Download PDF Fight Like a Physicist The Incredible Science Behind Martial Arts Martial Science edition by Jason Thalken Politics Social Sciences eBooks

Product details File Size 13807 KB Print Length 184 pages Publisher YMAA Publication Center (November 1, 2015) Publication Date November 9, 2015 Sold by  Digital Services LLC Language English ASIN B017CI54K8

Fight Like a Physicist The Incredible Science Behind Martial Arts Martial Science edition by Jason Thalken Politics Social Sciences eBooks Reviews

• When I saw this book’s title, I imagined a bloodied and battered Poindexter in a bow-tie--a professorial type dying in a puddle of his own bodily fluids as he calculated the Bayesian probability of winning given that initial beating. After all, physics is a highly cerebral activity, and being cerebral in a fight is a certain path to a beat down. However, Thalken makes a good point with his explanation of the title (and the book’s theme.) He’s suggesting that one use tactics and techniques that are supported by evidence and rooted in a sound understanding of the science of combat—as opposed to mindlessly doing whatever your sensei tells you or--worse yet--just muddling through on a combination of instinct and ignorance. In short, be skeptical, but inquiring. It turns out that there is a time for a fighter to be cerebral, but it’s when they are making decisions about how to train.
  
  The book is divided into two parts. The first part explains how classical mechanics can help one to be a better fighter. There are four chapters in this section that deal with center of mass and its crucial role in a fight, the differences between high momentum and high energy strikes and how each is achieved, differences in circular versus linear paths and where the advantage in each lies, and what simple machines (i.e. levers and wedges) can do for a fighter. This section is what one would expect from such a book. Unlike the second section, which deals largely with sport fighters, the advice on offer in the first section is as applicable to those involved in self-defense or other real world combative situations as it is to fighters in the ring.
  
  The second section examines the issue of concussions and brain damage in some detail, including consideration of the degree to which gloves and headgear do—or don’t—make one safer. The reader gains great insight into the mechanics and neuroscience of a knockout. While the majority of the section offers advice for those engaged in combative sports, the last two chapters take a bit of a turn. The first of these two deals with the myths perpetuated by Hollywood—which, let’s face it, is the source of most people’s information on what combat is. Debunking the notion that a person who gets shot is always and everywhere instantly incapacitated is a central theme this chapter. The last chapter deals with the issue of pseudoscience in the martial arts, and the insanity of believing one can defeat an opponent with chi (also qi, or—in Japanese Romanization--ki) or mind power alone. These last two chapters seem like a turn from the main theme of the book, but they do stay under the umbrella of the martial arts through a scientific lens.
  
  While this is a book about science, it’s readable even for an educated non-scientist. All the math is put in boxes that the reader can opt to skip, or to follow, depending upon his or her comfort level with equations. There is no complex jargon, nor any incomprehensible concepts. The physics is largely high school level Newtonian mechanics.
  
  Diehard believers in the supernatural or pseudo-scientific conceptions of the universe should be warned that this isn’t the book for you unless you like your sacred cows flame-broiled. You won’t learn about chi (qi) in this book except to be reminded that it’s a make-believe concept.
  
  I’d recommend this book for those who are interested in how science can be applied to the martial arts or human movement more generally. It’s short, readable, and offers some interesting food for thought.
• Excellent, easy to understand scientific principles of fighting. Being a medical professional I am very interested in the physics and science of fighting, understanding how it all comes together gives a significant edge to any fighter. I love being a part of the strategical coaching staff and this book is an excellent addition to my collection!! As an aside, it is also a creative way of teaching basic physic principles to high schoolers!! I used it as a homeschool tool for my son and worked out perfectly!! Some concepts required additional research and understanding but all in all a great and fun platform to use for physics lessons! (As long as you understand it is written for adults and contains some basic foul language).
• As a 30 plus year Martial Arts Veteran, I can tell you this is one of the best books I've ever read on the Martial Arts. I particularly like the fact that it covers a lot of information very commonly left out of every other publication out there. I have this book on my list of must reads for all of my students. Highly recommended.
• I found the early portions of this book very helpful in terms of technique to keep in mind when performing punches, kicks, blocks and such in terms , of what is actually going on playing off speed versus mass. And gives one a totally different "thinking" perspective to practicing one's chosen martial art. Very helpful and useful.
  
  Once past these earlier sections, this is now extended into actual fight situations, and at this point craft takes a back seat to survival. And quickly impressed upon me that this is no longer kids stuff as one might otherwise lapse into with my granddaughter's TKD classes -- which are tame, controlled, instructional. But also gives me an appreciation for just how important that classes indeed be controlled and safe as possible.
  
  As the author spends considerable time discussing concussions and associated brain damage. Bottom-line, the only way to protect the head is to not hit it. Head protection doesn't matter. According to the author, damage occurs when the head is spun or rotated. So I am fine with tame classes.
  
  I will be working with my granddaughter to introduce improved technique based on the early sections of the book. And that alone will make the cost of the book well worth it. I recommend.
• Thalken has taken the time to show fellow martial artists how the formulas of physics translate into 'real world' implications for the way that martial arts works. The book is written in a very approachable manner, with the application of the formulas clearly explained. Of particular interest was the difference between generating momentum from a strike and generating kinetic energy, and the different ways of achieving that result. This book is recommended to martial artists who want to look below the surface of our arts and see how some of the underlying principles apply.
• This book advocates something I try to do, which is the reason I chose to read it. While Martial Arts are indeed arts, they are also techniques to make you a better human, if only by improving how you move and resist injury. Any technique should be tested for possible improvements and validity. This book gives a scientific approach to testing from a source who is both physicist and martial artist.
• Really good. I'm an instructor in Krav Maga, and I've found this book useful in helping me to have the words and functions I need to put into words what I know from experience.