Company: Blauer Tactical
Tape Name: Groundfighting To Beat The Armed Opponent
Tape Cost: $25
Length of Tape/Time: 2 hours
Number of Moves/Techniques: Concepts
Return Policy: Conditional Refund Policy ( See web site )
Experiences in dealing with this company: 3-4 week delivery time
The Instructor: Tony Blauer
Company's Address: PO Box 278,Westmount, Quebec, Canada, H322V5
Company's Phone Number: 514-482-1643
Web Page: https://blauer.rlxmediastreaming.com/us/
E-Mail: ask@blauertactical.com

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Main Grading Criteria

Production/Tape Quality: 8
Instructors demonstrated skill level: 10
Comprehension Score: 10
Degree to which this will make someone a better Martial Artist: 10
Score on delivery vs hype: 10
Wasted Time ( The lower the number, the less " fluff ") 10
Playback Score/Watching it over-and-over again): 10
Would I purchase more of this company's products: 10
Overall grade based on cost vs value: 10

Grand Total: 98 % (Excellent = 4.5 Stars)

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Secondary Grading Criteria

Beginners: Excellent
Intermediate: Excellent
Advanced: Excellent
Time to benefit: Immediate
The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: Possibly " How To Beat A Grappler " by Tony Blauer would be of some benefit.

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Written Summary:

Leave it to Tony Blauer to address a subject that is sorely lacking in almost all groundfighting/grappling videos that I have seen. Dealing with an opponent armed with a blade while rolling around on hard cement should be a nightmare for any of us, even those highly skilled in the sport style grappling systems. Frankly, you just don't see this subject covered very much and if you do, it is usually taught by technique instead of learning how to improvise while on the ground. Regular readers of these reviews know that we at MAVR have the highest regard for Tony Blauer's work and this video is another in a long line of TB successes. On a personal note, I have been in martial arts for a long long time ( over 20 years ). It takes a lot to impress me because I have seen and done a lot. Tony Blauer always impresses me because he is one of the few video guys who really teaches how to survive a serious street encounter. With all of that out of the way, let's review what is on this video.

This video is shot on location at a seminar in a dojo. The subject deals with fighting on the ground versus a knife wielding opponent. Blauer begins by introducing the concept of mental blueprint which is another way of training the mind to deal with the unexpected. Obviously, this can be applied to a lot more than just groundfighting. Blauer covers the " three C's " of dealing with a weapon ( clear, control, counterattack ) which obviously apply to a standup situation as well as on the ground. The basic training drill for this tape is introduced at this point. The main function of many Blauer drills is to train spontaneity and this one is no exception. Sensitivity and reaction are trained in this drill as well. The primary concept introduced in this video ( and touched on in previous Blauer videos ) is to learn how to train gross motor skills for fighting as opposed to complex or fine motor skills. This is a critically important concept for anyone learning how to fight for real. I think many people understand this concept intuitively but it takes Tony Blauer to uncover it and turn it into a teachable concept. Blauer nearly always discusses how the body reacts under stress which means the use of fine motor skills ( higher brain functions ) take a back seat to the reactive brain ( the gross motor portion of the brain ). Anyway, Mr. Blauer makes a few changes to this basic groundfighting drill as the video progresses but the basic concepts remain the same. The importance of striking, clawing, raking an opponent on the ground are always shown in a Blauer drill. Fine points ( such as how to punch a guy when his head is on the cement ) are discussed as well. Blauer is not a believer in the one shot knock out on the ground because of the myriad changes that negate the ability to deliver a one shot knock out. Instead, like so many good street fighters, Blauer wears the opponent down with a series of strikes that will diminish the opponent's willingness to fight. If you get the knock out, great. But do not count on it and don't get yourself killed looking for the knock out. Blauer does mention that he considers his self defense system a " Lego " system which means it is made of interchangeable parts. After watching his other videos, I can certainly vouch for that claim. Blauer also hints at the underlying fallacy between learning to fight by learning " techniques ". If you get the idea that this video ( like other TB videos ) is loaded with information, you are absolutely right.

Is there anything on this video I did not like ? A few times, I could not really see what was going on during some of the ground sequences but for the most part, that is not a problem because there is a lot of verbal explanation going on at the same time. The material here is excellent for developing real time fighting skills on the ground. There is some overlap with TB's another excellent grappling video called " How To Beat A Grappler " which might help the viewer to get a better overall grasp on TB's approach to groundfighting in the street. With a grade of 98, Mr. Blauer is once again among the elite of street fighting oriented videos. TB has always delivered the goods before and he does it again on this video. Recommended for everyone.

CJ