Customer Reviews

Small-Circle Jujitsu

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a Marine Corps Close Combat Instrtuctor, I can tell you that the majority of these techniques work well, and may be learned and applied by anyone. I do, however, beleive that much practical application and sparring/grappling against many different opponents is necessary to become proficient in any fighting art. Nearly ALL of the Marine Corps Close Combat techniques are found in this book. As our system was a collaboration of many SME's (subject matter experts), that has to speak for something. In addition, Wally echos one of my main points to my students, do not ever become subbornly commited to one technique. You must be able to flow from one to another based partly upon your skill, but primarily the actions of your opponent. Great book, although the pictures and descriptions could be better for beginning practitioners. If you are familiar with basic Jiu-jitsu techniques and principles, you should have no problems.

Wally Jay is an original, as well as a Hall of Fame martial arts instructor. This book must be one of the 5 or 10 best martial arts books available. It includes 11 wrist locks, 7 finger locks, 10 arm locks, 5 leg locks, 17 throws, 11 chokes, and 45 self defense moves against strikes, chokes, body grabs, wrist grabs, and arm bars. The step by step explanations are clear, and the large photos are helpful. All you need is a willing partner and you are well on your way to learning Wally Jay's awesome fighting system based on a simple twist of the wrist.

The novice may not appreciate the conservation of motion and simplicity that Dr. Jay brings to his technique of Small circle. Effortless effort! The STRENGTH of these techniques are contained in the subtle, minute changes in body position rather than brute force that seems to be the trend of the "pedestrian" martial artist today. If you have personally studied with Dr. Jay, you can appreciate the beauty behind these techniques.A great book to dissect over and over again.

This book should be a part of every martial artist's library. I bought it several years ago and have reviewed it several times. The techniques are practical and efficient. It really doesn't matter what style you train in, the fundamentals of this book can enhance any style. If you are a current Jujitsu or Judo student or technician, this book take techniques you may already know and increases their effectiveness. It is truly amazing what a difference a degree or two and a little push-pull action can make in a traditional technique. Wally Jay has made a wonderful contribution to the martial arts world by writing and putting this book together and sharing his years of study and research with the rest of us.

Most of us who study martial arts will never, whether we want to admit it or not, find ourselves in a life-or-death, kicking-and-punching fight. Those who do will probably only do so once or twice in a lifetime. However, much more common is the "tense situation," where someone begins to get out of hand and you need to calm or subdue them without escalating the level of violence. When your uncle gets drunk at the family barbecue and starts horsing around, for example, you can't punch his teeth out. It just isn't done.

I studied small-circle ju jitsu for several years as a suppliment to Wado Ryu karate, and I have used it to defuse several tense situations. It works well, and without any of the spiritual mumbo jumbo associated with aikido. The falling and rolling techniques are even more useful, especially if you are a skiier or a mountain biker and, like me, fall down a lot. Wally Jay's book is a great reference. The techniques are effective, the explanations are clear, and the photos are all of good quality.

It should be emphasized that this is a reference, not a complete set of lessons. If you have no previous martial arts training or are not part of a dojo, you can't learn ju jitsu from any book. If, however, you are an instructor and want to suppliment your class with this material, this is an excellent sourcebook to work from.

Having praticed this form of martial art for over ten years, I have to say that anyone who understands the basic principals of jujitsu can vastly improve by reviewing this book. Loaded with simple instructions and pictures, Wally Jay makes this a quick review guide for the accomplished and an excellent instruction manual for the beginner. He has included several simple exercises, which can be done anywhere without drawing attention, which help improve certain aspects of your techniques. Having been fortunate enough to attend several classes given by this Master, I can say that the techniques are simple and quite effective in controlling an opponent.

This is an excellent brief work on Prof. Jay's system. Although the book is comparatively short, at least 50 and probably more like 100 techniques are shown. Techniques are divided between throws, wrist locks, elbow locks, leglocks, and finger locks. Vulnerable areas of the body and how to attack them are shown also.

Another nice feature is Prof. Jay discusses his overall theory of jujitsu and mechanical and martial principles involved, of which there are 10, which he goes into in some detail. Some of these will not be new to any experienced martial artist, such as the importance of balance, but others, such as his push-pull method of doing holds and locks, may be new.

Of course one can't learn a martial art from a book, but if you have some previous knowledge, this book is an excellent introduction and/or review of many of the techniques in Prof. Jay's system. The system I practice has enough overlap so that I found this book a great way to reference and learn somemore about it. I've also had the opportunity to attend two of Prof. Jay's seminars over the years, and would like to say they were great as I expected, and it was a honor to finally meet and get to learn from such a great teacher. And he has put a lot of that knowledge into this book.

As student who intergrates small circle in my Discipline, I would recommend this book to all martial artist. Professor Jays 10 principles and wrist techniques leave you in a AW. The finger lock techinques works wonder no matter how big or small one is. This book is a must have.

When I began taking Small Circle Jujitsu, I looked for a good book to find out more information. I came across this book, and was quite impressed. It's no wonder, since I later learned Wally Jay founded Small Circle Jujitsu. The techniques shown in the book are not only applicable to students of Small Circle Jujitsu, but are also incredibly useful for those in other martial arts. I was so impressed by all the information from this book, I found it necessary to go to one of Wally Jay's seminars. I even bought a second copy just so I could get it signed by him. I think Professor Jay puts it best with his famous quote, "Pain makes believers." If you try just one finger lock from this book, you will definately be a believer.

having read this book and learned the skills, i must say that it has saved my butt may times. I work as a police officer in SF's, Tenderloin, and have used these skills to "down" 6'3" 260 lbs men, 5 inches taller and 100 lbs heavier...without much effort...Prof. Jay's finger skills have allowed me to take on and control subject without beating them or hurting them...it is a must have if you are serious about your safety and jujitsu.. it can show you how a small child can control an adult with the right skills and a little pratice...