Fighting Science: The Laws of Physics for Martial Artists (Revised and Expanded)

by Martina Sprague

It has been said that a successful martial artist doesn't need size or strength, because "it's all in the technique." It has also been said that the power of a martial artist seems to increase quickly with weight, and the best lightweight fighter in the world will be defeated every time by an unranked heavyweight in a bar brawl. So is it size and physical strength that matters, or is it experience and dedication to correct technique? This book explores...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1519783086
• ISBN13: 9781519783080
• Release Date: December 2015
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A note from the author

As the author of Fighting Science, I would like to comment on the review titled "Fight with questionable physics?" from Quasi-recluse. This book is not about fighting strategy primarily, but about applying the laws of physics to your martial art. It is important that information seekers in any area understand that failing to agree on a definition often leads to misunderstandings. For example, the reviewer states that the title of the book is a misnomer, and that the techniques are not about fighting, but more about tournament fighting. But that is only true if we define fighting ONLY as self-defense, and science ONLY as strategy. It is equally possible that fighting means karate, kung-fu, Thai-boxing, grappling, or modern wars. So if a person desires to buy a book that deals primarily with self-defense, he might be disappointed if he finds that the book is more about martial arts in general. The same is true regarding the word science. Science could mean tournament fighting tactics or street tactics, but it could equally much mean equations in physics. Whether or not the title is a misnomer therefore depends on the meaning you assign it based on what you are seeking. However, the meaning intended has been clarified through the subtitle: The Laws of Physics for Martial Artists. The reviewer also states that he is more concerned with someone pummeling him than a person who trains in throws, grappling, or is flexible enough to kick to the head, and that he wouldn't teach his mom many of the techniques in the book. But the book is not about specific martial arts techniques; it is about the concepts of physics, which the reader is supposed to correlate to the techniques of his or her choosing. Although I have included a variety of examples from kickboxing, grappling, joint locks, throws, and demonstrations in breaking or other feats of power, the principles of physics are not limited to these techniques only. The book was not written primarily for somebody's mom in a self-defense scenario; it was equally much written for young and energetic karate people on the competition circuit in a multitude of arts and demonstrations, or for the everyday karate practitioner who practices for no other reason than his own enjoyment. And, yes, the models wear Thai-shorts in some of the photos, but they also wear karate gis, jeans, or long pants and T-shirts in other photos. Regarding whether it is "better" to throw a strike to the chest or to the head, again, the reader must remember that it is not techniques we are talking about, but concepts of physics. There is a difference between being more powerful and being more effective. For example, a strike thrown straight out from the shoulder has the potential to be more powerful than a strike thrown at an angle upward or downward, because it allows the fighter to place his or her body mass behind the strike without running as great a risk of splitting the resultant force (it is still possible to throw an angled str

Increased my understanding of martial arts

Fighting Science has helped me understand why some techniques work and others don't. Understanding the physics behind the techniques takes a lot of the guesswork and experimentation out of my training. I used to wonder why my instructor insisted on doing some techniques a certain and now I know. I also know that there are better ways of doing a couple of things than what I learned in class. This book is an excellent investment for anyone who wants to know not only what works and what doesn't but why.

science articulated

There is nothing new under the sun, but what Martina Sprague has done in Fighting Science is articulate the principles of physics as applied to martial arts. The book is educational both for the martial artist and the science interested person in general.The first chapter whets your appetite by discussing and comparing concepts and situations you may end up in both as a standup fighter and a grappler. Subsequent chapters explore physics in depth applied to martial arts, with a start in balance, followed by momentum and motion and how it translates into force. Next follows the exploration of speed and friction, which counteracts speed, and how to increase your power or decrease your opponent's power by manipulating the time during which your striking weapon impacts the target. An explanation of how to conserve energy by using your own and your opponent's movement to your advantage follows, which naturally leads to your ability to end a fight quickly. The last chapter talks about how physics helps a martial artist attain the focus he or she needs to accomplish board and brick breaking, as well as other astonishing feats.Through its simple explanations and hundreds of practical exercises, the book adds to the excitement of teaching and learning, and shows how, with some scientific knowledge and a lot of dedication, it is possible for the average Joe to perform with the precision he or she needs to defeat an adversary both in competition and on the street. Definitely a worthwhile book.

provides fresh insight

Fighting Science is a wonderful, information crammed martial arts book that fills a much-needed void in the field. Author Martina Sprague clearly knows her stuff and passes on her knowledge in a simple and easy-to-understand language that even the science and math challenged among us can grasp at first read. Even if you have been studying the martial arts for years, her explanations as to the science behind you favorite moves will have you exclaiming, "So that's why that technique works so well." Perhaps more importantly, with a new understanding of the simple laws of physics that make a technique work and work well, you might discover the solution to a problem you've had with a particular punch, kick, or throw. Her simple explanations as to the physics behind your movements, backed by hundreds of clear photos, will not only improve your techniques but will help you defeat your opponent, whether it's in the ring or in the street. I highly recommend it.

Go beyond technique

Martina Sprague's book, Fighting Science, helps martial artists at all skill levels understand how the techniques work and how to make them work better. She helps fighters understand certain principles that they may have noticed but never quite identified (for example, a heavier fighter may not be as fast as a lighter fighter, but he's harder to stop once he gets going.) Sprague's book helps you understand what these principles are and how they apply. For example, she explains that a heavier fighter has more inertia to overcome to get started, but that heavier mass is harder to stop once it's moving. Then she gives tips on how to accommodate for this property. Although I thought I knew a lot about martial arts, Sprague's book gave me even more insight into how fighters can get more from their training. I would recommend it to any martial artist interested in why and how the martial arts work, and to any martial artist who wants to get better.