Product Description

Roundhouse Kick is the ninth volume in the extremely well written and fully illustrated, Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts related books.

Roundhouse Kick, along with the other nine volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, goes into intricate detail over all aspects of executing the primary kick, which in this case is the Back Leg Roundhouse 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 Roundhouse Kick, and then you dive right into learning the proper execution of the primary kick, Back Leg Roundhouse Kick.

Once you have finished with this section, you are taken to the variations chapter which builds upon the primary kick, Back Leg Roundhouse 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 the Roundhouse Kick and the solutions to correct them.

The next chapter in this book deals with a very brief and basic application section for the Roundhouse Kick and each of the variations previously detailed in this book.

NOTE:

The combat/self-defense applications of the Roundhouse Kick are discussed and demonstrated in much greater detail in the companion book to this book, Roundhouse Kick: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 9, which is Roundhouse Kick: Applications in Combat: Achieving Kicking Excellence; Volume 19. This book goes into intricate detail over all aspects of applying the primary kick, which in this case is the Roundhouse Kick, and several of its main variations, against twelve of the most common attacks that you are most likely to face in an actual unarmed self-defense/combat situation.

At the conclusion of this book you are given a sneak preview of the next volume in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series, which in this case is the Side Kick.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #445859 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-14
• Released on: 2007-02-14
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author


Shawn Kovacich has been a practicing martial artist for over 25 years, and is a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Shawn also holds ranking in the martial arts of Aikido, Hapkido, and Judo. Shawn is also a certified Krav Maga instructor and over the past several years has been primarily focusing on a wide variety of armed and unarmed combat fighting skills.

In addition to being a high ranking black belt in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, Shawn has also worked as a psychiatric aide in a state run mental hospital (and no he wasnt a patient), he has also been a law enforcement officer, provided security for a major casino, worked as a bouncer in various bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs, as well as, providing personal protection services.

Shawn has also gained world wide attention for his two world records for endurance high kicking as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. He achieved his first world record on September 27th, 1986 with 10,502 high kicks in 5 hours and 30 minutes. His second record was even more impressive, with 11,000 high kicks in 5 hours 18 minutes and 43 seconds. This was accomplished on January 21st, 1989.

Shawn is the author of the highly acclaimed Achieving Kicking Excellence series of martial arts books, co-author of the Wicked Wisdom series with Bohdi Sanders, and is currently working on several additional marital arts and self-defense related books, as well as several instructional DVDs. Several of these books and DVDs are scheduled to be released in 2009 and 2010.

Customer Reviews

Useful as a primer or advanced text

I took some time after reading Shawn's other books to due provide the reviewer and Shawn's books a sincere examination. Was I reading them too quickly and less critically? After all, his format is similar through the series; it would be an easy mistake to do (although this similarity is a strength for this "kicking" series).

Shawn's book on the roundhouse kick is simply outstanding. I did have a couple of minor cripples, but they are so minor they do not justify a 4 star rating because ultimately, it came down to the switch roundhouse kick that I think works well in some few situations, most notably a TKD type tournament, while may at times have drawback in full contact competition. I just wished this had been discussed. The switch roundhouse can be useful there as well, but a more detailed discussion should have followed. With that said to lower the rating this time on this kick for one area would be an injustice.

The roundhouse kick is probably the most widely used kick for competition and sparring purposes. Thank for a second: It is the primary kick for Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, MMA, and full contact karate fighters like Sabaki practitioners. Great resource!

Roundhouse Kick: Penetrating Impact!
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 "Roundhouse Kick" (volume 9 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 Roundhouse 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 Roundhouse Kick's basic principles and then introduces the primary Back Leg Roundhouse Kick to his audience and follows with twelve 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 231 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!

Roundhouse Kick Excellence
Like all the titles in Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series, book 9 Roundhouse 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 roundhouse 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