Combat Jiu-Jitsu

Although brief, this is a very practical and useful book on jiu-jitsu by Mr. Leff, whose training has an interesting history. While a foreign language teacher in South America, he met a Japanese instuctor by the name of Tanaka who taught a very aggressive form of jiu-jitsu that was still not widely taught to the public. Mr. Leff became a student and eventually a master of this system. He also worked as a bouncer for many years in New York city, where he learned that what he had been taught worked in real life situations.

In this style of jiu jitsu, atemi waze or strikes and kicks are well integrated with the more typical throws and holds and locks. The chapter on “Fight Stoppers” shows this very well, which usually involve a more serious countering technique or blow combined with a hold or lock and/or takedown or throw. Other chapters shold holds and locks throws, and other techniques. The system is very self-defense oriented, which Leff mentions in the introduction was always a focus of his, and often his instructors didn’t seem to emphasize it, especially the karate instructors, but also the judo and jiu jitsu ones as well.

Mr. Leff also has some very sage advice about not resorting to violent behavior unless you absolutely have to, as a result of the possible legal fees and fail time. Although you might feel justified in defending yourself, it’s possible the courts might not see it that way. Also, he points out that going to the ground, which one hears so often these days, is a very dangerous piece of advice and should not be done under any circumstances unless one falls or trips, since placing yourself on the ground just insures that if the guy has any companions that they will kick or stomp you on the ground.

This is an excellent book on self-defense oriented jiu jitsu with many useful and practical techniques. My only complaint is that I would like to have seen even more of Mr. Leff’s very practical and effective system and would like to see him do a book covering his complete system someday.

Although Norman Leff has superior talents writing is not one of them. The writing is ponderous and the photographs are useless. There is nothing to be gained by purchasing or reading this book. Save your money and buy something else.