Gracie Combatives...

Vaikka Gracie veljesten markkinointi on tälläiselle pohjolan pojalle äärimmäisen imelää, niin Gracie Combatives DVD setti on kyllä todella hyvää tavaraa. Tuli tilattua DVD:t jokin aika sitten ja katsottua ne läpi.

Tässä arvostelu itse DVD-setistä Sherdogin keskustelupalstalta:

"First let me say I do not train at the gracie academy. Except for a 3 hour seminar with Ryron about 4 years ago, I have never met or trained with anyone there.

These dvd’s cover street self defence for bjj. I’m not talking about some of the older self defence techniques that a lot of people don’t like, but applicable things like defending punches from the mount and the guard, or defending against strikes to get the clinch and get a takedown. Stuff every bjj’er should know.

These dvd’s are taught by Ryron and Rener Gracie. There teaching is among the best in the world in my opinion. Really breaking the technique down while keeping an incredible amount of detail. Don’t take my word for it though, there are free clips on gracieuniversity.com. There is also a technique list there as well. That being said they only sell the downloadable version there. The actual discs are available at graciecombat.com. The whole package with all 13 discs was $120. (Saatavana myös BudoVideos.Comista) Very cheap for what you get. 

That said, these dvd’s are very good. Not only the material, but the all around quality. It contains 13 dvd’s, a mini reference book, and a fold out poster size technique flow chart. It also has this in a smaller version in the book if the poster isn’t your thing.

The production quality is excellent. All of the video and audio are a very high standard. There are no clashing colours between the teachers or the background. Very easy to see and hear what is going on. The menus are very easy to navigate, making it simple to find exactly what you are looking for.

Now for what is covered. Let me clear up a big misconception that I had, and am sure others have as well. There is NOT 36 techniques on this set. There are 36 LESSONS. I found out this is a big difference. For example, defending punches from the guard is one lesson, but actually has 4 different techniques covering different options depending on your opponents attack and reactions to your defence. This goes for every other lesson. They all have multiple parts to each lesson, covering different reactions and options.

There are also reflex development drills, and fight simulation drills. The reflex development drill is exactly what it sounds like. Different drills to help you develop you reflexes, timing and technique. The fight simulation drill has a multistage drill where you flow from one position to another, covering only previously learned techniques into a ‘fight sequence’. This is to help you develop the correct reactions to varying situations. Every lesson has a reflex development drill, and all but the first two lessons have fight simulation drills.

Now when you look at the lesson for defending punches from the guard, you have the four different techniques as stated above, plus the reflex development drill, plus the fight simulation drill. Quite a bit of material for one lesson. Now you only have two lessons left on that disc, and another 12 discs to go!

All in all, I think this is a bit of a must to be honest. One of the very few dvd sets to cover self defence, great production, an awesome price, especially considering the price of most sets these days. And to top it all of, really great teaching. But like I said, go and check out the free clips and judge for yourself."