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(More customer reviews)The third volume of Shawn Kovacich's Achieving Kicking Excellence series is Axe Kick, and like the first two it is an excellent resource regarding this specific kick. Like other books in this series, Kovacich wrote a text with detailed explanations on the execution and application of the axe kick and its variations. Also like the others in the series, this is the most complete written description with photographs of the axe kick that I know of, and is an excellent addition to any martial artist's library. It will be especially beneficial to those that teach the axe kick and variations in their curriculums.
The author, Shawn Kovacich, set two world records for endurance high kicking that were certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, and has an impressive record in the tournament circuit having competed in tournaments such as the Sabaki Challenge among others. With those credentials, I expect him to provide solid instruction on the execution and application of kicks, and he definitely delivers.
Axe Kick includes brief chapters on basic anatomy, warm up and stretching, strength, speed, and power. Many martial artists, especially instructors, will have more complete references on these topics. However, it is nice to have these brief chapters that have the basics all in one volume, especially for those that do not have a large martial art library. I feel it is important that Kovacich includes these if for nothing more than to introduce the basics and encourage the reader to seek out more instruction on these important elements to kicking. I have said the same thing about the other volumes in the series, but include it here as well to make this review stand on its own.
The reason to include this book in your library is for the instruction on the axe kick. Kovacich starts out with a very good description of the basic principles of movement for the axe kick including target areas. He then delivers an excellent description with pictures of how to perform the out-to-in axe kick. I don't think a person could give a better explanation with pictures in written form than Kovacich does here. The next chapters teach variations of the axe kick including: Back Spin Out-to-In Axe Kick; Spin Back Out-to-In Axe Kick; Off-Setting Out-to-In Axe Kick; Switch Out-to-In Axe Kick; and the Step Back Out-to-In Axe Kick.
After the descriptions of the variations, Kovacich gives detailed instruction with pictures of the In-to-Out Axe Kick. This chapter is followed by the variations: Off-Setting In-to-Out Axe Kick; Cross-Over In-to-Out Axe Kick; Hop/Slide Forward In-to-Out Axe Kick; Hop/Slide Backward In-to-Out Axe Kick; and the Switch In-to-Out Axe Kick.
Kovacich includes training and practice methods, a trouble shooting guide, and axe kick applications in subsequent chapters. This rounded out the book to make it a complete stand alone volume on the axe kick, and by far the best resource out there on this difficult technique.
One of the things I really enjoy in this series of books is the notes. Each chapter has notes and in these you find excellent gems of wisdom. Not only will they help your kicking on the described kick, but are relevant to other kicks too. For instance, in this volume, one of the notes states, "The ability to effectively and efficiently utilize high section kicks depends primarily on the following four factors. A: Your expertise in kicking. B: Your overall flexibility and physical condition. C: Your environment at the time. D: Your opponent." I wrote about similar issues in the kicking chapter I wrote in Fighter's Fact Book 2 with Loren Christensen.
Like Back Kick and Wheel Kick, the first two books in this series, a person could criticize this text regarding the repetitiveness of some of the pictures and descriptions of the wheel kick variations. If you are reading this book straight through cover to cover, yes, the repetitiveness could become boring. If you are using the text as Kovacich intended, as a learning tool, this should not be a factor. I much rather have each kick explained in its entirety, rather than be referred to a different part of the book for the elements that are similar or the same. There is a big difference in a book intended to be read from cover to cover and a book intended as a resource guide. The Achieving Kicking Excellence series are guide books, and the format is perfect for this kind of instruction.
Shawn Kovacich's Axe Kick is the third book of the series and an excellent instructional text for any student or instructor of the kicking arts. Its detailed descriptions and photographs are clear and easy to understand, while his kicking notes provide quality instruction and advice to improve one's training and execution of this important kick. I am definitely looking forward to future volumes in the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series!
Alain Burrese, J.D., author of the DVD Hapkido Hoshinsul.
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