Customer Reviews

Kill-as-Catch-Can

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I initially bought this because 1) I liked "Championship Streetfighting", also by the author, and 2) I do a lot of submission grappling, and want to learn anything useful. I was dissapointed by much of what I read. The good:I learned a little about the history of wrestling that I didn't know; I found the principles in the begging to be most useful; the author does a decent job of converting amature moves to a street scenario; this is one of the few books I've read that talks about biting and gouging, though I think Beaumont's kind of reaching to include them in this book; and lastly, the bibliography helps the reader find more, practical information about grappling in the "pavement arena". The bad: most noticably, there are rather crudely drawn pencil illustrations, and no photos; the takedowns, as presented, are not "technically sound", and I think it's because of a lack of experiance on Beaumont's part; some of the holds are taken direclty from professional wrestling's "show holds", like the Cammel Clutch and Figure-four leglock (I've wrestled a lot of guys, and I've even tried to make use of pro-wrestling holds, but I've never seen anyone put that leglock on someone with half a brain and better conditioning than a hampster). About half the info was useful to me, and I'll give props to the author for sticking to the theme of Western arts as self defence, but if you grapple for fun or sport, borrow it, and if you're looking for quick and easy self-defence, avoid it. In closing, I'd like to emphasise that this is NOT a useless book, it's just that finding the useful stuff is one of those needle-haystack things.

What else can I say about this book that hasn't been said already? Sure you've witnessed a few UFCs or have seen a few street fights but what really works on the street, whats the best defence? This book sums up what you need in your arsonal, superior wreslting and grappling skills with the submision and finishing moves to go with em. Anyone who thinks that karate,boxing, or some other stricking art is enough to protect them needs to read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how to fight no holds barred. Great for amatures who know nothing of wrestling, great even for expirienced wrestlers who know the grappling skills down to a T but have limited knowledge on submision moves or finishing (killing) moves. This book has it all and as many others have mentioned before, it has a great conditioning section to help get you in the shape you need to apply your skills to their upmost potential.

This book maybe a little simple. And some of the moves far fetched. But I really enjoyed it. And as the title says its a guide for streetfighters, not olympic hopefulls. Ned's writing style cuts right to the chase and leaves a smile on your face. He is very entertaining to read. And as an added bonus about 1/3 of the book is the best weightlifting, conditioning advice you can get anywhere. Take a little bit of Pavel a dash of Furey mix it with milk and supersquats and you have got a taste of the conditioning program.

As bad as it sounds this book didn't have enough pictures. Well before I go on like me start by saying I'm a pro-wrestler with previous grappling experience...This book makes a fairly good read. But Still when I pick up a book on martial arts I expect to see pics of real people in it.. This book had only drawings. Ofcourse this isn't really a tech nique book, it's more like a book that explains Catch wrestling. If you do pick up this book also pick up "winning Wrestling Moves" and "Gene LeBell's Encyclopedia of finishing holds". This book really explains some of the Techs that are hown in the other book..I still recommend this book, but pick up the other two in conjunction with it.. All are sold here.

Gives some good explanation of the wrestling skills you'll need (and some you won't) in a fight against an unarmed opponent, but is light on useful instruction, primarily due to the lack of photographs. There is a lot to be said for an author who will actually fill a book with words, rather than lean on photos as a crutch, but if you intend to train with a book as an aid, photos are all but necessary - and the more the better.

You'd be better off with a combination of Winning Wrestling Moves (to instruct on takedowns), combined with one or more of the following: Iverson's submissions book; The Fighter's Notebook; one of the Gracies' BJJ texts. All will give you more practical instruction, and do so with loads of pics to help you get the idea better. All are available at Amazon. You'll pay more to get the more complete education, but if genuine improvement in your grappling skills is the goal, it's worth it.

This book is very different then most grappling books today. Instead of showering grapplers with false promises about Wrestlings superiority over other "Arts", he gives you a no nonsense look into the streetfighting world. His book gives very thoughtful insight into Wrestling on the street, using Wrestling against different types of fighters, and a lot of other streetfight related topics. HOWEVER, he also gives tips on conditioning, and most of all...survival. If you want to hear about Wrestlers in the UFC, go rent the UFC. If you want to hear about Wrestlers in a streetfight, buy this book.

I just finished reading this book and I am very impressed. Call me stupid, but I would have given the book five stars if there would have been more illustrations. Overall though, this title is worth every penny if you're serious about protecting yourself on the street (and have little/limited wrestling knowledge...)

Ned Beaumont is a great author, however, I thought you may all like to know that he is a Latin scholar and teaches high school latin at Nardin Academy in Buffalo, NY. I was his student and he is an excellent teacher...except that he is not a real boxer, so a lot of his writing may be made up.
His real name is Matthew Riley.

I just can't place any limits on my enthusiasm for this book -- for the clear, crisp, and interesting writing, for the great commonsense advice on fighting, and especially for the wonderful final chapter on physical conditioning. There's nothing else like this in the self-defense field -- and it's difficult to see how anyone else could even approach Beaumont's lofty standard.

This book discusses practical street combat from a wrestler's perspective. As expected, the author's focus is from the stand-up engagement that is taken down and finished on the ground. The subject matter is light reading without in-depth instruction. The book's pictures need improvement as the novice may find some figure's inadequate to completely convey the message of the instruction. Overall, the book is a good practical source for both the novice and stand-up only student. It does not add too much value for the mixed-art street oriented combat student.