Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it’s definitely worth owning. One such book is Marc “Animal” Mac Young’s, “Cheap Shots, Ambushes, and Other Lessons.”

Once again, Marc gives you a no-holds barred look at the reality of fighting and surviving on the street. This book is simply loaded with sound principles and easy to learn techniques for making the most of a bad situation. Marc spends a good deal of time discussing the principles behind the techniques and what to look for. I find this information on the principles behind the techniques very useful, and it is usually a very good indicator of a high quality self-defense and/or martial arts book.

Introduction:

It is painfully obvious that Marc has had some bad experiences with formal martial arts training and that is too bad. However, one must remember that, “One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch babe.” I believe that is either an old parable, or a line from the Jackson 5, if I’m not mistaken. Or it may even be both.

The Foundation:

a. Attitude or Spirit.

This can also be summed up as your desire to do whatever you have to do in order to not only survive a violent encounter, but also to come out on top.

b. Fear and the negative voice in your head.

In this section Marc discusses fear and the negative reinforcement training that we receive from the time we are able to crawl until the time you are put into a wooden box.

c. Difference between fighting and combat.

Believe it or not, there is a difference between fighting and combat. Generally speaking, fighting is usually a combination of stupidity and hormones gone amuck. While combat is serious life and death. And yes, sometimes fighting can lead to combat.

Range:

Here Marc takes a look at the 3 different fighting ranges and the preferred generalized techniques to use in each range. The ranges are as follows:

1. Wrestling
2. In-fighting
3. Distance Fighting

Mobility:

Although I found this section to be way too brief, it still provides a lot of practical information on avoiding a blow, rather than trying to block it. In other words, “If it doesn’t hit you, it can’t hurt you.”

Balance:

Although I found this section to be way too brief, it still provides a lot of practical information on balance and the importance of maintaining it. In other words, “How can you expect to defend yourself if you’re tripping over your own feet?”

Blocking:

The theory and principles behind blocking are at the forefront of discussion in this section with little to no real techniques being properly presented. Which when you read the introduction, is exactly what the author intended. Remember, this is not a technique oriented book, but rather a principle and theory behind the technique book. And a pretty damn good one at that.

Counters:

I also found this section a little to short to my liking and would have liked to have seen it at least a few pages longer. However, the information that it does contain is practical and good food for thought. As you may or may not know counterattacking is considered to be the master’s attack.

Blows:

In this section Marc discusses 4 different types of blows and what their designed or intended to do. They are as follows:

a. Set-ups

These can be (and do include) the boxers jab. These are designed to confuse and create an opening or openings on your opponent so that you can exploit them with heavier more dangerous blows.

b. Rattlers

These blows hit a little bit harder than an initial set-up blow and are designed to “rattle” the senses of your opponent.

c. Maimers

These are blows that are designed to do the most damage after initial contact with your opponent has been made. For example; a slap to the side of the head by an open hand that once it hits the head, reaches up and grabs a hold of the ear and rips it off the side of your skull.

d. N.N.B.R.

I have to chuckle every time I read about N.N.B.R.’s. Not that they are inherently funny, but what the acronym stands for is pretty hilarious. What these blows are designed to do is to put your lights out, nappy time, kissing the canvas, etc. They knock you out!

Punches:

Although several good points are brought up in this section, the one that is perhaps the most important is this, “As fast as your punch goes out, it should be just as fast coming back in.”

Kicks:

Now before I get into the “nuts & bolts” of this section, I have to admit that the subject of kicking is a sore spot with me. Not in the sense of being against it, as a matter of fact it is quite the opposite, but as being totally in favor of kicking as a means of self-defense when the kick is executed correctly, and applied properly. This in itself can be the deciding factor between improving your chances of victory, or total humiliation with a smattering of pain thrown in for good measure.

Here are two important points to remember when reading this section.

a. For the most part, a lot of what Marc says about kicking is correct.
b. However, it is not the kick that is ineffective, but rather the improper application of the kick that is ineffective.

Grounding:

Absolutely wonderful section on a little known aspect of creating power in your blows.

a. Using the ground to give you added power in your blows.
b. Principles behind throwing a blow correctly.
c. Deflecting a blow by using grounding.

Linear and Nonlinear Forms:

The difference between straight line attacks and circular attacks is discussed.

Hard and Soft:

Theory, principles, and the comparison between hard and soft styles.

Trapping, etc.:

This was a surprisingly good section on the techniques of trapping and binding an opponent’s limbs as they try and hit you. This allows you to deprive them of a limb and the ability to fight effectively, while giving you the opportunity to land several blows of your own. This is just a small sample of what is discussed in this section.

Strategy:

A fairly good section devoted to this very important subject. I especially liked the components that Marc states make up the whole of strategy. All and all, a pretty damn good list. They are as follows:

a. Knowledge
b. Thinking
c. Awareness
d. Timing
e. Luck
f. Improvisation

Anger, Bullies, and Berserkers:

Marc gives you an extremely good profile of the 3 types of people you are most likely to be confronted by during a self-defense type situation. He also gives you sound advice on how to handle each one of these threats.

Sucker Punches, Low Blows, and Tricks:

In this section Marc discusses the theory and principles as well as some myths about cheap shots and so forth. Very informative information that, like the rest of the information in this book, should be stored in the old grey matter and used frequently. Here are just two of the things discussed in this section.

a. Diversion and Hiding
b. Telegraphing

Bad Asses:

a. Spotting

How to spot the various types that are described in this section.

b. Various Types

In this section, Marc gives you a detailed analysis of the various types of bad asses that you may or may not encounter. Some of which you will never want to.

Fight vs. Combat:

Marc discusses the HUGE difference between a fight and combat.

Alpha and Beta:

Wonderful section on the alpha/beta concept and how it applies to humans just as much if not more than animals.

Mistakes:

If you don’t learn from them, you’ll probably die from them.

Taking Punishment:

You need to learn how to take and accept pain during a fight in order to make sure that it doesn’t affect you in a negative way. However, taking a beating to prove that you can is just plain stupid.

Friends and Other Aggravations:

“If you lay down with dogs, sooner or later you’re going to get fleas.” If you have a friend that seems to always get you into trouble, perhaps it’s time to get a new friend. This section deals with the problems that you can have that weren’t even caused by you, but by those around you.

Woofing:

A good example for this section would be the more commonly termed, “verbal judo.”

Mostly for Women:

This is a very good section geared directly towards and for women. Marc discusses the issues that face women and what they can and need to do in order to empower themselves and fight back.

Weapons:

Marc discusses various types of weapons you are likely to encounter and spends a good deal of that time discussing the most common of them all, the knife. He also includes 4 rules for using a weapon that are very sound and should be followed.

Martial Arts vs. Street Fighting:

Once again I have to take a bit of an exception with Marc’s comparison of PKA (Professional Karate Association) to self-defense. To me, this is like comparing apples to oranges. Although I do understand the comparison he was trying to make. Again I must emphasize that, “One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch babe.”

Teachers:

A good teacher is worth their weight in gold, just like a bad one is worth their weight in crap.

Miscellaneous:

Just like the section title states. Miscellaneous information that’s good to know.

Like all of Marc’s books, this one is straight forward and well worth the price.