This book presents the best Taekwondo techniques and training forms in order to effectively learn self-defense independent from competition. This allows not only for a successful promotion test in the domain of self-defense but also for a greater chance of successfully responding to dangerous situations in everyday life. The series of techniques introduced are designed to let the reader develop his or her own self-defense strategies by using the exercises presented.

Sang H Kim adapts traditional Taekwondo skills for the modern day Taekwondo classroom. The self-defence techniques presented blend Taekwondo kicking, blocking and striking skills with locks, throws and takedowns drawn from other Korean self-defence arts. Learn how to use your Taekwondo skills to defend against a wide variety of common empty hand attacks including holds, locks, chokes, punches, kicks and pins. Plus, learn defences against an attacker wielding a blunt weapon, knife or gun. Each defensive scenario is illustrated with high quality photographs and explained in step-by-step detail that includes key points to successfully applying advanced techniques, multiple ways of defending against the most common attacks and alternative responses to help you prepare for the fluid reality of a real-life self-defence situation. Features defences against: Strikes; Punches; Arm Locks; Wrist & Arm Grabs; Wrist Locks; Bear Hugs; Kicks; Tackling; Ground Pins; Choking; Headlocks; Club & Stick Attacks; Gun Attacks; Knife Attacks.

This book could save your life: Protect yourself from violence and learn survival skills for dangerous situations with this essential guide from a former military intelligence officer. In a civilized society, violence is rarely the answer. But when it is, it's the only answer. The sound of breaking glass downstairs in the middle of the night. The words, "Move and you die." The hands on your child, or the knife to your throat. In this essential book, self-protection expert and former military intelligence officer Tim Larkin changes the way we think about violence in order to save our lives. By deconstructing our assumptions about violence -- its morality, its function in modern society, how it actually works -- Larkin unlocks the shackles of our own taboos and arms us with what we need to know to prevent, prepare for, and survive the unthinkable event of life-or-death violence. Through a series of harrowing true-life stories, Larkin demonstrates that violence is a tool equally effective in the hands of the "bad guy" or the "good guy"; that the person who acts first, fastest and with the full force of their body is the one who survives; and that each and every one of us is capable of being that person when our lives are at stake. An indispensable resource, When Violence is the Answer will remain with you long after you've finished reading, as the bedrock of your self-protection skills and knowledge.

This is a comprehensive guide to the kicks of Taekwondo from white belt to black belt and beyond. Sang H. Kim shares his expert knowledge of fundamental, jumping, spinning and multiple kicks. You will get in-depth instruction for over 40 kicks, including the purpose of the kick, key points to pay attention to when practising, step-by-step execution of the kick, the best targets for each kick, applications for sport fighting and self-defence, plus the most common kicking mistakes and how to fix them. As you progress, you'll also learn exercises designed to improve your kicking flexibility, power, speed and balance. This book goes beyond the basics and explains the concepts behind awesome kicks including how to generate power using your whole body in every kick, how to generate maximum impact, how to use body mechanics to kick higher, and how to get the most out of every practice session. This is the ultimate reference for martial artists of all styles who want to master the art of kicking. Kicks included: Front Kick; Roundhouse Kick; Side Kick; Knee Kick; Raising Kick; Outside Crescent Kick; Inside Crescent Kick; Axe Kick; Whip Kick; Twist Kick; Pushing Kick; Flying Side Kick; Back Kick; Turn Kick; Spin Whip Kick; Hopping Kicks; Jumping Kicks; Jumping Spin Kicks; Multiple Kicks; Combination Kicks.

In the martial arts, especially Taekwondo, only three questions are really important as you begin, and this book answers all of them: 1) Will the techniques I'm learning really work in self-defense and competition? 2) Am I learning these techniques the best possible way? 3) How can I remember, master, and apply all I am learning? The answers are those of an internationally renowned master instructor, whose wisdom is captured on these pages along with clear illustrations by an award-winning photographer. The techniques are organized just like a workout session. Start with preparation, conditioning, and weight-room workout. Go on to the basic stances, the seven principal kicking techniques, hand punches and blocks, and to other strategies and applications. The most important aspect of training--the psychological component--shows how to keep yourself motivated through continuing education, proper rest, and relaxation. You, too, can experience those breakthroughs which Taekwondo veterans refer to as times when "the indomitable spirit hits home." Sterling 128 pages, 296 b/w illus., 8 x 10.

Weapons, sparring, and patterns from Taekwondo's technical founder.

Martial arts students don't just learn how to fight. They also learn lots of other important things—like how to defend themselves. All martial arts teach you self-defense. But martial artists also learn when to use these moves—and when not to use them. They know that martial arts actually lead to less fighting! Discover how martial arts can help you defend yourself too!