Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Lock On Vol. 3: Shoulder Locks - Another Review
5 Stars: Superb Set for Hapkido and other Martial Arts Instructors, January 17, 2008 By Thomas O. Morrison (Ogdensburg, NY United States)
Volume 3 "Shoulder Locks"
The third installment of the "Lock On" series continues the high standards set by the previous two volumes. The production qualities are good, with nice contrast in the background and people, and with good sound quality. There are a few barely noticeable editing errors, but they do not detract in any way from the overall outstanding quality of the DVD.
For me, the organization of the material is the strongest selling point. In contrast to other instructional DVDs that present a wide variety of disparate techniques to deal with a specific situation, the "Lock On" DVDs present a core technique, sometimes with variations, and show a student how to apply that technique in a variety of situations. The difference is that the focus is now on the technique instead of the situation, allowing for a deeper exploration of that specific technique and how to use it. And, by incorporating previously covered blocks, footwork, and principles, it reinforces a more spiraled curriculum that builds upon itself.
On its own, volume 3 could be a very useful resource in developing a deeper understanding of shoulder locks. The entire set (so far) looks like it will be fairly comprehensive and will serve as a great resource for learning how to use these locks as well as a great resource for picking up tips on how to teach them. I'd recommend this volume, as well as the whole set, for students and instructors of arts with similar joint locks and I would especially recommend this set to Hapkido practitioners who may be tired of seeing Hapkido "instructional" tapes that look more like a simple demonstration instead of an examination of the "nuts and bolts" of how these things work. This is a superb resource.
Contents:
Introduction (1 minute) and Explanation of Shoulder (3 minutes) - These two sections are straight to the point. Mr Burrese doesn't waste words giving an overview of the DVD and then showing how the shoulder works the way it does. These basic principles and concepts are constantly referred to throughout the volume.
Raising Arm Lock (20 minutes) - The first technique is fairly basic and is shown from a same side wrist grab, a punch defense, and as an initiated attack. The commentary and examples remind and stress the inclusion of accompanying strikes, blocks and footwork (a concept carried throughout the volume very well). During this section, a different technique is introduced as well and is shown against clothing grabs, cross arm grabs, and as a punch defense. This is the only area where it seems like there may have been an editing oversight. Regardless, the material is good.
Pulling Shoulder Lock (12 minutes) - This technique is shown from a same side wrist grab, clothing grab, cross hand grab, 2 hands on 1 wrist, punch defense, from a clinch and as an initiated attack.
Chicken Wing (11 minutes) and Chicken Wing Variation (17 minutes) - These techniques are shown from a same side wrist garb, 2 handed shoulder grab, punch defense, from a clinch, as an initiated attack, from a rear choke, and include some interesting variations.
Bent Arm Shoulder Lock (12 minutes) (with "v" lock variations) - shown from a same side wrist grab, punch defense, sleeve grab, clinch, punch defense, and as an initiated attack.
Figure-4-Lock (7 minutes) - shown from a cross hand grab, punch defense, and fro a wider punch (2).
Conclusion (2 minutes) - this is a quick wrap-up that gives some great tips and a promise of more to come!
Total Time - About 88 minutes
Volume 3 "Shoulder Locks"
The third installment of the "Lock On" series continues the high standards set by the previous two volumes. The production qualities are good, with nice contrast in the background and people, and with good sound quality. There are a few barely noticeable editing errors, but they do not detract in any way from the overall outstanding quality of the DVD.
For me, the organization of the material is the strongest selling point. In contrast to other instructional DVDs that present a wide variety of disparate techniques to deal with a specific situation, the "Lock On" DVDs present a core technique, sometimes with variations, and show a student how to apply that technique in a variety of situations. The difference is that the focus is now on the technique instead of the situation, allowing for a deeper exploration of that specific technique and how to use it. And, by incorporating previously covered blocks, footwork, and principles, it reinforces a more spiraled curriculum that builds upon itself.
On its own, volume 3 could be a very useful resource in developing a deeper understanding of shoulder locks. The entire set (so far) looks like it will be fairly comprehensive and will serve as a great resource for learning how to use these locks as well as a great resource for picking up tips on how to teach them. I'd recommend this volume, as well as the whole set, for students and instructors of arts with similar joint locks and I would especially recommend this set to Hapkido practitioners who may be tired of seeing Hapkido "instructional" tapes that look more like a simple demonstration instead of an examination of the "nuts and bolts" of how these things work. This is a superb resource.
Contents:
Introduction (1 minute) and Explanation of Shoulder (3 minutes) - These two sections are straight to the point. Mr Burrese doesn't waste words giving an overview of the DVD and then showing how the shoulder works the way it does. These basic principles and concepts are constantly referred to throughout the volume.
Raising Arm Lock (20 minutes) - The first technique is fairly basic and is shown from a same side wrist grab, a punch defense, and as an initiated attack. The commentary and examples remind and stress the inclusion of accompanying strikes, blocks and footwork (a concept carried throughout the volume very well). During this section, a different technique is introduced as well and is shown against clothing grabs, cross arm grabs, and as a punch defense. This is the only area where it seems like there may have been an editing oversight. Regardless, the material is good.
Pulling Shoulder Lock (12 minutes) - This technique is shown from a same side wrist grab, clothing grab, cross hand grab, 2 hands on 1 wrist, punch defense, from a clinch and as an initiated attack.
Chicken Wing (11 minutes) and Chicken Wing Variation (17 minutes) - These techniques are shown from a same side wrist garb, 2 handed shoulder grab, punch defense, from a clinch, as an initiated attack, from a rear choke, and include some interesting variations.
Bent Arm Shoulder Lock (12 minutes) (with "v" lock variations) - shown from a same side wrist grab, punch defense, sleeve grab, clinch, punch defense, and as an initiated attack.
Figure-4-Lock (7 minutes) - shown from a cross hand grab, punch defense, and fro a wider punch (2).
Conclusion (2 minutes) - this is a quick wrap-up that gives some great tips and a promise of more to come!
Total Time - About 88 minutes
# posted by Alain @ 10:43 AM 
