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Cover image of The Physics of Krav Maga
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The Physics of Krav Maga

John Eric Goff

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The art and science of real-world fighting. Explore the physics behind the physical!

Krav Maga ("contact combat" in Hebrew) is a hard-hitting and efficient form of self-defense that was popularized by Israeli soldiers. Stressing practical, real-world fighting and a philosophy of self-defense, its popularity has grown worldwide over the past few decades.

In The Physics of Krav Maga, John Eric Goff, a physicist, best-selling author, and martial arts practitioner, explains the science behind dozens of Krav Maga moves, from headlocks to hammer fists. Focusing on Warrior Krav Maga, a fighting style...

The art and science of real-world fighting. Explore the physics behind the physical!

Krav Maga ("contact combat" in Hebrew) is a hard-hitting and efficient form of self-defense that was popularized by Israeli soldiers. Stressing practical, real-world fighting and a philosophy of self-defense, its popularity has grown worldwide over the past few decades.

In The Physics of Krav Maga, John Eric Goff, a physicist, best-selling author, and martial arts practitioner, explains the science behind dozens of Krav Maga moves, from headlocks to hammer fists. Focusing on Warrior Krav Maga, a fighting style that combines the key elements of Krav Maga with kickboxing, wrestling, karate, and other fighting specialties, this equation-free, conceptual introduction is aimed at martial arts practitioners interested in refining their fighting technique and all fans of the fascinating moment when sports meet science.

With step-by-step descriptions and detailed photos of each critical motion, Goff takes a scientific look at everything from punch speed to power output and reaction time. Armed with this book, readers will understand the physics behind each move. They will also learn how to

• enhance their level of physical fitness
• disrupt an opponent's balance—while keeping theirs
• make use of leverage to defeat a larger, stronger attacker
• become faster and more powerful
• inflict pain up close
• use weapons—and "weapons of opportunity"
• and much more!

Anyone interested in martial arts, in how physics applies to sports and combat, and in how a physicist wins a fight will love The Physics of Krav Maga.

Reviews

Reviews

John Eric Goff once again demonstrates his facility for writing about the physics of practical matters in a manner that is accessible to a wide audience. As a physicist myself, I admire the ease with which he accomplishes this without writing down a single formula.

A fascinating, accessible examination of Krav Maga techniques from a scientific perspective. Goff explains, using entertaining everyday examples, how understanding physical concepts such as mass, momentum, and inertia can help readers defend themselves effectively in a wide variety of threatening situations.

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Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
7
x
10
Pages
240
ISBN
9781421431611
Illustration Description
153 b&w photos, 5 graphs
Table of Contents

Preface
1. A Strong Mind in a Strong Body
Warrior Krav Maga and Physics
What about math?!?
Intuitive Physics
What if I freeze?!?
Exercise and Food
The Greatness of Science
Evolution and Krav Maga
Training Time

Preface
1. A Strong Mind in a Strong Body
Warrior Krav Maga and Physics
What about math?!?
Intuitive Physics
What if I freeze?!?
Exercise and Food
The Greatness of Science
Evolution and Krav Maga
Training Time!
2. Disrupting Balance
Center of Mass
Why do we fall?
How to Keep YOUR Balance
Newton's Third Law Aside
Vulnerable Areas
A Little Push is All It Takes
A Real Need to Disrupt Balance
3. The Need for Speed!
What is speed?
Hammer Fist
Punches
Jab Cross!
Blitz!
What if you have a gun to your head?
4. Take Control
Head and Side Control
360 Outside Defense
Beware of Stick Kinetic Energy!
5. Making Use of Leverage
Mechanical Advantage Basics
It Doesn't Take Much Force
Leverage for Restraint Instead of Pain
A Bridge to Freedom
From Lug Wrench to Clavicle
6. Linear Momentum and the Flyby
The Flyby
Bend Those Knees!
Practice with Pads!
On to Fighting!
Time to Sprawl!
Gun Momentum
7. We Need More Power!
Potential Energy and Power
Elbow Power!
Warrior Combinations
Watch your side!
Ouch, my knee!
8. Rotate Your Way to Safety
Rotation Basics
Inflicting Pain Up Close
Rotate Out of that Headlock!
Rotate that Knife!
Time to Terminate the Chapter
9. Using Weapons
What Makes a Knife Sharp?
Slice and Dice Time
A Few Gun Basics
Hostage Situation
10. Do Whatever It Takes!
The Bad Kind of Hoodie
A Cold Long Rifle
Hot Weapon
Final Words

Author Bio
John Eric Goff
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John Eric Goff

John Eric Goff is a professor of physics and the chair of the physics department at the University of Lynchburg. The author of Gold Medal Physics: The Science of Sports, he holds a black belt in karate and a purple belt in Krav Maga.
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