Company: Harris International
Tape Name: BJJ 101 Tape 1 Escapes
Tape
Cost: $59.00
Length of Tape: 60 min.
Number of Moves/Techniques: 30
Return
Policy: Unknown
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor:
Roy Harris
Company’s Address: 2260 El Cajon Blvd. #196, San Diego, CA 92104
Company’s
Phone Number: 1.844.942.7747
Web Page: http://www.royharris.com/
E-mail:
roy.harris.info@gmail.com
Primary Grading Criteria:
1.
Production/Tape Quality: 10
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 10
3.
Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 10
4. Degree to which this will make
someone a better Martial Artist: 10
5. Score on delivery vs. Hype: 10
6. Degree
to which we would recommend this product: 10
7. Wasted time (The higher the number,
the less “fluff”/repetition: 10
8. Playback Score/Watching it over and over again:
10
9. Would I purchase more of this company’s product: 10
10. Overall grade
based on cost vs. Value: 9
Grand Total: 99% (Excellent = 4.75 stars)
Secondary Grading Criteria:
1.
Beginners benefit: Excellent
2. Intermediate benefit: Excellent
3. Advanced
benefit: Excellent
4. Time to benefit: Some Immediate, greatest benefit with practice
5.
The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
This video
series contains a total of three volumes. The video author is Roy Harris (a.k.a.
BOA) and this is the best series that we have seen to date for someone that wants
to learn the BASICS of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Some of the material presented would
apply to both Sport and No Rules fighting although the greater part of this series
is dedicated to the Sport side of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. This series will lay the foundation
that a person needs for grappling. Roy teaches from a conceptual basis in that he
gives the viewer the underlying principles and guidelines of grappling that explain
how and why the techniques work. Once a person understands these underlying principles
and guidelines they can start to improvise and learn on their own. Clearly Mr. Harris
has put a lot of time, energy and thought in creating such a high quality product.
Mr Harris is one of the best video instructors that we have reviewed. It is the DETAIL
plus the logical manner in which this material is presented that makes it such a
excellent series. He is very easy to understand and presents himself in a clear and
well thought out manner. Also of note is that there is VERY little wasted time in
this series. Each move is shown 2 to 3 times at most. Another thing that sets this
series apart from most others is the production quality. These tapes are absolutely
second to none in relation to the production quality. Very professional.
The
first video of this series deal with positional escapes. The escapes shown are for
the mounted position, passing the guard, across side, headlock, cradle and kesa gatame
position. There are eight escapes shown for the Mounted position the section I enjoyed
the most on the Mount escapes is when Mr. Harris explains the concept of giving your
opponent something to get something. Mr. Harris gives his mounted opponent his arm
for an arm bar, if the opponent attempts the arm bar Roy demonstrates a nice counter.
Excellent move. The next eleven minutes of video are dedicated to 9 ways of passing
the guard. These escapes are for sport BJJ and only a brief mention is made on how
to deal with someone who doesn’t have a gi on and you are attempting to make posture
to escape. A basic pass will be shown then the numerous ways that your opponent can
react are covered. A counter for each of these reactions is demonstrated. Shown is
how to deal with a person who pushes on your hips or hooks your legs when you are
attempting to pass their guard. If someone was to practice the techniques shown on
this tape their ability to escape would greatly improve.
Mr. Harris then
moves onto the across side position (100 kilos). Four escapes are shown and how to
set someone up for the escape. There are too many videos that show escapes and fail
to show you how to set the technique up. Well done Mr. Harris. Covered next are the
headlock, cradle and kesa gatame positions. All of these are covered in detail and
again the set ups for these positions are shown.
Combinations and drills
are shown as well as an explanation and demonstration on how to change from position
to position. The last section of the video is approx. seven minutes of Roy and his
students competing at tournaments. I can clearly see why Roy’s nickname is BOA. Mr.
Harris is like a BOA when he grapples, he is so tight and relaxed. Very smooth. Each
fight is narrated by Roy and he gives details as to what he is doing and why. The
only reason that this video didn’t score a perfect 100 percent is the cost. It is
an excellent video/series but it is expensive. With that said if your looking for
a series (especially if you don’t have access to an Instructor or can’t make class
regularly) that will give you the fundamentals in BJJ this is the one I would buy.
I also wanted to mention that Mr. Harris was exceptional to deal with. There
was a delay in receiving the video’s however from what I understand this was beyond
Mr. Harris’s control. I had sent several emails enquiring about my order and each
was answered promptly. At no time was I simply brushed off after I had placed my
order. I am looking forward to seeing his next series on BJJ and hope that he will
also have a series out that deals specifically with NHB and street fighting.
M.O.
