Each newsletter contains video tutorials, articles featuring training tips, and weekly product specials. Subscribe today and receive the training article 6-Pack. To receive your 6-Pack: 1) Click on the button above to subscribe. 2) Then forward your subscription confirmation to mark@extremeselfprotection.com and your will receive your 6-Pack of training articles by the end of the next business day.
We devote this space to a few of the lengthier comments regarding some of our material. Sincere thanks to all who pass along kind words, as I often say, it takes someone of true character to take time out of their day to pas along a kind comment.
There are far too many generous words passed along to post them all here, and if you do not find yours among these please do not interpret this as ingratitude. We have simply chosen, at random, a few of those that seem to reflect the nature of the product/service in questions.
If you have a comment that you would like to see potentially added to this section, send it to us at mark@extremeselfprotection.com and in gratitude (whether used or not) we will send you an advance chapter from our upcoming book.
Thanks again to each and everyone of you who have passed along an encouraging remark regarding our empirical approach.
Mark Hatmaker
On NO HOLDS BARRED FIGHTING: THE BOOK OF ESSENTIAL SUBMISSIONS
Mark Hatmaker collected the empirical evidence from a total of 640 fights "culled" from 40 current Ultimate Fighting Championship events and 40 current Pride Fighting Championship events. Breaking down the details of each fight victory, Hatmaker draws conclusions based upon these events, of which this book is sourced. Essentially, the book is an objective assessment of the reality of fighting needs, leading an athlete to victory within an UFC level competition.
While not a classic scientific textbook, overloaded with typical, over-the-top jargon, the book does explicate the demands of a top tier mixed martial arts match via an objective, scientific approach. Hatmaker breaks down the measureable data collected from these 640 fights, organizing the techniques in their order of success (a functional hierarchy)--along with their necessary operational supports within these events, and then proceeds to accurately demonstrate simple, appropriate instruction for understanding and comprehending these useful techniques in real time.
The book follows a format indicative of his previous works where photographs demonstrate the essence of the movement with an accompanying text to further explain proper execution of said movements. It's concise and to the point--nothing extraneous or filler added.
Hatmaker labels the support hierarchy of need as The Bellagio Hypothesis Continuum. This continuum helps one "focus on the highest percentage returns on investment from maximum to least." The continuum, if followed, assists the athlete in allocating training timing much more effectively and efficiently.
The technical applications Hatmaker addresses are the most successful physical actions gleaned from these 640 fights. The techniques are arranged in a hierarchy of most used to least applied; the most successful being: striking techniques, ground and pound method, arm bar techniques, naked strangles, guillotine attacks, triangle choke, shoulder choke and arm triangle and heel hooks.
As we can assess, this book is NOT about one man's subjective opinion of what is technically important for success within MMA events.
The 176 page manual, owning 15 chapters, provides some rather conclusive data about just what are the most effective techniques used in upper level mixed martial arts competitions, how to go about utilizing these applications, and how best to organize training time through the "hierarchy of utility" in order to improve successful outcomes in such events. The book was a very interesting read, and the empirical evidence it provides and be useful from preparing one's overall training paradigm, when success in a UFC style MMA event is desirable.
Rev. A. Bodhi Chenevey, RM, DD
Hi Mark,
All signed up for the 2 RAW Subscriptions. This way I can keep current on the new, and collect all the old. Thanks for the additional videos, too; that's way cool.
I know it's a lot of information to digest, but I'm training a group of guys who can "eat" more than I have time to serve. I want to make sure they get the best stuff, and the same goes for me as well.
You have a gift for analysis, synthesis, and presentation!
It is apparent that your material is not a regurgitation of someone else's material, but demonstrates original thought in understanding how elements fit together, and how to transition between them. In 20 years of collecting training material, my expectation has been that <50% of what I buy will be useful. So far everything I have purchased from you has been a winner.
Your material is the best I know of. Keep up the great work, you are really making advances in this field.
Best Regards,
Bill Gucker
"Mark knows more about fighting and technique than any one in the world, and if I had to learn from only one trainer, it would be Mark."
--Jeff Hacket, WABDL powerlifting champion with a raw bench of 402 and a raw deadlift of 584
Hi, Mark.
Here I send you a couple of reviews of your first book, THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUBMISSION WRESTLING. One in Spanish (for your Spanish speaking fans) and one in English.
"This book has lots of information for the self-taught. This is the sort of book the beginner would find useful. It has those basic techniques everybody has seen in MMA fights, as well as drills and advice to correctly apply them. I immediately bought the other books of the series and found them very good, too. And being tiny helps taking them to the training, if needed. I wish there were more books about submission wrestling like this one."
"Un "pequeno gran libro" para los que comienzan en el mundo del Submission Wrestling, sobre todo para el que lo haga de una manera autodidacta. Este es de esa clase de libros que un principiante encontrara de gran utilidad, ya que es pequeno, muy manejable, consicso y muy bien extructurado. Contiene todas esas tecnicas basicas que todos hemos contemplado en los combates de artes marciales mixtas (MMA), ademas de multiples consejos para una correcta ejecucion y que nos ayudan a mejorar en los entrenamientos. Abarca desde como llevar a tu rival al suelo, que posiciones adoptar, como terminarle y como escapar cuando tu eres el que se encuentra en la posicion desfavorable. Los otro libros de la serie No Holds Barred Fighting de Mark Hatmaker son igualmente recomendables."
Cheers,
Arturo Gonzalo
Regarding NO SECOND CHANCE
"In my opinion the knowledge contained in this book is as important to learn as is first aid and CPR, and as important to practice as fire drills. I have been researching, studying and practicing numerous martial arts and self defense systems for 17 years, and I have never learned the honest realities of self-defense. This book (the first of its kind that I know of, and I've read over 100 instructional/educational martial arts and self defense books) presents the honest reality of realistic, practical, and effective techniques and strategies for real world self-defense against murderers and rapists. Without beating around the bush, and without concern for being politically correct, Mark presents the harsh realities of real-world self-defense and predator profiles. This book is the first book that I have read in which the author leaves out pseudoscience, dogmatic, biased views on self-defense, and uses real science, pragmatic, empirically based evidence instead. Thank you Mark for bringing 21st century life saving knowledge to the 21st century."
--Todd Weber, Luseland, SK
I have been studying Martial Arts for over 20 years, and have learned a great deal from many different instructors of many different styles of martial arts. I have competed in wrestling, judo, kickboxing, you name it, and have always been driven to grow as a martial artist. When I met Mark, I met someone who was truly interested in spreading a unique vision of martial arts. I feel Mark personifies Bruce Lee's message of "Take what is useful, throw out the rest."
When doing a Boot Camp with Mark, you will be pushed in conditioning, striking, shooting, grappling-the whole mixed martial arts package for 8 hours straight, harder than you think is possible. It is a great way to test yourself and your abilities, to put it all on the mat and make it happen.
As an instructor, I have seen firsthand how my students take Mark's material and translate it into winning in competitions. A.H. has tapped out his opponents in professional MMA fights with Mark's grappling work. D.H. and K.H. placed in the State of California for Wrestling after religiously drilling privately with me in Mark's Gladiator Conditioning Program. I could list dozens of students who have applied Mark's material to win and place at high level competitions in California such and A.R., R.O., J.K., R.B., and others.
Mr. Houston and Mr. O'Dell have applied Mark's techniques in full contact stick fights, which are so dangerous you are putting your very life on the line.
All in all, I think everyone can benefit from Mark's system, his teachings and his mentorship. I am happy to have trained with Mark, because I have gained more than a coach. I have gained a friend and mentor for life.
Sincerely,
Jesse M. Marez
On THE COMPLETE GRAPPLER: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO FIGHTING AND WINNING ON THE GROUND
It was a personal pleasure reviewing this exhaustively detailed, 6 DVD set, amassing over ten hours of viewing, while following along with the 496 page, oversized photograph-rich, paperback workbook. It was as if I was sent back into my scholastic days of the 50's and 60's, learning good old-fashioned wrestling again. A genuine American Combative Tradition.
This has been my first experience reviewing a Mark Hatmaker comprehensive work. I found his instruction to be easily understood, keeping to the functional basics of each application, be it the actual movement, a movement's counter or the re-counter. He is an instructor, who remains focused upon the task at hand, free of ego, maintaining that delicate balance between light-humor and heavy-duty intensity, which keeps the pace of the instruction moving along with interest. Each description was articulated with all the essentials needed for a complete assessment of workability. There was no wasted movement or verbalization. Every thing was kept crystal clear and to the point.
The actual demonstration of the movements on each DVD disc was of a high production value, easy on the eyes and multiple angels were shown to get a full scope of the technique. The workbook kept pack and was helpful when used in conjunction with the video presentation. The only weakness I found in this entire package was that the photos in the workbook were black and white. Given the lack of contrasting uniforms of the models, and the blur of some of the action shots, there were times when a few of the photos could be confusing when not used in concert with the video. Had the photos been actual color with a better stop-action capacity, this problem would have been eliminated, but would have also increased cost of production. Given this limit, the quality of the book is still quite good and serves its purpose admirably.
The grappling skills depicted on the 6 discs and workbook encompasses all the basics of good wrestling along the "catch-as-catch-can" and "folk-style" methods. Hatmaker did a superb job showing the fundamental importance of stance, motion, level-change, penetration, lift and finish, back-step, and base. From here he expanded on demonstrating the high percentage movements in such a fashion one is left with a complete working knowledge of the successful principles prevalent in all grappling methods, which then develop and transform in innumerable advanced wrestling motor skills for competition and combatives, when slightly modified to fit a combatives environment.
The workbook is organized to follow, precisely, the 6 discs.
Disc one covers what one needs to know about double and single leg takedowns, counters and re-counters. These two particular actions are the highest percentage take downs in the majority of wrestling competitions, be it Olympic caliber freestyle, gi-less submission grappling or UFC-style employment.
Disc two provides all of the essentials one needs for dominating within a clinch, and again, offers the high percentage take downs from this clinching setting. This is an extremely important realm to master and one that is often neglected in other productions promoting "completeness of curriculum" that I have reviewed. If the clinch realm is not addressed, it is not complete.
Disc three demonstrates one of my all-time favorite applications: the chicken-wing, which are quite varied, with the appropriate counters. Hatmaker continues the disc with what in "folk-style" wrestling is known as : "short offensive" actions, which is that precarious realm where we are not standing and not prone or supine just yet. He then provides numerous details for riding and breaking down an opponent, as well as the counters/re-counters to said movements.
Disc four is just a massive presentation of dominating the grounded opponent. There are methods of extending the adversary, learning how to make him lighter so that we can totally control him. Included are more unique rides, attacking the ankles and applications for the "half-nelson", half-nelson defenses and re-counters.
Discs five and six provide the viewer with what is uniquely "catch-wrestling's" approach to superior position control for dominance over an adversary from the grounded posture. It is my assessment that what's on the last two discs will assist the experienced grappler with ideas of movement control and manipulation that will help defeat many of the positions made popular through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners. Though Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in not mentioned during the instruction--I reiterate, Hatmaker stays focused on what he is doing--teaching sound wrestling skills--if one is familiar with Brazilian methods of jiu jitsu and with wrestling, one will begin to see just another view of similar problems with different solutions to those similar problems. What's on the fifth and sixth discs remains true to a solid American "catch" and "folk" style wrestling as depicted through Hatmaker's instruction.
We in the United States forget that we have a very pragmatic and worthwhile wrestling tradition. Hatmaker does a superb job at reviving this tradition, providing for the reader/viewer a genuinely complete grappling curriculum. This video/workbook offering amounts to a massive cataloging of America's own wrestling tradition, which is very applicable to a ground-combative environment.
The price may be steep for some, but the amount of data available to the buyer is well within the ranges of being very reasonable. With over 380 techniques, that amounts to about .68 cents per technique along with the workbook for visual assistance. It's a great buy, over all.
Rev. A. Bodhi Chenevey, RM, DD
Director, Hakaze Learning Corner
Dear Mark,
Perhaps you remember me; I'm a reader of your line of books from Germany and have written you in 2004 and 2006. Now, since I bought NO SECOND CHANCE a few days ago, I thought it would be a good thing to let you know what I thought about this latest book of yours.
In a word: it's brilliant!
You know, the book was announced quite a long time, and I was really curious to see what's your position on self-defense. To sum it up I would say that NO SECOND CHANCE excels for the same reasons your NHB series do, even when it is a very different book about a very different topic.
For me one of the strongest points in your books in general is honesty. You don't strive to make some kind of myth out of yourself or your style and you are certainly not afraid of writing things most martial arts authors might consider heretical.
Somehow I think you write from a fighter's mindset: you don't waste time with nonsense and you are addressing problems where and when they arise.
The same here: you write about self-defense fully realizing that is something entirely different than for example NHB. I would anytime take any bet that most authors would have done exactly the opposite if they were in your position: they would have used their book on self defense to promote their other books and their style. You did not--while staying true to yourself you made it clear that self-defense is something different.
You see, I know a lot of DVDs and books about the general topic "Martial Arts System (INSERT NAME) for Self Defense." I'm sure you know those, too. Most of them come to the simple conclusion that their system, be it Muay Thai, Karate, Wing Chun, Boxing, BJJ or whatever is not only the most devastating combat sport, but the best physical training AND the best Self Defense around. And everyone else is simply stupid and trains the wrong stuff.
This is something that you could have easily done, as well: you simply had to claim that training NHB with your line of books is simply the best defense known to mankind, and then your could have filled your book with a hundred moves considered dirty or unsportsmanlike in the ring and called that your Self Defense volume. As I wrote I'm convinced 90% of the authors would have done just that.
Well, you did otherwise: in fact I found it remarkable how often you pointed out where the problems of NHB (after all an art that is much more combat-proven than most other arts around!) for Self Defense are. Your chapter about grappling is here a good example. I mean, if there is someone on the martial arts literature marked most readers would have assumed to recommend grappling for realistic self-defense it would have been you. And you have the guts to point out where the problems of that style are! This is what I mean with sometimes brutal honesty. I've written that a few years ago about your books and can repeat it now. If somebody knows what he is talking about he can afford to be this honest.
This bring me to the next strong point of NO SECOND CHANCE realizing that this is something different than NHB you don't start by showing dozens or even hundreds of moves, but you spend the first 50% of the book writing about mentality. No technique (in fact you are cool enough to point out we are not talking about any techniques here, no matter how they might be called), but mentality. Something not found often in Self Defense literature in this depth and with this direct approach. The only book that comes to my mind which I would consider to be this good must be Bill Kipp's.
I must admit that I found your predator/prey analogy very convincing, and since I was during my studies in criminology a few years ago involved in a project for the German police concerning youth violence I can say this analogy fits our results.
So, all in all, I think you did it once again: you presented top-quality material for a very fair price with much more content and much less BS than most other books on the market-and you proved to have the guts to even address problems of your own style, about which you wrote seven book before! You can bet I will continue recommending your books!
All the best,
Jochen
On NO SECOND CHANCE: A REALITY BASED GUIDE TO SELF DEFENSE
Too many books and manuals addressing the issue of Self-Defense provide a manuscript ripe with all manner of technical applications countering physical violence without ever addressing the true need for understanding personal protection and safety, which is providing an in depth comprehensive view of the context of man's inhumane behavior inflicted upon others.
This is where Mark Hatmaker's NO SECOND CHANCE begins--explaining and providing real-world examples of the human predatory nature of criminal violence. Throughout the book are examples of how horrifically violent human behaviors impact lives, such that the reader will come away with at least a fundamental understanding of the contextual trauma resulting from such activity.
And while Mark Hatmaker does a splendid job portraying the reality of the context of violent criminal behavior humans perpetrate against their own kind, he also offers specific drills one can practice to enhance individual awareness and avoidance attributes so needed in off-setting the ramifications of attempted criminal violence. In my system of beliefs, when it comes to DEFENSIVE applications for personal protection, the awareness and avoidance skills are the primary factors needed. This is stressed in the text.
At least half of this book is dedicated to providing real examples, accurate information about and basic ways and means for the full comprehension of the existing criminal violence affecting our society.
The other half of the manual is dedicated to simple, direct and pragmatic motor skills one can use to negate physical violence which has digressed away from our ability to de-escalate and/or avoid. The large majority of the physical applications are nothing new and novel. On the contrary, for those truly familiar with old military combatives, much of what is demonstrated will be quite familiar. Tried, true, effective and efficient, one cannot argue with what works and has been working for sometime.
I am not aware of whether or not this was Mark's intent when he chose the techniques he chose to demonstrate. What I do know about Hatmaker's technical essence is that what he does mechanically--motor skills--is steeped in a rich Old-Time, Western Martial Tradition of scientifically based boxing and wrestling. It is from this identical source of fighting skills that the vast majority of old military combatives drew its technical applications. So it stands to reason, that with Mark's expertise in this Western Fighting Tradition, the majority of what is shown, technically, resembles the old military combatives. Like I said, it's hard to argue continued combative successes.
I really liked this manual. Some will argue that the photographic representations are too small. I don't see a problem with the artistic lay-out of this manual. I had no problems in understanding what was being explained and demonstrated. The instructional aspect of this book is precise and concise and information rich with valid, reliable data.
If one possesses no background whatsoever in what is required for personal protection and safety within a violent context, a book ALONE is not going to prepare said individual for such an experience. However, with a truly competent instructor who possesses such attributes of personal experience and professional training for managing human criminal violence, this manual will provide a great basic teaching and learning aid for such a beginning student.
For those with experience and professional training in handling criminal violence, this manuscript will be a helpful addition in our own continued practice, and it will assist us as a teaching aid if we care to instruct others to the familiarity training needed for violence-management.
For those who are searching for magic bullets for handling violence, this book has none--just cold, brutal facts. For those searching for an encyclopedia of techniques--this book has none. It merely offers basic, applicable and workable realistic training paradigms, tactics, strategies and movements against a variety of potential assault cues and out right attacks. He also offers a well-thought out sequence for learning said tactics, strategies and movements in a way which will mimic the potential environment where such assaults will occur.
Mark Hatmaker also stresses the need to physical fitness, which I fully endorse. Those who are fit will always possess an advantage for survival over those who are NOT physically fit.
This particular volume does not provide technical applications or movements which specifically address the problem of weapons' use and/or counter weapons' use. According to this book, other volumes will address those situations, specifically. He does, however, address the reality of our situation that we are always armed in some fashion with the various devices that surround us in our daily lives, and then gives examples of what may be used as improvised weaponry.
Mark Hatmaker and TRACKS publishing have done an exceptionally fine job in offering a comprehensive view of what is fundamentally needed to properly prepare oneself against human criminal violence in a realist manner.
--Rev. Arthur Bodhi Chenevy, RM, DD
SEARCHING FOR THE LEGACY OF BRUCE LEE
I am sure I will catch tons of flack from JKD Concepts practitioners and perhaps even traditional JKD practitioners like myself. Thirty years after his death, the debate rages on about who carries the torch and legacy of Bruce Lee?
Let's look at the facts, all of his first generation students teach much differently than Lee. That is in part because Lee was constantly evolving JKD. And many mistook the phrase, "absorb what is useful and reject what is useless" as an invitation to add their favorite techniques from other styles to JKD, Lee meant the opposite. His intention was to always minimize and use only the most effective techniques because he understood that in a fight, you don't have time to cycle through thirty attacks or defenses. You must act and react instinctively with what he called "controlled cruelty" in order to be effective in defending yourself.
Lee was a scholarly man, constantly evolving his system in an effort to simplify it. Most of his students have simply complicated and convoluted it. So if you are looking for the real legacy of Bruce Lee, look to scholarly martial artists who understand and use scientific principles in evolving and simplifying their systems.
I have had the good fortune to train with 6 current or former UFC champions, reality based military fighting systems, from multiple countries, and all types of grappling.
Three instructors stand out to me, in my search for the legacy of Bruce Lee. I will give them in no particular order.
1. Mark Hatmaker. His knowledge of fighting arts has brought him to almost the same conclusions as Bruce Lee, even though he is not a JKD practitioner. He is actually a kindred spirit in his stand up fighting, and is unsurpassed by anyone in the world in ground fighting.
2. Moni Azik. Commando Krav Maga as developed and taught by Moni Azik focuses heavily on the use of psychology and bio-mechanics. And when demonstrated by Mr. Azik I can honestly say, CKM is truly a self defense system. It features the best and most logical pistol disarms I've seen in my 30 years of martial arts training. And Moni oversees and grades each crop of teaching candidates himself to maintain the integrity of the system he has been developing over 30 years.
3. Jason Korol. Having the opportunity to travel and study with just about anyone, I settled in Greenville, SC because I honestly believe that Jason Korol is the finest traditional JKD instructor in the world. Jason has stayed faithful to the basic principles of Jeet Kune Do for 25 years without wavering. Teaching his students to absorb the techniques that are best suited to them physically and reject the fluff. In my opinion he carries the traditional torch of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.
These gentlemen are scholars who constantly evolve and simplify their systems, just as Lee did. They just reached his mindset following different paths. Lee himself said, "use nothing as the way." But using the same scientific principles, these three gentlemen in my mind have become the finest self defense instructors in the world.
You can debate the arts or teaching styles with me when you fully understand the intention of Bruce Lee in developing JKD. It was a scientific self defense system. And with that being the case, these three gentlemen do what they do better than anyone else in the world. Having trained with the very best of the best, I feel honored to have learned from them.
--Rob Renfro
Hi Mark.
My name is David Rose and I am a student of JKD Kali here in Northampton, England. Just wanted to say that I bought one of your books on submission wrestling to get an insight into the ground game and got so much out of it that I have since purchased ALL of your other titles!! NO SECOND CHANCE--I actually read in a single evening-just couldn't put it down!
Congratulations on managing to produce such high quality instruction through such a simple media-the good ol' BOOK! Just one problem--Why aren't you over in England :)!???? Don't know if you ever plan to do any seminars but if ever you do please let me know! We've got Dan Inosanto coming to London in July-and you bet I'm gonna be there!!
Anyway, thanks for the books, they're worth every penny. Please feel free to use my comments in your publicity or adverts-it would be my pleasure! Now, I'm off to checkout your website!!!
Hope the gods are smilin' on you an' yours in Tennessee!!
Cheers,
Dave Rose
I have the vast majority of Mark's commercial products and a decent few of the RAW SERIES. From the beginning I was so rightly impressed with his method of instruction which makes retention and recall automatic. As a part time coach myself, I utilize his method of drilling during the initiation phase of development with much success.
Obviously, I just had to join the association and I became a lifetime member. Here is the amazing thing about Mark Hatmaker. I took a hiatus from training to focus on my career for nearly 2 years. I was following, but I didn't communicate with Mark like I used to. Then, recently when I started coaching again, I got back in touch with him and he still remembered me. We've never met in person or even talked on the phone, yet he cares about me as a person, not just another customer.
I, my friends, am fortunate. Get to know Mark, and you will be too.
--Rogelio "Bozo" Avelino, CMDP Trainer and ESP Apprentice Coach
I'm very much enjoying the DVDs I purchased from you. I own about every shadow grappling/solo grappling training DVD out there, and everything on CW I can get my hands on. Absolutely nothing compares. I am incredibly impressed.
I was blown away by the instructional DVDs I purchased from you, Mark. I had a little initial skepticism since I often have to train solo, I have made it a point to own every shadow grappling/solo grappling training DVD available in the market. The impression I got from many of these productions was that solo grappling training was a science in its infancy, so I've always been on the lookout for new "developments" in solo training. Many instructional materials that market themselves as "shadow grappling" or "solo training" products really focus on developing attributes, not grappling skills, not a bad thing, necessarily, but always a disappointment.
Needless to say, I was stunned by THE FLOOR BAG WORKOUT and THE SILENT PARTNER. Absolutely nothing out there compares. I am incredibly impressed. I will be buying backup copies for archival in case something happens to the copies I study almost daily.
THE COMPLETE GRAPPLER is a treasure. If my house were on fire but my family was safely outside, the firefighters would see me run out the front door in my pajamas with my COMPLETE GRAPPLER DVDs AND WORKBOOK under my arm.
After reflection, I think that the most powerful and enduring legacy you're leaving behind, Mark, is your commitment to (a return to) Western Empiricism. That's the real tool that keeps all your other weapons sharp. Your approach to combat sport and self defense is--tragically--unique: a process of debridement that removes the useless and superstitious from your training methodologies. That is, after all, why they called America's indigenous martial art Scientific Wrestling.
Not only is your work of the very highest quality, but it's been a pleasure to get to know you personally as well. Your reputation in the industry as a gentleman is well deserved: you've certainly been generous, professional, and humble in every interaction I've had with you. My only regret is that I didn't discover your movement years ago.
Brian West
The information produced by ESP is easy to pick up, understand and use. I first got SAVAGE STRIKES when I was learning Tae Kwon Do to compliment my striking arsenal and it's still the first book I pick up when I'm not clear on a technique now that I'm learning Muay Thai. Anything produced by these guys will have information to help you and make you stronger in your chosen field.
--Alex
On BOXING MASTERY: ADVANCED TECHNIQUES, TACTICS AND STRATEGIES FROM THE SWEET SCIENCE
The beauty of boxing is its simplistic utility within a combative environment. With the proper adaptations, boxing skills and attributes can be applied in a sporting arena or in a non-sporting, competitive altercation, equally.
This exceptionally detailed book of advanced boxing applications is, obviously, not for the beginner. But for the man or woman with a working understanding of the essential fundamentals of this pugilistic science, there are endless combinations, deceptive tactics and advanced maneuvering presented in an easy to access and comprehend black and white photo-format.
Once again, Mark Hatmaker has demonstrated his in-depth mastery of the Western Martial Arts Tradition with yet another well-designed and easy to use manual, covering the more advanced applications of stances and guards, footwork, bobbing, weaving, and slipping blows.
He continues with the necessary nuances for generating true knock-out power, beating punches, and defensive applications within the boxing repertoire. Hatmaker stresses throughout this manual's training instructions that the practitioner must, first and foremost, focus on the correct form when executing techniques. And that it is this correct, repetitive practice, which leads one toward faster and faster expressions of said techniques.
Other concepts and skills fully demonstrated include developing an elusive offensive capacity through body movements, superior positioning and precision striking skills, as well as offering some rather rarely seen advanced Ringmanship advice, should one want to make an adventure into such a competitive arena.
It's never boring for me to pick up one of Hatmaker's manuals, and just start to read it, as there will always be something new to learn, no matter how masterful or experienced we might believe our own skills to be. There is a wealth of information in this book that will serve the serious practitioner of boxing for many active years to come.
The Team of Doug Werner of TRACKS Publishing, and Mark Hatmaker, have managed to produce some very nice "gems" in this highly competitive book-publishing market of martial arts. This book of BOXING MASTERY can, likewise, be added to the list.
--Rev. A. Bodhi Chenevy, RM, DD; Hikaze Learning Corner: Home of the new DIVERSIFIED COMBAT ARTS & SCIENCES curriculum
Hello Mark,
I bought and read your book SAVAGE STRIKES. Just thought I would like to tell you the book is really well written and quick to the point. No BS like other books. It is definitely one of the best books on the subject. Well done.
Regards,
John
Mark,
I am taking this opportunity to thank you for the excellent training material that you have produced.
I have started using your series of books to supplement martial arts training for myself and fellow training partners. With particular attention on the Clinch, collision zone. This has added variety and depth to our training, challenging us to consider the effectiveness of a number of our pre-existing techniques. I have just started to purchase your RAW Volumes, and I am very impressed. I look forward to each new volume and working on catching up on back volumes. Your products are an important investment in self development.
Lloyd Clark; Martial Arts Instructor
Good Afternoon Sir,
My name is Rick Tischer. I am a training manager for the Michigan Department of Corrections for a day job and run a martial arts/self defense program for a hobby-job. I have almost all your books. I find them most excellent. They are clear, concise and I greatly enjoy your down to earth writing style. I have used the information from those volumes as a base for both my personal training and our schools ground skills curriculum.
In addition to the user friendly format, your books are the best value on their subject matter. Not only are they priced far below other MMA/Submission publications, they contain 100% practical and functional information, no fluff or fat.
Again Sir, I enjoy and appreciate your work, philosophies and technique.
Respectfully,
Rick Tischer
On NO HOLDS BARRED FIGHTING: SAVAGE STRIKES: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO REAL WORLD STRIKING FOR NHB COMPETITION AND STREET DEFENSE
With this fine manual, Mark Hatmaker introduces the scientifically sound, or rather, the kinesiologically correct principles a human must understand in order to properly use specific anatomical appendages for striking another human being with devastating results.
As I have said elsewhere, while healthy humans possess a head, a set of arms and legs, and limited physical capacity, the neurologically precise physiology that coordinates the over all individual, provides this human with quite a wide variety of maneuvering capabilities. And when it comes to one individual utilizing his or her unique kinesiology to strike another, I do believe Mark Hatmaker has covered the vast majority of these potential applications within this 256 page black and white photo-book.
Consistently concise and precise, the book is information rich and instructionally explicit, explaining just what skills and how one needs to develop and drill said skills to acquire an expanded empty hand/feet striking repertoire.
Stances, footwork, maneuvering, covering, evading, and striking are all included. These subjects are demonstrated and supported with a text that clearly explains what is required of the practitioner in order to pull these techniques off successfully under the duress of competition or "battle."
Pragmatic in its entirety, the books striking lessons are simple yet diverse, incorporating the use of the hands, elbows, feet, knees and head, with their subsequent defensive frames and postures against such strikes.
There will be specific applications found in this manual, that for those who come strictly from a Karate or other similar Eastern martial discipline will seem awkward and incorrect. I will assure those who do find this material different, the differences are not bad--just different--because the techniques have been developed from a different, more experientially Western approach to this curriculum.
I have learned both the Western approach to striking and the Eastern Approach. My personal experiences have demonstrated over and over to me that my preference for the Western approach to striking, if you will, is not ill-conceived, nor is it incorrect.
I recommend this book highly.
Rev. A Bodhi Chenevey, RM, DD; Hikaze Learning Center
I would like to take the time to thank you for all the work you have put into self defense, combat arts, etc. and the teaching of said arts. I really appreciate the depth of thought involved in all the material I have reviewed thus far. I was impressed by your approach to combat, looking at combat training and techniques from a common sense economical view.
I purchased BOXING MASTERY about a year ago, and it has helped me to step up my boxing game. I recently purchased your NHB TAKEDOWNS and NO SECOND CHANCE books locally. I really enjoyed the new approach to some self defense "myths," and the common sense approach to self defense, as well as the predator profiles. The profiles turned my stomach, but I see how absolutely necessary they are to understanding how the predator operates. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families, and I feel the best we can do is learn from them and try to protect ourselves and our loved ones from similar situations.
Anyway, I would just like to extend my gratitude for all you are doing and have done. I really appreciate your teaching style and I was very impressed by the EXTREME BOXING CHAIN DRILLS. I am also very impressed by the "articles" on the Legends section of the extremeselfprotection.com website. (The Triangulation of Jugulation, What Little Girls Know, The Folly of Style, Can't Know a Book By It's Cover, Even If You've Already Read It!, etc.)
Thanks again. I look forward to learning more!
Chuck in Colorado
Mark,
After watching your BEYOND BJJ video I was left wanting more. To my pleasant surprise I found BEYOND BJJ 2 on your website and ordered it just a couple minutes ago. I didn't know you had so many other very promising DVD's available as well. I'm sure I'll be going back for more once I fully absorb all the material from BEYOND BJJ 1 & 2. Even though I am a BJJ practitioner, I find your instructions invaluable to my advancement. There is no shame in admitting that certain BJJ techniques are simply inferior to the alternatives you have shown. As they say, the proof is in the pudding. Thank you again for risking the ridicule and showing me how to go beyond techniques of other BJJ practitioners.
Feel free to post my comment above.
Bartosz
I am a martial artist and fighter of 32 years experience. I am a Brown belt in Shotokan Karate. I've been doing Muay Thai for 16 years now. I am a first black in BJJ. What I love about knowing all of these arts is that when you combine them you have MMA. I am also a former U.S. Marine Scout Sniper of 5 years. I now run my own Course and fighting school in New Mexico. I have been fighting and instructing fighting and Combat for many years now.
I have a collection of books and videos. Many of them are very educational on the new proper ways to do the moves of modern day Hand to Hand Combatives, BUT when I really want to understand the science and the motions of MMA and any other combative sport such as boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, etc. I always go to the best. That's Mark Hatmaker. Mark is not just a fighter/coach. Mark is a modern day MMA and fighting scientist. He doesn't just share the movements with you, he breaks down every molecule from the beginning till the end. He also gives you the history of the combatives.
Mark Hatmaker is the best you will find. I now have a collection of Hatmaker books. What a great and inexpensive investment this has been.
Mark, keep putting out your work my friend. It's AWESOME and you rock.
Kevin "CONAN" Bankens
Mark,
We can't thank you enough for your work, especially ESCAPES FROM IMPOSSIBLE HOLDS. As a seasoned martial artist and father of three young girls, I can't think of a better DVD to have on the shelf. Whether it's a bully on the playground, or dangerous scum resembling your Predator Profiles, your material has it all. Knowing self protection is one thing, teaching is another, and we believe you are at the top in both areas. Keep up the good work!
The Warren Family
Hello Mark,
Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate the effort you put forth to bring the public such awesome materials to study. I never knew someone could put so much awesome info into a single book or books. These are very vital for everyone who wants to learn about groundfighting, to stand up, even conditioning. There is a full regimen of info about every topic on fighting that can be thought of; your knowledge of technique and theory are tops in the field, looking forward to reading and watching more of your books and DVD's in the near future. If there's a topic you have not covered yet I can't think of it. I have been in the arts for 31 years and hold several black belts as well as teach my own system of combatives and you have been a big help.
Take care and keep up the good work,
Ken Hettinger; Ruawarrior Combatives
As a martial artist for over twenty years I think I have seen it all, and done most of it. I have a trained with numerous masters and grandmasters of arts from every corner of the globe. I have taught on three continents so far, and have been in the ring competing against several world champions. So I am pretty confident I am a good judge of who is the real deal and who isn't.
Mark Hatmaker and his numerous products are the real deal. Mark is a true gentleman and is a man after my own heart in that he is all the knowledge and seems to have no interest in the politics of the arts which are so common these days. In the little correspondence we have had he has had an inspiring effect for this old dog of war to get back in the game and work on a huge project of my own.
I have come to expect nothing but the best from Mark's products and I am never disappointed and most often my expectations are exceeded. He has a huge amount of knowledge I gleefully take in and I can tell by the format of his products he tries to jam as much info in as he can. There is no better value on the market to my thinking.
Personally I owe Mark a debt of gratitude for helping to preserve the legacy of Lancashire catch wrestling and for his hard work in spreading the knowledge. My family is from that area of Britain and due to the work of Mark and others I am able to recapture my cultural heritage and to my eyes; my birthright. For that I am eternally grateful and wish to humbly offer my thanks to Mark for this precious gift.
I remain honorably,
Master Lorne Keatley; 5th Dan Hapkido; 1st Dan Jiu-Jitsu
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