Timing in the Fighting Arts

Okay, this is probably going to be one of the easiest reviews I have ever written. Why you ask? Well it's really rather simple. This book is loaded with so much good information, that even the couple of questionable comments that, in my opinion, the author has on a couple of subjects is extremely minor and really not truly relevant to the overall worthiness of this fantastic book. I could spend several more paragraphs giving you a educated and intelligent overview of the material presented by the author, but really what's the point! This book is so well done and literally has valuable information on darn near every page that to sit and dissect it would be fruitless and pointless. As I stated earlier, there are a couple of points of contention that I have with some of the author's comments concerning justification in the use of force and ramifications of the use of force, but that I fear is merely a matter of personal opinion and personal experience. While I don't necessarily disagree with what the author is saying, I do feel that there is another viewpoint that needs to be looked at. If you are reading this review and haven't read this book, stop reading this right now and click on the link to purchase this book. I guarantee you that you won't regret it. I know I didn't! Shawn Kovacich Martial Artist/Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Yes.. that's basically the main message of this book. Don't fight blindly. The last chapter is loaded with series of drills that can sharpen your timing and fighting "instinc", while the earlier chapters are full with wonderful information to give you complete understanding of what fighting is all about, and why timing is important. Just a word caution, I often get lost reading those earlier chapters. The authors were very generous in providing us with details and examples that sometime we forget the main theme of the chapter we are reading (also because those details are written in very engaging and absorbing tone). Wonderful book. I am glad that I bought it...

Face it, there are only so many hammers you can fit in a toolbox: they're all useless if the nail pounds you before you can pound it. Plenty of books tell you "what" and "how", this book tells you "WHEN" and if you don't have the opportunity it shows you how to make it happen NOW. You will learn to create and exploit windows of opportunity in the real world and on the mat. It's not some woo-woo discussion of "timing" over too many cold ones. Techniques and examples are drawn from the experience of the authors BOTH outside and inside the dojo. They have found these to work for them, and you can make them work for you. Christensen's extensive background as a cop and Demeere's background as both a bouncer (doorman) and ring competitor fit together to present a bigger picture than you might be getting from your dojo alone. Both authors are long time students and instructors of the martial arts. If you are a dojo enthusiast who is looking for a bigger picture than the one you are getting in school, or looking for an introduction to pragmatic or "reality based self-defense", but find yourself put off by the frequent disrespect for the martial arts, then this book is a good choice for you. It covers similar ground to other books, but the authors do it without feeling the need to tell you that all your training is useless. In fact, they build on your training to help you get more out of it, and it's all done with timing in mind. You also get pointers to further reading on topics that are covered only in brief and many cool new drills. I like the "statue" one especially, maybe you will too.

I've been training in kenpo for 12 years and I got more out of Timing in the Martial Arts as far as learning when to attack, than I have ever gotten from my sifu. The book is loaded with great stuff, it's even comical in places. And I got to say, Loren Christense isn't too hard on the eyes. Great book. Christie Stone 2nd Dan

Whether you are looking to win a tournament or survive on the street Christensen and Demeere offer solid, easy to understand advice that is well worth following. This excellent tome starts with the nuts and bolts of timing including Hick's law and Boyd's cycle (the Observation-Orientation-Decision-Action loop), explaining these important concepts without a lot of scientific jargon or excess verbiage. From there they go into specific techniques and case studies to help you put these concepts to practical use. There are also some enlightening vignettes from Tai Chi Chuan, The Art of War, and the Book of Five Rings. Their down to earth writing style is refreshing and entertaining. The various examples, stories, and tips make the book fun to read. Even better, the drills and practice scenarios quickly take you beyond the theory to improve your skills in a meaningful way. This book along with Speed Training (by Christensen) is a winning combination that can help any martial artist. I heartily recommend it. Lawrence Kane Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction