Grappler's Toolbox: Solo Grappling Drills Vol. 1 by Scott Sonnon

Review by Levo

Ok, let me start by saying that this is probably the most difficult tape on the market to review because it contains no "moves"/techniques which you can go and use on an opponent and the theory behind the exercises is open to debate (the detractors complain that the drills are not "sport specific" but I feel that that sort of misses the point).

Title: Grappler's Toolbox: Solo Grappling Drills Vol. 1

Instructor: Scott Sonnon

Running Time: approx. 2 hours Rating: 4 out of 5

The tape starts with an intro consisting of a selection of footage from the former Soviet Union while a Russian song plays in the background. We see Sambo players throwing and submitting each other, some soldiers demonstrating CQB, a Sambo competition, and a number of staged fight scenes. The tape then moves straight to Scott standing on some mats where for the next hour and 45mins he demonstrates exercises/drills and explains the principles behind them.

The picture quality is average (camcorder style) and if you are looking for slick production you won't find it here. There are no slow-mo replays, no graphics, no music, no fancy editing, no multi- angle shots just Scott teaching the most original and interesting material I've seen on tape in a long time.

Will you have seen the information on this tape before? No, not unless you train with Scott. Some of the exercises resemble movement drills taught by others but the variations on this tape are unique (as far I know that is).

What will you learn? Hmm, not an easy one (the movements are almost impossible to describe for starters). The basic premise, as I see it, is to provide you with a series of movement exercises, that can be used individually or strung together, which will improve your biomechanical awareness. These drills will help with the fluidity and ease of your ground engagement and matt navigation by improving your body awareness through understanding biomechanical principles (the verbal instruction) and gaining greater sensitivity, relaxation and movement possibilities (from doing the drills). Although I think these exercises will be of much greater benefit to beginners EVERYONE will learn something new from this tape.

A little warning: Go Slowly and use your hands as support if need to. Your body will take time to adjust to some of these drills; particularly those at the start of the tape that require a degree of knee and ankle flexibility.

The tape ends with a couple of partner drills, Scott demonstrating a couple of subs and then another selection of footage from the former Soviet Union.

To sum up, this tape shows no offensive or defensive techniques but gives you a system of exercises that will improve the transitional movements that sew your techniques together. If you are a hardcore NHB kind of guy and are only interested in Thai and wrestling then you probably shouldn't bother with this tape, but if you have a wider interest in MA and enjoy expanding your knowledge then go get it.

Levo