The SAS Self-Defense Handbook: A Complete Guide to Unarmed Combat Techniques

I purchased this title for a civilian friend of mine who was interested in the unarmed combat techniques I was taught while serving with this Regiment in Rhodesia during the 1970's. While I agree with another reviewer that remarked that the laws in The United States and Great Britain (where I also served during the Faulklands campain with The 3rd Para) are rather draconian with respect to self-defense, the book is very informative regarding the basic tactics and pressure points of the human frame, i.e. body, and is indeed a wonderful primer for the lay-man.A small bit of inside information regarding The Regiment: Unlike the films, which portray every fighting soldier as 6'4" 280lbs, the average height and weight of a member of the SAS and The Parachute Regiment is 5'7" 150lbs, only showing that it is not size that determines a man or woman's strength but their Will to Survive, Endurance and Skill in unarmed combat that determine the outcome of any situation. My Instructor was a 5'2" 48y.o. man who had jumped with The Regiment in the jungles of Malaya (today Malaysia) and I feared him more than any of our oppenants during the war in Rhodesia!To my fellow American Service Veterans whose reviews are listed and speak disparagingly of this book: "Get Buggered!" The Regiment pre-dates The Green Berets, DELTA and Navy SEALS by nearly 20 years and most of the techniques they were taught were offered by The Regiment to it's American Cousins during their formation. And we are still in close contact with these units to this day in the area of COIN Operations.Those who Brag Don't Do. Those who Do Don't Brag! Who Dares Wins!And finally, to all my Mates, those who have past and those of us who remain, "Peter sends his regards and he'll be seeing you soon."

I am a petite woman and not used to defending myself physically but I believe that basic self-defense skills are important.Now that I have kids I am more concerned with the possibility of carjacking or something equally horrible, and I don't carry a firearm, although sometimes I go through some really bad neighborhoods and I wish I did.I felt that this book was well-written and an easy read. The illustrations are good, as well as the section about "spotting trouble". This book may seem remedial to anyone who has actual marital arts training, but I thought it was really good for me.I only have one gripe. I felt that the font was BIG, almost like the author was trying to fill up space in some places. But I still think that it was worth the purchase price.

I have had a lifetime of passion for the martial arts, combative arts, military arts and cultural arts. I am always seeking ways to improve myself physically, mentally and spiritually even though I am in my senior years. I recently purchased this 156 page soft cover book (The SAS Self-Defense Handbook: A complete guide to unarmed combat techniques by John “Lofty” Wiseman) for a bargain price on Amazon.Even though I do not agree with everything this book says when it comes to self-defense; nevertheless, it does have some very interesting and practical tips for anyone who is seeking information on safety and self-defense. This book is organized into two sections (Mental attitude and Self-Defense techniques) and eight chapters.The first section has three chapters. Chapter one answers the question, “What is self-defense?” It covers mugging, sexually motivated attacks, domestic violence, confrontation, and the SAS and self-defense and self-defense and the law. The second chapter covers “positive thinking” factors such as the will to win, body language, being assertive and overcoming fear. The third chapter gives tips on how to spot trouble and focusing on being alert and aware at all times. The second section finally gets into the actual self-defense material. It covers learning self-defense, your body’s weapons, everyday items in self-defense, and target areas of the body and defense techniques.As mentioned previously, this book has a lot of excellent advice, but some of the material may not apply to citizens of the U.S. where we happily have our 2nd amendment rights “To keep and Bear Arms.” I do like the illustrations which show more self-defense detail then photographs and most of the techniques shown are excellent.Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Tactical Principles of the most effective combative systems)

Straight forward, concise, and practical. I'm a practitioner of self-defense of any style I can get someone to teach me, and this book is just one more resource in my library. It's not a training text book, it's just a simple guide to some of the basic, yet effective, techniques used by the SAS (and many other law enforcement/military agencies). A bonus is that the first portion of this book is dedicated to avoiding and preventing confrontations. Only after that does the author go into how to deal with a confrontation. There's also a section on what happens after your put your opponent down, which is something that most people don't address. Self-defense and combat are not confined to the physical struggle. One has to prepare for the before and after, as well.

Much better guide to environmental awareness and proper self defense rooted in the belief/fact that de-escalation and avoiding confrontation all together is the best defense. The american culture of retired seals and bearded infantry wearing tactical pants and american flag patches on their hats teaching "self defense" primarily through firearms use are pure fantasy. This short but informative guide is the real deal.

Covers the basics but very simply. Easy to read, but this is NOT a guide book to make you into Rambo overnight.

Ich persönlich finde es sehr handlich und gut greifbar, inhaltlich ebenfalls sehr informativ und verständlich.

As described and on time.

Muy bueno

If you've read 'All in fighting' by W E Fairburn, you'll have no doubt a good knowledge of unarmed combat scenarios and useful techniques, like those taught to my late grandfather in his Home Guard Auxiliary unit in WW2!Lofty Wiseman's book is a very useful primer for those who wish to appraise themselves of primarily. techniques for self defence that any ordinary person young or old can do. The illustrations in line format are good and accompanied by concise text explaining the move illustrated.You don't have to be a superhero to perform these moves, with the right force in the right place, you can be effective as a professional fighter.We live in a society these days where the possibility of harm coming to you from others is on the increase, therefore, equip yourself with these techniques and they might save your life. Whether you are young, old, work in an environment where you may be liable to attack due to the nature of your job, or maybe are an older person, you will find in this book a wealth of simple but effective information.The book is very good in that it also steps back from the actual combat moves you may have to use and explores the psychology of you as a defender and as an attacker, and also an assailant's psychology and methods of how to deal with them, if talking fails, you then can resort to more direct methods.The book should make you feel more confident in yourself, much of the information away from the combat moves is common sense advice, but it makes you look at things from a different perspective and to be more aware of your surroundings and those people around you. In fact, it changes your mindset to a more positive one.Importantly, it does also advise on what might be justifiable for you to do in terms of self defence and staying within the law and accounting for yourself if you have to act.Whilst some may find the book basic, I would throughly recommend it to someone interested in learning how to avoid attack and if you have to respond to a situation, being able to do so safely and effectively.However, it is worth practicing the moves in the book with a partner so you can perform them to the best of your ability should the occasion arise, something which the book does suggest.Many self defence books will share a number of basic scenarios and strategies to deal with those occurrencies, but each book will have something in that others don't, often in techniques and moves for unarmed combat.One thing that an attacker is not expecting, is someone competent to counter them. This book gives you that gift.

This book is very informative and provides clear illustrations for a better understanding. It taught me a lot. I like it.