Gene Lebells Handbook of Judo: A Step by Step Guide to Winning in Sport Judo (Heritage Series (Los Angeles, Calif.).) [Paperback]

Gene LeBell (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Pro Action Pub (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961512660
• ISBN-13: 978-0961512668
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Competitive Grappling Guide from a Master Technician!, January 12, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Gene Lebells Handbook of Judo: A Step by Step Guide to Winning in Sport Judo (Heritage Series (Los Angeles, Calif.).) (Paperback)

This volume, originally published in 1962, was "Judo" Gene LeBell's first book. The basics are covered briefly, and most of the volume is concerned with covering competition techniques and theories, with clear illustrations to explain the dynamics of each move along with precise narrative. Among others, LeBell expounds upon the Triangle Theory (pg 98), The Outrigger Theory (pg 99), counters, fakes, transitions, and entire chapter devoted to grapevines (immobilizing the lower body), strangles, locks, and true to the spirit of a practical nuts-and-bolts fighter like LeBell, a chapter on banned techniques entitled " 'Necking' Not Allowed/Noncompetitive Neck Locks", and another on banned leg locks.

This book is in essence a primer on grappling, more than simply a text on competitive judo. Despite having been originally published over 40 years ago, you will find that the tactics covered in this volume are still relevent and effective in todays world--and that nany of the techniques people credit to Brazilin jiu-jitsu were being used in the US of A long before the Gracies first set foot over here. I would recommend this and LeBell's other books "Grappling World" and "Grappling Master" along with Renzo and Royler Gracie's "Brazilian Jiu Jitsu" for anyone who has no problem learning from precise technical manuals on grappling.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderfully Misleading Title, October 4, 2000

By 

Edward F. Burgess, VIII (Camichael, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gene Lebells Handbook of Judo: A Step by Step Guide to Winning in Sport Judo (Heritage Series (Los Angeles, Calif.).) (Paperback)

Gene LaBell was Heavyweight/Openweight AAU/USJF National champion for two consecutive yeas in the early '50s, before the sport enthusiasts "sanitized" Olympic Play. LaBell does not encourage cheating at judo; he reminds us, as he teaches over thiry arts illegal for contest, that judo was and is first and foremost, a Martial Art. With clarity of intent and mechanics, this former champion details dozens of spine locks, neck cranks, leg and toe locks and a wide variety of very serious self-defense techniques. This is a refreshing look at the devastating martial art as it was originally intended to be studied in the early days of "KODOKWAN JIUDO" when before a boxer could challenge a jujitsu man, a notarized agreement had to be signed waiving all liability of the judoka for the life of his opponent. NOT FOR THE BEGINNER!!!!! But black-belts will learn every time they turn the page.

Edward F. Burgess, VIII

Rokudan Judo & Jujitsu

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very unique judo book, March 18, 2004

By 

Joseph M Burtner (Kennesaw, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gene Lebells Handbook of Judo: A Step by Step Guide to Winning in Sport Judo (Heritage Series (Los Angeles, Calif.).) (Paperback)

This book has it all, from basic to combination throws, pins and controlling techniques, gi and no-gi techniques... Gene LeBell has long been acknowledged as one of the best grapplers ever to come out of the US, and one look at this book will show you why. In addition to covering throws and pins in detail, LeBell also shows counters to these techniques, as well as variations of standard techniques. The chapters on illegal holds and grapevining also shows how well he was able to blend judo with catch-wrestling techniques. While I would say that the book could be usefull to students of traditional judo, I belive that those who would bennifit the most are students of grappling arts which are more inclusive with their holds, such as BJJ and Sambo. I also think that anyone transitioning from freestyle wrestling to judo would find this book usefull. The only downside I can think of is that the photos are not of the best quality. Anyone serious about martial arts in general, and grappling in particular, should own this book.