The beginner's guide written by a man who has been a beginner over and over since 1981
Step Onto the Mat or Into the Ring: twenty styles, one beginner's journey, and everything you need before your first class.
Instant PDF download. 61 illustrated pages. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Dear future martial artist,
If you have ever stood outside a club, peered through the window and walked away, this book is for you.
My name is Buster Keefe. I walked into my first judo class at 11 years old. Since then I have trained in more than a dozen martial arts, and every single time I started again as a beginner. I did it because it is the best way to learn, and because it let me see clubs, coaches, instructors and senseis exactly the way a newcomer sees them.
Nobody hands beginners a map
Most beginners pick the wrong club, buy the wrong kit, get hurt in their first month, or quit because nobody explained what was normal. None of that is your fault.
Step Onto the Mat or Into the Ring is that map. Inside you'll discover:
- An illustrated guide to twenty martial arts, from boxing and Thai boxing to judo, Sambo, BJJ and catch wrestling, and how to begin in each one
- The green flags and red flags of a good club, seen from the beginner's side of the mat
- Exactly what happens in your first class, and how to get through it
- What kit to buy, and what to skip
- How to train safely and avoid the injuries that make beginners quit
- A complete chapter for parents choosing a class for their child
- Wrestling as entertainment, and how it connects to real grappling
- My own story from 1981 to today, and what each art taught me
- A 12-week starter plan and training log
A look inside
Every style gets its own illustrated page: what it is, what your first class looks like, who it suits, how to begin, and a beginner's-eye tip.
Start with the right first step
- 61-page illustrated PDF, instant download
- Bonus: the free 7 Tips guide
- 12-week starter plan and training log inside
30-day money-back guarantee
Read the book for 30 days. If it doesn't help you take your first step onto the mat or into the ring, message me on WhatsApp and I'll refund you in full. No awkward questions.
P.S. Every black belt was once a beginner. I have been one many times over. Let me show you the way in.
Buster Keefe
Questions
Is the book suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. It is written for people who have never trained, and for parents choosing a class for their child. You don't need to be fit, flexible or young to start.
How do I get the book?
It is an instant PDF download. You can read it on your phone, tablet or computer, or print it.
Is there a paperback?
A paperback edition is coming to Amazon. Message me on WhatsApp if you'd like to know when it is available.
What if it isn't for me?
Read it for 30 days. If it doesn't help you take your first step, message me and I'll refund you in full.
Does the book teach techniques?
It is a guide to getting started, not a technique manual. Techniques should always be learned in person from a qualified instructor.