Customer Rating:  
Summary: Just Like the Cover States, This Is the "Wallace Method" Of Kicking!
Comment: Being the author of numerous books on the subject of kicking, I often find myself wondering if I am not being perhaps too critical of another author's book on the same subject. So with that in mind, I submit my professional opinion on the contents of this book.
As I write this review, I would like to separate it into two different sections, one good and the other not so good. First, let's start off with the good.
GOOD
I really like Wallace's books and his philosophies on the martial arts for the most part, and this book overall falls into that category. I feel that the shining points in this book are his discussions and demonstrations of various; fakes, feints, and telegraphing, which I consider to be very good, although a bit too brief for my taste.
The pictures were all very clear and large enough for the reader to discern what Wallace was explaining in regards to the particular point that he was trying to get across. Another section that I found particularly useful was the one on footwork and stances. Wallace really conveyed the importance of utilizing footwork in conjunction with your kicking techniques in order to make them more effective.
NOT SO GOOD
A lot of the descriptions were a bit too brief and I felt that they should have been longer and more detailed. There was certainly room for it even with the limited number of pages, as there is a lot of noticeable "dead space" throughout the book that could have been better utilized.
This book only covers the three kicks that Wallace himself used during his point and full-contact fighting career. This was not due to the fact that these were the only three decent kicks to use, but they were the only three that Wallace himself could effectively use due to an unfortunate knee injury earlier in his martial arts career. This is by no means a disparaging remark, just a fact, and one that you need to know when you consider the information provided in this book. These three kicks are as follows:
Roundhouse Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 9)
Side Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 10)
Hook Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 7)
When Wallace states that, "This is his method of kicking." He isn't kidding! This is his method of kicking and may or may not work for you. Does his method work? Damn right it does, for Bill Wallace. Will it work for you? It very well could. Do I recommend this book for learning how to kick? NO! But I do recommend this book for anyone who already knows how to kick and wants to learn more about being "sneaky" with the kicks he already knows. Always remember that knowledge is power, and Wallace definitely does have some knowledge to share, although there isn't a whole lot of that knowledge in this particular book.
Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not Near as Good as "Dynamic Kicking" or his videos
Comment: I am a huge Wallace fan. As a kid starting out in the martial arts in the mid-late 70s, I found Wallace's kicking methods to fit "me." While I'm right legged, I followed his fights, read every article in Martial Arts magazines I could get on him, and finally had the pleasure to meet him in 92 and some of my students got to meet him in 93 at Urquidez' retirement bout. I say this to show that I give this book three stars more out of regret, but it does not measure up to his "Dynamic Kicking" in detail of information or in photo quality (a big drawback in this text).
I have had this book for years and just recently revisited it and decided to review it. The book, however, does show how to use the Wallace kicks for competition and particularly point fighting; but, many of the techniques can be adapted for full contact as well. Wallace is a great personality and a hero of mine growing up. He is truly a Martial Arts Icon; but, I suggests if one really wants to go through the Wallace method for kicking and competition tips, buy his dvd/video series instead, where his personality and technical detail is more present and quite catchy.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Kicking Guide
Comment: This book is not very complicated. It is well illustrated. Wallace was an amazing kicker that won even though all his kicks came from the same side. His explanations will help refine anyone's sparring tactics. I have used several of the things that I learned to great effect. You should consider his other book as well.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing - this book will not make you a better fighter
Comment: The single most usefull concept is to start all your kicks the same way not to telegraph your moves. Beyond that, it all just pictures that display Wallace incredible ability to raise his knee and do lots of kicks without ever lowering it again. (You can also get those from old Black Belt Magazines).
The text refers to Wallace in third person and most likely was writen by someone else. It also repets itself all over the book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great info on stretching and kicking
Comment: Bill "Superfoot" Wallace is a legend in the martial arts community. His book is informative and detailed. Tough stuff to conquer but worth the effort.
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