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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 10, 2019
I simply could not get into this book.
The book is attractive in appearance, but flawed. Illustrations of techniques are, as one would expect, presented in sequence from left to right...until they aren’t.
Quite a few techniques are mentioned, listed or described without being illustrated, which I found frustrating. This is a real deal killer for me when it comes to a martial arts book. Towards the end of the book Breen lists a drill that requires a counter to a knee strike. Nowhere in the book is this technique demonstrated.
The text is full of jargon that would be alien to the novice, and is sometimes confusing to me. It’s as if Breen was writing this for his own students, rather than the martial arts public at large.
At other times we get illustrations without any explanation of what is being done.
We get shown a “crucifix drill” in the section on throwing without any context or explanation as to the purpose of the drill, or what skill it’s supposed to develop.
At times the text really doesn’t make any sense, as below:
“This is a strange kick in that the more you interfere the less powerful the kick is. Emphasise the foot turn and the hip twist and let the leg swing free like a baseball bat. If you can feel the power in the leg then it’s still in the leg. Heavy kicking feels effortless in the leg, though the body can tire.”
“Punching from the top of your body or arm will mean that you telegraph the blow.”
After pages of this I started tuning out.
I don’t doubt Breen is a talented instructor, but writing isn’t his medium. This is a poorly organized and badly written instructional book. If he has DVD’s that may be the route to exploring what he has to offer.
The book is attractive in appearance, but flawed. Illustrations of techniques are, as one would expect, presented in sequence from left to right...until they aren’t.
Quite a few techniques are mentioned, listed or described without being illustrated, which I found frustrating. This is a real deal killer for me when it comes to a martial arts book. Towards the end of the book Breen lists a drill that requires a counter to a knee strike. Nowhere in the book is this technique demonstrated.
The text is full of jargon that would be alien to the novice, and is sometimes confusing to me. It’s as if Breen was writing this for his own students, rather than the martial arts public at large.
At other times we get illustrations without any explanation of what is being done.
We get shown a “crucifix drill” in the section on throwing without any context or explanation as to the purpose of the drill, or what skill it’s supposed to develop.
At times the text really doesn’t make any sense, as below:
“This is a strange kick in that the more you interfere the less powerful the kick is. Emphasise the foot turn and the hip twist and let the leg swing free like a baseball bat. If you can feel the power in the leg then it’s still in the leg. Heavy kicking feels effortless in the leg, though the body can tire.”
“Punching from the top of your body or arm will mean that you telegraph the blow.”
After pages of this I started tuning out.
I don’t doubt Breen is a talented instructor, but writing isn’t his medium. This is a poorly organized and badly written instructional book. If he has DVD’s that may be the route to exploring what he has to offer.
March 24, 2019
Some good overview on some moves, techniques and drills.
Bob Breen is a master to look at. Awesome concepts. Good Pictures in a very nice pack.
Mandatory for martial arts lovers
Bob Breen is a master to look at. Awesome concepts. Good Pictures in a very nice pack.
Mandatory for martial arts lovers
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews