Martial Arts Clothing

Review by Joker1430:

OK. Why consider this book? Well, I have most of the books put out by the Victory Belt and once you own a book by Victory Belt the others out there just dont feel right. First the illustrations are black and white. The Binding wasnt put together for constant use and frankly the techniques in the book have been explained in almost every book on mma that i’ve ever read.

So why consider this book. THE WORKOUT section is great. Something VB books usually leave out. The VB Company had mentioned a “Couture: The Natural Workout” book but that never happened. So I went out looking and found this work. It even has a Nutrition section that i was relieved to read. The Book is well rounded and i believe it to be of a great benefit to beginners of martial arts. Especially those with single disciplines. Though I have a slight history with many forms I wish i had had a book like this Fifteen years ago when i first started. I think i would be a better version of me lol!

At the Amazon price this book is a steal. Get and use it if youre a beginner. Get it as a refresher if your intermediate. And finally, If you want a pretty cool work out theis book has it pretty well detailed.

Necessary Equipment:

1)Jump Rope

2)Heavy Bag

3)Speed Bag

4)Kicking Shield

5)Striking Pads

6)Free Wieghts

7)Resistence Bands

8)PhysioBall

9)Medicine Balls

10)Sparring Gear

and a Partner is always good.

Review by Richard A. Waddell:

This is a quality MMA book. It is written by 2 very knowledgable Martial Artists and MMA fighters. The workouts are outstanding. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn MMA techniques or just the training aspects to improve your health and way of life. Very Nice job!

Review by Mr. Marc Wickert:

LYOTO MACHIDA

Volume 1

Movement and Fundamental Strikes

© Marc Wickert May 8, 2009

w[...]

One thing that makes Lyoto Machida so unique in the world of mixed martial arts is that he has risen to the top whilst using a traditionally-based martial arts system.

Lyoto commences Volume 1with basic stretching exercises before using his brother Chinzo Machida to demonstrate the below techniques. `The Dragon’ also spars with Chinzo at the end of each strike segment to illustrate how he puts it all together in free-flowing combos.

As with all Victory Belt books, all techniques are displayed from a variety of angles for more clarity.

* Movement: Shows the viewer how to develop a practical base, to make the movements flow freely, and how to close the gap when attacking. Being able to switch stance from orthodox to southpaw and to launch strikes from both stances is recommended. Pivoting whilst attacking, defending and counterattacking is demonstrated.

* Kicks: A wide variety of kicking weapons are illustrated. Lyoto shows how to use one’s legs for defense by keeping opponents at a distance through powerful kicks and the use of evasive pivoting and cutting angles. He showcases kicks on mitts, focus pads, Thai pads and whilst sparring, and explains the best method to set up decoy strikes before landing devastating kicks. This section also reveals how to set up sweeps when one’s opponent is most vulnerable.

* Punches: Lyoto possesses an extensive arsenal of punches and he shows what part of the hand to impact with in order to maximize damage delivered whilst minimizing damage to one’s hand. Other techniques include: maintaining an effective guard, faking strikes to set up bigger punches, correct posture when delivering punches, and punch and kick combos. Machida then demonstrates how to deliver explosive finishing punches.

* Elbows: A wide variety of elbow techniques are illustrated from an even wider variety of angles. The viewer is shown the best methods for unleashing long-range and close-range elbow strikes, juicy targets to zone in on, how to set up spinning elbows, as well as employing elbows for attacking, defending, counterattacking, and countering kicks with elbows.

* Knees: Machida explains the difference between good and bad knees, then reveals how to set up knee strikes, tactics to close the gap before delivering the strikes, and the best ways to combine other strikes with knees. Flying knees and clinching to unload knees are also demonstrated before Lyoto mixes it up in a sparring session with Chinzo while incorporating all of the above techniques.

* Katas: Machida performs four katas that are both strenuous workouts and include powerhouse strikes and blocks. The last two katas are more complex and are shown at both normal speed and in slow motion.

And this is all on the first disc!

LYOTO MACHIDA

Volume 2

Striking Attacks and Takedowns

© Marc Wickert May 15, 2009

[...]

In Volume 1 Lyoto Machida began fusing his wide variety of strikes together to create destructive combos, and in Volume 2 he weaves together more powerhouse combos that are suitable for both MMA competition and street defense.

Again, as with all Victory Belt books, all techniques on this DVD are displayed from a variety of angles for complete clarity.

* Break and Enter: Lyoto shows how to break an opponent’s guard and provide a corridor for unloading strikes. He then demonstrates the use of decoy tactics to set up primary hits, the use of low and high kicks, and combos incorporating all weapons earlier employed.

* Combos: Machida serves up more combos here than a Chinese chow mein restaurant, including attacks to the body and head, fighting same-stance opponents, fighting opposite-stance opponents, and correct positioning of shoulders to avoid telegraphing one’s strikes.

* Mixed Bag: Lyoto reveals a variety of offensive sequences whilst altering the speed of strikes and the height of the targets he zones in on to keep his opponent on edge and guessing. Other areas covered are attacking off centerline and the use of closing distance with combos, which are particularly effective against adversaries with a reach advantage.

* Mind Game Techniques: Here Machida unlocks a vault of sneaky tactics to disrupt an opponent’s focus and unsettle his balance. He also incorporates blinding decoy strikes to set up heavier shots and maneuvers that distract and confuse the enemy before punishing them with power blows.

* Pad Drills: Lyoto works with his brother, Chinzo, to illustrate 10 focus-pad drills and 11 Thai-pad drills for the viewer to practice. The pair also covers hand-trapping sweeps, and scoop sweeps against same-stance opponents and opposite-stance opponents.

* Machida Medley: Lyoto and Chinzo perform a medley of all of the above techniques to showcase their unique methods of combining devastating firepower with debilitating takedowns.

Although this DVD represents one disc from the 4 DVD Box Set, all four volumes are interrelated and blend perfectly to reveal the secrets of one of MMA’s most destructive gladiators.

LYOTO MACHIDA

Volume 3

Intercepting Attacks, Takedown Defense, & The Clinch

© Marc Wickert May 20, 2009

[...]

In Volumes 1and 2 Lyoto Machida focuses a lot on the dynamics involved in delivering crushing strikes. Volume 3 flows on from the previous DVDs, explaining how to use timing and distance to deliver those blows with maximum impact to your opponent and minimum risk to oneself.

Also covered on this disc are launching counterattacks, defending against takedowns, and fighting from the clinch.

During the introduction to Volume 3, Lyoto states: “In addition to learning the basic techniques, it is also very important that you focus on timing. As you will soon see, timing is very, very important. If your timing is off, utilizing one of the countering measures I lay out could be hazardous: instead of evading your opponent’s attack and landing one of your own, you suffer the hit.

“Along these same lines, it is very important to develop a keen sense of distance. If you attempt to throw a kick and there’s not adequate distance between you and your opponent, again you will suffer rather than your opponent,” says Machida.

* Intercepting Attacks: Lyoto reveals how to base your counter responses on your opponent’s movements, and how to fight at long range in order to read those movements. Other techniques covered include closing range with strikes, and combining blocking with footwork.

Lyoto incorporates the above techniques in a sparring session with Chinzo before illustrating how to intercept round kicks, jabs, rear hooks and looping punches.

* Countering Takedowns: Machida demonstrates takedown defense through sprawling and redirecting your opponent’s energy, fist and knee intercepts, and Thai clinching and counter attacks. He also focuses on counters to single- and double-leg takedowns before applying all of the above tactics in a spar with his brother.

* Clinching: This section deals with establishing the Thai clinch and delivering knee strikes, use of Thai clinches to off balance your opponent, and elbow strikes from the clinch.

* Basic Overhook-Underhook Positioning: Lyoto demonstrates striking from over-under, inside knee blocks and leg trips from the clinch, double underhook takedowns, and basic clinch defense.

As the rear cover states, “If your goal is to steer the direction of a fight and inflict damage without taking abuse, this DVD is for you.”

LYOTO MACHIDA

Volume 4

The Ground Game

© Marc Wickert May 23, 2009

[...]

As with the three previous volumes, Lyoto commences this disc with appropriate stretching exercises to prepare practitioners for his upcoming techniques.

* Attacking the Downed Opponent: Lyoto reveals a variety of weapons at one’s disposal, and methods for delivering them whilst avoiding up-kicks. He also demonstrates how to apply a nasty foot-lock submission.

* G’N'P from Full Guard: Machida shows how to keep your hands free to ground and pound while pinning your opponent down. He then illustrates ways to strike an adversary from the guard and employ optimal dynamics, and tactics to pass the guard and move to side control or the mount.

* G’N'P from Half Guard: Lyoto covers positioning to avoid counter submissions, and the strategy of varying the targets you select in order to confuse your opponent. Other techniques shown include: submissions from half guard, passing half guard, leg locks from half guard, and ways to escape your opponent’s kimura attempts before submitting him with an arm bar.

* G’N'P from Side Control: `The Dragon’ runs through straight g’n'p, knee-on-belly positioning, arm traps, immobilizing one’s opponent to apply submissions, and side control to mount transitions.

* G’N'P from Mount: Techniques covered include stabilizing your mount position, pinning your opponent whilst unloading g’n'p, and setting up submissions from the mount.

* Taking Opponent’s Back: Machida explains how to create openings and to submit adversaries through rear naked chokes, arm bars and katagatames.

* Defending from the Ground: Lyoto demonstrates ways to avoid a prolonged closed guard, how to use your feet and knees to hamper your opponent’s attack, and methods to control his hands and arms. Sweeps and submissions from below are also illustrated.

* Ground Escapes: Machida finishes off this section with tactics for escaping some of grappling’s and MMA’s most basic submissions, including arm bars, triangle chokes, guillotines and rear naked chokes.

It’s no coincidence Lyoto Machida shot straight to the top of MMA whilst notching up a perfect 15-0-0 record and earning the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship Title. This 4 DVD Box Set provides a golden opportunity for ultimate fighting enthusiasts to train alongside one of the very best in the business.

Review by Ryan Galbraith:

I have studied Shotokan Karate for over 20+ years and I purchased this box set right away. I was not for a minute disappointed. It has absolutely everything for you to learn new techniques never seen before in another other Shotokan/MMA or Martial Arts DVD. The action sequences are in real-time and you get a real sense of how to develop sen training using a vareity of applications. By far the best tape is the third tape where they get into interseption and sennosen training. It really brings karate back into the original jujitsu.

Review by Shawn Kovacich:

This is a very well written and laid out basic guide to MMA (mixed martial arts) for not only the fans, but also for aspiring MMA competitors. Written extremely well by noted MMA legend, Frank Shamrock, this book really leaves very little, if anything, to be desired for the average fan.

Sure there are much better books out there on learning certain techniques, but that is not what this book is all about. Although I wouldn’t necessarily agree entirely with the title, this book presents the world of MMA in a brief, yet very well done light and although the die-hard MMA fans may not find much new information in it, it would be very hard to argue that this book isn’t “THE” book to get in order to enlighten yourself on a basic level to the world of MMA. And in that respect this book is outstanding.

Shawn Kovacich

Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Review by Eric D. Schlemmer:

This book is very well writtten and very well organized. Frank’s systems are very applicable and bulletproof. Money spent on this book would be money well spent for anyone looking to expand their knowledge on the art of mixed martial arts.

Review by Kevin Quinley:

Anyone familiar with MMA – mixed martial arts – is doubtlessly familiar with Greg Jackson. Jackson is one of THE top trainers of elite MMA fighters. He coaches the guy many consider the best pound for pound fighter in the world – Georges St-Pierre, now simply known as “GSP.” Jackson’s Albuquerque NM Submission Fighting camp features a veritable Who’s Who of the elite martial artists at the top of their respective games. He is the MMA equivalent of E.F. Hutton – when he talks, people listen.

Co-author Kelly Crigger is less known but is emerging as one of the top MMA writers around. He is the author of the highly entertaining “Title Shot: Into the Shark Tank of Mixed Martial Arts” and writes regularly (and adroitly) for FIGHT magazine. Together, these two experts have fashioned a powerful one-two punch and text for refining the standup game.

Their useful, practical and hand-on book proves to be a successful collaboration. Their book is organized into six major sections:

* Developing a fight strategy

* The Fundamentals

* Basic Strikes

* Combinations

* The Clinch

* Takedowns

* Street Fighting, Multiple Opponents and Weapons

THE STANDUP GAME, by its very title suggests that this is not just a textbook on the “sweet science” of boxing. You will not find Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao researching a spinning backfist or a front snap kick. The range of fighting techniques addressed here highlights the context of MMA fighting. THE STANDUP GAME refers to one of the main pillars or components of mixed martial arts.

The latter, popularized by events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, require successful practitioners to have fluency in wrestling, boxing, kicking, and jujitsu submissions. Practitioners who can seamlessly blend transitions from one fighting style to another and combine a balance of effectiveness in these areas learn the recipe for success in the ring or the octagon.

Jackson and Crigger’s book provides a useful synthesis of narrative text and succinct instruction through effective use of color photographs in illustrating various components of the standup game. They cover in virtually encyclopedic detail every conceivable combination of standup fighting, including techniques utilized in Muay Thai, a dynamic form of kickboxing (with elbows and knees thrown in) popularized in Thailand. The sections on strategy and street fighting differentiate THE STANDUP GAME from most other books of this genre.

Further, in the final chapter, Jackson and Crigger leave behind the boxing ring and octagon and move to the street (or bar room). The book is worth the price of admission alone for its Chapter Six, which provides useful tips on personal self defense, including: seizing the initiative, countering your opponent’s move, breaking chokes, dealing with weapons such as baseball bats, knives and guns.

THE STANDUP GAME is a useful — and likely an absolutely essential resource — for recreational or competitive boxers, or anyone engaged in mixed martial arts at any level. Even for those individuals not falling into either of the preceding categories, the book is also useful as a resource and reference for self defense techniques.

As is the case with any book, however, it is not realistic to expect that anyone will learn fluency and skill just from reading a book. To this extent, THE STANDUP GAME by Jackson and Crigger is a superb reference text to augment -m but not replace — the need for skilled hands-on instruction from a knowledgeable instructor.

If you’re interested in boxing, mixed martial arts or self-defense, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of THE STANDUP GAME!

Review by Shawn Kovacich:

WOW! It sure is great to see another book dedicated to the stand-up aspect of MMA after the endless parade of books over the past couple of years seemingly dedicated solely to grappling and Jiu-Jitsu. Not to imply that most of these books aren’t good because they are, it’s just that other than a couple of other books, most notably The Mixed Martial Arts Instruction Manual: Striking by Anderson Silva, most everything that has come out that has focused on MMA has been grappling and Jiu-Jitsu.

This book is pretty well done with a lot of pages covering a fairly wide aspect of the stand-up game covering everything from;

1. Punches and Elbow Strikes

2. Footwork

3. Kicking and Kneeing

4. Clinching

5. Takedowns

6. Combinations in various forms and from various standing positions.

7. Defenses against pretty much everything that the authors show you how to do offensively.

And a whole lot more…

The photographs are all in color and really add to the overall appeal of this book. I must confess that I felt some of the sequences of photographs shown on some of the techniques could have been taken from a better angle and sometimes the layout of the two different angles of the same technique got a bit confusing for me. I think this was more of a question on the layout that the actual angle of the photographs, but it could have been both.

The text is not at all detailed in explaining the individual techniques, but it is detailed enough that if you were using this book solely as a guide and reference manual, then it should be more than sufficient. However, if you are trying to really learn a particular individual technique, there are much better books out there that cover each one in much greater detail.

The only real negative comment I have about this book is that they shouldn’t have included the self-defense section in the back. I feel that this space would have been much better served if the authors would have provided a little more detail on each technique, or maybe even put in some favorite training drills from the coaches, fighters, etc. The self-defense sections were not detailed at all and the gun defense in particular made me cringe. However, there was some good information to be found in this section, I just felt that if you are going to focus the subject matter of your book on one thing, you should do that and not throw in an entirely different subject.

I would say however that if the authors were to put together a book strictly on self-defense techniques, I would expect it to be very well done and definitely one I would want to pick up and add to my personal collection. Just please don’t put a bunch of MMA techniques in the last few pages, because it takes away from the primary focus of the book.

All-in-all, I found this book to be pretty well done and one in which I have no problem at all recommending to the beginning or aspiring MMA competitor. I would also recommend these other books as well…

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Closed Guard (Book of Knowledge)

Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge

Fedor: The Fighting System of the World’s Undisputed King of MMA

Judo for Mixed Martial Arts: Advanced Throws, Takedowns, and Ground Fighting Techniques

Just to name a few!

Shawn Kovacich

Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.