Company: TRS Direct
Tape Name: Lethal Tactics
Tape Cost: $39
Length
of Tape/Time: Approximately 1 hour
Number of Moves/Techniques: 25 techniques
Return
Policy: ?
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor:
Ray Ellingsen
Company's Address: 606 Acequia Avenue, Visalia, CA 93292
Company's Phone Number: 1-800-899-8153
Web Page: http://www.trsdirect.com
E-Mail:
bpierce@trsdirect.com
Primary Grading Criteria:
1.
Production/Tape Quality: 10
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
3. Comprehension
Score/Immediate Understanding: 9
4. Degree to which this will make someone a better
Martial Artist: 8
5. Score on delivery vs hype: 8
6. Degree to which we would
recommend this product: 9
7. Wasted Time ( The higher the number, the less "
fluff" /repetition ): 9
8. Playback Score/Watching if over-and-over again:
9
9. Would I purchase more of this company's products:9
10. Overall grade based
on cost vs. Value: 9
Grand Total: 89% (Fair = 2.25 Stars)
Secondary Grading Criteria:
1.
Beginners benefit: Good
2. Intermediate benefit: Fair
3. Advanced benefit:
Fair
4. Time to benefit: Experienced players already know this material
5.
The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
Whenever
I see any video title containing the word " deadly " or " lethal ",
I immediately become suspicious. These words are the stock and trade of the martial
art hype artists that are so prevalent in the video industry today. While I would
not classify this video by Ray Ellingsen as hype, it is still not quite what it claims
to be. I assumed when I started watching that this video would be strictly empty
hand applications of lethal tactics. This turns out to be only half true since over
half the techniques shown involve using weapons to kill or cripple someone. Honestly,
I really don't think I need to spend money on a video to learn how to kill someone
with a knife, a bludgeon, or any other weapon. The format of this video is the same
as the previous two in this series that have already been reviewed. See our previous
comments about the quality and innovative use of camera angles in the reviews on
" Jail Tactics " and " Untouchable ".
The first half
of the tape almost lives up to expectations. We are shown 14 empty hand techniques
that use lethal or crippling force. If you have been in the arts for very long, you
will already know these moves. These moves attack the spine, the neck, the eyes,
and the throat. There is nothing particularly enlightening or revealing about these
somewhat commonplace martial arts moves. I even recognized one of the moves as a
technique straight out of USMC boot camp. We are shown how to break the spine by
dropping someone over your knee, vertical elbow strikes to the spine, shuto strikes
to the cervical vertebrae, thumb gouge and eye strikes, web hand shots to the throat,
temple strikes, and various combinations of all the above. As I said, nothing really
new and nothing really revealing to the experienced players. Inexperienced players
will probably derive more benefit from this video but be warned: Even those these
moves are relatively simple to execute, they are exceedingly dangerous to try at
realistic speed.
The second half of this tape is using weapons to kill or
maim someone. Exotic weapons are used including a Ninja key ring and a Delta Dart
as well as a mundane single edged knife. No doubt that the techniques shown will
effectively kill or maim their opponent. But you really don't need to watch a video
to figure out how to cut a femoral artery, jab a pointed instrument into a guy's
throat, or gouge out an opponent's temple. Mr. Ellingsen does warn the viewer about
the potential legal problems involved with using all of the techniques shown on this
video. I agree. You had better be real careful before you wire any of this stuff
into your subconscious response. Don't use this stuff for the guy on the freeway
who gives you the finger. Unless of course you want to spend some time in prison
for murder.
I thought the previous two videos from Mr. Ellingsen were okay
from a technique perspective. I really feel like the material on this volume is not
up to the standard of the first two in this series for the reasons already stated.
There is very little for the experienced martial artist to learn from this video.
The less experienced may derive a good deal more benefit. However, please be careful
practicing these simple but dangerous moves because they are potentially lethal.
CJ
Editors Note - There's an interesting article about Ellingsen & TRS at http://www.bullshido.org/Ray_Ellingsen
