Company: ESPY-TV
Tape Name: Escrima, The Figure Eight Theory
Tape Cost: $29.95
Length of Tape/Time: 45 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: Concept Tape
Return Policy: Return On Defective Or Damaged Merchandise Only
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor: Rene Latosa
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

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Primary Grading Criteria:

1. Production/Tape Quality: 9
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 8
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: 8
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: 88 % ( Fair = 2.0 Stars ) Original Grade = 91%

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Secondary Grading Criteria:

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

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Written Summary:

Escrima is the Spanish word for fencing and it is quite apparent on this video that Rene Latosa is a highly skilled escrimador. In this video, Mr. Lataosa attempts to teach the basics of the Figure Eight movement using double sticks and then attempts to relate those same movements to empty hand fighting. As in nearly all filipino systems, the double sticks are a teaching tool and Mr. Latosa does a fair job of relating the double stick movements to empty hand applications.

Mr. Latosa begins by showing the 3 ranges of combat using double sticks and the inside/outside angling within these ranges. Four quadrant blocking is also shown as well as simultaneous blocking and countering. From here, Mr. Latosa shows the connection between double sticks and empty hand applications. This is one of the more difficult concepts for beginners to master in the filipino arts and Mr. Latosa does a fair job of conveying this concept.

As with other I have watched by Mr. Latosa, his presentation is unenthusiastic. While the material presented was fair, I felt sorry for any beginners watching this video and trying to comprehend what is going on at times. Mr. Latosa seems to jump around from topic to topic which will confuse many viewers in my opinion. I feel like there are better videos available on the filipino martial arts.

CJ