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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The title tells it all!, May 21, 2005
This review is from: Mastering Judo (Mastering Martial Arts Series) (Paperback)
Judo has proven itself one of the most effective styles in MMA, along with Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. This book provides an excellent opportunity for experienced martial artists to enrich their game with Judo concepts, and for Judoka to deepen their understanding of their chosen art and to enhance their performance significantly both on the tournament floor and on the street.
I very much enjoyed this book and I will continue to refer to it and learn from it in the future. I will list the things about it that struck me the most:
It points out the differences between training in Judo for sport and training in Judo for combat, and it devotes about equal time to both facets. It points out though that it is best not to prefer one over the other but to strive to excell in them both equally.
It covers in depth strategy, gripping, combination techniques, the butterfly guard, passing the guard, sweeps, defences to strikes, throws, strikes, joint locks, pins and chokes.
It has a great deal to say also about competition psychology, strength training, conditioning and nutrition.
There is a lengthy and very detailed section on self-defence applications that is particularly interesting. I love the direct methods, particularly the knee-strike and guillotine choke combination.
All the kata sequences are listed and described.
There are pictures of all the techniques of Judo, organized by category.
There is a great deal of attention payed to ground fighting, of great interest obviously to self-defence and MMA fans.
The tone of the book is very humble and its style very direct. Although it mentions MMA, it veers away from getting into a style-versus-style analysis. Regarding MMA (since many potential purchasers may be interested in knowing what this book has to say about it), it simply states that Judoka are not encouraged to take part in it although some go against the norm, that Brazilian Jiu-jitsu which has many competitors in MMA encompasses the same techniques as Judo, and that MMA is facing the same problems that Judo faced early on, and is adapting to them in very similar ways: for example, periods of stalemate on the ground are now broken up in MMA and the competitors are re-started standing up, as in modern Judo; also MMA is trying to give more emphasis to the standing element of fighting through short rounds that begin standing, since this is more exciting for the crowd. Kimura's name pops up a few times, and his victory over Helio Gracie is described as evidence for the credibility of Judo as a fighting art. I think the general gist of the book is that Judo should be seen as something of an 'ultimate fighting' art in its own right, since it encompasses so many skills and provides good training in using them through ground and standing free-fighting (randori), competition and other methods. The authors have nothing but respect for other systems. The Takahashi dojo offers classes in MMA, Karate, Aikido, Kendo and several other arts besides Judo, so one can readily appreciate how broad the family's knowledge of martial arts is. The success of all the authors in Judo competition, coaching and self-defence instruction (including teaching two prime-ministers and their children) lends a great deal of weight to all the advice they give.
I highly recommend this book.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very unusual Judo Book!, September 7, 2005
This review is from: Mastering Judo (Mastering Martial Arts Series) (Paperback)
I have to say that this is a very different judo book!!! I did not know what to expect from this book when I picked it up but it completely took me by surprise. I expected a judo book like so many others - showing techniques you need to know to get from Rok-kyu to Ik-kyu - but not this book.
First, the book gives a very nice general overview of judo. At the same time the author reminds the reader what Kano's ideas and concepts of judo actually were and how they have changed over the years (unfortunately not always in a positive way) - especially since judo was introduced to the Olympics.
He explains why kata, tradition, dojo etiquette, mental welfare etc. are also important aspects of judo and that they have to be preserved by today's judokas as well. Too many judokas these days seem to focus only on competition.
The book contains a nice variety of different judo techniques, which are used as examples to discuss different fighting styles and concepts. Very often coaches tell judo participants to develop strategies or fighting concepts but when asked by non-competitors how to define and to develop such strategies, many senseis are unable to answer these questions. Usually the interested non-competitive judoka is more or less left alone.
Takahashi finally tries to explain such terms and subjects to people outside the competitive circle and gives idea and guidance on how to approach these different aspects.
Another surprise the book keeps in store, are discussions about mental issues for the individual judoka (competition, training, etc.). Because today's judo is mostly focused on competition, the performance pressure on competitors is sometimes unbearable. Takahashi again makes us understand that good judokas should not be identified only by their victories. He reminds us that losing a fight/competition is part of martial arts and that every judoka needs to learn how to cope with it! But also here he offers the reader ideas and suggestions how to deal with these situations!
In addition the book provides ideas for individual training programs, which are not necessarily only for competitors. Non-competitors who want to improve their physique without the intention to compete, can use these programs as well and modify them at will.
Masao Takahashi makes a nice connection between competitors and non-competitors and gives a good understanding of their different needs.
I recommend this book to any judoka who wants to understand and get more involved in judo - not only on a competitive but also on a recreational level.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Art & Sport, July 19, 2005
This review is from: Mastering Judo (Mastering Martial Arts Series) (Paperback)
I enjoyed reading this book mainly because the authors were able to balance the twin, and sometimes competing, themes of judo as art and sport. They put particular emphasis on the cultural and philosophical importance of judo, and were able to relate the maxims of judo to both sport and life. As the other review indicated, the authors also do not write in a vacuum. Several members of the family are accomplished wrestlers, and the advent of mixed martial arts and Brazilian jujitsu are not lost. They explain well the evolution of judo as a sport, recognize the differences between sport and self-defense, and advocate a realistic approach for the judoka.
This is not a "how-to" book so much. There is little to no explanation on how to do throws, although judo technique is presented for reference. The book presumes some working knowledge of judo, and seeks to improve on that knowledge with useful information on application.
This is a great book for the judoka because it focuses attention on the purpose and spirit of judo while giving practical tips for competition. This is also a great book for martial artists and grapplers who are interested in judo as a form of cross-training, especially students of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Together with Mastering Jujitsu, by the same publisher, they are great references.
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