Chin Na in Ground Fighting: Principles, Theory and Submission Holds for All Martial Styles [Paperback]

Al Arsenault (Author), Joseph Faulise (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 3, 2003

Focuses on the use of joint locks, cavity presses and bone misplacement to subdue any aggressor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

" Al Arsenault and Joe Faulise's Chin Na in Ground Fighting covers techniques useful for all martial arts styles...this proves an invaluable guide." --The Bookwatch, September 2003.

About the Author

Al Arsenault began his pursuit of the ways of pugilism in 1971, obtaining black belts in Okinawan, Japanese, and Chinese martial arts. He was a highly-decorated member of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) from 1979-2006, where he assisted in the training and education of its members in control tactics and non-firearm weaponry. He currently trains in, and helps to teach, Judo at the VPD Judo Club.

Mr. Joe Faulise has been training and has had an interest in the martial arts since the age of thirteen. He began training in 1973, when he was encouraged by his mother to try out for the wrestling team at school. He learned that the coach also owned a judo school and began training there as well. He did wrestling in the winter months and judo in the summer months until 1977.

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center (June 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886969663
• ISBN-13: 978-1886969667
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #866,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Guide to Practical Groundfighting!, March 2, 2004

By 

C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chin Na in Ground Fighting: Principles, Theory and Submission Holds for All Martial Styles (Paperback)

Author Al Arsenault offers a complete view of chin-na (gripping/grappling) techiques for the ground, from initial standing position to the ground application. The level of this book is basic to advanced--a person with little experience (you'll likely need some grappling experience to understand any book on ground or throwing arts) can hone their understanding through practicing and studing the explanations in the narrative. Advanced concepts are also demonstrated and explained in an organized manner.

The format in this book endears itself to study, with photos and diagrams clear and easy to comprehend. Arsenault goes beyond simply showing a technique which might be difficult to apply without an experienced instructor by explaining through detailed narrative precisely how one must manouver and position oneself. We also learn WHY the techniques and positioning are done as they are done, how they work, and how to get the most out of a technique. This practical and sensible approach can be appreciated by grapplers and strikers alike.

The square construction of this thick book makes it less likely to flop shut when you spread it on the mat to experiment with the techniques shown within. All in all, a straightforward offering which can offer new ideas and applications regardless of one's style of practice.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book on the art of Chin Na, July 5, 2004

By 

magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Chin Na in Ground Fighting: Principles, Theory and Submission Holds for All Martial Styles (Paperback)

This is a very comprehensive, detailed, and well-written book on chin na with an emphasis on ground fighting. I teach karate and chin na myself, and I like to integrate the two arts for my students just as sensei Arsenault and Faulise do in their training and work because of its practical usefulness in control situations, where karate, TKD, kung-fu, or a percussion art might be inappropriate.

There are separate chapters covering nerve centers and pressure points, how to attack the pressure points, chin na theory and technique, as well as separate chapters on hand and armlocks; neck, head, and shoulder locks; and ankle and leglocks.

One of the book's major strengths is the chapter on the theory of leverage and mechanical advantage as applied to holds and locks. The authors use diagrams and illustrations to show how chin na locks can be analyzed according to the different types of mechanical levers and fulcrums. This was interesting and useful since, once you understand a few basic principles (which aren't that difficult, really), any chin na lock can be analyzed and understood with reference to it's particular category of mechanical lever.

Another thing I liked about the book is the authors' discussion of safety in practicing choke holds and of the dangers of applying them in self-defense situations. For example, after applying a sleeper hold and rendering the attacker unconscious, sometimes the heart fails to start back up after 30 seconds, and artificial resucitation must be administered--unless it's your attention to kill the attacker. This is because of a carotid baroreceptor and heart pacemaker effect known as carotid-sinus syndrome. It's very rare but it does happen. The authors also discuss a number of other medical and physiological effects of sleeper and choke holds and how to deal with them, which every martial artist who practices them should know about.

The book concludes with a chapter on sequence of techniques which shows how techniques might progress and flow in a real situation, starting in a standing position and ending up on the ground. There are also two extensive appendices totalling 40 pages (in smaller print than was used in the text) on martial arts terms and medical terminology.

My only complaint about the book is that the photos look a little light and faded. I don't know if this occurred during the shooting or printing, but it's not that big a problem. Overall, this is one of the best books on chin na I've ever seen and its application to ground fighting. A lot of work went into preparing and writing this volume, and it shows. This book will be a valuable resource for any chin na practitioner who wants a better grasp of the underlying principles and techniques of this important and useful martial art.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Cross-training Guide, March 12, 2005

By 

Eric D. Knapp "Cluck" (New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Chin Na in Ground Fighting: Principles, Theory and Submission Holds for All Martial Styles (Paperback)

I've been studying Karate for about six years now, but my dojo practices very little ground fighting. I was looking for a book that explained the basics of grappling in a way that would be helpful to an (otherwise) advanced martial artist.

This book fits that bill... it explains how and why to perform many techniques that are, undoubtedly, basic to anyone who studies Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Chin Na or any ground fighting style. While I can't comment on how helpful it would be to a beginner in any of those styles, it is a very useful aid to someone like myself, who already knows how to fight on their feet and is looking to adapt their skills to the ground.

Chin Na in Ground Fighting is helpful because it goes beyond a simple collection of techniques (which are always hard to learn from books anyway), and explains the simple mechanics behind common locks and holds. Since reading this book, I find myself finally being able to visualize various submission holds in advance, and am doing better on the ground now. Again - probably not that impressive to a student of a ground fighting style, but to student of a mostly stand-up-and-strike style, it is extremely valuable.

The illustrations are as easy to follow as any (which is to say, not easy at all unless you read carefully).

The focus is on learning the basics from many angles, from pressure points and anatomy to joint movements and mechanics of motion and resistance.

Overall, I've found myself referencing quite a bit over the past weeks during my training, and it has helped quite a bit.