The Kickboxing Handbook

Kickboxing is an excellent method of exercise, helping to reduce fat, enhance stamina, decrease stress, teach self-defense, and increase confidence. The Kickboxing Handbook looks at how the sport has developed, explains what you need to get started, and demonstrates the main techniques and necessary equipment. Kicks, punches, jumps, sweeps, and blocks are all explained using clear step-by-step photography. Ideal for beginners and more experienced kickboxers alike, The Kickboxing Handbook is an enjoyable and practical reference guide.

Grade 7 Up—This volume features step-by-step descriptions of various moves and strength-building exercises, accompanied by detailed, full-color photographs. The book describes itself as a guide to planning your kickboxing strategy and goals, showing moves from beginning techniques to black belt. After a short description of the history of kickboxing, comparing and contrasting it with other styles, Ritschel discusses what to look for in kickboxing clubs, then moves into an exercise regimen that would be useful for any student of martial arts. Though not quite as emphatic as Roy Inman's The Judo Handbook or Mark Pawlett and Ray Pawlett's The Tae Kwon Do Handbook (both Rosen, 2008) about using the book as an accompaniment to classes, this one does emphasize safety, showing the correct way to punch in order to avoid injuring one's hand and displaying clear photographs on striking areas of the foot in order to perform kicks properly. The clear images that accompany each technique are the biggest draw, though in one part of the introduction, they cover up a bit of the text. In libraries where martial arts are popular, this book is an excellent addition.—Alana Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, CT
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