Finding the Art: Essays on the Principles, Tactics and Techniques Which Govern Combat Sports

by Jack Slack

Acclaimed fight journalist, Jack Slack examines the ins and outs of combat sports. In a series of essays covering angles, ring craft, infighting and fighting dirty, Slack lays out the principles most important to the dynamic and control of a bout.

Genres: Martial Arts, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2015

About the author

Jack Slack is a pen name of an anonymous British freelance writer, podcaster, analyst and amateur historian of combat sport; most notable as a mixed martial arts (MMA) striking analyst, writing detailed, analytical breakdowns of fighters, fighting techniques and strategies, using videos, photos and animated GIFs. Slack formerly wrote regularly for BloodyElbow, Bleacher Report, Vice Sports and Unibet. Due to successful Patreon support, he independently writes on his blog FightPrimer and bi-weekly broadcasts Jack Slack Podcast (formerly named Fights Gone By (FGB) podcast) on YouTube.

Reviews

[Morad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light short read on the basics of striking in boxing and MMA. Jack Slack introduces some concepts like angles, cutting the ring (or cage in MMA) and footwork. There is very little on wrestling and nothing about other forms of grappling for example. I enjoyed the book a lot and being very short, it takes a couple of hours to go through anyway. I recommend the book if you are a beginner in striking, particularly boxing. If you are well advanced this may be a bit too basic.

[Camilo Uribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introductory booklet(57 pages) about the differences between brawling and smart fighting

This booklet is comprised of five easy to read introductory chapters to very important topics of the fight world:
The meaning of angles.
Cutting of the ring.
Infighting
Dirty Tactics.
Lyoto Machida and the pursuit of perfection on how to hit and don't get hit

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leonardo DeGrapli, Jack Slack.

Jack Slack's YouTube podcast is what made me by the book. He is by far the best analyst that I have ever encountered. That said, this relatively short book is a fun read. 5/5. I will now consider being a Patreon Boy

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit too short, but that's really its only fault. Slack does an excellent job of explaining positioning in an accessible way while also working in historical references (in some cases deep cuts).

[Alex Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of people are casually aware of sport fighting. How many people did martial arts as a kid? Or catch a glance at some roided up douche wailing on a bag at a big gym? How often are you at a bar or restaurant and there are two fellas in high-waisted, vibrantly colorful, poofy shorts, wailing on one another in big socker-bopper boxing gloves?

Jack Slack's work in general, and Finding the Art in particular, serve as excellent entries to understand what you're watching. It's short enough, and plainly put. Broken down in a way that allows access to the layman, and yet written with such a keen eyed perspective as to discuss concepts that remain elusive even to trained fighters (and therefore helpful to learn about).

Aside from the technical insights, this book also serves as a crash course in combat sports history, especially that of Boxing. It's not entirely devoted to this purpose, but instead works through myriad examples of the described techniques and tactics. Examples are also accompanied by

I'd recommend this book to anyone who fancies themselves a fellow "student of the game" but so too to any frat boy looking to impress his bros next fight night, or just any curious, open minded person looking to learn a bit.

[Skibby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book a few times. It’s a good read and I love Jack’s viewpoints, explanations and the fights and fighters he chooses to highlight. Highly recommend for anyone nerdy about combat sports.

[Thurston Lui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple, concise, the only bit of science you need

My only gripe with this book is the number of spelling mistakes that somebody as annally retentive as i am would feel uneasy about

[Jack Tickle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far too short. Very interesting though

[Billy Peden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack Slack is the martial arts poet we don’t deserve but always wanted.

For any martial arts or fight fan, this book is a must read. Fight footwork tactics are often spoken of a dance, but most of the literature is written like a mosh pit. This book is written as a violent ballet and I can’t wait to read it again.

[Kent Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack Slack's writing is a godsend. In his regular"Killing the King" columns on Fightland, he breaks down boxing and MMA events into their component pieces, always cutting through the promotional hype by reminding readers that it does not matter who the fighter is, it only matters what he/she does. Brilliant, compelling writing.

All that being said, this book does not present anything like his best work. It contains three essays on fighting (footwork, ring-cutting, and Lyoto Machida), and while they are detailed and interesting, the book is so short that even taken together they feel like an introduction to a longer, better collection. It is hard to justify the purchase, even for someone who regularly reads and enjoys the author's writing.

[Thomas J. Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read for those interested in understanding the basics of striking. Slack covers several different principles (angling, ring cutting, infighting) in broad strokes and examines the particulars of their application through the examples of fighters who exemplified each style.

This book is a short and easy read, and my only critique is that I wish it were longer and more in-depth. But then again, his regular articles for Fightland.com provide that detail and more--it was there I learned of Jack Slack, and there I recommend you go if his book at all interests you. One of the most astute and articulate combat analysts I've ever read, this book is just the tip of the iceberg that is his understanding of the fight game.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great Jack Slack takes his excellent analysis to longer form essays. These essays maintain the quality that I've come to expect from Mr Slack. The section on Lyoto Machida is a little too fanboy for me but there is still a lot to learn. Overall, this book is an excellent addition to any martial artists library.

Highly recommended.