Barron is a Jodoka that has also been there and done that when it comes to street violence. His book, Real Combat Judo, is a great bridge between traditional Judo and practical self-defense. As a boxer and combatives practitioner, Baron knows how to strike, but he also knows how to effectively throw an opponent to use the ground itself as the striking surface. This comes from Judo.

Real Combat Judo is not your traditional Judo manual. I have a number of those on my shelf too, and they usually consist of a catalog of different Judo throws and techniques. This book has a smaller amount of techniques, but contains instruction on how to actually use the throws in the various self-defense situations Barron covers. The book illustrates how to perform a throw, and then provides drills and training instructions.

The photographs are clear, and the instruction is detailed. I will note that sometimes the descriptions become a bit repetitive, but I find that better than having to refer back to a different page in the book to see the part of the technique being taught that is the same. This is a book to use, not just read through cover to cover.

To use this book, like any martial art instructional manual, you will need a training partner and a safe place to throw each other. If you are not competent in breakfalls, make sure you practice these first. (Barron does provide brief instruction on these at the beginning of the book.) Once you have a partner, location, and breakfall skill, you can start throwing each other with control as you learn these throws. Yes, if you have a back ground in martial arts, it will come easier, and a live instructor or coach will always beat a book or video. However, you can learn from different media if you are committed. As a resource for learning how to actually use Judo for self-defense, Barron Shepherd’s Real Combat Judo should be on your shelf and a go-to book when you are training.

Video Review of Real Combat Judo by Barron Shepherd:

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The book starts out with a brief description of some of the threats you might face, and then goes into a chapter on the winning mind. I believe this chapter, focusing on having the right attitude is one of the best chapters in the book. A person must have the proper attitude to survive an attack and be committed in executing the nasty techniques presented to stop an attacker and make it home safe.

Jordan then goes on to discuss the natural weapons we have at our disposal, which include hands, elbows, knees and feet. The next chapter focuses on targets. Mind you, these are very short chapters with just a brief overview of these areas.

Next comes the 12 techniques Jordan chose to illustrate in this book. The descriptions are short, but easy to understand. Finally, Jordan illustrates his 12 techniques with photographs in the final chapter.

This book is not a complete self-defense text, but it serves its purpose among books in a self-defense library. It does provide some very basic self-defense concepts and principles and illustrates some techniques that could be effective if properly performed. I wish it would have addressed awareness and avoidance more as a person’s first line of self-protection. However, if you are like me, and enjoy studying everything you can about self-defense and personal protection, this is a quick read to add to your collection.

The Dirty Dozen on Amazon:

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