IGX

This is off of mma.tv Underground--


The following serves as a review of the ‘Dynamic Judo’ series by Island Martial Arts. The instructor is Sensei David Williams. DVDs 1-4 serve as an in-depth look at several of the ‘high-percentage’ techniques in Judo, namely Tai-Otoshi, Seoi-Nage, Uchimata, Kataguruma, Kouchi-Gari and Ouchi-Gari. The DVDs not only introduce the techniques, but also put the techniques together in combinations, deal with the application of the techniques against opponents of different sizes, show how to deal with resistance of different types, show how to counter the technique, and show how to counter the counters. DVD #5 deals with Newaza, especially attacking the turtle position and finishing with submissions.

Lighting, sound, etc: Very good, never an issue hearing or seeing what was happening because of insufficient lighting, muffled microphones, etc.

Organization: Very good. There were two or three spots in DVD #2 that were a bit disorganized, but otherwise the organization is very good. The spots in DVD #2 do not affect the material at all, it seems more like 2 of the frames were switched.

Target Skill Level: Beginner to advanced. I would argue that the Newaza DVD is too advanced for beginners, but I believe that the rest of the series is good for beginners on up, as Sensei Williams lays all of the groundwork (no pun intended) necessary to be successful in Judo.

Final Thoughts: The series is very, very good. Sensei Williams is, no doubt, a great teacher and coach. He speaks very clearly, and is very articulate and deliberate in his explanations. He also planned this DVD series out very well. There are several very helpful mnemonics in the video, and I always applaud those. As a science teacher, I know that any little tricks you can give students that helps them remember the material is worth their weight in gold (197 grams/mol). For the price, as usual, Island gives a tremendous value for the money that you spend.



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From: Kirik
+Mixed Martial Arts LLC, President
Date: 01/23/07 11:06 PM
Member Since: 07/09/2000
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DVD #1: Throws Vol 1

Comments: This is the first DVD that I have viewed from this series, and already I am impressed, and looking forward to more. Sensei Williams opens with a few exercises and a short discussion of ukemi, and then introduces concepts leading up to the throw emphasized on the rest of the DVD, which is Tai-Otoshi. I walked away with the impression that Tai-Otoshi is a very versatile throw. The remainder of the DVD discusses the applications of the throw, defenses against it and counters to it. Throughout the DVD there is a good deal of technical advice shared on how to apply the throw against different opponents and how to make the throw work. In the ukemi section, Sensei Williams discusses why you fall the way you do, and makes some good points. I would have liked to see 3 or 4 more minutes given to the discussion of ukemi, as I have always been told that it is the single most important skill to develop if you want to have a long Judo career. He has nice analogies (look at the watch, etc) to help you remember little things. He showed the application of the throws at full speed, which was amazing to watch. I was also amazed at how little nuances like changing the grips helps you to apply the throws against different bodies. An outstanding DVD, one that I feel will certainly help me add depth to my understanding of the throw.


Techniques:

1. Core warm-up exercise: windmills.

2. Core warm-up exercise: modified shrimp drill (I think he calls it ‘ebbing’).

3. Discussion of applications of #2.

4. Core warm-up exercise: reverse shrimp.

5. Ukemi: seated side falls with some discussion of technique, why, how, etc.

6. Drill of #5.

7. Ukemi: squatting side falls.

8. Ukemi: lying and squatting back falls.

9. Ukemi: rolling breakfall for progression, plus some technical advice.

10. Drill: footwork, using lines in the mat and using shoes to symbolize opponent’s feet.

11. ‘Trust’ method of learning to throw with opponent on knees (I imagine it benefits the opponent as well, learning to breakfall).

12. ‘Trust’ method of learning to throw with opponent standing.

13. Introduction to Tai-Otoshi, off of ‘trust’ method and footwork introduced in #10.

14. Short discussion of rules of gripping, with tips on applying Tai-Otoshi against a shorter opponent, discussing gripping patterns, etc.

15. Application of Tai-Otoshi against same-sized opponent, along with gripping patterns, etc.

16. Application of Tai-Otoshi against taller opponent, along with gripping patterns, etc.

17. Application of Tai-Otoshi, against a left-handed fighter, setting up with a sweep (nice!)

18. Determining which hand opponent favors (is he left or right handed?)

19. Grip fighting: discusses what to do and what not to do when grabbing sleeve and lapel, righty vs. righty.

20. Grip fighting: righty vs. lefty.

21. Defending against Tai-Otoshi: blocking by checking hip and pulling away.

22. Defending against Tai-Otoshi: evading by circling out.

23. Countering Tai-Otoshi: using his momentum and countering with, I believe, Sesae-Tsurikomi-Ashi.

24. Obtaining superior grip from disengaged position, righty vs. righty, finishing with throw.

25. Variation of #24, nice follow-up!

26. Obtaining superior grip from disengaged position against a taller opponent.

27. Dealing with a taller man reaching over your shoulder and grabbing fabric behind your back.

28. Drill: two partners, one standing on each side of you, sprinting between them and throwing them.

29. Closing.

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From: Kirik
+Mixed Martial Arts LLC, President
Date: 01/23/07 11:06 PM
Member Since: 07/09/2000
23843 Total Posts Ignore User

DVD#2: Throws Vol 2

This is the second DVD in this series, this one addressing Seoi-Nage and Kouchi-Gari, along with counters to each of the above, finishing tips, and a brief intro to Juji-Gatame and Okuri-Eri-Jime. The DVD goes into a good amount of detail into applying these techniques. As in the last DVD, his speech is very clear, and he articulates things well. One of the things that I noticed about this DVD is that it is a bit disorganized in isolated areas, but this does not take away from the DVDs as the information is all there and is very good.



Techniques:

1. Introduction to Ippon Seoi-Nage, with key points on footwork, hand position and finishing.

2. Applying Ippon Seoi-Nage against someone of equal or greater height, using a downward ‘faking’ motion with arm.

3. Applying Ippon Seoi-Nage against a shorter person, gripping underneath their arm so they bring their arm down.

4. Footwork drill for Seoi-Nage.

5. Introduction to Kouchi-Gari, with key points on foot placement, finishing, etc.

6. Introduction to deep Kouchi-Gari, with key points on foot placement, hand placement, etc.

7. Combining deep Kouchi-Gari with Seoi-Nage.

8. Introduction to Juji-Gatame, complete with tips on finishing, hand and foot placement, and some very good overall advice on applying the technique.

9. Tai-Otoshi, finishing with Juji-Gatame.

10. Seoi-Nage, finishing with Juji-Gatame.

11. Introduction to Okuri-Eri-Jime.

12. Blocking opponent’s attempt at Seoi-Nage.

13. Checking opponent’s hip when he attempts Seoi-Nage, bringing him to floor.

14. #13 to what he calls Okuri-Eri-Jime (I thought it was a different choke that he applied).

15. #14, follow up to a pin when opponent turns toward you.

16. Drill (Juji-Gatame): have two partners on opposite sides of the room, run back and forth and apply Juji-Gatame.

17. Another counter to Ippon Seoi-Nage: block his hip and lift-nice counter!

18. Same counter as in #17, applied against Drop Seoi-Nage.

19. Finishing Seoi-Nage when opponent staggers stance away from your Kouchi-Gari.

20. Shows him applying #18 full speed.

21. Nice gripping pattern to obtain dominant grip on his gi (both have right-handed grip).

22. Another gripping pattern for a righty vs. a lefty, finishing with a sacrifice throw.

23. Application of #22 against a taller person.

24. No-gi application of Seoi-Nage (Drop Seoi-Nage), with advice on preventing him from countering by putting his hooks in, etc.

25. Applying Kouchi-Gari in no-gi situation.

26. Drill: two opponents stand on opposite sides of room; you run back and forth and lift person (do not complete throw).

27. Drill: same as #26, but complete throw this time.

28. Some finishing comments.

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From: Kirik
+Mixed Martial Arts LLC, President
Date: 01/23/07 11:07 PM
Member Since: 07/09/2000
23844 Total Posts Ignore User

DVD #3: Uchimata

Comments: This DVD is, so far, the best DVD of the series. The material was extremely well organized, and there was a lot of it. Where the last DVD made me feel like I had to fill in a few blanks, this one made me feel like I had literally years of work to do on this throw. The DVD revolves around the Uchimata throw, and it gives several variations of the throw, plus all of the necessary mechanics, grips, set-ups etc needed to master the throw. I have always been afraid to attempt this throw, as the first few times I tried it I was almost injured. I now realize the mistakes I was making and am looking forward to drilling the hell out of it and trying it again. Great job on this DVD Sensei Williams!


Techniques:

1. Introduction to Ouchi-Gari

2. Some points on gripping to apply Ouchi-Gari against someone your size, with a very nice breakdown on the mechanics of putting his weight on his heels.

3. Application of Ouchi-Gari against a shorter person, with gripping pattern, etc.

4. Footwork pattern for applying and finishing Ouchi-Gari (a solo drill first) along with the application of it. I think mnemonics like the one he uses here are great (cha-cha-cha!) because they really drill the information into a student’s head. Bravissimo!

5. Points on mechanics of Ouchi-Gari with head placement.

6. Introduction to Uchimata. He discusses gripfighting to obtain a superior grip for Uchimata.

7. Another great mnemonic for hand placement (drink a beer!) plus footwork and mechanics.

8. More mechanics: turning your head when applying.

9. Fun with Uchimata: a variation of the throw which has you loading the opponent up as you pull away and leaves you out and away from the throw. Gives your opponent no ability to counter.

10. Another application of Uchimata (one-step).

11. Spinning Uchimata with fine points. Nice!

12. Application of Uchimata against a bigger opponent.

13. Kouchi-Gari and deep Kouchi-Gari revisited.

14. Kicking leg out with Kouchi-Gari to obtain position for Uchi-Mata.

15. Applying same combo against bigger person, beginning with applying Ouchi-Gari, and then following up with an Uchi-Mata.

16. Injury prevention when using Uchi-Mata (I was glad that he mentioned this).

17. Blocking Uchi-Mata.

18. Faking Uchi-Mata and switching to, what I believe to be, Tani-Otoshi.

19. Countering Uchimata: another instructor shows this first counter technique, not sure the name of the counter throw, you are basically stepping over your opponent.

20. Countering Uchimata: allow him to begin turning for Uchimata, duck-under and apply counter throw (nasty!)

21. Closing.

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From: Kirik
+Mixed Martial Arts LLC, President
Date: 01/23/07 11:07 PM
Member Since: 07/09/2000
23845 Total Posts Ignore User

DVD #4: Kataguruma

Comments: This DVD is right up there with #3. An excellent overview of Kataguruma, complete with key points on grips, application against larger and smaller opponents (and opponents who are the same size), dealing with opponent’s resistance, blocking Kataguruma, countering Kataguruma, and countering the blocks to Kataguruma. Another DVD that gives you enough material to keep you busy for years.


Techniques:

1. Demonstration of kata version of Kataguruma.

2. Discussion of controlling body when gripping for Kataguruma, and grips used if opponent is taller or shorter.

3. Kneeling version of Kataguruma against someone of equal height.

4. Same application against taller person.

5. Application against smaller person.

6. Sitting version of Kataguruma, several variations depending on opponent’s resistance.

7. Faking Seoi-Nage to Kataguruma, with many finishing details.

8. Seated Kataguruma variations, covers variations depending on type of resistance partner gives you. Looks like a lateral drop in wrestling.

9. Kneeling Kataguruma variation, with key points. Covers dealing with several types of resistance that your opponent may give you.

10. Using Ouchi-Gari to set up Kataguruma (against a lefty).

11. Using Kouchi-Gari to set up Kataguruma (against a righty).

12. Discussion of key points of gripping opponent’s arm for Kataguruma, foot placement, leg placement, etc.

13. Discussion of key points of finishing in tournament, preventing spiking opponent and spiking your own head.

14. Discussion of ‘rolling out’ against larger person.

15. Defending against Kataguruma: blocking with hip, and countering hip-block with Kouchi-Gari.

16. Defending against Kataguruma: blocking with hip, then countering hip-block with kneeling Kataguruma.

17. Countering Kataguruma: ‘catch’ opponent’s arm and turn him.

18. Closing.

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From: Kirik
+Mixed Martial Arts LLC, President
Date: 01/23/07 11:07 PM
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DVD #5: Newaza and Transitions:

Comments: The bulk of the material on this DVD is a survey of attacking the turtle position and finishing with Juji-Gatame, Sankaku-Jime or Modified Okuri-Eri-Jime. The material is advanced and it is complex, and many of the techniques could be fragmented and used as single or even combination techniques (many of the techniques are combinations of multiple attacks). Each of the individual techniques is a basic, high-percentage technique, but put together they are very complicated. The material is presented very well and a great deal of detail is given on each technique.


Techniques:

1. Foreword on winning in competition and goal of video.

2. Blocking Ippon Seoi-Nage, throwing in hook when he turtles, establishing posture in turtle top, rolling to take a nice modified back mount, finishing with lapel choke.

3. Following up with Juji-Gatame if choke fails in #2.

4. Discussion of attacking turtle position, consistent with #2, with a good amount of detail on applying and finishing choke, and a variation of choke, grabbing under leg, finishing with Juji-Gatame.

5. More detail on attacking turtling opponent, with a very funny reversal using belt in the beginning.

6. Drop knee on shoulder, attack elbow, lock his arm against his body (like an Ude-Garami) and reverse him.

7. Variation of #6, reversing him to North-South pin.

8. Sankaku-Jime (triangle choke) against a turtling opponent, with some nice follow-up/combination techniques, finishing with a pin (!)

9. Another attacking sequence from turtle top, beginning with a collar choke, flattening him out, triangling legs, reversing him, pinning.

10. Sankaku-Jime from guard, follow-up with armbar.

11. Step-over Sankaku-Jime, begin in turtle position, reverse him to back mount, apply choke and combine with Juji-Gatame.

12. Begin in turtle top, put pressure for lapel choke and ‘pull him through’, finishing with a pin (there’s a modified shoulder choke here too).

13. Variation of #12, applied against a larger opponent.

14. Closing.