Joint locks are some of the most versatile techniques found in martial art
curriculums. They can be used to submit opponents, control rowdy people, or
injure attackers, making them ideal for various self-defense and violent
encounters, and a must for anyone working in law enforcement or security.
Unfortunately, they can also be some of the most difficult techniques to learn
and master. That is until now. The Lock On: Joint Locking Essentials series is a
comprehensive guide to joint locks and one of the most complete programs
available for practical joint locking information. In this original Aiki
Productions DVD series, Hapkido and Self-defense instructor Alain Burrese
presents detailed instruction on the mechanics of each lock, proper execution,
and various applications to enable the viewer to learn the essentials of
applying joint locks in any situation. This program is a must for every serious
student of martial arts and self-defense.
Volume 1: Wrist Locks includes detailed instruction on a variety of wrist locks,
including: an explanation of the wrist, outer wrist lock, inner wrist lock,
reverse handshake, S locks, faucet locks, and more. If you want to take your
joint locking ability to the next level, you must have Lock On: Joint Locking
Essentials Volume 1: Wrist Locks.
Alain Burrese's martial art and self-defense career started in 1982, and
includes living and training in South Korea where he continues to return and
train on a regular basis. He teaches Self-defense, Safety, and Martial Art
programs around the country and his previous works include Hard-Won Wisdom
From the School of Hard Knocks, Hapkido Hoshinsul, and Streetfighting
Essentials.
With so many martial arts videos and resources out there, the bar has been set
pretty high for new material. Alain Burrese sets the standard even higher. This
first "Lock On" DVD is a good example of providing a lot of material
in a quality manner at a fair price. The DVD runs 87 minutes of solid content.
The "Lock On" project is a very ambitious one. It seems to be designed
to focus on Hapkido joint locks without having to get too deep into the striking
aspect, the footwork aspect, falls, breathing, finishes and so on. Granted,
there has to be some of this to make the locks work out of "isolation"
but the 1st video sets a good model.
The DVD is arranged clearly into several chapters, making it very easy to
reference and skip around. It starts with a nice exploration of the wrist and
some great insight on why wrist locks work the way they do. From there are
sections on various locks, including the outer wrist lock, inner wrist lock,
overhand outer wrist lock, reverse handshake, standing center lock, s-lock, and
the faucet lock.
In each section the lock is explored in a general static sense, with attention
paid to the mechanics, then it's shown more dynamically in a variety of
situations (like lapel grab, same side wrist grab, etc) with several variations
depending on footwork and attacker's intent. Key elements such as footwork,
posture, and even finishes are explored to a degree necessary for the technique
but not to distraction.
Most of the variations are the old tried and true ones but there were some
original ones I really liked as well. There are a few variations I didn't
personally care for, such as the jumping locks and the deep crouches, but the
mechanics were interesting to see even then. Also, I had never learned the
"faucet lock" before but seeing the application of it in the clinch
makes me curious about it and I'll try it out on someone soon.
Overall, the production values are very good, with clear photography, good
angles and very good verbal descriptions. Attention is paid to more than just
the lock, getting into how to shift weight, use the whole body and proper
mechanics without getting too abstract and while trying to keep the focus on the
locks. The video doesn't pretend to be an "end-all be-all"
representation of Hapkido and it sticks closely to its clearly stated goals of
exploring wrist locks. There seems to be elements from different Hapkido
traditions represented in the variations and this makes it very educational for
students of the art.
On a similar note, I like how the material is presented with a stark lack of
propaganda that sometimes can be seen in Hapkido videos. He doesn't go overboard
in extolling the virtues of the art or in specific lineages and/or purity. The
material is presented as its own justification for learning it. I look forward
to the second volume and would be interested to see other elements of Hapkido
explored in similar ways (e.g. breakfalls, strikes, footwork, etc).
At first glance, people might assume this is "just" a reference for
new Hapkido practitioners. This isn't true. The way this DVD is presented makes
it a great resource for all levels. For a new HKD student (or even for a student
who learns joint locks as part of a Taekwondo Hoshinsool program) this is a nice
supplement to classroom instruction on how a lock works and how to do it. For a
"new" instructor this provides an excellent resource on how to teach
locks and focus on how to "get everything right". For a senior or
master instructor, aside from the solid instructional reference, there are
enough little variations and ideas to make it worthwhile as well. Best of all,
by not being "kwan-specific" it can serve as a great tool for all
Hapkido kwans and Hapkido-based arts as well as for those school who use Hapkido
or Hapkido elements in their self defense programs (like many TKD schools do).
Overall, I highly recommend this volume for students and instructors alike. The
price is fairly average for martial arts videos but it packs a lot more material
in than most others do. There is a lot of general reference that is usable by
all levels and enough "extra" that will interest seasoned instructors
as well.
Alain Burrese's dvd series, the next best thing to learning in
person!, April 18, 2007
One of the first things that jumped out at me from the onset when I started
watching Alain's "Lock On" series of DVD's was the simple yet
effective approach that he took in the production and presentation of this
series of DVD's. My initial impression was one of being in an actual seminar
environment while Alain was teaching instead of merely watching an instructional
DVD. You won't find any pointless or ineffective "bells and whistles"
with this series; instead what you will find is good quality instruction
covering a wide array of joint locking techniques. This particular DVD focuses
on wrist locking techniques.
Alain's ability to instruct you on these simple, yet effective wrist locking
techniques is the hallmark of a good instructor and it certainly shows in this
series. Alain's approach is straightforward and easy to follow as he takes you
through each wrist lock numerous times in order to teach you how to execute each
technique correctly. Alain takes great care in his teachings to explain to you
how some of these techniques although they may appear to be ineffective, can
actually be quite effective if applied under the right set of circumstances.
I'm going to take a brief moment here to jump ahead to the end of this DVD where
Alain explains the three (3) key elements that need to be present in order for
these techniques to be effective. Although each one of these key elements is
vitally important in their own right, none of them is exclusive in importance to
the others when it comes to applying these wrist locks effectively in a combat
or self-defense situation. What you have to remember is that these three (3) key
elements have to be combined in order to form a symbiotic entity that is only
effective when utilized together in an efficient manner.
These three (3) key elements are as follows:
1. Surprise: If your opponent doesn't know what to expect, he is going to have a
more difficult time defending against it. However, if your opponent knows what
is coming, he is going to be more readily able to counter it, or avoid it all
together.
2. Speed: Executing the techniques shown on this DVD has to be done as fast as
possible while still retaining the third key element, which is proper technique.
If the technique is executed too slowly, then your opponent will have the
opportunity to figure out what you are doing and, as in the case of surprise, be
able to counter it or avoid the technique all together.
3. Proper Technique: This should literally be a "no-brainer," but
unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. I don't know how many times I
have personally seen or heard of someone trying to apply a particular technique
in a given self-defense type situation when they weren't even executing the
technique correctly to begin with. Alain goes to extreme lengths in this series
to implore you to practice, practice, and practice, until the techniques he
demonstrates become second nature to you where you can execute them correctly
without thought or hesitation.
Alain follows the same instructional format for each one of the various wrist
locks shown in this DVD. He starts out by explaining some of the finer points of
executing each technique followed by various follow up techniques that can be
used on your opponent, if it is needed, after the wrist lock has been applied.
He then shows several variations of each wrist lock that all are based on the
primary wrist lock that was first shown.
Alain takes a very realistic approach to the use of wrist locks and attempts to
cover several influencing factors that may or may not come into play while
attempting to apply them in a real life situation. I myself watched this DVD on
three separate occasions and found something that I had previously missed each
time. I have no doubt that were I to watch this DVD again after writing this
review that I would find something else that I had previously missed.
One of the many great things that I really enjoy about Alain's teaching style is
his, what I like to refer to as, "nuggets of wisdom" that he injects
throughout his instruction process. I too use this in my own personal style of
teaching and have found that it is very effective teaching technique.
I have a rather large collection of instructional videos that I have accumulate
over the years and I can say without reservation that Alain's "Lock
On" series is one of the best I have seen so far on the subject of joint
techniques. If I were to have only one comment to make on this series, it would
be this, "Hurry up and make the rest of them!"
OK, all of us have done it! We've purchased DVDs that seem to offer
clear insight and instruction regarding specific techniques used in our
forms of martial arts. Yet, how many of us have been disappointed to
find that the not-so-clear presentations have been poorly illustrated
and sequenced?
Alain Burrese brings to this DVD an entirely different style of
presentation that allows the viewer to see (almost feel) the techniques
being illustrated. Burrese presents his selection of joint locks within
the framework of grounded martial arts practices, so the techniques are
never simply isolated movements. Yet, his presentation also allows one
to see the details of hand placement, footwork, body positioning, etc.
that provide the real power for the execution of these techniques.
Burrese has a strong sense of presence in front of the camera, and this
dramatically improves the quality of his instruction. Not only are the
wrist locks clearly explained and illustrated, but they are also
reinforced by Burrese's teaching style, which always includes a summary
of what he presents. The camera moves in for close details of each
technique after showing the viewer an overall view. Consequently,
Burrese never forgets to emphasize that the techniques are rooted firmed
in martial arts practices. Yet, Burrese goes further by showing the
extreme power of each technique, something that many instructors in
dojos are not willing to demonstrate.
These techniques are, indeed, powerful tools and should be practiced
carefully with a partner. They are intended for close, confrontational
situations, which are usually the real-life situations where defense is
needed. Nothing fancy here. Just straightforward techniques that work.
I've used some of them before to stop more escalated fight situations,
so I know they work. Alain Burrese presents them with the clarity that
most instructors cannot.
As I understand it, the "Lock On" series will be comprised of
five DVDs, maybe six. If the rest of the series is anything like this
one, they will constitute a classic collection for martial artists
practicing any form. Furthermore, one should know that Burrese shows
these defense practices because they work for anyone, who can maintain
the fundamental concepts of martial arts while executing these
techniques. I first encountered Alain Buresse's presentations in a DVD
entitled "Streetfighting Essentials." I found this to be an
invaluable resource, because Burrese was able to bridge the distance
between dojo instruction of martial arts and real-life street situations
that require quick, spontaneous execution of defense strategies that
allow one to survive. With this in mind, I purchased volume I of the
"Lock On" series and was pleased to find that Burrese still
emphasizes that martial arts practice needs to keep the fighting intent
foremost, even after we develop a more philosophical approach to the
forms we study.
"Lock On: Joint Locking Essentials Volume 1" is an invaluable
instructional DVD for any martial artist. I expect to see many more DVDs
by this Hapkido practitioner, simply because he knows what he is doing
and knows how to present this knowledge to others clearly through his
combination of words and images. This is a professionally produced DVD
that I will use for many years. Thank you, Alain, for sharing your
skills.
Master Alain Burrese Does it Again!, March 10, 2007
One thing I've personally enjoyed about all of Burrese's body of work is his
no-nonsense way of presentation. From Hard Won Wisdom to Hapkido Hoshinsul, From
Street Fighting Essentials to the new Lock On Series, Burrese simply knows self
defense.
I was excited to receive the evaluation copy of Master Burrese's new Lock On
series of Hapkido Instructional DVDs. As usual, there was no let down.
Throughout, Burrese keeps safety in mind. He reminds the viewer that respect for
one's training partner is key. Many instructors forget this point, which could
cause problems during practice.
Another bonus of Burrese's work is that he packs as much information as possible
into one DVD. Unlike other production companies which use fillers like promos
for their other products, Burrese and Aiki Productions cram as much knowledge
into each DVD as possible. As always, you get the biggest bang for your buck.
The Lock On Series isn't simply for the novice practitioner. Even the seasoned
Hapkidoin will find great material here as well as a good reference source. The
novice will find clear, precision instruction on basics, controlling and
finishing techniques. The expert will find an invaluable reference on
fundamental and advanced techniques and tweaks.
When watching Burrese in action, you'll notice his flow and control. Flowing,
making a technique fluid and not choppy or hopping around trying to make it
work, is essential in Hapkido. Burrese embodies that concept. He emphasizes
proper footwork, an oft forgotten key, and whole body technique. He takes time
to explain mechanics, a must for Hapkido.
This isnt a simple run-down of locking techniques. This IS a Master Instructor
taking the time to show you step-by-step guidance towards mastery.
Kudos to Aiki Productions on clear video and audio quality. Audio quality is
often lacking with many manufacturers. Aiki does an excellent job here with that
as well as the graphical interface of the DVD.
Melinda Kidder, Owner
Chajonshim Martial Arts Supply
Lock
On: Joint Locking Essentials
High Quality Reference that Delivers What it Promises, March 5,
2007
Yes! Indispensable., May 26, 2007
