Customer Rating:
Summary: Not Really A Jeet Kune Do Or Kickboxing Book, But Some Things In It Are Worthwhile
Comment: After reading this book, I can't actually say that it really has very much to do with Jeet Kune Do, although I did see some similarities in a few of the techniques being demonstrated, but this in and of itself is really no true indication of its relationship to the late Bruce Lee's art of Jeet Kune Do. Perhaps it is, but I really didn't see it.
I did see some useful information in this book and I particularly liked the occasional demonstration of an incorrect execution of a particular technique side-by-side with a demonstration of the same technique done correctly. To me this is always a good comparison to show especially when you have a technique where there tends to be a lot of incorrect form being executed. As we all know, or should know, even the slightest error in executing a particular technique can have very damaging consequences for the person executing it.
This book contained an abundance of photographs, but it seemed to be lacking quite a bit in the detailed descriptions of each technique which should have accompanied each photograph. In some cases, it seemed that the author's assumed you knew what to do, rather than explaining to you what the correct movement should be.
Another bright spot, although it was rather small, was the sections showing how to use the focus pads or hand mitts during training. This was a nice thing to see in this book. I also enjoyed a variety of different techniques that were shown from western boxing including; slipping, bobbing and weaving, ducking, and the use of feints and fakes.
In closing I really have a hard time recommending this book to someone interested in the sport of kickboxing as there are other books out there that do a better job than this one. However, there are some good things that can be learned from this book and it would definitely be worth a once over with a notepad and pen handy to jot down notes on the particular techniques of interest to you.
Shawn Kovacich
Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Decent start-up for stand-up fighting
Comment: This book wasn't designed for the sport of kickboxing; rather, it was designed to show the kicking and boxing aspects of Jeet Kune Do. This book shows basic punches and kicks with the forward and rear hand and foot, and their applications. There is also some discussion and applications shown of using footwork, along with these tools, to move in and out of range, or to bring different weapons to bear against an opponent. As well, some combinations, using both hands only, feet only, and hands and feet together are shown, as are the basic attacks, against equipment like focus mitts and kicking shields. Also discussed, briefly, is the progressive indirect attack. Defensive possibilities are then shown, including counterattacks, including slips, bridging, ducking, stop-hits, and more. The use of focus mitts in training for defense is covered in the same chapter. There's also a bit on attack by drawing, whereby one "baits" the opponent. The book then moves on to jab-catch drills, building off of the basic defensive movement into counter-offense. The book finishes with some parrying drills, some basic kicking drills, and a word or two about strategy vs. different opponents. The elements in this book focus on Jun Fan JKD, and in that sense it's very compatible with the "Bruce Lee's Fighting Method" series and "Jun Fan/ Jeet Kune Do: The Textbook". In fact, "Kickboxing" and "Textbook" are almost two halves of a whole: the former for the basic applications, the latter for more advanced tactics and strategies. Those interested in Jun Fan would not be disappointed with this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good but not good enough
Comment: This book offers a glimpse at Jeet Kune Do principles as they are applied to the sport of Kickboxing. The focus mitt drills as well as the other drills are explained correctlly but the poor photography really doesn't reveal the tecniques in the best form. Also this book was written in the 80's as a current Asst. Instructor in JKD I can tell you that the techniques and strategies in JKD have changed quite a bit since this book was written. For a better read pick up Principles of a Complete Fighter by Ron Balicki. It gives you a good view of current JKD training and strategy
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good basic overview of Jun Fan Gung Fu's basic striking
Comment: Jeet Kune Do Kickboxing is a good overview of the basics of Jun Fan Gung Fu in the kicking and punching range. If you're already a Jun Fan / JKD student under a qualified instructor you probably won't get anything really new out of this, but it is a good reference for those of us who aren't good about taking notes. My only complaint is that the basic stance and footwork are only given about a page and a half, and IMO, those are two of the absolute most important things as they are the foundation for everything else. If you don't have a good stance and good footwork, everything else falls apart.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Terrible!
Comment: I have been kickboxing for fifteen years, and got this book in the hopes that it would offer some fresh perspectives on the subject. I was sorely disappointed.The book has a kernel of good information, however, the stances, footwork, combinations and technique demonstrated are so clearly incorrect, I was surprized this book got published. Not only are the authors demonstrating poor technique, the layout and structure of the book doesn't facilitate clear instruction on the principles of fighting. I realize that this book's bent is JKD kickboxing, however, I wouldn't use this book for anything other than a primer on how NOT to do martial arts. Perhaps I got spoiled. When I first started fighting back in the 80's, I was lucky enough to get a copy of Jean-Yves Theiriault's "Full Contact Karate". This book has become a collectors item. When I see books like the one I just reviewed, I understand why people are willing to shell out [price] for a used copy of Theiriault's book.
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