Erik Paulson's essentials

I have written a few reviews on Eriks products already, amongst them are his tapes on The Mount and Game Development DVD. Both got good scores out of me and normally anything associated with Erik I highly recommend. So you can imagine my anticipation when it came to previewing his ball busting 5 disc Vale Tudo DVD deluxe box set. There are five mouth watering titles to watch, Passing the Guard, Takedowns, Submissions, Pummelling and the Plum.

First off as I have already stated numerous times before, DVD is way ahead as instructionals go, the picture quality is superb and you can search for your favourite technique of a menu without having to >> or << for ages.

Disc 1: The takedown DVD is very good and probably my favourite, Erik has taken a lot of freestyle wrestling moves and mixed in some of his extensive JKD/Kali standing knowledge and produced some very simple and effective techniques off an opponents punching attack. Perhaps to a competent wrestler not a particularly informative section of takedowns and throws and there maybe, IÕm sure, more advanced tapes available, but there is certainly more than enough information here to get you started in Vale Tudo. At the end of this DVD there are some excellent drills for defending punches then moving into a clinch or taking down.

Disc 2: Close behind is the pummelling DVD, this is packed with some really good conditioning drills for stand up grappling, many no doubt pinched from his RAW team-mates so you know theyÕre good. From a teaching perspective there is plenty of material and ideas for instructors to use for simple warm ups. Another excellent instructional disc.

Disc 3: The Plum is another quality DVD, lots of stuff on offer here in terms of good solid drills. Some of the techniques I wasnÕt 100% convinced with, I have seen better and more workable material elsewhere but still, not bad.

Disc 4: Submissions has lots of techniques that you may have seen before which are good and others that I felt maybe not so good. There were some nice set ups and a few handy tips throughout but this was probably the weakest DVD of a very strong series.

Disc 5: Passing the guard was strictly no gi/vale tudo method. Some of it wasnÕt pretty but seemed to be perfectly functional for the NHB market. Some techniques perhaps relying on a little too much on strength but again but this was only a minor criticism on an otherwise good disc.

In terms of techniques there are plenty on here that I have not seen before, as IÕve already said, I wouldnÕt say all of them are completely workable especially for the intended Vale Tudo market. Some of the submissions are a little complicated and would require lots of practice and a fair degree of luck in order to work. Where the series is way ahead of the competition though, are the drills that Erik demonstrates. Although many are very simple itÕs just that, that makes them so good and fun to do. Teaching is ErikÕs forte and it shows clearly why he is in such demand throughout the USA and Europe. Overall and with all the criticisms aside this is an excellent DVD set and one I would whole heartedly recommend to anyone studying MMA. Some may say a little pricey but you can expect to pay £90 for a weekend with Erik and remember absolutely nothing you was taught the next day, here you can have all the techniques on nice shiny discs as a permanent reminder.

Marks 8.5/10