Company: Straight Blast Gym Productions
Tape Name: The Ground
Tape Cost:
$ 49.95 for 1 or 2 tapes,$39.95 for 3 to five tapes
Length of Tape/Time: 1 hr 57 min
Number of Moves/Techniques: Concept tape,but many techniques and drills
shown to illustrate concepts
Return Policy:
Experiences in dealing with this
company: Excellent
The Instructor: Matt Thornton
Address: 1812 Ne 43rd Ave
Portland Oregon 97213
Company's Phone Number: 503-230-79248
Web
Page: http://www.straightblastgym.com/
E-Mail: info@straightblastgym.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'd recommend this
product: 10
7. Wasted Time (The higher the number, the less "fluff"/repetition):
9
8. Playback Score/Watching it over-and-over again: 9
9. Would I purchase
more of this company's products: 10
10. Overall grade based on cost vs. value:
10
Grand Total: 98 % (Excellent = 4.5 stars)
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: Can stand on it's own, but should be seen as a set
Written Summary:
Once again, in the
same way that it makes more sense to see the first two tapes before watching this
one, it would be highly advisable to first read the reviews of tapes 1 and 2 ,before
proceeding to this one. Having said this, this tape continues logically where the
previous one had finished. The subject of the tape is the ground-game and the art
which is most applicable is Brazilian Jiu Jutsu. Thankfully Matt once again uses
his conceptual framework, i.e. this is not a Brazilian Jiu Jutsu tape showing 234
things to do from the mount or 52 chokes from the rear. The basic concept of B.J.J.
is position first. From learning how to move from position to position comes an understanding
of how to control the opponent.
Matt starts by showing the various more common
positions, breaking them down into a guard game, a bottom game and a top game. Once
again he brings in a world-class guest teacher, this time the immensely knowledgeable
and highly likeable Chris Hautuer, a Machado black belt. Chris explains the basic
concepts and techniques of the guard game. Matt then explains and teaches the top
and the bottom game.
Matt emphasizes the importance of knowing how to do a
small number of techniques well , with correct timing and linking them together in
such a way that an opening will present itself sooner or later. Again, practice in
an alive manner is emphasized, i.e., once the technique has basically been understood,
it is practiced against an opponent who resists. To escape from an inferior position
for instance, it is necessary to create space. Only if one can create space, can
one begin moving. Only if one can move, can one get out of the inferior position
and into a better one. What is the point of practicing this with a fully co-operating
training partner when, in a real fight, the opponent is going to do everything in
his power to deny you this space to move? Anyone interested in grappling could use
this tape as a foundation, buying other more advanced or more technique oriented
videos at a later stage. A solid understanding of the material in this tape should
however cover most street self-defense needs. As in the other tapes, Matt does a
fair amount of philosophising and not everyone might not necessarily agree with all
the points he makes. Everybody would agree that streetfights are dark and despicable
things, to be avoided by all except the socially maladjusted. Not everyone would
agree that no-holds-barred fighting is a psychologically healthy pasttime. Matt clearly
agrees with the credo of the Dog Brothers: "Higher consciousness through harder
contact". There are those, for instance, who feel that pain hurts and is thus
best avoided and that "Higher consciousness through sensual massage" would
be a far better means of raising one's level of spiritual understanding. Whatever.
To repeat: If you wish to become truly functional in terms of real combat as opposed
to make-believe sparring games, buy this series and take the first step in a life-long
growth process!
E.P.
