Low Kicks: Aiming Low For Maximum Punishment In Unarmed Combat [Paperback]

Fred Hutchinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

If you want to acquire the skills needed to defend against larger, stronger adversaries without devoting a lifetime to martial art study, this book offers a viable solution: become an expert low kicker. The anatomical targets emphasized in most self-defense programs (eyes, throat, testicles) are stunningly effective - if you can hit them. But that's often easier said than done when your adversary is big, mean and coming at you with both fists flying. By comparison, the knees, shins and insteps are relatively easy to hit even without extensive training or above-average strength. In fact, the average person - even the average woman - has enough lower-body strength to deliver a punishing kick to these vital targets. In this book, Fred Hutchinson, author of The Modern Swordsman, offers basic instruction on stance, kick chambering, weight shifting and footwork. He then teaches specific training drills and methods for throwing chambered and unchambered kicks; practicing proper kicking form; training for agility, speed, accuracy and power; maximizing your kicking power through lower-body conditioning; and employing low kicks tactically. Practice them consistently and you will become adept at dealing out destruction with your feet and knees should the need arise.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fred Hutchinson is an avid martial artist who focuses on practical, systematic training in traditional combat methods for use in effective modern self-defense.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581601387
• ISBN-13: 978-1581601381
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,470,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unreservedly Recommended, August 3, 2001

By 

Kent Lawler (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Low Kicks: Aiming Low For Maximum Punishment In Unarmed Combat (Paperback)

Fred Hutchinson's Low Kicks is an excellent manual for training the body's most powerful anatomical weapons -- the legs. The manual's format is similar to John Sanchez's Slash and Thrust and Andrea Ferrara's Corsican Steel. (What these manuals share in common is the presentation of training exercises that are independent of style or system. The obvious result is that any reader can benefit from their information regardless of his/her own background, expertise, or combative preferences.) Low Kicks begins by identifying those kicks that Hutchinson considers most appropriate for self defense from the perspective of the reader who cannot train regularly in a dojo. The kicks he recommends are simple in execution and effective in application. Some kicks are drawn from traditional karate, and a few others come from French savate. At least two kicks Hutchinson uses come from WWII Military Combatives, a "style" of combat that has recently developed a large following in the US and Britain. The book then proceeds to reveal a variety of training methods used for making the kicks even more effective. The methods described are such that the reader can utilize them in his den or basement without relying on elaborate equipment or training devices. What is most unique about Low kicks is not only that the author has diligently selected those kicks that work best under a wide range of circumstances, but that the kicks fit in smoothly with the body dynamics used by diverse martial arts systems from karate and savate to ninjutsu and combatives. We have recently made Lopw Kicks required reading in our training halls, and unreservedly recommend it to anyone interested in practical personal protection.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a gem., April 1, 2005

By 

A. Zilberman (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Low Kicks: Aiming Low For Maximum Punishment In Unarmed Combat (Paperback)

Yes, I know this book does not cover the high-flying kick or Thai round kick to
the thigh! If you do not spend all day practice martial arts or you are above
certain age those kicks are useless and even dangerous. What this book is
presenting are the kicks that any person regardless of their previous experience
can learn and apply in any situation without any preparation. They are meant to be
used when one is facing a life and death situation. Incidentally Thai boxing is a sport.
Try the Thai kick in the elevator or telephone booth.
Some people may complain that this book seems like it was written in the Bruce
Tegner days, may be so but since our bodies did not change what is the difference
the techniques are still hold. I can tell you from the personal experience -
Those techniques works. True the illustration may desire to be better, but go
beyond that, understand the essence of what the author want to convey. If
you want real proven techniques that always effective, forget all those fancy
kicks, get good HARD shoes and start kicking, keep it simple.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly "learner friendly" compendium, October 18, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Low Kicks: Aiming Low For Maximum Punishment In Unarmed Combat (Paperback)

A very highly recommended addition to personal and professional Martial Arts Studies instructional reference collections, Low Kicks: Aiming Low For Maximum Punishment In Unarmed Combat by martial arts expert Fred Hutchinson teaches martial arts students how to defend themselves against opponents or attackers who are larger or stronger than themselves. This thoroughly "learner friendly" compendium of basic instructions covers the physical stance, kick chambering, weight shifting, and footwork. With practice in applying Hutchinson's clear, step-by-step instructions, martial arts students will enhanced their agility, speed, accuracy, power, and tactical effectiveness in a combat situation through the use of low kicks.