The Art of Holding: Principles and Techniques [Hardcover]

If you already have Mark Tedeschi's Huge 1136-page Hapkido book, you're probably wondering what makes this volume on holds any different. The main difference is this: The big Hapkido book _does_ include every technique shown here. However, the detail in this volume is much more exact--the big Hapkido book was so inclusive that the author was limited to showing 2-3 photos to illustrate a hold or thorw. This volume on holds uses an average of 5-9 photographs per technique, including close-ups. The descriptive narrative is also more specific in this volume. So if you would like a volume which is incredibly specific on the subject of holds and locks, this book is the thing! If you already have the big book, and don't really need the extra detail, then this volume would probably be redundant.

I should add that I am pleased with the quality of the volumes put out by the publisher, Weatherhill. Clear photographs are printed on slick acid-resistant paper, and the boards of these volumes are covered with a laminated paper that will resist picking up sweat (or any other of those wonderful things we get on our books while taking them on the mat or discussing techniques after practice). Tedeschi has gone the extra mile in making ALL of his books as specific as possible. Most of the techniques shown include extra photographs and diagrams of bones, muscles, and pressure points as they apply to the specific technique. For instance, the section on chokes and head locks includes 6 pictures of wrist action along with two diagrams of pressure points on the hands--and the explanation of why you align your wrist in a certain way, and how it is the most effective biomechanical method. This, similar photo-diagrams showing the difference between Basic Entries and Forced Entries, Eliminating free play in a choke, the importance of body positioning, types of chokes, major targets (again, several pictures naming areas with their pressure point location & proper location name), and attack points--this is before he even begins to show and describe a variety of chokes!

This specific volume includes an overview (history, types of holds, comparing holds from different martial arts, responsible use of force), then fundamentals (breakfalls, concepts, principles, stances, footwork, etc.), Wrist Locks (10 different), Arm Locks (16 of them!), shoulder locks (12), Finger Locks (18 kinds, 8 applications), leg locks (12), Chokes & Head Locks (32), Nerve Holds (20), Defenses Against Chokes and Head Locks (10), and Defenses against Joint Locks (10). Tedeschi includes a complete bibliography of his sources.

This is one of the best books out there on holds and locks. Mr. Tedeschi is apparently a well known designer and artist, and his books seem to reflect that expertise, as they are nicely laid out and designed with very clear photographs and clear and concise explanations and text accompanying the photos.

The book presents over 150 holds and locks, so the coverage is very complete. So if you just learned all the techniques in this book, you really wouldn't need to learn anymore. The techniques are organized by area of the body, as is typical, so there are chapters on wrist holds, finger locks, armlocks and holds, neck and headlocks, and leg and ankle locks.

Standing holds are included as well as ground holds, so some matwork is included too, which may be of interest to the grappling and BJJ enthusiasts out there.

In addition to the above, the book also has many useful or even unique features that I haven't seen in other books on holds and locks, such as:

1. Comparisons of the same holds and locks in the various arts, such as aikido, jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, and hapkido, showing the similarities in techniques across the different arts

2. Very thorough and detailed pressure point and nerve charts

3. A presentation of wrist holds by biomechanical action that is useful

4. Overview pages at the beginning of each chapter, such as wrist locks, illustrating the final position of the lock, which makes it easy to review the material or go to the lock you're interested in (since the names of the different holds and locks vary widely in the different disciplines)

5. Tips on holds and chokes, such as how to eliminate "play" in chokes.

6. Detailed photo sequences, usually incorporating more photos than in other such books, making it easier to follow the action

7. A chapter specifically on nerve and nerve cavity type holds

8. High quality, glossy paper that is rare on all but the most expensive books these days (you pay more for it, of course)

9. Photographs are black and white with very high contrast, making them easy to see

10. The whole book is just very nicely organized, laid out, and convenient to use

I have a suggestion on how to use the book. If you're a specialist in holds and locks, there might not be that much new to you here, but if you're more of a karate or kung fu or TKD person and you're trying to learn some holds and locks to integrate with your percussion techniques, I have some advice for you, since that's primarily what I am, although I have a second specialty in chin na.

It's not necessary to learn a great many techniques. Remember, back in the 1400s in Japan even a great jiu jitsu master might only know a dozen or two dozen different holds, but he could apply them with great skill to many different types of situations. I think that approach still has merit today. You could pick half a dozen or a dozen and leave it at that.

Another way to go would be to pick a few wrist locks, a few elbow locks, neck holds and chokes, and leg and ankle locks each. Also, some holds work better at arm's length and others are for more closeup. You could pick several that work at each distance as well, and several that work standing as well as on the ground, such as the standard armbar or under arm pin.

Finally, there is the distinction of whether the lock is applied from the inside or outside position relative to the opponent's guard. For example, the standard arm bar is done with you to the outside of his arm, and therefore away from the other punching hand, whereas the well known outward wrist lock, although a formidable technique, is done from the inside, where one is more vulnerable. But both kinds of techniques should be learned since you aren't always able to get to the outside guard position.

If you're interested in further information, the books by Yang Jwing Ming on chin na such as Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na and Taiji Chin Na, are also excellent, and also Ming's videos, the video by Kwong Wing Lam on chin na, and there are a few others I'm probably forgetting. The only problem with a book even as good as this one, is that for the price of this book new, you can get a video on the subject that actually shows the techniques in action. The Ming video I have has over 100 holds and locks, but he has several.

In fact, if you watch the auctions for a while, you can pick them up used on e Bay for less than the price of these books new. The only thing is chin na ones don't get listed as often as the other martial arts videos and you might have to watch for a while to find some. But that's how I got mine.

The Art of Holding does an excellent job of explaining fundemental concepts in joint locks and holding techniques, as well as getting into some more advanced combinations and counters. It's a particularly useful reference if you already practice a martial art that teaches these techniques as you will have context and background for the various moves. The experienced martial artist will appreciate the explanations of the different moves, the use of pressure points to strengthen familiar techniques, and the excellent categorization of the different holds. Beginners will also find the concepts easy to understand, although it will probably be difficult (and dangerous!) to practice many of the techniques without a qualified instructor.