American Self-Protection Association, Inc 1458 Haase Westchester, Illinois 60153 Evan Baltazzi, the author, states that he has a substantial Savate background, as well as a university academic research background. The author states that he was also involved deeply in Judo, Aikido and Fencing Arts -- even a top coach in Britain and America for Judo. He found that many interested folks in Britain and America would lose interest in such Arts as Judo and Aikido -- upon seeing how complex and 'fuzzy' they seemingly are -- while still admiring such Arts in style and action. I have felt for quite some time that Kickboxing, Aikido and Judo had something quite special in common -- likely a fluid adaptation to sharp opposition deriving from their [Western or Eastern] Medieval sword-combat origins. So, it would be great if they could be directly combined somehow in a streamlined compact rational way. As another reviewer has stated, this fine manual really covers a particular version of Savate Kickboxing. However, the author, Evan Baltazzi, states he spent a great effort to put his experience and understanding of Western and Eastern Martial Arts thru a detailed review and primary analysis in order to create a system worthy of modern folks wanting to learn and practice a rational streamlined discipline. Traditional Savate methods, such as Chasse'-Croise', do reappear -- via the 'Gunsight' stance for Chasse'-Croise', for example. There are also a few 'jamming' takedowns good for quickly exploiting kickboxing-openings. So, yes, a bit of Aikido and Judo-like movement reappears in smooth combination with the Savate Kickboxing. The manual, itself, is very orderly, sharp and clear as the author intended. The ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman folks had fairly complete kickboxing-and-grappling Arts. There were aslo fairly complex and complete jiujitsu-like striking-and-grappling systems in the Medieval West -- such as shown in the Codex Wallerstein -- a Medieval Western 'Fightbook' -- and in following Western self-defense manuals -- and in older versions of Savate and Boxing up until bare-knuckle prize-fighting. Recent full-contact sparring seems to have rediscovered such 'rational streamlining' versus sharp opposition -- with various kickboxing styles doing very well for coverage and leverage versus close-range and grappling. 'Kickboxing: A Safe Sport, A Deadly Defense' seems like a concentrated purified blend in sync with this ongoing trend Kevin Kiersky First off, this book really should have had SAVATE somewhere in the title as that is what this book is about, the French art of foot fighting or Savate, and not the western style of kickboxing, which is the misconception that I was under when I first purchased this book. Now having said that, this is a fairly good book that gives you a pretty decent overview on the martial art of Savate. The author provides a pretty detailed description of the various techniques which he demonstrates in this book and that was a real pleasure to see when so many others seem to skimp when it comes to providing detailed descriptions in their books. The author really does a great job on explaining the physical basics of Savate and he also provides a lot of information intended to prepare you and your body for the rigorous training that comes with learning Savate. I would recommend this book to anyone first learning Savate as a good reference manual and guide. Shawn Kovacich Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series. -Shawn Kovacich Contents 1 Introductin The sport of kickboxing: Fun for everyone 2 Principles Principles of the fighting arts explained Priorities and defineitions Scoring by touch, targets A method for safe and meaningful training 3 Preparation How to appraoch physical conditioning Exercises wighout apparatus Exercises with apparatus Considerations on developing powerful punces and kiks Concentration-relaxation Sefety Teaching and other guidelines 4 Stances & footwork Some considerations on kickboxing stances Basic training stances: Normal or southpaw? Footwork from the full-distance B.T.S. Footwork from the half-distance B.T.S. Training in footwork 5 Parries, deflections & dodges The head The hands, arms andelbows Parries and deflections Dodging and ints advantages over parrying 6 Kickboxing punches-in place Left direct punch Right direct punch Left angle punch Right angle punch Left lift punch Right lift punch Left circular punch Right circular punch Left reverse punch Right reverse punch Plunging punch Counters and stop punches 7 Kickboxing punches-in motion 8 Kicking-in place Low direct kick High direct kick Side-of-foot kick Instep kick Circular kick Heel spear Heel hook Jumping kicks Rolling kick Flying kicks Kneeing 9 Kicking-in motion Example Exercises in kicking combinations alone and with punches, comseks and their purpose Comsek I: The pivoting kicking sequences Comsek II: The pivoting, striking and kicking sequences Comsek III: The star; kicking in all directions with one foot 10 Dodging & parrying kicks Dodging kicks Parrying kicks with arms and hands Parrying kicks with the legs and feet Leg grabbing 11 Some throws used in kickboxing Leg scoop Back knee bend Knee throw Banana peel 12 Combining punches, kicks & throws 13 Preparing for competition 14 Developing pwower 15 Some examples of kickboxing applications to self-defense Guidelines Against an appraching opponent Against an approaching opponent Against several approaching opponents Against any reaching attack Against an opponent who attempts to grab you Against a front tackle Against a low front tackle Against an opponent getting ready to box Against a left jab Against wrist grabs 15 Some examples of kickboxing applications to self-defense (continued) Against a sleeve grab Against a two hand lapel grab with pull Against a nape push Against a barroom style eviction attempt Defense from the ground Defense from the ground 16 A parallel between boxing and kickboxing practices & techniques Selection and use of equipment The fist Stance Footwork Punching Combinations Dodging Parrying Clinching Tactics Appendix I Kickboxing competition rules Appendix II KIcking as part of A.S.P