Chuck Merriman

Chuck Merriman, former world class competitor, coach of the USA team, needs no introduction to the martial arts world. His reputation of being one of the best of the best can easily be seen in this book on Competition Karate. Sensei Merriman personally demonstrates these moves including exercises, drills, combinations, kata and much more.

Nonetheless, Merriman, one of the 'old heads' of Goju Karate in the United States, does dedicate a chapter to demonstrating the Kata for which he is famous, Seiunchin Kata. Most of the information presented here struck me as magazine articles collected into a book. Merriman offers chapters on supplementary exercises, training drills (1-and-2 man), Kumite techniques, refereeing signals, basic skills (right vs. wrong), and the kata Seiunchin. At 91 pages, this book was not intended to be an exhaustive referrence on Goju Ryu Karate. If you're a fan of Kata, or have an interest in any of the other subjects this book briefly covers, it probably won't disappoint. This isn't a badly done book, although I found the organization of the chapters was poor. This little volume is a fair supplement for Goju Ryu stylists, or those with an interest in active competition. I was disappointed that Merriman, with his many years of knowledge and experience, didn't take the opportunity to provide a thorough autobiography--he IS one of the oldest Goju stylists in the West.-C.J. HARDMAN

Contents

Exercises
Drills
Refereeing
Kumite
Basic skills
Seiunchin… (meer)