Basic Jujitsu Handbook

by Fred Neff, James E. Reid

Text and photographs provide a guide to the basic blocks, punches, kicks, locks, and throws of judo. Includes warm-up exercises.

59 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 1981

Reviews

[James Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Basic Ju-Jisu Handbook was the first book on this subject I have ever read and it was eye opening. My own background is as a person who earned a first degree black belt in Karate in Japan with exposure to some similar types of similar fighting forms. I had envisioned Ju-Jitsu as being just another name for Judo but now after reading the book I understand that it is something very special that includes far more than just throws like I had earlier thought to be the case. I like the way this book gives a brief but effective overview of Ju-Jitsu with lessons that could easily be understood and practiced by anyone with an interest in marital arts. While the book is simple and easy to use the author is someone I saw participate at a tournament over fifty years ago that utilized very intricate and highly acrobatic types of kicks. His execution of such highly gymnastic tactics was extremely impressive and not something that I could ever do. These types of moves by the author are not included in the basic ju-jitsu handbook not only because they would be beyond the level of learning expected of the reader but because they were not part of ju-jitsu, but more likely a form of Kung-Fu. Nevertheless, it shows the good judgment of the author of only including basic essential fighting moves that would be useful and easy to use rather than displaying showy acrobatic tactics that while impressive would be impractical for the vast majority of people. I find the Basic Ju-Jitsu handbook refreshingly simple and straight forward.

[Tom Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Basic Ju-Jitsu Handbook is an excellent resource to learn about this often misunderstood martial art. For years I thought Ju-Jitsu was just another way of saying Judo. I had seen Judo practiced and it looked neat but not for me. I am not a wrestling type of person. As a side note I did see the author Fred Neff in a men's class at the YMCA practicing Judo when I was young. He was outstanding! Quite a while later after I got active in Karate I also saw him doing some spectacular kicks. While he has kept out of the limelight and may not be known by some people, he is my favorite martial art author. He sticks to teaching and not building himself up. This is the hallmark of someone dedicated to a subject-that he puts it first and not himself.

The Basic Ju-jitsu manual is very concise. The book deals in what I would call traditional ju-jitsu drawn from the Samurai warriors of Japan and not from the sports of Karate or Judo. I like the way Fred Neff has explained what is Ju-jitsu and differentiated it from the more commonly known martial arts. He also dispels the common myth that Ju-jitsu only includes throws and locks and not punches and kicks. The traditional ju-jitsu in this book is a complete martial art. While the book is small it has the core of what I would think the average person would want to know about this ancient art. The book is one that I can give my top rating.

[Peter Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first picked up the book it looked interesting because every other book on Ju-Jitsu seemed to really be nothing more than another Judo book with a different name. This book showed Ju-Jitsu as being a far more inclusive fighting art than judo meaning that it not only included throws but punches and kicks. I really liked the simple and unpretentious approach to Ju-Jitsu. Anyone can understand and learn something useful from the books lessons. This is truly a book for young and old a like and an excellant place to start for someone who wants to learn about Ju-Jitsu, so I give it a five star rating.

[Dan Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a youngster I equated jujitsu and judo as being the same thing. Fred Neff's Basic JuJitsu book dispels this notion. It is a very too the point book that gives the nitty gritty of what makes up jujitsu in a well organized manner. The book shows limbering up exercises, stances, blocking, hand blows, foot blows, falling techniques, holds and throws. What a comprehensive approach for such a small book. This is truly a book worth having, so I have added it to my personal library and it gets my highest recommendation.