Company: Panther Productions
Tape Name: Close Quarter Fighting Tactics, Volume 1
Tape Cost: Tape Cost: 6 for $99.95
Length of Tape/Time: 45 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: 13
Return Policy: Return on damaged or defective tapes only!
Experiences in dealing with this company: Fair
The Instructor: Leonard Holifield
Company's Address: 1010 Calle Negocio, San Clemente, California 92673
Company's Phone Number: 1-800-332-4442
Web Page: Century purchased Panther's entire library http://www.centurymartialarts.com/accessories/media
E-Mail: panther@rsabbs.com

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Primary Grading Criteria:

1. Production/Tape Quality: 9
2. Instructors demonstrated skill level: 10
3. Comprehension Score/Immediate Understanding: 10
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: 92 % (Good = 3.0 Stars)

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Secondary Grading Criteria:

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

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Written Summary:

This is the second volume in the Hand To Hand Combat series featuring Mr. Leonard Holifield. As most of you know, Mr. Holifield has been the United States Army's chief close quarter combat instructor. Mr. Holifield also sports an amazing martial arts resume that is much too lengthy to repeat here but rest assured, it is quite impressive. The format of this volume is more typical of a Panther Production script since it is broken down into segments, each featuring a specific combat technique. This particular volume is not overly repetitive, at least compared to the majority of Panther videos that we have seen. One very important distinction between this volume and other Panther videos is that Mr. Holifield gives a detailed, in depth description of the technique before the technique is shown at combat speed. This initial clarification makes for a much better video learning experience, particularly for some one who has not seen the technique before. Mr. Holifield is very clear about the subtleties of each technique and there is no confusion about what or how to perform each one. Each technique is shown several times. First it is explained in detail by Mr. Holifield. We then see the technique a few times at combat speed, a few in slow motion, and a few with a different camera angle. But the typical Panther overkill is not seen on this volume and that is a very encouraging thing to see.

There are 13 combat techniques on this video. They feature defenses against punching attacks, bear hugs, chokes, headlocks, and front kicks. All of the techniques are devastating. All are relatively simple to learn from a video. All can be trusted to work under the stress of a combat situation because they do not depend of fine motor skill. After watching and reviewing a large number of videos over the last 2 years, it is rare when I get to see something new. On this video, I did see a few new takedowns. Well, maybe not really new, but Mr. Holifield made them seem new because he takes the time to explain what he is doing. Many videos just show the instructor rushing through each move with little to no explanation. One thing that was obvious to me is how the moves in each technique seem to work together. Each move within each technique seems to set up the following move so there is very good economy of motion. All of the techniques were simple to do yet would be extremely effective.

So where did these techniques come from ? They appear to have come from a cross section of martial arts. Many of them, such as the rear leg takedown, are common to many styles and systems. I saw material that could be from okinawan karate, jiu-jitsu, aiki-jitsu, and kenpo karate. The interesting twist on Mr. Holifield's material is that he has combat modified it for westerners. It is devoid of the esoteric Oriental aspects. It is definitely brutal, potentially lethal if taken to the ultimate end. If you pay close attention, you can see Mr. Holifield doing some very important things such as always preceding each takedown with a strike ( he calls them distractions
but if he hit you with one, you would definitely call it a strike ). One thing that I found very interesting was the way he managed to work his way behind an attacker who has attempted a front kick to the groin. He shows several very effective takedowns from the rear that I thought were outstanding. The one headlock defense is an absolute winner even though many of you will have seen it before. Probably the best technique was the defense against a full nelson which employs a shoulder roll that anyone could learn in about 10 minutes. The full nelson is one of the most difficult breakholds to do and this techniques should be in everyone's personal arsenal.
I will definitely be adding this one to my personal repertoire.

So what did I not like about this video ? All in all, it is a good buy for the money for all the reasons listed above. Probably the only negative thing I could say is that I wished Mr. Holifield had gone into more detail about some of the concepts he was showing inside the techniques. Concepts such as striking an opponent before attempting a takedown should have probably received more attention. But that is a minor complaint. I would recommend this video to anyone interested in some very serious hand to hand combat techniques. Beginners may like this video more than more experienced martial artists because Mr. Holifield's thorough explanation of how to do each technique will be of great help.

CJ