Kelly McCann’s “Fighting for Survival on the Street: Strict Countermeasures for High-Risk Situations” is an excellent addition to any self-defense library, and if you just want a few self-defense books, this is a must-have. I have enjoyed McCann’s writing and teaching for years. He has a previous book, which is a collection of articles he wrote, and several instructional DVDs, some under his name and some under his pseudonym Jim Grover. They all provide excellent advice and instruction.

After appearing on the cover of Black Belt magazine in 2008, he wrote this book which was published by Black Belt Books. It is an attractive 8 1/2 x 11 inch book with full color images throughout. Some may not like the larger black borders or full page photos that the chapters feature, but I found them to be different than many self defense books and felt it made this book unique and they didn’t care at all . I liked the different design.

The real reason this book is valuable is McCann’s knowledge. It could be written on the back of a napkin and it would still be worth reading. His no-BS style, straight to the point, is as direct and powerful as the basic combative punches and kicks he teaches.

Chapter one describes what the combative are and provides a bit of history, as well as the current state of the combative. I also really liked the short section on internet forums.

Chapter two addresses the realities of fighting. There are short sections on avoidance skills, situational awareness, and attack recognition. It also discusses the physiological effects of impending danger, mitigation of dysfunctions by coercion, and combative traits and characteristics. Mindset, victory, and confrontations in real life are also topics in this chapter.

Chapter three contains brief descriptions and illustrative photos of fourteen fighting principles. Principles such as being armed, applying energy explosively, using the right weapon, and hitting with the full weight of the body. These principles are important to self defense, regardless of whatever style or technique you practice.

Chapter four covers the combative methodology and explains McCann’s training routines. Real altercations and confrontations are serious, as is the training McCann advocates. It does include information on training aids and safety, but what really stands out about this chapter is the intensity and hard training that is presented.

Chapter five instructs on fighting positions and movements. Starting postures or positions, movement and rocking, and emptying are some of the topics covered in this short chapter.

Chapter Six, Defensive Skills, covers exactly what the title says. Defense, control and blocking are covered here. This includes blocking weapon attacks. The things McCann teaches are illustrated with attached photographs.

Chapter seven teaches combative attacks. These include the finger strike, hammer fist, face strike, ax hand and knees, elbows, and kicks, among others. Once again, the attached photographs illustrate the various strokes. McCann is also clear when describing the execution of the techniques that you exploit in them and use all your body weight to your advantage.

Chapter eight provides some unarmed situational self-offense situations. McCann offers a brief summary on the use of force and then offers some scenarios with examples of how one might defend oneself in such a situation. The images are clear and the techniques simple and brutal. A couple of scenarios involve pistol defense, which are the same techniques that those familiar with McCann’s DVDs have seen him teach.

Finally, there is an epilogue that contains some corollaries between combative and the US Marine Corps (FM 1) Warfighting Field Manual 1.

Kelly McCann’s “Combatives for Street Survival: Hard-Core Countermeasures for High-Risk Situations” provides excellent advice and instructions on self-defense and the person who learns the techniques and principles in this book, and who trains hard as McCann advises, will be much better prepared if you are ever faced with a violent and unexpected assault.

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