No comments about Street Sambo : Practical Grappling Skills For Self-Defense.

5 comments about Wrestling Sambo: The Secret Combat Art of the Former Soviet Union for Special Forces and Real Self Protection.

1. This book is for the serious minded about martial arts. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist there is something in this book for you. This is a book to study and practice whatever your level, referring back to and revising as you progress through each move. The writing shows that the author knows what he is talking about, and with this book gives you enough actions to get a good grounding in Sambo Wrestling and not be overwhelmed or intimidated. I am very happy with this book and look forward to the next with interest and other works from this author.



2. Book Description
   This book makes up for the lack of literature on this fascinating combat art of wrestling Sambo of the former Soviet Union, which is gaining increasing popularity particularily between no holds barred fighters and self protection experts in general. This book is suitable for all people, starting from beginners, enthusiasts, and finishing with experienced athletes, also it is a strong guide for martial arts trainers, grappling and wrestling coaches and no holds barred fighters.
   Recommendations and 89 actions, including 44 throws, takings down, sweeps, 23 submission techniques, 11 holdings down in ground work, 11 over turnings, presented in the book, equips people with adequate skills, qualifying them to be much mentally, physically, emotionally stronger and confident in real combat street situations and even for participation in important tournaments and competitions.
   
   From the Author
   I am writing in response to the reviews of my book. I welcome all comments both positive and negative, but am disappointed when criticism comes from not carefully reading the contents of the book.
   
   This is not a book to read once but studied and referred back to time and again. This book is a technical manual to learn and develop the techniques of Wrestling Sambo, techniques that have been very successfully used in real combat situations.
   
   This is not a book on pure sport technique, if you look to chapter 3 Submissions, p95, p96 and p102, you can clearly see that these techniques can never be used in any kind of competition. You must first learn and master these techniques like any other activity, like for example golf you don't expect to master just because you picked up a club, it takes practise and study till you really began to appreciate and love the game.
   
   As I state at the beginning of the book p.11, this book is a small but important step into the combat art of Wrestling Sambo, opening your eyes to this fascinating art of wrestling and that you begin to get your first taste of it. This is a secret art because there is very little literature on the history or techniques of Wrestling Sambo, hence the title.
   
   More techniques such as neutralizing your opponent when all kinds of strikes, punches and submissions are involved will be covered in following video as there is more than enough techniques to learn and conquer in the book, only having mastered them will you be ready to take on such things and be in my way of thinking. These techniques take a much longer time to master than other martial arts techniques for self-defence like all kind of strikes to the groin, flicks to the eyes, slaps to the Ears all kinds of strikes to the knee etc, and still you have to practise them hundreds of times to succeed. You can read more about this in p138 of the book.
   
   I would like to make a more direct comment to someone who reviewed my book. The comment about the pictures on street grappling, it is clearly stated p133, that these pictures are for your own imagination and that I would not be explaining them. I gave a short description of how to use wrestling Sambo in general in the street. The last comment about the pictures is that me, grabbing and throwing a guy is not self-defence, I don't know how an opponent feels when you are smashing him against a wall, car or pavement to protect yourself, or that a hold that basically dislocates or tears the ligaments of both your opponents elbows is not self defence.
   
   So when you have learnt everything from the book, including 44 throws, takings down and sweeps, 23 submission techniques, 11 holdings down, 11 over turnings in ground work you will be ready for the deep explanation of how to use all Sambo Wrestling techniques for real self protection in street situations.
   
   Thank you for all comments and good luck to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



3. I think that this book was solid at best, but not more than that. It really did not go too far into detail, and I thought that there would be more on submissions.



4. The photography is good. Nice sequential layout making the book easy to follow.
   
   The techniques? Well...I reckon the ippon masterclass series is much, much better for coverage of technical variations.
   
   This book purports to be a manual for developing good grapplers and real self protection skills. Most of the techniques shown are basic, basic techniques you could learn in a garden variety judo school.
   
   The examples of how to use sambo in "real street situations" as the author puts it are nothing more than a photo gallery of stills from somewhere I suspect to be the author's driveway where he and his students show techniques being executed with no reference to how initial attacks began.
   
   This manual has got little of interest for the experienced grappler and you would be far better to just join your local judo club if just a novice.
   
   Whether this book is Mr Bukauskas' best effort, or merely an attempt to surf the grappling fad that UFC anbd Pride has caused to rear it's ugly head, I think there are far better books out there.
   
   Try any of the ippon masterclass series. Each one is worth its weight in gold. If you are more serious, try "Best Judo" by Inokuma and Sato. I wouldn't go out of my way to get this book if I were you.



5. I have studied the grappling arts for years and currently train in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I bought this book to add some techniques to my arsenal of moves and what I saw was what already knew from my training. The photographs are in black and white and there are very few close-ups on the techniques. If you have any formal training in the grappling arts this book is not for you and if you are looking for books on grappling don't buy this book. I suggest you buy books on Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and wrestling or attend a school that offers instruction in those styles. I think Sambo is an excellent martial art and if you live near a Sambo school train there.

5 comments about Championship Sambo: Submission Holds and Groundfighting.

1. Actually this book is almost too easy to read and use. These kinds of holds really should be taught by a competent instructor for safety's sake. But, Mr. Scott knows his subject so well that the step by step instruction can be followed easily by the rawest beginner or the most advanced practitioner of Martial Arts. And, Mr. Scott covers almost all of the issues with each movemment. The only other book that I have read that is as complete as this one is Mr. Scott's book on armbars.
   This book is well worth the price for any student of the Martial Arts.



2. good book, easy to follow. and my favorite part, its actually INSTRUCTIONAL...not just a history lesson. much of it is pretty basic, beginner's stuff, but you could probably get some good ideas from it, or at least maybe a different point of view, or a refresher.
   many grappling techniques cross over from style to style, meaning you will see alot of this stuff in judo, bjj, as well as sambo and other grappling arts. after all they all share a common heritage. in many ways, the rules dictate the style.



3. I got this book hoping to learn about footlocks to add to my BJJ game. I wasn't impressed, the book didn't offer much info on footlocks which suprised me because all of the Sambo guys I have trained with were crazy on the footlocks. This book would be good for a beginner who couldn't afford anything better.



4. I bought this book thinking it would explain different submissions and such. It does not. It goes over the same technique in many different cases instead. The same arm lock from the side, from behind, from etc. All the same lock.
   
   It did have some good advice in getting prepared for the ground fight. I will keep the book as reference but expected much more from reading the title and inside cover.



5. Steve Scott is a wonderful instructor and his approach is practical and easy to follow. I had the privilege of attending one of his seminars in Minnesota through the Northstar Martial Arts Academy and his book and live demonstrations are totally in sync. You will find you are able to effectively apply what you read in his book.

5 comments about Passing the Guard: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Details and Techniques: Volume 1 (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu).

1. Too many books try to cover too much in their text. This often results in poor details, a small snapshot of someone's game, or unconnected techniques that don't integrate well. It is a fantastic idea to spend an entire volume on one aspect of the game.
   
   I'd read Cartmell's good work in "Effortless Combat Throws" and liked it a lot. I'd never heard of Beneville, though, as per most of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community.
   
   However, the most important qualification is whther your information is accurate and effective. This book is exactly that.
   
   The book opens up with imporatant details on posture and position. What it is, why you need to get there and - of course - how. This is golden information to the beginner and early intermediate, but more advanced practitioners will even find some useful info here.
   
   Then, onto the guard passes. The passes shown are the same ones you're taught in every class. The details, though, are intricate and accurate. There are a number of options for each pass and photos aplenty, along with concise, accurate text descriptions.
   
   The book covers more than passing and is THE text for the whole game from inside the guard. It covers posture and position, passes from the knees, passes from standing, submission attacks from inside the guard, defenses and counters to attacks and even a great section on a ttacking the turtle position.
   
   More still, the book ends with some great drills that will help you develop the skills described in the book.
   
   This book pioneered the contrasting coloured uniforms on the models and the blue vs white is still a great idea. The photography is great and has views from multiple angles. As said earlier, the text is concise, clear and descriptive.
   
   It's clear that the authors know their subject and have planned this book well. Kudos to them.



2. I'll start off by mentioning the only negative I can think of or noticed:
   
   There are quite a few typos and grammatical errors in the technique descriptions/instructions. However, they only cause a minor distraction, and not enough to warrant giving this book anything less than 5 stars. The reason for this is because all you have to do is look at the accompanying picture and the problem is solved. For example, the instructions will say, "Grab with the right hand or swing to the right" and then you look at the picture and the guy is grabbing with his left hand and swinging to the left. I'm assuming those who buy this book already practice BJJ and are only purchasing the book for reference, so it should be easy to "understand" what the typos meant to say. This, however, leads to the best part of the book.
   
   Everything else about the book is great. The only negative I mentioned above may actually go unnoticed by some. The reason for this is that the pictures are awesome. One may be able to learn a technique just by looking at the pictures. They're that good. The flow and clarity of the pictures makes the detailed instructions seem as an optional supplement.
   
   Another thing that this book does well is it's order. The book starts from the ground up, literally: breaking the guard on your knees, passing the guard on your knees, standing up, breaking the guard standing up, etc, etc... More importantly, whenever the opportunity is given, the authors split the techniques into alternative "finishes" depending on whether or not the opponent reacts.
   
   If you're looking for a well written book with plenty of details for BJJ as a reference, I cannot recommend this more. It's really great to look through and see a technique and think to yourself (or scream out loud), "That's what I should have done in that last fight/roll/etc!"
   
   I will be buying volume 2 for sure.



3. I'm a blue belt, and this book can definitely improve your top game a lot. No other book cover the subject with so much depth. Sometimes the pictures aren't as crystal clear as Kid Peligro's ones, and you have to get used to the unusual layout. Aside from that the book is awesome and I think intermediate bjj practitioners will get the most out of it.



4. This is a great book. Sequence of pictures are taken from two different angles to capture all the details. Tim Cartmell does a great job describing each step of the technique in simple words.
   It covers most of the situations encounter when passing the guard. Will definitely boost you BJJ game.



5. I really like this book. It's hundreds of color pics. break down each move 1/2 step by 1/2 step and from multiple angles. You don't even need to know how to read. Just follow the pics & arrows highlighting the important grips and positioning. I use volume 2 ("the guard") a little more, but both are really great.

2 comments about Vital Leglocks: 65 leglocks for jujitsu, judo, sambo and mixed martial arts.

1. Tons of locks. If you want to learn about leglocks and their setups, this is the book.



2. This book has very good photos with commentary. If you already have a background then this will be even more insightful. Steve has put together a masters level of information for you here.

5 comments about Armlock Encyclopedia: 85 Armlocks for Jujitsu, Judo, Sambo & Mixed Martial Arts.

1. This book is easily my favorite on the subject. The techniques are high percentage variations of the strongest armlocks anywhere in the martial arts. Clear pictures, excellent descriptions and thoroughly knowledgeable tips combine to create a useful reference for students of any level.
   I especially enjoyed the quotation from my Sensei, Rene Pommerelle on page 239. Thanks to Steve Scott for a great job!



2. In my opinion all the pictures should be bigger and in colour, so that the drills coud be more understood. But all techniques are very well explained and it's a very good reference for all levels of grappling fighters.



3. I've studied BJJ and Judo for about 5 years now and was hoping this book would be a nice reference catalog of armbars - That is not the case. The title is a bit deceptive. It's realy just a handfull of armbars with several slight variations... So if you have at least 1 year of BJJ, Judo, Sambo or submission wrestling, you already know all of these. If you are new to the game, this book won't help you too much. e.g. The illustrations and descriptions are weak so you will stuggle to pick up anything out of it. It reminds me of all those crapy books from when I was a kid - the ones where you couldn't tell from the pictures what the heck you were supposed to do...



4. Not really that good. Very basic. I would say it gives a couple of good turn over attacks, but either basic or unrealistic against someone knowlegeable. I was very disappointed.



5. A large number of books on the market cater to beginners who know a couple of basic moves and drills with little knowledge of how to go beyond that. They offer little guidance for experienced fighters or combat athletes. Armlock Encyclopedia is one of these.
   
   The photos are OK and it's well-written. Some of the other more critical reviews probably originate in the book's inclusion of armbars that no one would or could ever use with little to distinguish them from high probability moves. It is more like a compendium of variations on different armbars than the sort of book that will help you deal with a fight - either in sport or on the street.
   
   I use it primarily to think of different ways to position myself for an armbar. While it is reasonable for that, the truth is I haven't looked at it for a long time and find other books to be much more helpful. It may be useful for someone who is not quite a beginner, but for anyone more advanced than that, it probably won't provide much instruction.