Best Karate, Vol.3: Kumite 1

The Best Karate Series are the definitive books for learning the art of Shotokan karate. They have been around for many years and still none have surpassed their excellence. They are very helpful for the beginner and the advanced student alike. I have read them all and have found that each book in the series is excellent. Although you can't learn a martial art from a book alone, these books are an excellent supplement to your training and are very helpful in learning the finer points of the art of Shotokan. Each book in this series sets the standard for books on Shotokan training. There are simply none better, at least none better that I have found, and I read a lot of martial arts books. I highly recommend these books for anyone who is interested in improving their karate or who is interested in Shotokan. They are simply the best! Highly recommended. 5 Stars. Bohdi Sanders, Shotokan Blackbelt and author of Warrior Wisdom: The Warrior's Path

This fantastic book was written by the late Nakayama, Sensei, who was the Chief Instructor for the Japan Karate Association. As with all his "Best Karate" series, this volume is comprehensive and detailed. The focus of this text is sparring techniques (Kumite). The author explains the progression of learning karate sparring. Beginning with five step sparring, moving to three step sparring, and than to one step sparring. There is also semi-free sparring and the ultimate level being free sparring. All serious students of Shotokan Karate should have this book in their personal library. Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Karate Self-Defense Techniques, Multiple Striking techniques of Karate, Tanto Jutsu, Monadnock Defensive Tactics (MDTS) System, Use of the Monadnock Straight Baton, Police Yawara Stick Techniques).

You need this book and all the books in this series if you are a Shotokan Karate student. Shotokan Karate is one of the most practiced styles of karate in the world, and this series of books by Sensei Nakayama will give you a fairly complete introduction to the style. These books were designed and distributed before we had dvds, and they were designed to provide a reference of correct technique in a world without enough qualified Shotokan Instructors. This volume provides an overview of many Shotokan sparring techniques, although it won't make you a figher or a Shotokan student. For that, you need a qualified teacher. On the other hand, this and all the other books in the series provide the best reference yet for the entire syllabus of Shotokan Karate.