Jogo do Pau: The Ancient Art and Modern Science of Portuguese Stick Fighting

The first-ever presentation in English of the martial art voted in 2004 as the most effective stick art at the Congress of International Stick Combatives. It is also the only native Portuguese martial art, one that has challenged Brazalian practitioners of Copiera. Jogo do Pau, a traditional form of self-defense in Portugal, uses the long staff and shorter batons for defense against one or more opponents. Drawing on the combat traditions passed down from the Middle Ages, the art has been modernized to include full-contact fighting with full body armor but remains a potent form of self-defense. Luis Preto, holder of the black sash from the Lisbon Academy and a sports training professional, brings the first-ever technical description of the art together with complete photographs, allowing the novice or intermediate combatant an important guide from which training can begin. This book wil be of interest to those who practice any martial arts--but particularly stick arts--as its superb body kinesthetic offers refinements and insights to all.