I find that no matter what you film, no matter what you show, there is always a problem. If someone looks good, everyone assumes the opponents were complying. If some one struggles, then they weren't good enough and what they do sucks.
I find it interesting that on so many martial arts boards the bar to pass for what is real is... looking like you are struggling. It doesn't say much about peoples own respect for their arts or their own ability. what IS the point of studying any martial art if the criteria is a struggle? Isn't the point of studying finding something that allows you to be victorious without struggle?
At any rate... a few thoughts to clarify what has been written (even though I'm guessing the context of what I say will be changed in short order)...
The clip is interesting in my opinion because of several things, and I've found myself learning and picking up on things during the 20th viewing.
Dave was sucker attacked... the drill wasn't announced. I invited him to come down for the day, I asked him to get down on all fours while I was showing something completely different.
I surprised him by kicking him... mob mentality being what it is... the other two people joined in. Dave had no idea or hint of what was too happen.
I was kicking Dave hard enough to easily break two boards, and to likely break 3-4. Gaucho was doing the same, and with shoes on, Matt took a bit to realize what was going on, but eventually started stomping on him pretty good. Gaucho is a master of a art that specializes in low kicking and can deliver very powerful kicks from seemingly awkward angles.
In my first Systema class my teacher (Vladimir Vasiliev) said in real life you must first apply reaction after that you can apply knowledge. IMO, Dave does a superior job of this. He first believes he is in a safe environment where massage type work is going to be applied, and he is then rudely awakened... with a kick to the ribs capable of braking bone (trust me there is no doubt about that), and then quickly ambushed by 2 more people. he uses systema absorption techniques to deal with the initial blows, then moves on to escaping. In the process of escaping, his bearing come to him and you can see the beginning of counters and checks (if you look closely. He escapes and realizes the drill will stop, so he renters the fray. With his bearings more firmly in place he begins suggesting counters, though generally leaving them light enough to allow the drill to continue. Eventually he moved in a way that would have broken a participants leg (Matt)... I saw the situation and I called time.
Dave makes motions that would easily break two knees in two, and several motions that would cause a trip, fall or jamming. If you look closely you can see these things.
It was a spontaneous drill with no rules explained, Dave was enough of a man, to give up opportunities to "win", so the drill might continue.
Well my opinion any way.
Arthur  |