The Art of Weapons: Armed and Unarmed Self-Defense

This unique work outlines the essential principles and techniques that define armed and unarmed self-defense involving common weapons. More than 1400 outstanding photographs introduce over 350 practical techniques spanning seven basic classes of weapons-knife, short-stick, staff, cane, rope, common objects, and defense against handguns-the mastery of which provides practitioners with a range of skills that will allow them to wield almost anything as a weapon. Each weapons chapter provides an authoritative overview of important technical principles, tactics, weapon types, grips, stances, and fundamental strikes and blocks, followed by numerous self-defense applications. Introductory chapters cover weapons philosophy, energetic concepts, 106 pressure points, and a visual comparison of different martial arts, making this an invaluable resource for all martial styles.

Expertly written and designed by the author of the 1136-page Hapkido--widely acclaimed the most comprehensive book ever written on a single martial art--this exceptional work is designed to stand alone, or function as a companion text with the author's other works on martial techniques and anatomy. Regardless of the style you practice, these books will enrich your training, improve your technique, and deepen your understanding of the unique qualities embodied in your own martial art.

About the Author:
Marc Tedeschi is an internationally respected artist, designer, and educator, who holds a fifth-degree black belt in Hapkido, a martial art that integrates both healing and combative techniques. He has practiced martial arts for more than twenty-five years, training extensively in Hapkido, Taekwondo, Jujutsu, Judo, and Karate. Mr. Tedeschi's unique ability to blend his skills as a designer, writer, and martial artist has resulted in numerous books, widely acknowledged for their design excellence, outstanding imagery, and clarity of content. He is the author of ten works, including the landmark 1136-page Hapkido: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique; the 896-page Taekwondo: Traditions, Philosophy, Technique; Essential Anatomy for Healing and Martial Arts; and a unique series of general martial arts books that are further described below.

Other Books in the Series:
The Art of Weapons is part of a remarkable series of books that provide an in-depth look at the core concepts and techniques shared by a broad range of martial arts. Each of these stand-alone books is dedicated to a specific technical area, such as strikes, holds, or throws. Other titles in this series include: The Art of Striking, The Art of Holding, The Art of Throwing, and The Art of Ground Fighting.