books

This book brings together 28 carefully selected articles on the subjects of karate training and self defence. It is not a guide to techniques, rather an analysis of how to focus training appropriately to meet the requirements of good self protection training. It is not a book specifically for instructors or students, but is instead designed to make the reader think about what they are training, how they are training it, and what they want to achieve from their training.

“John is one of the few people that is able to clearly, concisely, and (more importantly) cogently argue and illustrate points about self defence training, and specifically how Karate and traditional methods relate to that. It is significant that we find so much of what he has been saying for years is now very much “in vogue”.”
Jay Cooper

This book brings together over twenty carefully selected articles on the subjects of karate training and self-defence written over a period of twelve years. Based on the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations, personal experience and the shared experiences of friends and professional colleagues, and years of research into violent crime, it examines subjects as diverse as knife defence training, the role of tradition in karate, building safe scenario training, personal kata training and ways to focus training towards self defence.

This is not a book written specifically for ‘instructors’, nor for ‘students’, rather it is designed to make the reader think about what they are training, how they are training it, and what they want to achieve from their training. The aim of the articles is to provide information suitable for everyone, regardless of style or grade. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon worldwide.

“To say this book is a collection of articles written by John over a number of years is to do it an injustice. There are supposed, empirical works on Karate and self-defence that are simply not in the same league as this work and most certainly not as thought-provoking. This is a book after my own heart and I thoroughly commend it to anyone who questions what their current karate training is geared towards, but also to those who don’t need convincing about the efficacy of their karate in dealing with real-life violence but need a plan to affect change. This book will answer both question and need.”
Peter Consterdine

This updated 2nd Edition was published in November 2021 with a different subtitle and new cover.

Why train in kata? What benefits can it bring? How can we turn something so static into a dynamic part of our regular training? What role should solo training play in a repertoire?

“John has done a brilliant job of methodically and logically explaining his approach to bunkai! Conclusions and workings are clearly articulated in a work that is sure to be hugely popular and influential.”
Iain Abernethy, Bunkai-Jutsu: The Practical Application of Karate Kata

“An excellent synthesis of the last 30 years of practical karate research.”
Bill Burgar, Five Years, One Kata: Putting Kata Back at the Heart of Karate

“Karate has become a generic label, so I think it is important that contemporary practitioners are contextually conscious toward their individual training goals, to ensure they are travelling along the right path. John has created this excellent, thoroughly researched, educational and thought-provoking book that serves to represent an in-depth study of karate for civilian self-protection. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to explore karate under the surface.”
Chris Denwood, Naihanchi (Tekki) Kata: The Seed of Shuri Karate

“John intelligently explores and dives deep into vital and at times controversial topics which are essential to karate’s effectiveness and growth as a martial arts system. A must read for those who like to progress their understanding and breadth of karate knowledge.”
Leigh Simms, UK Self Defence Law: A Practical Guide to Understanding the Law of Defending Yourself

A selection of informative and thought-provoking essays collated by Andi Kidd on the subject of practical karate by International Instructors such as John Titchen, Leigh Simms, Chris Denwood, Iain Abernethy, Vince Morris, Laurence Kane and many more. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This book, first published in November 2015 and the final instalment of a four-volume series, examines Heian Godan. With practical application drills based on both the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations and years of research into violent crime, it contains a look at some of the myths surrounding the #bunkai of kata, along with a review of the rationale for using interlocking drills to progress from static to dynamic training, and an illustrated discussion of the difference between form and function in training for flexibility, fitness, and fighting.

The Pinan Flow System refers to the ability to train karateka to flow seamlessly between ballistic and grappling responses using techniques and tactics embedded in the kata, and illustrates why the Pinan / Heian #kata, practised by so many karateka, are an important and misunderstood part of the legacy of Okinawan karate to modern martial artists. Far from being simply kata for beginners, they reflect the distillation of the knowledge and tactics of the father of modern karate, and are an essential training tool and technical manual for beginner and black belt alike.

Available as a paperback or ebook:

This book, first published in May 2015 and the third in a four volume series, examines Heian Yondan. Along with practical application drills based on both the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations, and years of research into violent crime, it also contains a discussion of the role of physical contact and impact training in the martial arts and self defence, illustrated examples of core conditioning drills, and a look at some of the myths surrounding the purpose and application of kata.

Volume Three approaches the fourth #kata (Heian / Pinan Yondan / Yodan) by looking at the common factors that unite effective combative approaches rather than focusing on minor stylistic differences, and as a result provides applications and training drills suitable for everyone, regardless of style or grade. The clearly illustrated application drills teach karateka how to close and create distance while moving freely between the kata’s ballistic and grappling techniques.

The Pinan Flow System refers to the ability to train karateka to flow seamlessly between ballistic and grappling responses using techniques and tactics embedded in the kata, and illustrates why the Pinan / Heian set, practiced by so many karateka, are an important and misunderstood part of the legacy of Okinawan karate to modern martial artists. Far from being simply kata for beginners, they reflect the distillation of the knowledge and tactics of the father of modern karate, and are an essential training tool and technical manual for beginner and black belt alike. Available as a paperback or ebook.

First published November 2014. This book, the second in a four volume series, examines Heian Sandan. With practical application drills based on both the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations, and years of research into violent crime, it contains a detailed analysis of the attributes that make techniques effective, along with a discussion of the case for #grappling in #karate, and a look at some of the myths surrounding the #bunkai of kata.

Volume Two approaches the kata by looking at the common factors that unite effective combative approaches rather than focusing on minor stylistic differences, and as a result provides applications and training drills suitable for everyone, regardless of style or grade. The clearly illustrated application drills teach #karateka how to close and create distance while moving freely between the kata’s ballistic and grappling techniques.

The Pinan Flow System refers to the ability to train karateka to flow seamlessly between ballistic and grappling responses using techniques and tactics embedded in the kata, and illustrates why the Pinan / Heian set, practiced by so many karateka, are an important and misunderstood part of the legacy of Okinawan karate to modern martial artists. Far from being simply kata for beginners, they reflect the distillation of the knowledge and tactics of the father of modern karate, and are an essential training tool and technical manual for beginner and black belt alike. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon worldwide.

Second edition published November 2014. Packed with information this book, the first in a four volume series, examines the first two #Pinan / #Heian kata. With practical application drills based on the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations, as well as research into violent crime, it contains a detailed analysis of the attributes that makes techniques effective, an exploration of the origins and purpose of the Pinan forms, and a discussion of some of the myths surrounding #kata and their #bunkai. Each drill is clearly illustrated with photos and explanatory text.

This book approaches the kata by looking at the common factors that unite effective combative approaches rather than focusing on minor stylistic differences, and as a result provides applications and training drills suitable for everyone, regardless of style or grade. The application drills initiate from movements that simulate the body’s natural flinch responses to attacks or common fall back positions, and teach karateka how to close and create distance while moving freely between #striking and #grappling techniques that mirror the forms.

The Pinan Flow System refers to the ability to train karateka to flow seamlessly between ballistic and grappling responses using techniques and tactics embedded in the kata and illustrates why the Pinan/Heian set, practised by so many karateka, are an important and misunderstood part of the legacy of Okinawan karate to modern martial artists. Far from being simply kata for beginners, they reflect the distillation of the knowledge and tactics of the father of modern karate, and are an essential training tool and technical manual for beginner and black belt alike. Available in paperback and ebook from Amazon worldwide.

First published in 2007, this best-selling book takes the 5 Heian Kata and breaks them down into progressively dynamic training and sparring drills to teach students how to effectively counter the habitual acts of street violence.

The drills all initiate from movements that simulate the body’s natural primal and protective flinch responses to attacks, and teach students how to close and create distance while moving freely between ballistic and grappling techniques incorporating close range striking, trapping, throwing, unbalancing and locking movements that mirror the forms. Each drill is clearly illustrated with photos and explanatory text. The drills interlink so that students quickly find themselves able to move freely from one Kata to another mid-attack and defence to respond to the scenario created by their partner.

The book also contains a detailed analysis of technique effectiveness, an outline of the history of the forms and a discussion of the nature of violent crime and its implications for martial arts practice. This book shows how to change kata from a sterile solo exercise into a dynamic form that belongs at the heart of your training. Whether you are interested in competition fighting or want to learn effective self-defence, the drills in this book will improve your understanding of kata, timing, distance and repertoire. Heian Flow System will not only change the way you perceive these ‘training’ forms, but also the way you approach all kata.

This book is no longer in print although second-hand copies may still be purchased from various retailers. The Pinan Flow System series was written as an update on the Heian Flow System.