Company: ESPY-TV
Tape Name: Maphilindo Silat Volume 1
Tape Cost: $29.95
Length
of Tape/Time: Approximately 1 ½ hour
Number of Moves/Techniques: Numerous
Return
Policy: Return On Defective Or Damaged Merchandise Only
Experiences in dealing
with this company: This company is terrific.
The Instructor: Rick Tucci
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
Main Grading Criteria
Production/Tape
Quality: 9
Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
Comprehension Score: 8
Degree
to which this will make someone a better Martial Artist: 9
Degree to which we
would recommend this product: 9
Score on delivery vs hype:9
Wasted Time (The
lower the number, the less " fluff "): 9
Playback Score/Watching it
over-and-over again): 9
Would I purchase more of this company's products: 9
Overall
grade based on cost vs value: 9
Grand Total: 89% (Fair = 2.25 Stars ) Original
Score = 94%
Secondary Grading Criteria
Beginners:
Fair
Intermediate: Fair
Advanced: Fair
Time to benefit: Immediate
The
need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
Mr. Rick Tucci, the
instructor on the video, takes a few moments at the beginning to say there are multilpe
systems of Silat in Southeast Asia and that the system he teaches on this video is
Maphilindo Silat which appears to be a hybrid system taught to Mr. Tucci by Dan Inosanto.
Mr. Tucci has also trained under Herman Suwanda and Paul DeThouers, both well known
names to those who follow Silat closely.
The video covers a quite a bit of
material in a short time. It begins by showing some basic panantukan ( filipino boxing
) which sets up the framework for the material that follows. From here, Mr. Tucci
move into limb destructions ( guntings ) which are familiar to anyone who has studied
a filipino based art. From this point, Mr. Tucci begins to demonstrate the unique
foot sweeps and takedowns that are the Indonesian arts are known for. Much time is
spent on mastering the " head turn " which seems to be fundamental root
movement of this art. This is not an easy art to learn from a video because there
is so much subtle pushing, pulling, tripping, off-balancing etc. going on that one
must have a keen eye for detail to fully appreciate the level of skill that is being
demonstrated. We get a look at the Silat way of attacking an opponent from a high,
then low attack, and following it up with attacks from the ground. There are several
very painful techniques that we are shown dealing with controlling an opponent on
the ground, using either the opponent's arms or legs for leverage. Very painful stuff.
Mr Tucci does say that one should study this art with an experienced teacher because
the methods of throwing in Silat make it difficult if not impossible to fall safely.
That comment alone makes this art seem worth investigating from a street self defense
perspective.
I like Mr Tucci's teaching style. He is low key, almost studious
at times, and he obviously knows his stuff. There is an good section toward the end
of the tape that deals with some joint locks that are not all that commonly seen
in some other arts.
I really don't have any bad things to say about this
video. But I don’t have a great many good
things to say as well. My main criticism
would be that I would have liked for Mr Tucci to have slowed down and given a bit
more information on how to do some of the techniques. This is especially true for
any beginners who might be watching this tape. If you have heard the same good things
about Silat that I have, this might be a good video to check out.
CJ
