Timing in the Fighting Arts, by Christensen and Demeere

his is a book with a twist - no doubt about it! And it discusses a vital issue - namely the one of "timing". We may very well think that timing is "something" that someone simply is born with or blessed to have. Maybe we are led to believe that there is something supernatural or mystical about the ability. Luckily it is not so, and this book is here to prove it. Plus it gives us vital insight into the great importance of timing - what it is, when it applies, and how it can be improved. 

In this book Loren W. Christensen (a former police officer) and Wim Demeere (a full-contact fighter) offer valuable insight into the issue of timing as it applies to physical confrontations/combat and fighting. I am quite sure you have heard the expression: "timing is everything" in connection to comedy and artistry? What would a music or a theater piece be without proper timing? If you wondered: Yes, timing is physical as well as mental/psychological and verbal/non-verbal. Remember the old saying: It is not what you say - it is how you say it? Well, equally important is when you say it, timing... Given all this it is quite easy to see that timing is something of the utmost importance not only to fighting and self-defense, but to performances, meetings, negotiations, conflict management and a host of other interactions in daily life. As the autor also states (about it's importance): Great timing is probably more important than great speed.

In this indepth and fact-filled study the authors uses a great number of examples to show the importance of timing in the context of fighting/sports as well as for protection/self-defense. Not only the importance of "why" is covered - thankfully it goes to great length to show "how": how to become a better fighter or better self-defense practitioner by improving the timing.

Christensen and Demeere is looking at the topic from a great number of different (and vitally imortant) angles. With each new angle they offer pracical advice on how to apply and train, so that you can improve your "game". In short this is a very good book, and for once one that is equally important and relevant to anyone working with  reactive self-defense, protection (for instance as a body guard), pro-active or preventive self-defense, or pure fighting/martial sports. Highly recommended!

Loren W. Christensen har also written a great number of books - amongst them the "Fighter's Fact Book". He is also the co-author to the splendid book: "On Combat" (read more about this one by clicking here).

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