Keith,
Thanks for posting that wonderful review. I had the chance to view the first issue....but I have been too busy away from the computer to sit down and do a fair review.
I'd like to add a few things that I liked about each instructors segment. Otherwise, the review you posted was complete enough.
My review, segmented for the sake of brevity:
1. Keating: The video started with Jim Keating's segment. He did a phenominal presentation as usual. Classic to Keating's instructing style, his segment captures the student well because it starts off with some very simple concepts, and builds from there. I liked how he started with the fencing blades, and demoed some basic circular parry/control techniques with the use of the guard. This not only showed the fencing application to the use of the "spanish notch", but it really showed how the use of the notch is ABOUT LEVERAGE rather then trying to accurately "catch" a blade in mid air. This is because on the fencing blades, the guards didn't have notches, yet Mr. Keating was able to take control of his partners blade through the use of leverage all the same. Then, when one adds the notches (he used his crossada trainer, the best of the best of blade for catchers, but any long knife with knotches in the guard would do) he demonstrates how simple it really is to "catch" the blade with the notches through the use of leverage and body positioning. All and all, a great segment with a lot of material covered.
2. Loriega: James Loriega gave a great introduction to a little known Spanish knife fighting system that uses the Spanish knife called the Navaja. Overall, this is a very applicable system. Although I always advocate trying many different knife methods, if one soley trained in this system, one would be a tough person to contend with. I liked the fact that he discussed the history of the blade, as history tends to shed light on the "why's" of the ways of a system. As to the technical aspects, I liked the standard guard, as it looks very unorthidox compared to what is generally done today. However even though the guard position is unique, I can see how it is vary applicable. The live hand (or empty hand) covers and guards the throat, a "kill shot" and a primary taget in this system. The knife is compact to the body which makes a "defang" or hand strike disarm less likely. Yet, the overall body position and lead foot still gives the navaja player good lead stance, losing no distance. The only thing one would have to watch, I'd imagine, is an elbow check/control to the live hand, which would expose the live hand side greatly. This does not make the stance inferior though, because as with any guard position, there are always strengths and weaknesses that the player can use to his advantage. I'd also like to note that one of most effective aspects of the system is the address of ANGLES in stepping and attack right from the basics. The basics of this system doesn't just involve cuts and attacks, but it involves specific angular stepping as well. This inundates the student to angular stepping and attacking from the beginning - which could be the difference between winning a knife encounter fairly unscathed, or trading blows aimlessly.
3. Kautz: Pete Kautz has showed great presentation skills and screen presence in this demonstration of Epada Y Daga: The Spanish Technique of Arnis. Like Mr. Keating, Kautz started with the simple Cinco Teros (5 angle) striking pattern, and moved into more complexities. This is a great way to instruct material because everyone, from novice to advanced knife player, who plugs in the video and watches Mr. Kautz's session will be able to walk away with something of value. Mr. Kautz demostrated a smooth transition, or "flow," with his techniques using a long daga and short espada. I also liked the fact that all of Mr. kautz's strikes came from the ground up, or from the legs and hips to the arms. Too often blade people get lazy with their lower body and in generating power, and it was nice to see that this was not the case here. Overall, practicing this segment will help one build ambedexterity and the ability to wield 2 weapons simultaniously.
Overall: Mr. Kautz and Mr. Keating did a wonderful job organizing this project. I think that this idea is on the cutting edge of instructional video's. I personally learned the most from Loriega's segment because I had not been introduced much to this cultural knife fighting system; so it was very unique to me. I also found a lot to draw from with Keating and Kautz's segment, particularly in the presentation of the material. They both are very commanding with their presentation skills and screen presence; something that intsructors can grow from as well. Last but not least, I enjoyed the video review of La Verdad Destreza by Meastro Ramon Martinez. Mr. Martinez is a very skilled traditional fencer; and it was good to see the similarities and the way the traditional Spanish fencing carried over into the knife world.
All and all, good work guys. I recommend this series for anyone who wants to incorprate knife work into their training, and who is looking for a diverse grouping of material to work from.
I look forward to viewing issue #2!
Yours,
Paul Janulis
artyon:
