In Special Situations (Practical Karate) (Bk.6) [Paperback]

Donn F. Draeger (Author), Masatoshi Nakayama (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804804869
• ISBN-13: 978-0804804868
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,891,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful!, March 11, 2005

By 

A. Vivolo (Orting, Washington United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Special Situations (Practical Karate) (Bk.6) (Paperback)

I have practiced karate and jujitsu for 18 years. I bought this book more for the nostalgia I have for Master Nakayama. The layout of the book is good and the points made are even better. I do agree with a previous reviewer that some of the situations defended against are unlikely to occur, but then the title of the book does include the phrase "special situations"-so maybe we shouldn't be so surprised.

What is beneficial about the book, aside from the very valid self defence, is the thought process illustrated behind the self defence applications. It demonstrates how an individual should think when practicing these techniques. Reading books alone will not save someone...you must practice!!! And as the individual practices their own self defence, rather then acting as a robot they should change up the situations to account for the variety of things that can happen (and just plain go wrong) when defending yourself. With each change one should figure out the appropriate course of action...then practice, practice, practice! And THAT is where this book is very helpful. Demonstrating how one should think while practicing. Showing how to include variables and then how to address them.

Apply the approach Master Nakayama puts forth in this book for all your training. I believe it to be tremendously helpful, especially for the newer practictioners of the martial arts.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some good ideas, but not always practical, August 23, 2001

By 

funkyshodan - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Special Situations (Practical Karate) (Bk.6) (Paperback)

As a martial artist and shotokan practioner, I have found many of Master Nakayama's books very helpful, such as the Best Karate series. However, this book is NOT one of the more impressive texts. Many of the self-defense applications are helpful and effective, although many senseis with an eye for pratical application of technique to real-life situations can think of as good or better ones. Many of the situations shown in this text are unlikely in terms of oncoming attackers and the moves required from the martial artist. For example, an attacker pointing a handgun at your chest/head from beyond striking distance is not a situation where I would try to make a move against them. So, in summary, there are few helpful items in this text, and the ones that in fact are there are ones that many senseis can teach students from a very common-sense and practical approach.

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative and interesting approach to special situations., June 9, 2009

By 

Joseph J. Truncale "warriorwriter" (Vernon Hills, Il) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: In Special Situations (Practical Karate) (Bk.6) (Paperback)

I have had the pleasure of reading most of Master Nakayama and Master Draeger's numerous books. This book is actually part of a series of books on the practical application of karate techniques to various self-defense situations. In spite of the title (Practical Karate), it is strongly advised to seek out training with a competent traditional karate teacher before attempting the self-defense moves shown in this text. This is the 6th volume of a six volume series. This book covers the use of karate in special situations such as being choked from behind in a vehicle, being in a vehicle with a subject on each side of you, single assailant outside your car,double assailant outside your vehicle, self-defense techniques while your hands are tied and many other situations.

In conclusion, this a a very good text but in my opinion, without a strong foundation in basic karate techniques, it would be difficult to master many of these self-defense scenarios.

Rating 3 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Karate Combatives: Reality-Based Karate for self-defense)