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First Strike : Mastering the Preemptive Strike for Street Combat Paperback – March 1, 1999

by Sammy Franco (Author)

4.1 60 ratings

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Learn to stop any fight before it starts by mastering the art and science of the preemptive strike. This book is a training tool for launching a first strike and a strategic blueprint for actual combat. Its 15 real-life street-fighting scenarios show youhow to you apply what you've learned. For academic study only.

Print length

200 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Paladin Press
Publication date

March 1, 1999
Dimensions

5.75 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches
ISBN-10

1581600186
ISBN-13

978-1581600186
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paladin Press; 0 edition (March 1, 1999)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1581600186
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1581600186
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 0.75 x 8.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #9,249,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,302 in Safety & First Aid (Books)
- #13,775 in Martial Arts (Books)
- #75,817 in Exercise & Fitness (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 60 ratings

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Sammy Franco

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With over 35 years of teaching experience, Sammy Franco is one of the most recognized authorities on reality based self-defense instruction. Highly regarded as a leading innovator in the martial arts, Sammy Franco is one of the premier pioneers in the field of both armed and unarmed combat.

Sammy Franco is also the founder and creator of Contemporary Fighting Arts (CFA), a cutting-edge martial art specifically designed for real world self-defense situations. This dynamic, "no nonsense" system is specifically designed to provide efficient and effective methods to avoid, defuse, confront, and neutralize both armed and unarmed attackers.

Sammy Franco has been featured on national radio shows, newspaper and television programs, including the CBS television news magazine 48 HOURS. As a professional writer since 1989, Mr. Franco has authored dozens of books on the subject of reality based self-defense, street fighting, martial arts, combat conditioning, combat psychology, and military strategy. He has also published numerous articles for various national publications. In addition, Mr. Franco has directed and produced over 60 instructional self-defense videos.

Sammy Franco is also a Law Enforcement Master Instructor who has designed, implemented, and taught officer survival programs to members in the law enforcement community, including the US Secret Service, Military Special Forces, Washington DC Police Department, Montgomery County, Maryland Deputy Sheriffs, and the US Library of Congress Police. Mr. Franco is also a member of the prestigious International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers (ASLET) and is listed in the "Who's Who Director of Law Enforcement Instructors." He is also a certified law enforcement instructor from a variety of agencies, including the National Law Enforcement Training Center (NLETC).

Sammy Franco holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from the University of Maryland. He is a regularly featured speaker at a number of professional conferences, and conducts dynamic and enlightening seminars on numerous aspects of reality based self-defense.

On a personal level, Sammy Franco is an indiscriminate animal lover, who will go to great lengths to assist and rescue animals. However, his most treasured moments are always spent with his German Shepherd dogs.

To learn more about Sammy Franco, please visit his official website at: SammyFranco.com or follow him on Twitter: @RealSammyFranco

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A good book for anyone seeking a practical and effective text on basic self-defense principles.

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2014

Verified Purchase

Many years ago I had read and reviewed some of Sammy Franco’s books (1001 Fighting Secrets, When Seconds Count etc.) and admired his knowledge on self-defense and the fighting arts. In the past, I was also a combatives specialist and certified law enforcement tactics instructor (was also an Officer of ASLET when it was active) and I still seek out knowledge in this area.

I purchased this book (First-Strike by Sammy Franco) at a pretty good price and just finished reading it. I found the material practical, truthful and effective for anyone who desires to study and practice the techniques taught in this book. This text is organized into six chapters and two appendix pages. The introduction section explains about Franco’s Contemporary Fighting Arts system, which includes the physical, mental and spiritual component.

Chapter one covers the first strike-principle. Chapter two explains the first-strike prerequisites. Chapter three deals with blocks, parries and slipping punches. Chapter four shows the first-strike tools. Chapter five covers the secondary striking tools. The final chapter focuses on first-strike scenarios. Appendix A gives good advice on how to deal with the police. Appendix B explains some disingenuous vocalization exercises. There is also a suggested reading section and a very informative glossary.

If you are interested in a practical and effective book on self-defense principles you should check out this volume.

Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton/Advanced PR-24 Baton Techniques)

14 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Lots of important self defense tactics.

Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2021

Verified Purchase

Fine dialog. Nessacary tactics for self defense.

William M. Funk III

Very good, but...

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2017

Verified Purchase

Good analytical presentation, but I would like to have seen more details with regard to some strikes. I am still confused, for example, re the web hand strike. Does the blow occur between the thumb and index finger with hand pointed down or on side of hand with palm facing upward. Otherwise a great preliminary guide.

One person found this helpful

I was hesitant but am glad I bought it.

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2015

Verified Purchase

I bought this for my son. I was hesitant at first because I did not want to send my son the wrong message but DO want him to be as prepared as possible if he ever finds himself in a violent situation. This book has reinforced his education to AVOID a bad situation as much as possible while also showing him other methods to defend himself if the need arises.. I am glad I bought it and will be buying some of Mr Franco's other books.

3 people found this helpful

Hit First. Hit Hard. Hit Fast.

Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2003

Verified Purchase

A good book dealing with one of the cardinal rules of a street fight: Hit first. Being from a Wing Chun background I prefer simple yet powerful attacks in the trapping range using chain punches (straight blast), elbows, knees and a few other strikes. I prefer practicing just a few techniques but mastering them. I would recommend Paul Vunak's "Anatomy of a Streetfight" for the simple yet powerful approach.

16 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

Easy reading. Very practical for use in real life. I've boxed and took karate for years and this is the other end of the spectrum. Makes you think. If you're a fighter, get it. If you're not a fighter, get it.

One person found this helpful

Understandable.

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2016

Verified Purchase

Great book on easily digestible first move offence I also have the dvd like all of sammy Franco's material very down to earth nothing fancy no fitness models demonstrating techniques.I can see where the haters would come in.with the what ifs.what I like on his books and dvds is that they are raw and the material makes brutal common sense.

3 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

Practice street fighting guide, good adjunct to MMA training when you want to bring it up
A notch for self defense

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2020

Verified Purchase

Muy buen libro, hay que practicar.

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If only for the idea of being aware of the situation you are in or could be in.

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

If only for the idea of being aware of the situation you are in or could be in.

Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2016

Verified Purchase

I like it

Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2014

Verified Purchase

good reading

Techniques are easy to learn and I enjoy working out with the ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2016

Verified Purchase

This book is very informative. Techniques are easy to learn and I enjoy working out with the information in this book. I recommend this book highly.

Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book basically says to punch somebody hard and fast before they punch you. I've been looking to find information about defensive re-direction of your opponents attack type techniques so this book was not what I was looking for.

4 people found this helpful

Title is Misleading

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

Its more about the moral and legal aspect of the first strike rather than a tactical application .

10 people found this helpful

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