaining the turning back kick, Kovacich covers variations which include: step-back back kick, step-over back kick, spinning back kick, 6 step back kick, jump back kick, 540 degree back kick and others. One criticism a person could have regarding this text is the repetitiveness of some of the pictures and descriptions of the back kick variations. If you are reading this book straight through cover to cover, yes, the repetitiveness can become boring. If you are using the text as Kovacich intended, as a learning tool, this should not be a factor. I much rather have each kick explained in its entirety, rather than be referred to a different part of the book for the elements that are similar or the same.

Kovacich covers a few training and practice methods along with a few strength training exercises for the muscles involved with kicking, namely the legs. He also briefly discusses speed and power. These are good inclusions for this text, since they are important concepts when kicking. However, because Kovacich does not go into the detail regarding these subjects as he does with the back kick, this book should only be a catalyst for the reader to recognize if they want to excel in kicking, they should study further on these topics.

The book concludes with a trouble shooting guide to help pin point problem areas with your back kicks, and a chapter on applications. Once you have mastered the back kick and its variations, you should be able to apply the kick in a sparring or fighting situation and Kovacich provides some of the basic applications he has used and teaches his students.

Shawn Kovacich's Back Kick is an excellent instructional text for any student or instructor of the kicking arts. Its detailed descriptions and photographs are clear and easy to understand, while his kicking notes provide quality instruction and advice to improve one's training and execution of this important kick. I'm looking forward to future volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Master-level technique: the back kick, May 8, 2007

By	Alan D. Cranford (Carson City, NV USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is Volume One of ten books devoted to mastering kicks. Shawn Kovacich devotes this book to the back kick: simple, deceptive, but effective. This review examines Shawn's book from a practical stand point--how well does this book enable me to learn the back kick?
I'm 50, 6'3" tall and 220 pounds, but I'm not an athlete--just healthy. I cannot perform the back kick higher than my own waist right now--I'll need to improve my flexibility. It isn't too much of a handicap for self defense--or active military service--but for those of you involved in karate matches, you need the high kicks for the match-winning points. The back kick is deceptive because most people are no threat when approached from behind. Employing the back kick can get you inside your enemy's OODA loop (John Boyd's Observe, Orient, Decide, Act cycle) and deliver the fight-winning initiative. Of course, if I fall to the ground or can hold onto something, my kick gains stability, height, and power--at the cost of being fixed in position for an instant. I'll need to work on my back kick more. Shawn's book has persuaded me that the back kick is worth mastering.
I have training prejudices: I like to employ mirrors, a video camera or two, a minimum of one sparring partner, and at least one referee when I train. Multiple sparring partners are to keep me from getting stuck kicking at the same height each time, and because in the real world, my problems usually come in bunches. Often, I must train alone or not train at all, so I have to limit my training intensity for safety. A second set of eyes can help spot flaws--and prevent injuries. It is very hard to dial 911 when one's back is thrown out. These kicking techniques can injure the practitioner if done incorrectly. I like both mirrors and video because when I initially practice, I can watch myself in the mirror. For realistic practice, I need to concentrate on technique and the target instead of watching my own reflection--instant video playback aids me in spotting what happened. I can even figure out if my kick was in the right place or not! Shawn wrote about the "crawl, walk, and run" phases of training and the basic and advanced kicking techniques are covered in detail. Exact detail. Train at your own risk. I perform a risk reduction prior to training--assess the risk level and employ risk reduction techniques to make training safe. Remember that training is synthetic reality, intended to be less expensive than gaining real-world experience.
I think that "Achieving Kicking Excellence: Back kick" is well organized. There are ten chapters. The introduction defines the kick and advises how to use the book. Chapter One is kick anatomy: bones and muscles. Chapter Two recommends warm up and stretching exercises. Chapter Three is Basic Principles: striking surface, target areas, and 11 other key points. Clear graphics left me with little doubt about what part of the foot to apply and where to hit my opponent. Chapter Four covered the primary kick technique. Again, the graphics are very clear. They include "dance step diagrams" showing where the feet go--footwork is critical to effective kicking. The photos have numbered labels stressing correct positioning of each part of the body. Chapter Five is variations of the primary technique. Chapter Six covers training and practice techniques to achieve skill, strength, speed, and power. Chapter Seven is a trouble-shooting guide. Chapter Eight is applications: how to use this in competition or combat. Chapter Nine is Shawn's awards and accomplishments. Chapter Ten previews the next volume in the series. There are a table of contents, a recommended reading list, and an index.
This is an excellent study guide. I can train some now, on my own, and when I find training partners (sparring partners and a referee) I might even get proficient!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Kicking Resource, September 8, 2008

By	Khan (Florida) - See all my reviews

If you are looking to improve your ushiro geri, "Back Kick, Achieving Kicking Excellence", is a great resource for the beginner to the advanced practitioner alike. I wish this book was out when I started practicing martial arts. I have been practicing the martial arts for over ten years and although I have been practicing Karate and Jujutsu for the past six years, I started out in Hapkido. Practitioners of Korean and Japanese/Okinawan martial arts will find the description and photos of the back kick and its variations very informative.
I especially liked the way the author explained the basic principles of the back kick and the anatomy of the back kick, the photos are better than the drawings in my Gray's Anatomy. Although the chapter on the variations of the turning back kick would be of limited value to me, if you are a practitioner that utilizes kicking to a greater degree than I do (such as practitioners of Hapkido or TKD), I believe it would be of great assistance.