Warrior Speed [Paperback]

Ted Weimann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2000

This is the definitive reference on speed training for martial artists. Author Ted Weimann has done exhaustive research on the physiology, kinesiology, and psychology of speed to bring you the most modern and effective techniques, tactics and training methods. Get answers to the common questions about speed including: What is the origin of speed and how can you enhance your natural talents?; What are plyometrics and how should you do them to avoid common injuries?; How effective are supplements like creatine and HMB?; Which weight training methods are most effective for improving speed?; Does visualisation really work?; What is the zone and how can you make it work for you?; Why is cross training potentially hazardous to your martial arts training?; Which type of stretching also increases your speed?; What are the most effective ways to build hand and foot speed?; Which common techniques are the fastest and why?; Why is one stance faster than any other in sparring?; How can you use mental tricks and deception to gain a speed advantage? The information in this book is based on the latest scientific research on muscle and exercise physiology, giving you access to the same high quality information on speed training, plyometrics, diet, supplements and mental training used by top athletes and coaches. Explained in easy-to-understand language and packed with examples and drills you can add to your training routine, this is a book you will return to again and again.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A definitive reference.. Explained in easy to understand language and packed with examples and drills. --Martial Arts and Combat Sports, October 2000

From the Author

Ted Wiemann has been an active martial arts instructor since 1985. He also holds law enforcement instructor certification in defensive tactics, baton, chemical weapons and use of force/confrontational simulations. He has taught in these subject areas for the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and Oregon Police Academy. He is currently a US Special Agent and Defensive Tactics instuctor for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Turtle Press (May 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880336383
• ISBN-13: 978-1880336380
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #901,519 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of vital info, June 16, 2000

By 

Loren w Christensen (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Warrior Speed (Paperback)

Ted Weiman' s Warrior Speed is crammed with information that will help you get that coveted attribute sought after by every martial artist- speed. The author researched and experimented in the areas of physiology, kinesiology and psychology to learn and then document in this book ways to enhance speed of movement, perception and reaction. He has filled the pages with techniques, tactics, and exercises that, when applied with diligence, will bring out your maximum speed. As an author of 12 books on the martial arts, I highly recommend Warrior Speed.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is great, February 19, 2004

By 

Biomed Researcher (Stanford, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Warrior Speed (Paperback)

Weimann has filled his book with a variety of basic principles and concrete examples of a handful of exercises for improving speed in martial arts. Many parts of this book would be useful in almost any athletic endeavor, and many of the studies cited are on performance in things like weightlifting, running, swimming, and cycling.

If you are looking for simply a series of drills and exercises, then this isn't the book for you. If you are looking to really understand the physics, physiology and pyschology of althetic performance, then this is an excellent text. It may be dry to some readers as it sometimes reads like a scientific review article, but I found the references to research extremely helpful and enlightening. I am a bit more skeptical of some of the psychological drills, but the mind is a complicated thing.

I found a lot of good information in this book that I haven't encountered in other exercise/fitness books, such as why you should take Tylenol for muscle aches but not Alleve (the answer is on page 61) if you want to gain muscle mass.

The only complaints I have are with the title and the binding which doesn't open flat. The title is kind of cheesy. A good description, although very pedantic would be something like: "A Review of Current Research in Developing Speed in Athletic Performance and Suggested Applications of These Principles to Training".

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good stuff.., August 27, 2003

By 

carbonclump (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Warrior Speed (Paperback)

The author has done his homework. After reading the first couple of chapters, I now understand the muscular system in great detail and understand how it can be improved or impaired through training. The physiological info provided is remarkable and worth studying if you are involved in any sort of sport where speed & power are factors- but especially martial arts. Plyometrics are covered very clearly (and scientifically) and sample exercises are given.
The author looks at what supplements & drugs are out there and summarizes their effects very well.
Speed itself is broken down as it applies to martial arts, and focus is placed on the areas that can be significantly improved through training.
This is a no-BS book that I've been impressed with so far, and with every page I read I think "wow, that's good to know." The information is presented in a way that really gives martial arts folks exactly what they care about, without drifting too far into other topics.
Lots of numbers- for example, a typical punch's force comes from 39% legs, 37% trunk, and 24% arms. Maybe its just me, but I love numbers.
As a side note I had just been reading Bruce Lee's "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" and I find that much of the information here complements Lee's writings.. much of it actually is more detailed and scientifically based than Lee's. The author has much more scientifc data available at the time of writing than Lee did, of course, and he has really taken advantage of it.

Two thumbs up- this is really informative and should be considered a "must read" for martial arts practitioners who are serious about developing speed.