Customer Reviews

Judo Techniques & Tactics (Martial Arts Series)

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JUDO TECHNIQUES & TACTICS (c.2001) by Jimmy Pedro Jr., and William Durbin, is a fundamental book on Judo like a dozen other books covering the same basic techniques, except this has one of New England's premiere judokas demonstrating kyu techniques.

If 1999 World Judo Champion and two time Olympic bronze medal winner Jimmy Pedro jr. is through making history and fails to be elected as president of the USJI (Judo USA), then it is hoped that Godan Jimmy Pedro Jr. will become a much needed world class sensei to teach and write for future American judoka! So what we really need is for Jimmy Pedro Jr. and his father, Jimmy Pedro Sr., to collaborate on a book detailing all their best competition judo techniques and philosophy and how they were derived, and between these two active and successful competitors, that book would have the potential as the new bible on American judo!

This basic sankyu level work: JUDO TECHNIQUES & TACTICS falls well beneath the talent and scope of World Champion and Olympian (Godan) Jimmy Pedro Jr.. To read a similar mediocre book on judo by another World Champion, please read: 'OLYMPIC JUDO: Throwing Techniques' (c. 1987) by Neil Adams.

Judo Techniques and Tactics provides the beginning Judo student a decent place to start. Pedro only reviews a few basic moves and throws, chokes and joint locks, and counters. They are moderately described in text and illustrated fairly well with photographs. This gives the beginner a good subset of techniques to work with and start to master. The book has a good overview of competition and some helpful tips on conditioning. Judo Techniques and Tactics should be useful for those in the sport less than a year.

The book was in good condition. It was cheap priced and well worth the wait because of the condition it was in. Thank you.

I am a Jiu Jitsu practitioner, but I was looking for a book to improve my take down game. Decent intro level book. Good written info. I would have liked more pictures and more info on details of the movements.

Human-Kinetics is either knowingly misrepresenting their authors or has the worst martial arts editor in the publishing world. William Durbin's co-author biography states he holds a 3rd dan in judo. According to Durbin's martial arts credentials from his previous web site, he stated that he did initially practice judo for about one year (1970 to 1971), but switched to karate while attending college. He does claim to hold a 6th dan rank in Juko Kai's own non-sport judo system, but he never indicated any Kodokan Judo recognized rank before this, certainly no yudansha rank. Now all of sudden, he is a 3rd dan in Kodokan Judo? Even stranger, Durbin is shown wearing a black karate uniform.

His previous book, Mastering Kempo, also published by Human-Kinetics, claims he received a doctorate in Oriental Philosopy degree from the University of Oriental Philosophy, Juko Kai's diploma mill recently closed after being investigated by the Maine authorities. Another book in Human-Kinetics' martial arts series, "Aikido Techniques & Tactics" by Gary Bennett states he has a 3rd degree black belt in Yoseikan Aikido, although he is completely unknown at the International Yoseikan Budo Federation and has never trained at the Yoseikan dojo in Japan.

Jimmy Pedro is a former Olympic judo player and the book does offer basic judo techniques. However, the historical perspectives provided by Durbin are incorrect and obviously poorly researched. There are so many other good books on the subject. This one is a waste of time and money.

The title of this books "Judo techniques and tactics" is misleading. Instead of getting a detailed description of the special techniques and experiences used by Jim Pedro this is only yet another introductory book on judo.

This is a great book, and you're getting it right from the source, three-time Olympian Jimmy Pedro. This book provides you with a background of the sport and the essential maneuvers for success. I bought it for my son, it has most of the training guidelines to build a strong foundation for moving on to advanced judo techniques.

This book could have been written by some Japanese 50 years ago. Pedro does not explain tournament throws or tactics. Even the throw seen on the cover is not included in the book. It is a shame. A competitor with such experience could have "sold" some of his knowledge in a book printed in 2001.

Olympic medalist Jimmy Pedro has written a 175 page book filled with good information. He starts with the history of Judo, goes on to the language and customs, before heading into the techniques. Very concise but well written technique sections , with both English and Japanese terminology.

Good book for novices and insights for advanced ranks. Pictures used for illustration are clear (my one gripe with Kano's Kodokan Judo. The book covers all of judo broadly but people looking for insights into certain techniques would prefer Ippon's master class series.