Company: Hi-Impact
Tape Name: Winning Tactics, Vol 1 - " How To Win Any
Fight "
Tape Cost: $59.95 (sold in a 3 tape set - only)
Length of Tape/Time:
Approximately 75 minutes
Number of Moves/Techniques: About 20 Techniques + some
drills
Return Policy: ?
Experiences in dealing with this company: ?
The
Instructor: Bill Shaw
Company's Address: 8002 NE Hwy. 99-254, Dept.W - Vancouver,
WA 98665
Company's Phone Number: 360-576-5182
Web Page: http://www.hi-impact.com/
E-Mail: newsoffer1@hi-impact.com
Primary Grading Criteria:
1.
Production/Tape Quality: 8
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: 8
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:
8
9. Would I purchase more of this company's products:8
10. Overall grade based
on cost vs. Value: 8
Grand Total: 85% ( Fair = 1.25 Stars )
Secondary Grading Criteria:
1.
Beginners benefit: Fair
2. Intermediate benefit: Fair
3. Advanced benefit:
Fair
4. Time to benefit: Immediate for most
5. The need to buy additional tapes
to understand this one: None
Written Summary:
Like most
of our readers, I have seen Bill Shaw's ads in Black Belt for years. I have also
wondered if it is possible to learn how to win any fight simply by watching a few
videos. As always, the answer is still no. At least not this video. Mr. Shaw is a
very good martial artist which is obvious from watching the video. But the material
is an assortment of techniques that most martial artists already know. This particular
video is also an attempt by Mr. Shaw to plug other videos that he currently sells.
In fact, most of this video is a series of excerpts from other videos featuring Mr.
Shaw in an obvious attempt to induce the viewer to spend some more money. Perhaps
on subsequent videos, the viewer will presumably be taught how to win any fight.
Because of the relentless cutting and editing, the material on this video does not
flow well from topic to topic. Mr. Shaw changes gi color so many times he appears
to be a human chameleon. I found the pace of this volume uneven and erratic. Some
people will definitely be put off by the fact they have just spent 60 bucks for a
Bill Shaw advertisement.
Okay, what is specifically on this video. As far
as techniques, we have kota gaesh, sankyo, the elbow over lock, ogoshi, seoi nage,
harai-goshi, and some chokes. That's about it. How to win any fight using our old
friends from judo and jiu jitsu. Man, I am relieved to know I can now win any fight
by knowing thesel. I was worried there for a few years.
Seriously, Mr. Shaw
does elaborate greatly on each technique giving good detailed breakdown on how to
apply each one. There are a few scenarios shown on application of these techniques
as well. But the basic problem with this video is the huge hype to content ratio.
Any video that is hyped up in the media sets itself up for a letdown, and this one
is no exception. Fundamentally, there is really nothing wrong with this video. The
material is standard dojo issue material that has been slightly (emphasis on slightly)
modified for the street. But this volume is not what it claims to be (win any fight)
and I have a big problem with that. One of the claims made by Mr. Shaw is that advanced
martial artists seem to be the ones who like his material the best. Think about that.
If I am a beginner and can be convinced that this material is what the high ranking
belts watch and like, then I may be manipulated into believing the same thing. If
they like it, there must be something here that I am too inexperienced to see. This
is exactly the game that Mr. Shaw is up to here and it is obvious to me. Well this
time, I am going to plainly and loudly state that the emperor has no clothes. There
is no high level stuff going on that can only be seen by high ranking belts. No way.
The material is straight ahead middle rank (green to brown belt) stuff with a very
small dose of street application.
Also, it seems Mr. Shaw is very strong
on endorsements from other big name martial artists. (check out his web site to see).
Why ? Good question. Could it be the good old boy syndrome? I do you a a favor, you
do me a favor. You mean the good old boy syndrome exists in the martial arts ??????
I am so shocked and surprised !!!
Maybe Mr. Shaw delivers the goods on his
other videos. Maybe the excerpts that make up this volume are not as good as the
actual videos themselves. But there are so many good street fighting videos on the
market that we cannot in good faith recommend this video. Sure, we could be wrong
in our analysis of this video. But I calls 'em like I sees 'em.
CJ
