Warrior Speed (Paperback)

~ (Author) "How many times have you said, or heard someone say, "Wow, he's quick!..." (more)
Key Phrases: power plyos, sliding side kick, rear leg side kick, Type Ilb, Type Ila, Performance Tip (more...)

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

Product Description

Warrior Speed 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 visualization 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.

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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 (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #648,918 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A note from the author., December 29, 2000

By	Ted Weimann "Warrior Speed" (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My goal in writing Warrior Speed was to write the most thorough, scientifically based book ever written on the topic. I believe I have accomplished that goal and I feel confident enough to say I know you'll agree. Allow me to explain some of the research that went into this book. Prior to taking on this project of writing Warrior Speed, my background consisted of over 20 years training in the martial arts. I have also had the privilege of training under very knowledgeable athletic coaches in gymnastics, track and boxing. Warrior Speed is composed of 19 chapters and it took 3 full years to complete. I studied physics and interviewed experts in the field so that I could dissect and explain how physics effects fighting speed. As far as making yourself actually move faster via muscular contractions, I reviewed thousands of research articles on exercise physiology. This research included visiting several medical libraries and joining numerous medical associations. The information contained within chapters 2 and 3 could be used by coaches and trainers of professional teams and Olympic athletes to ensure that their training programs incorporate the latest scientific knowledge.

As with other parts of the book, the chapters on psychology draw from personal experience and the experience of the instructors I have had the privilege of training under. After thoroughly researching the field, including interviewing a Dr. of psychology at the Olympic Training facility in Colorado, I developed a mental training regimen based on the program designed by Dr. Garfield. Dr. Garfield is a leading trainer in the area of peak athletic performance. I found his program to be the most effective and best supported by research. I hope you'll agree.

The chapter on Perception Speed is one of my favorite chapters because it teaches you how to perceive the actions of your opponent before he initiates them. The chapter on Deception Speed is one of my favorites to practice while sparring because of all the little tricks you can play on your opponent. I had a lot of fun writing those chapters and I enjoy reviewing them from time to time. That brings up a good point. Warrior Speed is not an exciting book to read. I believe that most of it is very interesting, but it is a TEXT book. You will want to use it as a training manual and reference. I have highlighted my copy so that I may review some of the more complex topics more efficiently. I hope you believe this book worthy of doing the same. Thank you for taking the time to read my note. I hope it helps.

Note: on the chapters that compare the speed of various techniques, electronic equipment was used to measure the speed and slow motion cameras were employed to study the movements. It is possible however, that after thorough practice of the techniques, you may still disagree with one of the results published in Warrior Speed. That discrepancy doesn't mean that you are not performing the technique optimally, it may simply be that your kinesthetics are different for that movement.

Author: Ted Weimann

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Alex Morgan (Stanford, CA) - See all my reviews

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".