The Art and Science of Stick Fighting: Complete Instructional Guide(Martial Science)

"Simplicity is the shortest distance between two points." Bruce Lee, The Tao of Jeet Kune Do The best of both Eastern and Western stick fighting techniques This book stands apart from other stick fighting training manuals. While most titles focus on forms and twirling, The Art and Science of Stick Fighting emphasizes the dynamics of combat. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions. The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is a unique, non-style specific, approach to fighting with the short stick. Its curriculum is streamlined and divided into nine logical stages of training that allow the reader to quickly and methodically learn and develop the skills needed for fighting with the stick. Whether you are just starting out, or have been practicing stick fighting for years, there is something for everyone in this book. Also included are systematic workouts and descriptions of how to make and use specific training equipment as you learn and master The Art and Science of Stick Fighting. The book begins with the basics, upon which everything else relies: a stable stance, basic footwork, and an effective guard. From there you learn different types of strikes and how to practice them in a helpful, easy-to-learn striking pattern. The aim is to grow so comfortable wielding a stick that it is as though the stick has become an extension of your body. Once the basics are in place, you learn the strategies and tactics of fighting with the stick at long, middle, and close range. By controlling the distance, you control the fight! Learn important guidelines for sparring, from light contact up to full-contact training, how to construct your own padded weapons, and effective fighting tips that will up your game. The book also includes chapters on advanced techniques such as combating short ranged weapons such as a knife to long range weapons like the staff. It even details techniques to use when your opponent is armed but you are not! Whether you already study the stick or are just starting out, if you want to learn how to get the edge over your opponent, The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is for you! This book featuresNine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expertOver 700 photos with motion arrowsA "nondenominational" approach to the stick, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western artsA comprehensive, methodical approach to building stick fighting skills

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Introduction Overview Why Learn Stick Fighting? A Brief History of Stick Fighting Traditional versus Progressive Getting Started Warming Up and Cooling Down Warming Up and Stretching Training Equipment: The Jump Rope Cooling Down Level 1: The Foundation Choosing a Stick Holding the Stick Stances Basic Striking Ready Positions Types of Strikes Snap Strikes Range and Distancing Footwork Training Equipment: The Floor Pattern Twirling: Figure Eights Power Training Equipment: The Tire Dummy Level 1 Workout Level 2: Long Range The Outside Game Controlling the Distance Training Equipment: The Evasion Bopper Long-Range Defensive Tactics Long-Range Offensive Tactics Training Equipment: The Target Stick Feinting Twirling: The Six-Count Flower Training Equipment: Striking Point The Long-Range Battle Plan Level 2 Workout Level 3: Crossing the Gap Entering Offensively Entering Defensively Level 3 Workout Level 4: Middle-Range Offense Understanding Middle Range Center, Centerline, and the Line of Combat Targeting at Middle Range Basic Middle-Range Combinations Speed-Striking Training Equipment: Weighted Clubs The Middle-Range Battle Plan Level 4 Workout Level 5: Middle-Range Defense Checking Blocking and Parrying Middle-Range Disarms Level 5 Workout Level 6: Close-Range Infighting Punching Butt Strikes Hubud Hooking Double-End Grip Chokes Training Equipment: Compression Dummies Level 6 Workout Level 7: Single-Stick Sparring The Moment of Truth: En Garde! Safety Equipment Training Equipment: Padded Sticks Armor Types of Matches Controlling the Fight Intensity The Seven Principal Rules Level 7 Workout Level 8: Short Stick versus Other Weapons Mismatched Weapons Stick versus Knife Training Equipment: Padded Knife Stick versus Staff Training Equipment: Padded Staff Stick versus Unarmed Opponent Level 8 Workout Level 9: Empty-Hand Defense against the Stick Introduction Crossing the Gap Evasion Improvised Armament Level 9 Workout Appendix: Training Equipment Jump Rope Floor Patterns Tire Bag Indoor Tire Dummy Evasion Bopper Target Stick Striking Point Weighted Clubs Arm Compression Dummy Neck Compression Dummy Padded Sticks Padded Knife Padded Staff About the Author

About the Author :
Joe Varady is an award winning author of The Art and Science of Staff Fighting, and a sixth-degree black belt with over thirty years of experience in martial arts. He has trained in numerous Eastern and Western disciplines, including karate, judo, eskrima, boxing, fencing, and long sword. He has won numerous awards competing in full-contact weapons tournaments around the world. Joe holds a master’s degree in elementary education. He is the head instructor at Satori Dojo and Modern Gladiatorial Arts. Joe Varady resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Review :
"The beautiful but complex art of stick fighting and distilled it down to its fundamental core. A must have book for martial artists.” —Juan (Little John) Cruz, 3rd degree black belt, Doce Pares Multistyle System "I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about learning more on the art of stick fighting." — Brian Scott, 8 time WEKAF World Full Contact Stick Fighting Champion "The perfect balance between self-defense and sport methodologies. Provides a sound foundation relevant to any martial style.” — Michael J. Gallagher, USA Taekwondo National Weapons Champion "This book is in every sense a complement to his [Varady's] first book and should be in every martial artist’s library." — Dave Dickey, author, founder of Live Steel Fight Academy and founder of Live Steel Magazine "I predict The Art and Science Of Stick Fighting will be a welcome and much used text in many martial artists' libraries." — Alain Burrese, J.D., martial artist, author Synopsis: The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is a unique, non-style specific, approach to fighting with the short stick. Its curriculum is streamlined and divided into nine logical stages of training that allow the reader to quickly and methodically learn and develop the skills needed for fighting with the stick. Whether you are just starting out, or have been practicing stick fighting for years, there is something for everyone in this book. Also included are systematic workouts and descriptions of how to make and use specific training equipment as you learn and master The Art and Science of Stick Fighting. This book stands apart from other stick fighting training manuals because it emphasizes the dynamics of combat. Many other books focus on forms and twirling. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions. Whether you already study the stick or are just starting out, if you want to learn how to get an edge, The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is for you! Critique: Black-and-white photographs on nearly every page illustrate The Art and Science of Stick Fighting, an in-depth, instructional guide to stick fighting. Chapters cover all aspects of this martial art, and offer recommendations for developing one's own stick fighting skills. A top-notch reference and resource for anyone interested in deepening their understanding of or personally practicing stick fighting, The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is highly recommended and a welcome addition to personal and public library Martial Arts collections. —Library Bookwatch: James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief, April 2020