Anything Goes: Practical Karate For The Streets [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Loren W. Christensen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Real fights are far more explosive and violent than karate sparring matches. The author learned this the hard way as an MP in Saigon, Vietnam. Learn what will and will not work in the streets, and the changes you must make in your training in order to survive. In a real fight there's only one rule: anything goes!

About the Author
Loren Christensen began his law enforcement career in 1967 when he served in the army as a military policeman in the United States and in Vietnam. He joined the Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau in 1972 and retired in 1997. During those years, he specialized in street gangs, defensive tactics, dignitary protection, and patrolling the bizarre streets of skid row. He now writes full time and teaches martial arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Paladin Press; illustrated edition edition (July 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873645685
• ISBN-13: 978-0873645683
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #975,479 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing, common-sense approach to self-defense., February 14, 1999

By	Daniel Alix (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anything Goes is among the most comprehensive books on the subject of modern martial arts training. This book is primarily geared toward self-defense, and does not focus on traditional arts. Some of the dangers that the author points out are: "Tournament training", using flashy moves instead of effective ones, and practicing unrealistically. This book is as in-depth and descriptive as it gets. I have been teaching martial arts for many years, and this is the book that I recommend the most to my students. One additional note: The title is misleading.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, not for beginners, September 22, 2004

By	chester (concord, ca United States) - See all my reviews

I like this book, but it is geared towards people with martial arts experience who want to adapt classical and tournament techniques to the street. It is more conceptual than technical....how to change your targets to areas forbidden in competition and train more realistically.
The book assumes people already know the basics of hand and foot techniques, elbow and knee strikes. You wont find any actual techniques here, more tactical stuff.
People with no martial arts training would do better with a book that shows the real basics, such as Bruce Tegners Complete Book of Self Defence, or better yet, train in a classical style with a competent teacher at least long enough to perfect some kicks and punches.
That said, the book is a great read for experienced martial artists. Some good ideas to incorporate into training, a reality check for strict classists sport fighters, enlightening stories of real-life encounters, and good tips on awareness and fight prevention.