Company: Dog Brothers Inc.
Tape Name: Real Contact Stick Fighting: Power Training
Tape Cost: $30.00 (the whole set of 6 tapes goes for $100)
Length of Tape/Time: 80 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: 6 to 8
Return Policy: ?
Experiences in dealing with this company: Excellent
The Instructor: Eric Knaus
Company’s Address: 703 Pier Ave, Suite 664, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Company’s Phone Number: 1-310-543-7521
Web Page: http://www.dogbrothers.com
E-Mail: info@dogbrothers.com

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Primary Grading Criteria:

1. Production/Tape Quality: 10
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 10
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 9
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 ): 8
8. Playback Score/Watching if over-and-over again: 10
9. Would I purchase more of this company’s products:9
10. Overall grade based on cost vs. Value: 9

Grand Total: 95 %

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Secondary Grading Criteria:

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

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Written Summary:

The Dog Brothers. These guys are to stick fighting as the Gracies are to no holds barred tournaments. Anyone who has trained in the filipino arts has heard of these guys. Their videos are discussed at seminars around the country and most escrimadors either swear by them or swear at them. This was my first opportunity to see one of the Dog Brother videos and I have to tell you people, I was impressed. I am always impressed by martial artists who push their training up the that ethereal “ next level “. For those of you who don’t know what I mean, let me give you a taste of what is on this video. This video is about fighting for real with sticks. Sound simple doesn’t it. And a way, I guess it is kind of simple. Two guys pick up a stick ( or two sticks ), put on minimal protective gear, go at it, and along the way, sometimes get bloodied and bruised.

This video wipes away a lot of the misconceptions that have grown up around the filipino arts. What works, what doesn’t work, is always a subject for debate in martial arts circles. But these guys give stick fighting techniques ( for lack of a better word ) the acid test. In other words, to find out what works in a stick fight, they fight with sticks. Yes, they do hit each other and they hit each other very hard. Some of the shots made me wince while watching. This is the quintessential “ walking the walk “ as opposed to “ talking the talk “.

The first part of the video is basically instructional as Mr. Knaus covers the concept of hitting with power. The importance of power hitting, be it stick OR empty hand, can not be over emphasized. It is the overriding, most important attribute of any fighter. There is no artsy-craftsy stuff on this tape. The second part of the video consists of the actual stick fights. I am not kidding, these guys blast into each other for real. There is so much to learn from just watching these videos. How much punishment can be taken ? How much punishment can be dished out ? What stick moves work ? What stick moves do not work ? What targets stop a man ? Which targets don’t work ?

Everyone who watches this tape has to deal with several nagging questions. How would I do in such a fight ? Would my stuff work or not work ? Do I have the courage to do this ? Am I stupid enough to do this ? How badly ( not if ) will I get hurt ? I know a lot of people say the Dog Brothers are crazy, that they unnecessarily risk serious injury, and that they are an embarrassment to some segments of the martial arts community. But I do not think this is the case. I think they are doing all of us a great service by showing what works and what does not work. In one part of the tape, Mr. Knaus’s voice says “ Could you stop this 240 lb juggernaut from taking you out if he came at you like this ? “ as we watch a behemoth blow right over a smaller opponent. Ultimately, would it not be better to find out before it happens instead of relying on sense of false security until the moment of truth finds you sadly lacking ? Food for thought, yes. Check out this video folks. You will not be disappointed.

"CJ"