This no-nonsense self-defense system instructs law-abiding citizens on defending themselves against the rising threat of violent crime. It provides the practical skills, proven techniques and necessary confidence to avoid, defuse, confront or neutralize armed and unarmed assailants. When seconds count, you don't have time for mistakes.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Sammy Franco is among the world's leading authorities on armed and unarmed combat. Highly regarded as a pioneer and innovator of combat sciences, Mr. Franco is the founder and creator of Contemporary Fighting Arts, a scientific and practical combat system designed specifically to provide the most efficient and effective methods possible to avoid, defuse, confront, and neutralize both armed and unarmed assailants. Mr. Franco has authored numerous magazine articles and several books, as well as a series of instructional videotapes. He has also been featured in newspaper articles and on radio and television programs, including CBS' 48 Hours with Dan Rather.
Mr. Franco is a Law Enforcement Master Instructor who teaches and supervises defensive tactics training for local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the United States Border Patrol. He is a member of the prestigious American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) and is also listed in the "Who's Who Directory of Law Enforcement Instructors." In addition, Mr.Franco is a nationally certified police instructor in the following curriculums: PR-24 Side-Handle Baton, Police Arrest and Control Procedures, Police Personal Weapons Tactics, Police Power Handcuffing Methods, Police Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT), Police Weapon Retention and Disarming Methods, Police Edged Weapon Countermeasures and "Use of Force" Assessment and Response Methods. He is also a nationally certified firearms instructor (police and civilian) who specializes in firearm safety, personal protection, and advanced combat shooting.
Mr. Franco holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland and is regularly featured as a speaker at a number of professional conferences. He also conducts exciting and enlightening seminars on the martial arts, self-defense, and firearms. As part of his ongoing mission to deliver "the combative truth," Mr. Franco has also authored seven books. Four of these--Street Lethal, Killer Instinct, When Seconds Count, and 1001 Street Fighting Secrets--are currently available through Paladin Press. The other three, tentatively titled "First Strike," "The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall," and "War Machine," are under contract with Paladin.
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More About the Author
Sammy Franco is one of the most recognized authorities on both armed and unarmed street fighting. Highly regarded as a leading innovator in self defense, Sammy Franco was one of the premier pioneers in the field of hand to hand combat. Convinced of the limited usefulness of most martial arts in real street combat, Mr. Franco believes in the theory that the best way to change traditional thinking is to make antiquated ideas obsolete through superior methodology. Sammy Franco has instructed thousands of students in his career. His innovative ideas have made a significant contribution to changing the thinking of many in the field about how people can best defend themselves against vicious and formidable street criminals.
Sammy Franco is perhaps best known as the founder and creator of Contemporary Fighting Arts, a state-of-the-art offensive-based combat system that is specifically designed for real-world self-defense. Contemporary Fighting Arts is a sophisticated and practical system of self-defense, designed specifically to provide efficient and effective methods to avoid, defuse, confront, and neutralize both armed and unarmed attackers.
After studying various martial arts and related disciplines and acquiring extensive firsthand experience from real "street" combat, Mr. Franco developed his first system, known as "Analytical Street Fighting". This system, which was one of the first practical "street fighting" martial arts, employed an unrestrained reality-based training methodology known as Simulated Street Fighting. Analytical Street Fighting served as the foundation for the fundamental principles of Contemporary Fighting Arts and Mr. Franco's teaching methodology.
Franco's Contemporary Fighting Arts system draws from real world combat experience and concepts and principles of numerous sciences and disciplines, including police and military science, criminal justice, criminology, sociology, human psychology, philosophy, histrionics, kinesics, proxemics, kinesiology, emergency medicine, crisis management, and human anatomy.
Media Appearances
Sammy Franco has frequently been featured in the Washington Post and the Washington Times newspapers and appeared on radio and television programs, including the CBS television news magazine 48 HOURS (TV series) with Dan Rather as well as the Montel Williams Show. Mr. Franco is also frequently featured on Washington DC's top news stations including: News Channel 8, NBC 4 News, Channel 9 News, and Fox 5 Morning News.
Magazine Publications
Mr. Franco has also authored numerous self defense articles for Black Belt magazine, Inside Karate, Inside Kung-Fu and several other national magazine publications.
Book Publications
Mr. Franco has also written numerous books on subjects relating to street fighting, combat conditioning, and reality based self defense training. His first book, Street Lethal: Unarmed Urban Combat, released in 1989 by Paladin Press, was one of the first books ever written on the uncharted genre of street fighting. His published books include:
Warrior Wisdom: Inspiring Ideas from the World's Greatest Warriors
Ground War: How to Destroy a Grappler in a Street Fight
War Craft: Street Fighting Tactics of the War Machine
War Machine: How to Transform Yourself into a Vicious and Deadly Street Fighter
The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall: How to Defeat a Larger & Stronger Adversary in a Street Fight
First Strike Book: Mastering the Preemptive Strike for Street Combat
1001 Street Fighting Secrets: The Principles of Contemporary Fighting Arts
When Seconds Count: Everyone Guide to Self Defense
Killer Instinct: Unarmed Combat for Street Survival
Street Lethal: Unarmed Urban Combat
Early Video Production
In the early 1990s, Franco was asked by Joseph Jennings (founder of Panther Productions) to appear in a series of instructional self defense videos. Franco appeared in a four tapes series. Including:
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Fundamental Techniques
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Kicks, Punches And Conditioning
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Grappling And Defensive Street Fighting
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Street Self Defense Techniques
Current Video Production
Realizing the limitations of an external production company, Franco now writes, produces and distributes his own instructional self defense videos. Some of his current video titles include:
Punching Mitts: Drills & Workout Routines
Judge, Jury & Executioner
Pepper Spray: A Video Guide to Using Pepper Spray for Self Defense
Pressure Points: The Science of Striking Vital Targets
Sparring: Tips: Tips, Tactics & Techniques to Dominate Your Opponent
Kubotans & Yawaras: A Quick & Dirty Guide
Submission Fighting for the Street (Volume 1)
Submission Fighting for the Street (Volume 2)
Submission Fighting for the Street (Volume 3)
Medicine Ball Workout (Volume 1)
Medicine Ball Workout (Volume 2)
Double End Bag Training
Heavybag Training
Power Punching
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 1): Visual Reflexes
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 2): Tactile Reflexes
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 3): Recognition & Auditory Reflexes
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 4): Movement Speed
Wrist Locks For The Street (Volume 1)
Wrist Locks For The Street (Volume 2)
Choke Out
Body Opponent Bag Training
War Machine II
Sneak Peek
Armed to the Teeth (Volume 1)
Armed to the Teeth (Volume 2)
Defend or Die
Escape Master
In Your Face
Engage With Rage
First Strike
Ground Fighting in The Streets
Batter Up
Under The Gun
Street Stick Fighting
Use It or Lose It
Rat Packed
Ground Pounders
Control & Conquer (Volume 1)
Control & Conquer (Volume 2)
Savage Street Fighting: Tactical Savagery As A Last Resort
The WidowMaker Program: Maximum Punishment for Extreme Situations
Feral Fighting Program: Level 2 WidowMaker
War Blade Program: A Complete Guide to Tactical Knife Fighting
Audio Book Production
Mr. Franco also produces and distributes his own audio book library. Titles include:
The Street Fighting Minute
War Machine CD Box Set (Audio Book)
Punching: Tips, Skills and Techniques
Footwork: Drills and Exercises
Music & CD Production
Recognizing the significance and power of music. Franco writes, produces and distributes his own unique brand of workout music. Franco's CD releases include:
Carnage
Time To Kill
Warrior's Crucible
Symphony of Vengeance
Eve of Destruction
Unmasker
Certifications
Franco's experience and credibility in the field of reality based self defense is impressive. One of his many accomplishments in the field includes the fact that he has earned the ranking of a Law Enforcement Master Instructor, and has designed, implemented, and taught officer survival training to the United States Border Patrol (USBP). He has instructed members of the US Secret Service, Military Special Forces, Washington DC Police Department, Montgomery County, Maryland Deputy Sheriffs, and the US Library of Congress Police. Mr. Sammy Franco is also a member of the prestigious International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) as well as the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) and he is listed in the "Who's Who Director of Law Enforcement Instructors."
Sammy Franco is a nationally certified Law Enforcement Instructor in the following curricula: PR-24 Side-Handle Baton, Police Arrest and Control Procedures, Police Personal Weapons Tactics, Police Power Handcuffing Methods, Police Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT), Police Weapon Retention and Disarming Methods, Police Edged Weapon Countermeasures and "Use of Force" Assessment and Response Methods. Mr. Franco is also a National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor (both police and civilian) who specializes in firearm safety, personal protection, and combat pistol shooting.
Franco holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a regularly featured speaker at a number of professional conferences, and conducts dynamic and enlightening seminars on numerous aspects of self-defense and personal protection. Mr. Franco has instructed thousands of students in his career, including instruction on street fighting, grappling and ground fighting, close quarters combat, knife defense and knife fighting skills, multiple opponent survival skills, stick fighting skills and firearms training.
Sammy Franco teaches combat proven techniques from the standpoint of having a firsthand understanding of the emotional, psychological and spiritual issues that arise from physical violence. His goal is not the glorification of violence, but rather to help people free themselves from its costly price.
Sammy Franco is perhaps best known as the founder and creator of Contemporary Fighting Arts, a state-of-the-art offensive-based combat system that is specifically designed for real-world self-defense. Contemporary Fighting Arts is a sophisticated and practical system of self-defense, designed specifically to provide efficient and effective methods to avoid, defuse, confront, and neutralize both armed and unarmed attackers.
After studying various martial arts and related disciplines and acquiring extensive firsthand experience from real "street" combat, Mr. Franco developed his first system, known as "Analytical Street Fighting". This system, which was one of the first practical "street fighting" martial arts, employed an unrestrained reality-based training methodology known as Simulated Street Fighting. Analytical Street Fighting served as the foundation for the fundamental principles of Contemporary Fighting Arts and Mr. Franco's teaching methodology.
Franco's Contemporary Fighting Arts system draws from real world combat experience and concepts and principles of numerous sciences and disciplines, including police and military science, criminal justice, criminology, sociology, human psychology, philosophy, histrionics, kinesics, proxemics, kinesiology, emergency medicine, crisis management, and human anatomy.
Media Appearances
Sammy Franco has frequently been featured in the Washington Post and the Washington Times newspapers and appeared on radio and television programs, including the CBS television news magazine 48 HOURS (TV series) with Dan Rather as well as the Montel Williams Show. Mr. Franco is also frequently featured on Washington DC's top news stations including: News Channel 8, NBC 4 News, Channel 9 News, and Fox 5 Morning News.
Magazine Publications
Mr. Franco has also authored numerous self defense articles for Black Belt magazine, Inside Karate, Inside Kung-Fu and several other national magazine publications.
Book Publications
Mr. Franco has also written numerous books on subjects relating to street fighting, combat conditioning, and reality based self defense training. His first book, Street Lethal: Unarmed Urban Combat, released in 1989 by Paladin Press, was one of the first books ever written on the uncharted genre of street fighting. His published books include:
Warrior Wisdom: Inspiring Ideas from the World's Greatest Warriors
Ground War: How to Destroy a Grappler in a Street Fight
War Craft: Street Fighting Tactics of the War Machine
War Machine: How to Transform Yourself into a Vicious and Deadly Street Fighter
The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall: How to Defeat a Larger & Stronger Adversary in a Street Fight
First Strike Book: Mastering the Preemptive Strike for Street Combat
1001 Street Fighting Secrets: The Principles of Contemporary Fighting Arts
When Seconds Count: Everyone Guide to Self Defense
Killer Instinct: Unarmed Combat for Street Survival
Street Lethal: Unarmed Urban Combat
Early Video Production
In the early 1990s, Franco was asked by Joseph Jennings (founder of Panther Productions) to appear in a series of instructional self defense videos. Franco appeared in a four tapes series. Including:
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Fundamental Techniques
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Kicks, Punches And Conditioning
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Grappling And Defensive Street Fighting
Contemporary Fighting Arts: Street Self Defense Techniques
Current Video Production
Realizing the limitations of an external production company, Franco now writes, produces and distributes his own instructional self defense videos. Some of his current video titles include:
Punching Mitts: Drills & Workout Routines
Judge, Jury & Executioner
Pepper Spray: A Video Guide to Using Pepper Spray for Self Defense
Pressure Points: The Science of Striking Vital Targets
Sparring: Tips: Tips, Tactics & Techniques to Dominate Your Opponent
Kubotans & Yawaras: A Quick & Dirty Guide
Submission Fighting for the Street (Volume 1)
Submission Fighting for the Street (Volume 2)
Submission Fighting for the Street (Volume 3)
Medicine Ball Workout (Volume 1)
Medicine Ball Workout (Volume 2)
Double End Bag Training
Heavybag Training
Power Punching
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 1): Visual Reflexes
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 2): Tactile Reflexes
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 3): Recognition & Auditory Reflexes
Speed Training for Street Fighting (Volume 4): Movement Speed
Wrist Locks For The Street (Volume 1)
Wrist Locks For The Street (Volume 2)
Choke Out
Body Opponent Bag Training
War Machine II
Sneak Peek
Armed to the Teeth (Volume 1)
Armed to the Teeth (Volume 2)
Defend or Die
Escape Master
In Your Face
Engage With Rage
First Strike
Ground Fighting in The Streets
Batter Up
Under The Gun
Street Stick Fighting
Use It or Lose It
Rat Packed
Ground Pounders
Control & Conquer (Volume 1)
Control & Conquer (Volume 2)
Savage Street Fighting: Tactical Savagery As A Last Resort
The WidowMaker Program: Maximum Punishment for Extreme Situations
Feral Fighting Program: Level 2 WidowMaker
War Blade Program: A Complete Guide to Tactical Knife Fighting
Audio Book Production
Mr. Franco also produces and distributes his own audio book library. Titles include:
The Street Fighting Minute
War Machine CD Box Set (Audio Book)
Punching: Tips, Skills and Techniques
Footwork: Drills and Exercises
Music & CD Production
Recognizing the significance and power of music. Franco writes, produces and distributes his own unique brand of workout music. Franco's CD releases include:
Carnage
Time To Kill
Warrior's Crucible
Symphony of Vengeance
Eve of Destruction
Unmasker
Certifications
Franco's experience and credibility in the field of reality based self defense is impressive. One of his many accomplishments in the field includes the fact that he has earned the ranking of a Law Enforcement Master Instructor, and has designed, implemented, and taught officer survival training to the United States Border Patrol (USBP). He has instructed members of the US Secret Service, Military Special Forces, Washington DC Police Department, Montgomery County, Maryland Deputy Sheriffs, and the US Library of Congress Police. Mr. Sammy Franco is also a member of the prestigious International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) as well as the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) and he is listed in the "Who's Who Director of Law Enforcement Instructors."
Sammy Franco is a nationally certified Law Enforcement Instructor in the following curricula: PR-24 Side-Handle Baton, Police Arrest and Control Procedures, Police Personal Weapons Tactics, Police Power Handcuffing Methods, Police Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training (OCAT), Police Weapon Retention and Disarming Methods, Police Edged Weapon Countermeasures and "Use of Force" Assessment and Response Methods. Mr. Franco is also a National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor (both police and civilian) who specializes in firearm safety, personal protection, and combat pistol shooting.
Franco holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a regularly featured speaker at a number of professional conferences, and conducts dynamic and enlightening seminars on numerous aspects of self-defense and personal protection. Mr. Franco has instructed thousands of students in his career, including instruction on street fighting, grappling and ground fighting, close quarters combat, knife defense and knife fighting skills, multiple opponent survival skills, stick fighting skills and firearms training.
Sammy Franco teaches combat proven techniques from the standpoint of having a firsthand understanding of the emotional, psychological and spiritual issues that arise from physical violence. His goal is not the glorification of violence, but rather to help people free themselves from its costly price.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Self-Defense Book for Everyone,
This review is from: When Seconds Count: Everyone's Guide To Self-Defense (Paperback)
"When Seconds Count" is one of the best, if not the best, book on self-defense that I've read. Mr. Franco takes a step-by-step approach to explain in detail the various aspects of self-defense. He paints a rather graphic picture of the evil human beings are capable of committing. Next, he provides, in detail, the preliminary aspects of self-defense: awareness, assessment and de-escalation. By increasing our skills in these three areas, it is possible to avoid the need to fight back. But if that is not possible, Mr. Franco provides the tools to do so. The last option available is the use of deadly force. He explains, in detail, the advantages/disadvantages of using guns and knives.The material is presented in such a way as to make the reader understand their responsibily in their own self-defense. I particularly liked the quiz,which helped me assess my risk as a crime victim. In addition, Mr. Franco provides a chapter on CFA Safety Rules & Guidelines covering automotive, street, child, home, workplace, telephone and vacation & travel safety which I have found to be very useful. I recommend this book to anyone concerned about this issue. I particularly would recommend it to women. Although I initially found some of the material rather graphic and disturbing, further readings and experience convinced me of its truthfulness. The less illusions people have about self-defense, the less likely they are to be surprised by violent crime.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
as good as it gets,
By tlouis (Naples, FL United States) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: When Seconds Count: Everyone's Guide To Self-Defense (Paperback)
I have read just about every book out there on self defense and this book by Sonny Franco is right up there with the best of them. Like all good self defense books, this one puts a big emphasis on awareness and de-escalation skills.But where i think this book stands out is when it gets down to the nitty gritty- the physical confrontation with the attacker. Mr. Franco teaches survival- plain and simple. The techniques described are meant to maim and kill. Nothing pretty, just whatever is neccessary. I thought this book was very empowering. If one fully integrated the information from this book into their psyche, that person would about as ready for trouble as you can get.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awareness and realistic physical technique finally meet,
By A Customer
This review is from: When Seconds Count: Everyone's Guide To Self-Defense (Paperback)
There are a lot of books in this field that ignore the hard realities of street crime. The reality that your opponent won't comply with your self-defense techniques. The reality that you need to be aware, always aware of your surroundings if you are to have the best chances for survival. This is not one of those books. Franco takes an incisive look at the anatomy of violent crime, starting with heavy coverage of awareness, assessment and de-escalation skills. The awareness exercises alone are worth the price of the book. He then proceeds to give a reasonably simple, hard-hitting tutorial in both unarmed and armed self-defense. He winds up the book with a series of appendices covering safety, the aftermath of violence, selecting a self-defense school, and realistic training. If you only buy one book on self-defense, buy this one. You won't be sorry. (You also won't be sorry if you buy Franco's other works.)
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