Wheel Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 2) (Paperback)

by Shawn Kovacich (Author) "In this chapter I will attempt to give you a basic understanding of the primary muscular groups and bones in the skeletal system that form..." (more)
Key Phrases: base leg foot, ing leg shoulder, side squat position, Wheel Kick, Peak of Trajectory, Turn Back (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
In a previous issue of TKD we featured the first volume in this series and at the time Shawn promised volume two would follow shortly and here it is.

Volume one, featuring the Back Kick, was praised by TKD for its comprehensive nature, in taking one kick and exploring its delivery and application in exhaustive detail. If you enjoyed the first volume, then you'll be pleased to note that Shawn follows the same structure with this volume, breaking the book down into ten distinct chapters, featuring 10 variations of the Turning Wheel Kick.

Once again, Shawn's determination to fully explore the kick is staggering with a chapter outlining the role of the muscles and bones in the correct execution of the kick, followed by an overview of principles involved in the execution, such as speed, strength, timing, etc.

Chapters four and five are technique based, looking at the step by step execution of the Wheel Kick and then giving 10 variations on the primary kick. Training methods developed to help improve your delivery of the kick are then discussed, followed by a very handy trouble shooting guide, rooting out the most common errors when delivering the kick.

The book is rounded out by a section that details the practical applications of the technique learned, to create an impressive overall understanding of the kick involved. Shawn's volumes reflect a total dedication to his art and a meticulous research and development process in what is an obvious labour of love. Labour is the right term, as he envisages a thirty volume series in total, with the first ten volumes encompassing what he sees as the ten primary kicks, volume 3 being the very popular Axe Kick.

--Malcolm Martin; Editor: Tae Kwon Do & Korean Arts April 2006

Product Description


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

Wheel 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 Turning Wheel 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 Wheel Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Turning Wheel Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Turning Wheel 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 Wheel Kick and the solutions to correct them.

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

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Wheel Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Wheel Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 2, which is Wheel Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 12. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Wheel 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 volume in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which in this case is the Axe Kick.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Chikara Kan, Inc. (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970749619
• ISBN-13: 978-0970749611
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,324,185 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the wheel kick!, October 22, 2006

By	Alain B. Burrese "Author, Speaker, Mediator, ... (Missoula, MT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I picked up Wheel Kick by Shawn Kovacich I was already familiar with the first book of his Achieving Kicking Excellence series, Back Kick. I was not expecting a book one would sit and read for pleasure such as a novel or martial art history book. I was expecting a text with detailed explanations on the execution and application of the wheel kick and its variations, and I was not disappointed. Wheel Kick is the most complete written description with photographs of this kick I know of, and is an excellent addition to any martial artist's library. It will be especially beneficial to those that teach the wheel kick and variations in their curriculums.

The author, Shawn Kovacich, set two world records for endurance high kicking that were certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, and has an impressive record in the tournament circuit having competed in tournaments such as the Sabaki Challenge among others. With those credentials, I expect him to provide solid instruction on the execution and application of kicks, and he definitely delivers.

Wheel Kick includes brief chapters on basic anatomy, warm up and stretching, strength, speed, and power. Many martial artists, especially instructors, will have more complete references on these topics. However, it is nice to have these brief chapters that have the basics all in one volume, especially for those that do not have a large martial art library. I feel it is important that Kovacich includes these if for nothing more than to introduce the basics and encourage the reader to seek out more instruction on these important elements to kicking.

Where Wheel Kick shines is the actual kicking chapters. Most books or magazine articles on kicking have minimal descriptions of each kick. Wheel Kick does much more than briefly describe the wheel kick with a couple accompanying photographs. It is a detailed analysis of every movement of the wheel kick from beginning to end. Wheel Kick explains the wheel kick, variations of the wheel kick, training and drills for kicking, and applications of the wheel kick in one comprehensive volume.

Kovacich details every aspect of the primary kick, the turning wheel kick, including stance, turning, trajectory, impact, and follow through. In addition to the numerous detailed photographs of each stage of the kick, Kovacich includes various diagrams to help the reader understand proper foot placement and pivoting, correct trajectory, and targets and impact. He then describes variations including: step-back wheel kick, spinning wheel kick, hop/slide forward wheel kick, hop/slide backward wheel kick, front leg wheel kick, back leg wheel kick, switch wheel kick, off-setting wheel kick, jump turning wheel kick, and the 540-degree jump turning wheel kick.

Like Back Kick, a person could criticize this text regarding the repetitiveness of some of the pictures and descriptions of the wheel kick variations. If you are reading this book straight through cover to cover, yes, the repetitiveness could become boring. If you are using the text as Kovacich intended, as a learning tool, this should not be a factor. I much rather have each kick explained in its entirety, rather than be referred to a different part of the book for the elements that are similar or the same. There is a big difference in a book intended to be read from cover to cover and a book intended as a resource guide. The Achieving Kicking Excellence series are guide books, and the format is perfect for this kind of instruction.

Also like Back Kick, the book concludes with a trouble shooting guide to help pin point problem areas with your wheel kicks, and a chapter on applications. Once you have mastered the wheel kick and its variations, you should be able to apply the kick in a sparring or fighting situation and Kovacich provides some of the basic applications he has used and teaches his students.

Shawn Kovacich's Wheel Kick is the second book of the series and an excellent instructional text for any student or instructor of the kicking arts. Its detailed descriptions and photographs are clear and easy to understand, while his kicking notes provide quality instruction and advice to improve one's training and execution of this important kick. I am definitely looking forward to future volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author, speaker
Hard-Won Wisdom From The School of Hard Knocks, Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, and The Lock On Joint Locking series

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars better than volume one, September 26, 2007

By	Haseeb (Tempe, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

I liked this volume better than volume one mainly because the writing style seems better. In my twenty + years of martial arts training, I've never met an instructor or master who broke the kicking techniques down to the scale of detail as Shawn Kovacich has done in this book.

I first learned a variant of this kick in Taekwondo and it was called a spinning hookkick. In Taekwondo, if one executed the spinning hook kick as a wheel kick, it was considered poor form. Later when I started training in Kyokushinkai, the kick was called a reverse roundhouse kick and executed much the same way as Mr. Kovacich outlines in this book. However, my sensei allows me to execute it as a spinning hook or as a wheelkick. He makes no distinction and leaves it up to the individual student. The wheelkick is slower and easier to see than a spinning hook, but is still very powerful. As the author explains, the idea of the kick is to go through your target as if you're swinging a golf club to hit the ball off the tee. Everything one would want to know about this kick and it's variations is contained in this book. A very good reference for all serious martial artists.

Now, I would like to comment on some flaws I've seen in this book. On page 184, he explains that when he strikes his opponent on the side of the head and behind the ear, it's not the best target. The side of the head and behind the ear are indeed very good vital points and well placed kicks to these places can easily knock someone out. I've seen it many times in competitions. The other flaw in the book is on page 27 where he illustrates what he considers the best vital points for the wheelkick. I would disagree with him on many of these spots. For example, the point of the jaw is less of a target to a wheelkick than the side of the chin. He makes no mention of the side of the chin as a vital point, only the point of the chin and the jaw joint. All of those points he has in his illustration on the front of the face are not good targets for the wheelkick. The wheelkick is a haymaker type of blow which is more suited to striking the side or back of your opponent's head. One will not often get the opportunity to hit someone on the front of the face with it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wheel Kick: Another Excellent Book in this Series, May 5, 2007

By	K.H. - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Shawn Kovacich's next book in the "Achieving Kicking Excellence" is on the wheel kick (also known as the spinning heel kick in some styles). Kovacich is outstanding at explaining precise detail, not only about the performance of the kick, but the many factors and layers that buttress a strong kick: i.e., what muscles accomplish what, base and support, and how to turn. I did disagree with his foot positions for advance and beginner, as someone who operated dojos for nine years (90-99), I felt it always best to teach feet positions on spinning kicks the same way unless someone has a medical problem or other difficulties. Therefore, I would have only shown the "advance" feet positions as the only proper position. After all, most people who start learning spinning kicks have been involved in the martial arts a few months and have probably passed the novice stage (p.36).

Besides that criticism, I found his control and knowledge with/of the kick to be excellent. The photos in black and white, while lacking a photo-finish quality, do show a quality of martial technique superiority. The nine photos on page 72 displays his control, not just of the kick, but also when he and the photographer (probably at Shawn's suggestions) show the stages of the kick. Many books show this kick, but I think Shawn nailed the stages that should have been shown in the book or any other book purporting to tecah this kick- Quite impressive.

In his section on "Training and Practice Method", Shawn discusses skills training and shown learning the kick by using a chair. Chair, partner, and wall training can be useful tools that aid in someone learning and perfecting a kicking technique. Shawn's attention to detail is spectacular.