The nuances of the guard, the most important position in jiu-jitsu, are covered in this instructional guide that teaches practitioners how to put up an impenetrable defense to any opponent. Showing how a myriad of techniques originate in the guard, including sweeps, reversals, and submissions, these drills demonstrate how small changes in hip position and weight distribution can make the difference between success and failure in submission combat. Extraordinarily detailed with tips from leading black belts and down-to-earth advice on what to think about during a match, this guide is instructive reading for even advanced belts seeking to refine their game.

Maybe you've shied away from leadership because you don't know what it will involve, or you feel too unsure of your own abilities. But your leadership is needed! Designed to work well on your own, with a partner or with a group, this twelve-session workbook is the essential preparation tool for those who would be led and shaped by Christ to lead others with strength and wisdom.

A well-placed kick can mean the difference between victory and defeat in a fight! This illustrated guide to martial arts kicks provides the reader with a wealth of information on 89 different types of kicks from various styles. This martial arts book features kicks from Karate, Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Kempo, Capoeira, Jeet Kune Do, and more. In a self-defense situation, there is no room for defeat. Readers will learn how to unleash a devastating barrage of kicks to throw their opponents off guard and leave every match in victory. The Essential Book of Martial Arts Kicks has one purpose: to help readers hone their kicking proficiency so that they can readily deploy the most powerful tool in the fighter's repertoire. It contains thousands of photos and diagrams to show readers exactly how to perform all of the 89 kicks inside this book. Packed with full-color photos, detailed diagrams and a companion DVD featuring 50 of the most powerful kicks, this book is required reading for every martial artist who wants to sharpen and expand their kicking skills. You'll learn all about: Front Kicks Side Kicks Roundhouse Kicks Back Kicks Hook Kicks Crescent Kicks And many more!

What are the origins of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Is it merely a by-product--a rebel offspring--of Judo? What was the nature and content of the art that Mitsuyo Maeda, a.k.a. "Count Koma", and other Japanese were teaching in the Amazon? Was it Judo? Jiu-Jitsu? His own personal fight-tested style, built on a foundation of Judo and informed by his dozens and dozens of matches around the world? What was the bridge between the art he learned at the Kodokan and the Brazilian style that claims him as its godfather: a style now practiced by millions worldwide (and growing bigger every day)? Should Maeda even be at the center of this story? And what role did Carlos and Hélio Gracie play in all of this? Did they "invent" BJJ? Would BJJ exist without them? And, if so, what--if anything--did they create? And why does this history matter to the average BJJ practitioner today? Any history possesses its official narrative with its own favorite characters and events. But true history is seldom simple, and more oft than not the real story is far richer than the popular version that is widely repeated and handed down. The history of BJJ and MMA in Brazil doesn't escape this paradigm. The recent renaissance in research in regards to the history of martial arts in Brazil led to the author's curiosity, which in turn led to the documentary Closed-Guard: The Origins of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, which in turn led to this book. This manuscript started as an account of the author's recollections of the film's production, and quickly grew into much more. Opening Closed Guard: The Story Behind the Film contains conclusions, analysis, and historical interpretations, as well as the story behind the documentary itself and the many challenges it faced along the way. It contains interviews, research articles pertaining to the history of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, as well as the author's own take on the current state of BJJ and MMA. Finally, it is the story of the author rediscovering his love for Jiu-Jitsu in a completely new and unexpected way. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Born in the US from a Brazilian mother and American father, and having spent his life between these two countries, Robert Drysdale remains the only American competitor to have ever won both the IBJJF and ADCC World Championships, the two most prestigious tournaments in all of Jiu-Jitsu. Furthermore, he has also cultivated a career in MMA, both as a fighter and as a coach. The author also holds a Bachelor's Degree in History, as well as a long-held passion for this discipline. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. He is also the co-founder of the international team Zenith Jiu-Jitsu, and is the father of two girls.

Marcelo Garcia, winner of five Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships and a man many feel is the best pound-for-pound submission grappler of all time, unveils the secrets behind the most effective guard system in existence-the X-Guard. Unlike most jiu-jitsu instructional books, Garcia leaves no stone unturned. Not only does he show you how to sweep your opponent using the X-Guard from nearly every control position, he shows you how to do it both with a gi and without. Covering everything from grips to timing, this book will be a savior to anyone wishing to compete in jiu-jitsu ournaments, no-gi grappling competition or mixed martial arts.

The essential reference tool for reading maps, published by the Coast Guard, is now available to boaters in an attractive, colorful edition that includes important supplementary information about navigation. A must-have for all mariners, the first half of the manual reproduces the U.S. Coast Guard book, with coverage of basic chart concepts, the anatomy of a chart, how to read a chart, symbols and abbreviations associated with National Ocean Service and Defense Mapping Agency charts, and the chart numbering system. In addition, for extra value, the USCG version has been expanded to include navigation tips and techniques from Chapman Piloting and Seamanship, 64th edition, including details on positioning procedures, dead reckoning, and river piloting.