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Fight Like a Physicist

The Incredible Science Behind Martial Arts

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Fight Like a Physicist

By: Jason Thalken PhD
Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
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About this listen

Fight Like a Physicist provides an in-depth, sometimes whimsical look into the physics behind martial arts for sport and self-defense. Whether you are an experienced martial artist or a curious enthusiast, this book can give you an "unfair advantage" by unraveling the complex science of effective fighting techniques and examining the core principles that make them work.

In addition to breaking down the principles behind the punches, Dr. Thalken, a computational physicist with a long history of martial arts across various styles, applies the mind-set of a physicist to a number of controversial topics in the martial arts:

  • Making physics your "unfair advantage", in the ring and on the street
  • Examining center of mass, pi, levers, wedges, angular momentum, and linear momentum for martial artists
  • Protecting the brains of fighters and football players from concussions
  • Reducing traumatic brain injury in contact sports
  • Overturning conventional wisdom on compliance during an assault

Dr. Thalken invites listeners to take a scientific approach to training and fighting, and provides all the tools necessary to get the most out of their experiences and make their training count.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2015 Jason Thalken, PhD (P)2019 Tantor
Martial Arts Physics Combat Sports Martial Arts Training
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A considered guide to the physics of martial arts

Well written book that intelligently outlines how basic physics principles apply to (& can be used to more effectively employ) various martial arts fundamentals (strikes, loss of balance, etc).

Also contains well researched sections on CDE (brain injury often found in high impact activities due to repeated trauma to the head), and self defence choices and their corresponding statistics in 'real world' situations.

Recommended reading if a considered understanding, and potential application of, the principles behind the techniques often taught in martial arts classes is of interest.

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For strikers & grapplers alike

Some very key details about types of strikes & explanation of centre of mass make this book a must-read/listen for any serious martial arts student.

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Practice with these concepts

As a 5th dan karate student and school owner, I practice every day.

The karate style isn’t the most important thing.

The dominant factor is ‘will it or does it work?’
Techniques have to be 100% reliable.

This book makes us think about how to generate force in a way that you can’t dispute. It questions your existing approach to combat.

It’s given rise to a lot of new ideas and possibilities that we stress test in our classes.

I’m just about to give it another read…

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Not the best Audio Book

I did take a few things away from it so not a completely wasted listen, but much of it I zoned out. Glad it was included in membership at time of listening and not use of a credit. An unexpected focus in safety helmets for all sports that was a bit odd but of interest.

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