Company: ESPY-TV
Tape Name: Dynamic Aikido Combat, Tape 1
Tape Cost: $29.95
Length of Tape/Time: 40 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: 20 techniques ( including variations )
Return Policy: Return On Defective Or Damaged Merchandise Only
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor: Robert B. MacEwen Jr,
Company's Address: 611 Broadway, N.Y., N.Y., 10012
Company's Phone Number: 212-673-0899
Web Page: http://www.espytv.com
E-Mail: order@espytv.com


Primary Grading Criteria:

1. Production/Tape Quality: 9
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 9
4. Degree to which this will make someone a better Martial Artist: 9
5. Score on delivery vs hype: 9
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: 90% ( Fair = 2.5 Stars ) Original Grade = 94%


Secondary Grading Criteria:

1. Beginners benefit: Fair
2. Intermediate benefit: Good
3. Advanced benefit: Good
4. Time to benefit: Immediate
5. The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None


Written Summary:

When it comes to the martial art of aikido, there are two definite schools of thought in the martial arts world. The first believes that aikido is basically a "ballerina" art with no real world applications. The second is that aikido is the "ultimate" art which is second to none in real world applications and gives one a sound philosophical base upon which to build a martial art. My opinion is that the truth probably lies somewhere between these two extremes. This video by Mr. MacEwen definitely presents the harder edge, the more combat oriented edge, to aikido and does not concern itself with "looking pretty" or coming across with philosophical mumbo jumbo.

Anyone familiar with the aiki based arts will recognize much of the material, but Mr. MacEwen goes further than most aiki videos by explaining many of the fine points of the art such as correct foot pivoting, correct grasping of the opponents wrist and/or elbow, and some good advice on finishing off a throw or takedown. Ikkyo, shionage, kotegaeshi, some frontal handgun disarms, choke defenses, bear hug defenses, iriminage, and a few other takedowns are just some of the material shown on this tape. Unless you the viewer has had extensive aikido training, I assure you that the detail Mr. MacEwen goes into on these techniques would be well worth one's time to watch. The material on this video, unlike many videos on the aiki arts, is shown at realistic speeds and with enough intensity to convince me that many of these techniques could indeed be developed enough to become highly street effective. That said, I am not a complete believer in the street applications of the aiki based arts and this tape is no exception. The degree of difficulty on these techniques is quite high and require a higher degree of fine motor coordination to pull them off. We all know how fine motor skills tend to degrade under stress, particularly the stress of street self defense situation. Because of that caveat, I recommend this tape as a possible buy but not a strong recommendation.

CJ


Click here to go to reviews 201-300



© 1997-2016 Martial Arts Video Reviews. All Rights Reserved.