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Front Kick (Achieving Kicking Excellence, Vol. 6) | 
| Author: Shawn Kovacich
Publisher: Chikara Kan, Inc.
Category: Book
Buy New: $19.95
New (6) Used (4) Collectible (1) from $19.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 605020
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7
ISBN: 0970749651
EAN: 9780970749659
ASIN: 0970749651
Publication Date: February 14, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
This book is the sixth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of books.
This book, like all the other books in the series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Back Leg Front Kick, and several of its main variations.
Starting with a basic anatomical analysis of this kick, you quickly progress to the basic principles associated with the Front Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Back Leg Front Kick.
Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Back Leg Front Kick, by teaching you 10 of its main variations. From here you are taken to the Training and Practice Methods chapter for a look at some very simple, yet effective methods for adding speed and power to your kicks.
Your next chapter takes a question and answer approach to some of the most common problems people have executing these kicks and the solutions to correct them.
The next chapter in this book deals with a brief application section for each of the kicks previously detailed in this book. Please be advised that a second ten volume series of books is currently being written which deals strictly with the combat applications of each kick, and how to defend against it.
The book then gives you a sneak preview of the next volume in the series, which in this case is the Hook Kick.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
A First Rate Resource for any Martial Artist December 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book is part of the best series focusing on Kicking on the market today. Serious students from white to black belt will find the means to improve their basic technique and build off of that base. My son is involved in Universal Kempo Karate and has used this book to move to the top of his class in the Front Kick after just a short time. The focus on the biomechanical aspects of this kick will improve your power and enhance your safety. In addition, the sequential photography is excellent in conjunction with the step by step instructions. Moving beyond the basics, a number of variations are also covered, making this something close to an encyclopedic reference on the Front Kick. I don't think there is a better resource available.
Foundational Information that really worked for me! September 30, 2008
I guess it's working better than I could imagined -. I have started training in Martial Arts a couple of months ago. Immediately I noticed how difficult was for me to Kick properly.
Mr. Kovacich's book was really helpful. The author claims that the information in the book must complement the information received by a trained instructor and I understand why he says this.
A couple of days ago, my instructor, during class, complimented me on how high my front kick was.
Although I have managed to leave behind my white belt, I am still a beginner. This means that the central part of the book (which contains 11 variations of the Front Kick) has been put on hold because it's a bit too advanced for me. I guess, once I get the basic information down, I will be able to work on the rest later.
I have been focusing mainly on chapters 2, 3 and 4. These chapters contain the basic knowledge of the Front Kick, including Warm Up and Stretching. This basic information is contained between pages 25 and 65 - a huge amount of detail, pictures and diagrams. Incredibly well written, this material leaves no room for misunderstanding and, therefore, possible mistakes. AWESOME! At first, I thought it was too much information but as I was practicing, over and over, I realized that I needed that information so that I would not hurt myself.
Chapter 5 contains all the 11 (!!) variations of the front kick. I will work on this section later.
Chapters 6 to 9 contains training and practice methods. Not only very informative but the author provides simple ways to keep the legs strong. He focuses on Strength (obviously) but also on Speed and Power (very useful for both sparring and self-defense).
I truly enjoy the section called Trouble Shooting Guide, which is done in Q&A format. The Front Kick Applications section contains pictures and information including "what's wrong with that picture" which forces me to pay attention to the details of the application.
It's a mine of information and applications. I have been using the material in my own training and it's paying off. What else can one ask from a book?
My next challenge is the RoundHouse Kick. I got the book already and I can't wait to start working on that, too.
Excellent Resource to Master the Front Kick August 31, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you desire to take your kicking to the next level, Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series is the most detailed set of written work on kicking available. "Front Kick," the sixth volume in this series takes an in-depth look at the front kick and ten of its variations. Just as the other books in this series, it is an outstanding reference on this particular kick and contains an enormous wealth of information on the application of this primary kick that is found in many martial arts and fighting styles.
In order for this book to stand on its own, Kovachich includes chapters on basic anatomy, warm up and stretching, strength, speed, and power that are similar to the other books in the series. If you have those, there is not much difference in those chapters in this book. However, for each book to stand on its own, I understand why Kovachich included these topics in each volume and am glad he did so. Additionally, these chapters on these topics are no where near complete. I have entire books that address this topics, as do most martial artists and self-defense practitioners. But what these chapters do is give you a small amount of practical advice that is relevant to Kovacich's kicking instruction, and hopefully encourage the reader to study more on these topics through different resources, because they are important areas to study and practice.
The chapters on the front kick and its variations is where this book shines. Nowhere else will you find such detail, illustrate by numerous pictures, showing you how to correctly execute the front kick. This kicks Kovacich teaches and illustrates in this volume include: Back Leg Front Kick, Step-Back Front Kick, Switch Front Kick, Cross-Over Front Kick, Hop/Slide Forward Front Kick, Hop/Slide Backward Front Kick, Front Leg Front Kick, Back-Spin Front Kick, Spin-Back Front Kick, Off-Setting Front Kick, Double Jump Front Kick, and the Cross-Over Front Kick (with the left leg).
How many martial art books have you read where they show a handful of pictures and a paragraph or two of text to describe the front kick? It seems that most books only contain such descriptions. In "Front Kick," Kovacich devotes pages 37 through 65 to the basic execution of the back leg front kick. This includes 18 full page photographs illustrating the kick and one page of review photographs as the end of the chapter. The text includes description of fighting stance, raising the knee, coil, midway to impact, impact, recoil, lowering the knee, and returning to fighting position. Also interspersed among the written text are diagrams of foot placement to ensure you step and pivot correctly. I have never seen as much written on the front kick.
The chapters on the kick variations contain smaller photographs and are a bit redundant regarding the parts of the kicks that are the same, but I am glad for that when I grab the book to only review one particular kick. I would not want to be referred to a different chapter to see the similar aspects. And that brings me to a point about using this book. It is not a book to read through cover to cover like a novel. In fact, to do so would be a bit dry. I recommend reading through the entire book quickly to see what is there. Then go back and study the chapters on the primary kick to get it down and then each of the variations as you are practicing them. Also be sure to take note of the "notes." Kovacich provides a lot of useful tips in these little notes.
As with the other books in this series, there is a short trouble shooting guide and a short chapter on front kick applications, but the real gold here is the detailed description on the front kick's execution. This is an excellent addition to any martial artist's library and a book that should be studied if you want to take your kicking to a higher level, a level of kicking excellence.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
Front Kick: Force Impact! August 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Author Shawn Kovacich has exploited an important niche in his "Achieving Kicking Excellence" series of martial arts instructional texts.
Shawn is quoted as saying "In an unarmed self-defense encounter, your kicking skills or lack thereof, can be the deciding factor between victory and defeat. In today's society, kicking is not only used more frequently, but it also ranks as perhaps the most versatile and underrated weapon that you have in your arsenal." I agree with him.
I found "Front Kick" (volume 6 of 10 in the series) to be so highly detail oriented that it overcame any presupposition of dryness and boredom to which I initially attributed to it. In short, I was "hooked." Laid out in terms that the novice can easily follow and the practicing martial artist can incorporate into his or her regimen, Shawn starts out with the historical background of the Front Kick and then introduces the reader to the physical and physiological body movements and mechanics associated with the kick.
Providing tips on conditioning and training, Shawn demonstrates foot movement by foot movement the Front Kick's basic principles and then introduces the primary Back Leg Front Kick to his audience and follows with eleven variations; (some of which I have never even heard of!).
Shawn demonstrates the principles of each kick with clear photographs that leave nothing to the imagination. Fortifying the text with chapters on "Warm Up and Stretching," "Training and Practice Methods," "Trouble Shooting Guide," and "Kicking Applications," to name a few, Shawn provides the reader with more than a full understanding of what could and mistakenly be known as a "simple kick."
Totally complete at 224 pages, and chocked with all sorts of valuable information from the "nuts and bolts" of technique description and demonstration to body dynamics, this is without a doubt the "gold standard" by which any examplar of martial arts kicking should be judged by.
This book can stand alone or be incorporated within the series. I rate it at five stars without hesitation or reservation. Well done!
Front Kick Excellence July 3, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 6 Front Kick is a comprehensive study of one of the important kicks used in modern martial arts today. The book is incredibly thorough with numerous photos demonstrating the every aspect of the kick in minute detail. Mr. Kovacich knows his stuff and it is obvious that he has spent many hours honing his technique. The book provides an in-depth study of the bones, muscles and mechanics involved in the kicking technique.
In addition, the book contains a wealth of supplemental information on strength, speed and power generating exercises to enhance the technique. There is also a section on stretching as well as the application of the technique.
This book is ideal for any martial artist who wishes to perfect their front kicking ability. The beginner will find a wealth of information to assist in developing proper mechanics while the advanced practitioner will glean some vital knowledge from an accomplished teacher.
Be sure to check out the other books in this series. You are sure to find one that addresses the specific kick that you need work on.
Aaron Hoopes
author of Zen Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment through Breathing, Movement and Meditation
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