Company: Vee Arnis Jujitsu
Tape Name: 1-2-3 Hit Program Series
Tape Cost: $39.95 per tape/dvd or $359.55 for all 10
Length of Tape/Time: 10 tapes, approximate 60 minutes each (See Summary)
Number of Moves/Techniques: Numerous
Return Policy: Defective or damaged merchandise only
Instructor: Professor David James
Company's Address: 4202 Ave U, Brooklyn, NY, 11234
Company's Phone Number: 718-252-8944
Web Page: http://www.vajjujitsu.com/
E-Mail: info@vajjujitsu.com
Primary Grading Criteria:
1. Production/Tape Quality: 100
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 100
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 100
4. Degree to which this will make someone a better Martial Artist: 100
5. Score on delivery vs hype: 100
6. Degree to which we would recommend this product: 100
7. Wasted Time ( The higher the number,the less " fluff" /repetition ): 100
8. Playback Score/Watching it over-and-over again: 100
9. Would I purchase more of this company's products: 100
10. Overall grade based on cost vs. value: 100
Grand Total: 100% (Excellent = 5 Stars)
Secondary Grading Criteria:
1. Beginners benefit: Excellent
2. Intermediate benefit: Excellent
3. Advanced benefit: Excellent
4. Time to benefit: Immediate, or a few weeks
5. The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
This review over the 1-2-3 Hit series by Professor David James took longer to deliver than I had promised, simply due to very selfish reasons…I DID NOT wish to return them to EM. I watched this complete set three times and would willingly watch them again and again! After reading the previous reviews on this site covering Professor James’ material, I was a bit skeptical that it really would live up to the “hype.” I can respectfully say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Professor James has delivered an awesome product that significantly exceeded any expectations I had.
If you are a martial artist, get this set…if you are a martial art instructor, get this set…if you’ve martial art enthusiast, get this set. Straight up, get this set.
Professor James takes concepts from the martial arts and puts them into simple, but very effective actions that anyone can use and immediately be better prepared to defend themselves in a street-type situation. There is no candy coating or fluff in this set, he tells it like it is. In addition, he takes some of the elaborate, improbable techniques taught in other videos and explains why they won’t work, then follows up with variations that are more practical for today‘s situations.
He constantly challenges you to “not just take his word for it,” but try it for yourself. He also offers you to give him a call if you oppose his concepts, so that you may discuss it with him. I truly believe that if you have a better way, he would find a way to incorporate it into his system.
There are 10 videos in this set and all are action packed and loaded with more information than you could wish for.
Tape 1 - The Ten Commandments of Self Defense (75 minutes)
The first video of this series explains the elementary concepts of 1-2-3 HIT program. This video starts with an introductory question and answer segment with Professor David James. He explains his practical system of self defense and why it is not considered a traditional type of martial arts training, but more cutting edge street training. He follows with his beliefs on weapons training, ground fighting, and his use of training equipment. This video is the groundwork for understanding the concepts, movements, and techniques in the successive Hit 1-2-3 videos.
Tape 2 - Practical Blocking and Striking (65 minutes)
Professor James states that there are no new punches, kicks or blocks so what he emphasizes on this video is learning what to look for and how to “see” the oncoming threat. The basic areas of striking known as the “5 Angles of Attack” are introduced, which are recurring throughout the remainder of the Hit 1-2-3 series. The blocking techniques are utilized by “Same Side” of attack, “Two Hands” against attack and “Across” against an adjacent strike. The theory of, “Block and Touch,” which disrupts the attacker‘s focus, is demonstrated. This is followed up with the “High and Low concept” to finish off the attacker, so that you may get away from the situation. Defense Against a Boxer is also shown.
Tape 3 - Hit Techniques (46 minutes)
The 1-2-3 Hit Techniques video follows the previous videos by repeating the Ten Commandments of Self Defense. Much emphasis is spent on the attacker breaking the “3 Foot Rule,” starting from a “Non Threatening Manner,” “Controlling and Changing the Focus,” “Striking from the Closest Point,” the “High and Low Concept,” and “You Can Move Faster Forward than He Can Move Backward.” Professor James continually uses these points to reiterate the basics (always an excellent teaching method) so that his concepts are easily retained by the viewer. These techniques are taught in groups of three moves at a time, hence the 1-2-3 Hit. He teaches these techniques against an attacker slow, in motion, then he has one of his instructors put on full body gear and he shows you in real time. His concepts are presented against the most common threats that are seen in most street or real world situations.
Tape 4 - Hit Knife Drills (50 minutes)
Knife or Edge Weapon Training is imperative in today’s society because it is a weapon of choice for many thugs. Once again, reviewing the basic concepts previously shown, Professor James adjusts his techniques to edged weapon scenarios. The angles of attack, the 3 foot rule, the high / low concept, looking for opportunity and blocking drills are basically the same as the earlier videos. He adds the “Double Bounce” of a knife strike as well as introducing the “touch” by using your feet. Also shown are drilling techniques for developing your offensive as well as your defensive skills. He gives a very realistic view of edged weapons, which he believes is largely ignored in the martial arts community.
Tape 5 - Hit Gun Defense and Offense (60 minutes)
Professor James starts by telling us why he isn’t big on gun disarms. He shows the basic disarms seen in other videos, when they “might work,” when and why they won’t, and then changes his attacker’s big barrel gun to a smaller caliber, short barrel gun. Most schools or videos never show defenses against these smaller weapons and the standard disarms will not work. What happens then? Panic? You get shot? (Logically, great stuff!) Professor James shows only one disarm that was shown to him, (Another great aspect for Professor James, he always gives credit to those who have helped him) which will work even if the attacker resists your disarm. Again, following concepts from previous videos he goes through gun defenses from the frontal position, forehead, side of head, back of head and stomach with such simple, effective concepts! This video finishes with strategies for law enforcement.
Tape 6 - Hit Stick Offense (30 minutes)
This tape demonstrates drills to be practiced to develop one’s stick training or ASP baton training. Professor James demonstrates the drills and encourages you to follow his cadence and work with him to perfect your skills. He works without a partner and with a partner to demonstrate the areas to strike. The various drills utilize that you practice with both hands and cover no stepping, stepping on impact, forward and backward stepping and drills to “flow” while striking the body at different areas. These stick drills are designed to increase your speed and coordination, not only with the stick, but with your empty hand speed and coordination as well.
Tape 7 - Hit Locks (60 minutes)
The Hit Locks tape gets into the basics of applying locks, and IDs when a lock is actually available. Many martial arts styles teach joint locks and arm bars against opponents that provide no resistance, which will work 100% the time. Professor James cuts through the fluff and demonstrates various arm bar drills (over the shoulder, the “A“ lock), wrist locks (the Pigeon lock, the “C” lock), and multiple finger manipulations off a variety of attacks and more importantly, when to apply the proper lock for a given situation.
Tape 8 - Hit Takedowns (30 minutes)
This video covers what to do to take down and take out an opponent’s base that is physically much larger than you. Professor James emphasizes that you do not want to get into a grappling situation and effectively shows you when to use your takedown, how to use the takedowns and the proper way to execute these takedowns. Various attacks from the front as well as a unique counter for an attack from the rear are demonstrated with fast and furious follow up attacks to end the situation efficiently.
Tape 9 - VAJ Course Number 1 - Part A (60 minutes)
Videos Nine and Ten introduces you to the foundation of the Vee Arnis Jitsu System. This system was developed to allow the beginning level student to learn to defend themselves in a short period of time, as compared to most martial arts systems where it takes years to develop the proper techniques to become proficient at self defense. This video covers footwork like V stepping (V in and V out), triangle stepping with kicking combinations, and X stepping. Other methods like trading places or circular motion off an attack are shown and counters to the attacks following the concepts from the Ten Commandments are re-enforced and the use of Body Mechanics is emphasized.
Tape 10 - VAJ Course Number 1 - Part B (40 minutes)
Video Ten continues the VAJ essentials with the addition of the kicks that are used in the system; kun tao kicking, front push kick, front slap kick, shin kicks, muay thai-type kicks and a very simple side kick. This tape concludes with the application of 3 straightforward chokes, some pretty cool face locks and head lock defenses.
When it comes right down to it, regardless of your style, whether you are a student or an instructor, with the 1-2-3 Hit series, you will receive a sound, highly efficient, street ready self defense system which you can easily integrate into your existing training regimen. Buy this set, you will not be disappointed!
DC - Reviewer
