Infighting, YMAA Publication Center, 79 minutes, $29.95
This is another fine DVD from Rory Miller. Miller is an
experienced martial artist, experienced corrections officer, an experienced
trainer, and an analytical thinker with a degree in psychology. His books and
DVDs tend to be very well done and interesting on many levels. This one is no
exception.
In “In-fighting,” Miller is up to
his usual high standards and focuses on an important and interesting topic. The
cover claims that this DVD will “develop your close-range combat reflexes” and
the DVD focuses on exactly that. Miller describes the focus as “martial arts,”
and not “self-defense.” The intent is to focus on improving fighting when the
fighters are at “clinch range” which he also describes as “torso to torso” or
“halitosis range.”
Miller is an experienced trainer
and a master teacher. He begins by discussing how to learn the techniques and
principles taught in the DVD. “Play,” he says, more than once, and he
emphasizes repeatedly that to learn the materials on the DVD one must go out
and practice. The format of the DVD is like Miller’s other DVDs. There are a
group of people in a place, Miller teaches, explains, and demonstrates, then
the students practice as Miller comments and clarifies. Personally, I’ve seen
all five of Miller’s DVDs and felt this format fits four of the five (there was
one, Scaling Force, that I thought would have been done better with a different
format), and it fits this one, as well.
For an hour and 18 minutes, the
group practices and Miller explains and clarifieds. Subjects covered include
not just techniques like throws, sweeps, chokes, and strikes, as well as ways
to destroy the opponent’s structure and the use of leverage and leverage
points, but also training methodology and some of the building blocks required
to develop the skills that the video is designed to impart. These building
blocks include an introduction to how to move people’s bodies, locks, and
takedowns. It’s all well done and well explained and well demonstrated.
In conclusion this is well done
DVD. A martial arts teacher or class could easily use it as the basis for many
drills and useful skill building practice. The concepts are interesting, the
techniques clearly explained, this is a good addition to most martial arts
libraries.
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