Side Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 10) [Paperback]

Shawn Kovacich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 14, 2007

Side Kick is the tenth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Side Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Back Leg Side Kick, and several of its main variations.

Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Side Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Back Leg Side Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Back Leg Side Kick, by teaching you 10 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.

Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing the Side Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Side Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Side Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Side Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 10, which is Side Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 20. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Side Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next ten volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which are the Applications in Combat volumes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shawn Kovacich has been a practicing martial artist for over 30 years, and is a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Taekwondo. Shawn also holds ranking in the martial arts of Aikido, Hapkido, and Judo. Shawn is also a certified Krav Maga instructor and over the past several years has been primarily focusing on a wide variety of armed and unarmed combat fighting skills.

In addition to being a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, Shawn has also worked as a psychiatric aide in a state run mental hospital (and NO he was not a patient), he has also been a law enforcement officer, provided security for a major casino, worked as a bouncer in various bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs, as well as, providing personal protection services.

Shawn has also gained world wide attention for his two world records for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. He achieved his first world record on September 27th, 1986 with 10,502 high kicks in 5 hours and 30 minutes. His second record was even more impressive, with 11,000 high kicks in 5 hours 18 minutes and 43 seconds. This was accomplished on January 21st, 1989.

Shawn is the author of the highly acclaimed Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts books, as well as, the highly acclaimed and very well received Achieving Kicking Excellence DVD series. He is currently working on several additional martial arts and self-defense related books, as well as several additional instructional DVDs. Several of these books and DVDs, including a separate book and DVD series on Krav Maga, are scheduled to be released beginning in the spring of 2012 and continuing thru 2014.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Chikara Kan, Inc.; 1st edition (February 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970749694
• ISBN-13: 978-0970749697
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,162,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been a practicing martial artist since 1982 and I am also the author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which is a multiple volume set of books which focus entirely on the physical technique of kicking. The first ten (10) volumes in the series are already in print (as you can clearly see in my bibliography) and the next ten (10) volumes in the series, Applications in Combat, will focus strictly on the combat/self-defense applications of each of the ten primary kicks against an actual attacker. These ten (10) volumes are scheduled to be released in September 2009.

I completed initial filming for the first three volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence instructional DVD series last year with my good friends at Aiki Productions (www.aikiproductions.com), which focus on the various principles associated with kicking. Volume one focuses on the principles of execution while volumes two and three focus on the combat applications and the defense against the very same kicks respectively. These three two-disc DVD volumes are scheduled to be released in 2009.

I am also currently working on a series of DVD's based on various techniques found in Aikido, Hapkido, Jujitsu, and other joint technique associated martial arts. The first DVD in that series will focus solely on the proper execution and self-defense applications of Shiho-Nage (four directions throw). This DVD is also scheduled to be released in late 2009 or early 2010.

Also in 2009, I have several other martial arts related books scheduled to be released. Some I have authored by myself, while others I have co-authored with a variety of noted authors in a variety of professional fields, such as; martial arts, physical fitness, criminal law, among others.

It is my primary goal to create a timeless body of instructional work in every book, DVD, etc. that I create, and for each one of them to be the best source available concerning the particular subject that I have written about and/or put onto film.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most useful kick and how to master it., August 22, 2008

By 

Alan D. Cranford (Salt Lake City, Utah USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Side Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 10) (Paperback)

In my opinion the two most useful kicks are the side kick and the front kick. Both are simple, fast techniques. Both can be learned in a short time and used effectively. In military hand-to-hand combat training these are the two kicks most often trained--though the side kick is usually taught as a low kick (below the waist) by military instructors.

Shawn's "Side Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence Vol. 10" covers everything you need to know about mastering this technique: striking surface of your foot, targets on your opponent, the muscle groups involved and a comprehensive training program that will give you a powerful tool that will come 'naturally' after several hundred hours of training and conditoning. As I said, the two most useful kicks for me are the front kick and the side kick. This is a book on technique, not application--you will achieve master-level technical proficiency and be able to deliver a side kick with either foot from a number of positions through several arcs. Unlike the 'kiss and a promise' military hand-to-hand combat training, Shawn's master-level training program will enable you to kick a taller opponent anywhere on the body from ankle to crown with speed and surprise.

Shawn is working on the applications book. Side Kick, Volume 10 is technique, and you must work on technique before you can apply it. This is the best training program for mastering the side kick. Buy this book, get a large mirror and a video camera and two or three training partners (and a heavy bag and a practice pell) and put in the time. Shawn lists the training aids you need--I forgot the focus pad?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Side Kick Excellence, July 3, 2008

By 

Aaron Hoopes - See all my reviews

This review is from: Side Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 10) (Paperback)

Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 10 Side Kick is a comprehensive study of one of the important kicks used in modern martial arts today. The book is incredibly thorough with numerous photos demonstrating the every aspect of the kick in minute detail. Mr. Kovacich knows his stuff and it is obvious that he has spent many hours honing his technique. The book provides an in-depth study of the bones, muscles and mechanics involved in the kicking technique.

In addition, the book contains a wealth of supplemental information on strength, speed and power generating exercises to enhance the technique. There is also a section on stretching as well as the application of the technique.

This book is ideal for any martial artist who wishes to perfect their side kicking ability. The beginner will find a wealth of information to assist in developing proper mechanics while the advanced practitioner will glean some vital knowledge from an accomplished teacher.

Be sure to check out the other books in this series. You are sure to find one that addresses the specific kick that you need work on.

Aaron Hoopes
author of Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The important and difficult side kick deeply explained, June 16, 2007

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Side Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 10) (Paperback)

Achieving Kicking Excellence

If you are a novice martial artist, a kick-box exercise video nut, or someone who wants to advance their knowledge of martial art kicks, this book looks as if it would be very helpful.

The series of books is organized by type of kick: back, wheel, axe, crescent, reverse crescent, front, hook, hatchet, roundhouse, side kick. Ten books in all.

The volumes are absolutely loaded with pictures of not only kick technique but also of helpful strength-with-weight exercises, especially gym exercises with machines like the hack squat and leg press sled and of course the all-important lunge. So you get not only a discussion of how-to, but of what exercises can improve overall performance by gaining muscle strength. There are pictures with overlays of angles and axes, giving you an idea of proper form, though there is no substitute for a sensei giving you real-time feedback, of course. So these books are a good adjunct to martial arts class in the dojo; something to read and then take to practice and work on with real-time help.

There is a section on sparring--right and wrong. There is a suggested reading list in the back. A very complete series.

The only thing these volumes suffer from is slightly dark and low contrast black and white photograph reproduction due to pictures being on paper stock and not glazed plate stock, in order to keep costs reasonable for publishing. And the cover photo is wonderful but the graphic design (showing the title being shattered by the someone doing the title kick) was a GREAT concept but you can't read the title on the front cover (because it's being kicked to bits!) This is annoying; you have to read the spine to see which kick the book is about. If this bugs you, it's easily fixed: get some stickers or a Sharpie and mark the front cover with something like SIDE KICK VOL 10 or whatever works for you.

Author Kovacich is a black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do (which of course is one of the martial arts for which the kick is the premier technique.)