Company: ESPY-TV
Tape Name: Aiki Jujitsu: Tape 4 - Defenses Against Edged Weapons
Tape
Cost: $29.95
Length of Tape/Time: 50 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: Approximately
40
Return Policy: Return On Defective Or Damaged Merchandise Only
Experiences
in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor: Ronald Duncan
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: 10
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 8
3.
Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 8
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: 8
7. Wasted Time ( The higher
the number, the less " fluff" /repetition ): 8
8. Playback Score/Watching
if over-and-over again: 8
9. Would I purchase more of this company's products:9
10.
Overall grade based on cost vs. Value: 9
Grand Total: 84% ( Poor = 1 Star
) Original Grade = 87%
Secondary Grading Criteria:
1.
Beginners benefit: Fair
2. Intermediate benefit: Fair
3. Advanced benefit:
Fair
4. Time to benefit: Depends on the skill level of the viewer
5. The
need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
This is
Professor Ronald Duncan's interpretation of aiki-jujitsu and it's use against edged
weapons attacks. The tape begins and closes with demonstrations of various types
of edged weapons and how they are commonly used in attacks. Actually, I thought
this was the best part of this video because I was not overly impressed with Mr.
Duncan's command of aiki jujitsu in the technique portion of the video. Most of
the techniques are garden variety aikido techniques and I saw little on the video
that would convince me that Mr. Duncan is a master of aiki jujistu. His footwork
was very good as he was able to move very smoothly. However, the extremely unrealistic
attacks used by the ukes make the techniques used look much more effective than they
really are. Most were too complex for effective use in the street in my opinion.
Mr. Duncan does only a fair job of explaining each technique and on some sections,
he does not even bother to do that much. Mr Duncan misgrabbed the attacking arm
several times and was forced to clumsily adjust on the fly. I can see that happening
in the street certainly. But not on an instructional video.
The techniques
shown on this tape are visually appealing to the novice. The ukes are terrific as
they jump and twist all over the place when they are being thrown. However, I don't
think the average street thug is going to be interested in impressing his victims
with a startling display of tumbling skills.
Needless to say, this is not
one of my favorite videos on edged weapons defense. The video is entertaining to
watch but I would not call it a must have for anyone seriously interested in learning
to defend against edged weapons attacks.
CJ
