Joe Varady

The best of both Eastern and Western stick fighting techniques.

This book stands apart from other stick fighting training manuals. While most titles foccus on forms and twirling, this book emphasizes the dynamics of combat.

The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is a unique, non-style-specific approach to fighting with the short stick. Its curriculum is streamlined and divided into nine logical stages of training that allows the reader to quickly and methodically learn and develop the skills needed for fighting with the stick.

The book begins with the basics, upon which everything else relies: a stable stance, basic foot work, and an effective quard. from there you learn striking and patterns with the aim of wielding a stick that has become an extension of your body.

You will learn the strategies and tactics of fighting with the stick at long, middle, and close range along with guidelines for sparring-light and full contact. Advanced chapters cover stick fighting against various weapons.

The book features:

Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert.
Over 600 photos with motion arrows.
A comprehensive, methodical approach to building stick fighting skills.
Construction plans for building your own trainging tools.

Joe Varady is the award-winning author of The Art and Science of Staff Fighting, a sixth-degree black belt with over thirty years of experience in martial arts. He has trained in numerous Eastern and Western disciplines, including karate, judo, eskrima, boxing, fencing, and long sword. He has won numerous awards competing in full-contact weapons tournaments around the world. Joe holds a master's degree in elementary education. He is head instructor at Satori Dojo and Modern Gladiatorial Arts. Joe Varady resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

'The beautiful but complex art of stick figting distilled down to its fundamental core. A must-have book for martial artists.'-Juan (Little John) Cruz, 3rd degree black belt, Doce Pares Multistyle System''

'I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about learning more on the art of stick fighting.'-Brian Scott, 8-time WEKAF World Full Contact Stick Fighting Champion

'The perfect balance between self-defense and sport methodologies. A sound foundation relevant to any martial style.'-Michael J. Gallagher, USA Taekwondo National Weapons Champion

'This book should be in every martial artist's library.'-Dave Dickey, author, founder of Live Steel Fight Academy

Contents

Forweord
Preface
A. Inroduction
Overview
Why learn stick fighting?
A brief history of stick fighting
Tradional versus progressive
Getting started
B. Warming up and cooling down
Warming up and stretching
Training equipment
The jump rope
Cooling down
C. Level 1-The foundation
Choosing a stick
Holding the stick
Stances
Basic striking
Ready positons
Types of strikes
Range and distancing
Footwork
Training equipment-The floor pattern
Twirling-Figure eights
Power
Training equipment-The tire dummy
Level 1 workout
D. Level 2-Long range
The outside game
Controlling the distance
Training equipment:-The evasion bopper
Long-range defensive tactics
Long-range offensive tactics
Training equipment-The targt stick
Feinting
Twirling-the six-count flower
Training Equipment-Striking point
The long-range battle plan
Level 2 Workout
E. Level 3 Crossing the gap
Entering offensively
Entering defensively
Level 3 Workout
F. Level 4 Middle-range offense
Understanding middle range
Center, centerlne, and the line of combat
Targeting at middle range
Basic middle-range combinations
Speed-striking
Training equipment-Weighted clubs
The middle-range battle plan
Level 4 workout
G. Level 5 Middle-range defense
Checking
Blocking and parrying
Middle-range disarms
Level 5 workout
H. Level 6 Close-range
Infighting
Punching
Butt striles
Hubud
Hooking
Double-end grip
Chokes
Training equipment-Compression dummies
Level 6 workout
I. Level 7 Single-stick sparring
The moment of truth-En Garde!
Safety equipment
Training equipment-Padding sticks
Armor
Types of matches
Controlling the fight
Intensity
The seven principal rules
Level 7 workout
J. Level 8 Short stick versus other weapons
Mismatched weapons
Stick versus knife
Training equipment-Padded knife
Stick versus staff
Training equipment-Padded staff
Stick versus unarmed opponent
Level 8 workout
K. Level 9 Empty-hand defense against the stick
Unarmed defenses
Crossing he gap
Evasion
Improvised armament
Level 9 workout
L. Appendix Training equipment
Jump rope
Floor patterns
Tire bag
Indoor tire dummy
Evasion bopper
Target stick
Striking point
Weighted clubs
Arm compression dummy
Neck compression dummy
Padded sticks
Padded knife
Padded staff
About the author… (més)