Latest Issue

FEBRUARY 2009

On-sale date: Tuesday, December 23, 2008


COVER STORY

TRADITION RULES!
Undefeated mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida uses his family’s unique form of shotokan karate to win in the octagon.


FEATURES

SCREEN FIGHTING 101
Hollywood professionals explain what it takes to move your martial arts skills from the dojo to the box office.

TALES OF THE WOODEN DUMMY
Wing chun master William Cheung relates three tales of kung fu’s best-known training device.

GO LOW!
Learn how the low-level attacks of the Southeast Asian art of albo kali silat can save your life when the chips are down.

HARD-WIRED
Veteran instructor Mark Hatmaker shines a scientific light on the controversy that surrounds the punch-vs.-palm-strike question.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TECHNIQUE
The best martial arts strategy always starts with your first move. Two teachers tell you how to pick the most effective one.

SPLIT SECOND SURVIVAL
A Black Belt writer goes head-to-head with Larry Wick to learn the intricacies of his unusual approach to gun and knife defense.

THE TEACHER AND THE FIGHTER
Bruce Lee chose Joe Lewis to demonstrate the principles of jeet kune do on the karate circuit. Lewis recalls some of the highlights.


DEPARTMENTS

JEET KUNE DO SOURCE
Teri Tom answers a reader’s question about modifying the straight-lead punch.

CUTTING EDGE
Carl E. Long draws on years of experience to offer practical advice on protecting your swords when you fly.

PSYCHED
Dr. Randy Borum breaks down the mechanics of anticipation and explains how it can affect your sparring.

FIGHTBOOK
Wrestling and the mixed martial arts have much in common, including a history that goes back more than 100 years.

HIGH RISK
If you ever have to confront an armed attacker, you’ll be glad you studied what Sgt. Jim Wagner is teaching this month.

FULL CONTACT
Bill Wallace has a message for all martial artists: Hip-replacement surgery doesn’t mean your martial arts career is over!

KARATE WAY
Contrary to what some instructors would have you believe, focus is essential if you want your martial art to improve your life. Dave Lowry explains.

FAR EAST
Mark Jacobs goes behind the scenes during the filming of a kung fu flick in New York to watch a Shaolin monk do battle.

WAY OF THE WARRIOR
Keith Vargo has a few things to say about the importance of respect in the martial arts.

NEXT GENERATION
If you’ve ever felt as though you were losing your commitment to your art, here’s how you can regain your enthusiasm.

SCREEN SHOTS
Patrick Vuong reviews Jet Li’s latest DVD, a re-release of Tai Chi Master.

CELEBRITY WATCH
American Gladiator star Xin Wuku talks about his martial arts life, including being on tour with Tina Turner.

PLUS

Editorial + Mailbox + News + Essential Gear
Black Belt Pages + Classifieds + From the Archives

ABOUT THE COVER

Lyoto Machida was photographed by Rick Hustead.
Deborah Reed Brown designed the cover.