Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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

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.

Gene LeBell is a living treasure of American martial arts. Any book by him is worth acquiring both for the technical instruction and the historical connection Judo Gene provides between the grappling arts of the 1950's and 60's and the grappling craze of today. When it comes to taking on all comers and styles, he did it first, he did it best and he's still one of the most sought after instructors in the world. This book is a reprint of an early 1960's edition but it remains one of the best Judo manuals ever written.

Gene LeBell is a true living legend in the wrestling and martial art fields. This was his first book on judo and it covers the basic throws, pins and locks that are used in traditional judo tournaments. Though some of the techniques shown are no longer allowed in modern judo tournaments; nevertheless, this is a excellent introduction to judo from a true master of the art.

Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Bushi Satori Ryu Official Jujitsu Manual).

This book modestly claims to be a step-by-step guide to winning in sport Judo. Indeed, Gene Lebell, and assistants, present a compact and systemized manual on the best of modern free-style Judo. The strategy is simple amd excellent -- such as The Moving-Wheel [when standing] and The Triangle and The Outrigger [when on-matt]. I was grateful to learn to apply such strategy when Wrestling. It applies to all SPORT grappling -- including free-style Wrestling -- and makes for quick and accurate reaction for SPORT grappling. Indeed, Gene Lebell makes great usage of free-style Wrestling compatible with Judo -- givng such Judo more angles and options -- expanding and extending it. In fact, much of this Gene Lebell Judo has moves not allowed in recent formal sport Judo. This includes "illegal" arm, leg, spine and neck locks -- and even some elbow moves not allowed -- such as the "short rib rest" [jabbing elbow point into foe's ribs]. This book is easy to follow -- very clear and modular [by theme]. Even if you do NOT want to "go-to-ground" due to sparring, grappling and self-defense concerns -- "Gene Lebell's Handbook of Judo" IS a fine way to learn about free-style Judo useful for SPORT grappling.

It IS very good to know how to COUNTER going-to-ground -- EVEN IF IMPRACTICAL FOR GENERAL SELF-DEFENSE -- due to a number of likely concerns. Any remote possibilty of allies [unarmed or armed] makes it dangerous for defenders to be entangled on the ground -- due to getting stomped, smashed, stabbed or shot by an ally [of any type] -- or clawed and bitten by an animal [of any type]. Even a single unarmed foe can BITE or head-butt -- grip or slam harshly with a free arm -- and kick or knee harshly with a free leg. A crazy drunk, drugged or deranged single foe may feel little or no pain -- while attacking in a crazy frenzy -- including the above all-out attacks. Then there is possible hard harsh terrain [to fall-on and roll-on] and hard harsh courts -- who may rule-out self-defense for those who go-to-ground with foes -- due to the mutual entangled aggression involved. So it's NOT a good habit to train in SEEKING going-to-ground for general self-defense.

BUT for know-how in SPORT Judo or any sport allowing standing and ground ground grappling -- "Gene LeBell's Handbbok of Judo" IS a great single source for strategy, tactics and practice +++

This is the best Judo book ever IMO. Gene does a great job at explaining all the moves. He is very descriptive. You should check it out even if you're not into Judo.