Company: TRS Direct
Tape Name: Jail Tactics
Tape Cost: $39
Length
of Tape/Time: Approximately 1 hour
Number of Moves/Techniques: 15 techniques
Return
Policy: ?
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor:
Ray Ellingsen
Company's Address: 606 Acequia Avenue, Visalia, CA 93292
Company's Phone Number: 1-800-899-8153
Web Page: http://www.trsdirect.com
E-Mail:
bpierce@trsdirect.com
Primary Grading Criteria:
1. Production/Tape
Quality: 10
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 9
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate
Understanding: 9
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: 9
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: 91% (Good = 2.75 Stars)
Secondary Grading Criteria:
1. Beginners
benefit: Good
2. Intermediate benefit: Good
3. Advanced benefit: Fair
4.
Time to benefit: Most is of immediate benefit
5. The need to buy additional
tapes to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
This is a fairly interesting
video that deals with joint locks and takedowns in an enclosed space (such as jail
cells, hallways, and elevators). The teacher is Ray Ellingsen who seems to be very
skilled in what he is doing. Much of the material is aimed specifically at people
in law enforcement who must subdue people. We are shown 15 different techniques against
various types of attacks including a few moves where Mr. Ellingsen is performing
an attack maneuver where he initiates the technique. While Mr. Ellingsen has given
the techniques English names, the moves are straight out of aiki-jitsu and/or Japanese
stand up jiu jitsu. All of the techniques involve the use of joint locks and takedowns
of some type. Mr.Ellingsen correctly states that many assailants can absorb a great
deal of striking punishment and to use a strategy that requires an exchange of blows
is foolhardy. Everyone's joints move the same way and can more easily be attacked
causing the opponent to be more easily controlled. Mr. Ellingsen quite correctly
uses diversionary striking tools to initiate his techniques including head butts,
elbows, palm strikes, and a few of the more reliable pressure point targets. Mr.
Ellingsen teaches the material in street clothes and the scenarios used are realistic.
I liked the way Mr. Ellingsen teaches which is a low key, no nonsense approach.
Each
technique is shown an average of 5 to 6 times. Combat speed, demonstration speed,
slow motion speed and an overhead camera angle all make for effective teaching without
overdoing the number of repetitions. On each technique, we get to see a simultaneous
overhead view with a regular angle. This is a unique way to view two repetitions
and to avoid wasting tape time. More people should be using this technique in their
videos. You will need a training partner to effectively learn these techniques.
Stand up grappling cannot be learned without the dynamic interaction with another
human body.
Most advanced martial artists will have seen or be familiar with
these techniques. Those of you with backgrounds in the Japanese stand up grappling
will be very familiar with these techniques. The English names used by Mr. Ellingsen
are the following:
1. Step Through Takedown
2. Arm Wrap Takedown
3.
Triangulation
4. Rolling Takedown
5. Step Through Arm Lock
6. Reverse
Arm Lock Takedown
7. Head / Neck Takedown
8. Strikes / Pressure Points
9.
Levered Arm Bar + 1 variation
10. Elevator combinations 1 and 2
11. Reverse
Arm Lever Takedown
12. Reverse Wrist Twist
13. Two Hand Wrist Trap
14.
Reverse Arm Lock
This video is strictly a technique video. However, the techniques
shown are effective and not that difficult to learn. If you are a collector of techniques
and you're wanting to expand you knowledge of locks and takedowns, then this video
is a pretty good choice. If you are experienced in the areas of stand up jiu jitsu/aiki
jitsu, then you will find the material repetitive. I did like the street application
of these somewhat traditional techniques. The vast majority of martial art videos
are technique oriented and this one falls squarely into the " good " range
of that video class. The quality of the video is excellent. If you're a cop or
corrections officer, then you may really like this video, depending on your level
of martial training. This is a good video for the people listed above. Experienced
martial artists will probably find much of the material to be old news.
CJ
Editors Note - There's an interesting article about Ellingsen & TRS at http://www.bullshido.org/Ray_Ellingsen
