Volumes 1&2 are takedowns into leg locks, Vol. 3 inside the guard, Vol. 4 from the guard, Vol. 5 across the side and Vol. 6 from the mount and back. To start with the usual criticisms, every tape is approx. 55 minutes long but they have insisted doing the same introduction on every tape. This wastes a good few minutes and what with the Russian national anthem at the start we are now no longer a 55 minute tape. What is actually contained on the tapes is not really anything that, for many people they have not seen before, what saves it though is that Igors instruction is very good and explains things in quite deep detail. They have put only a few techniques on per tape but spent time breaking the moves down, similar to Sperry. Unfortunately there are precious few counters or escapes to savour and I generally like to know these to any technique that I can apply. Also Igor unfortunately doesn't have Sperrys hilarious way of teaching.

Of all the videos though my favourite one has to be Vol. 1&2. These are takedowns, and from a Judo perspective are very good. He sticks to one particular method of grip which is a very Russian Judo way of doing things by getting the belt grip. I favour this method myself (when I can get it) and Igor teaches some nifty little moves from here. Some are not suitable for competition Judo but on the whole you could get away with most of them, as long as you didn't slap on a finishing leg lock. Other than that though there was not a great deal on the tapes, there are some good little tips sprinkled throughout but not enough to justify the cost. In summery then, a well produced set with some good solid, workable techniques but lacking the little subtle tips that often make the difference, especially with leg locks.

Jon Hegan , Krav Maga UK , 27 June 2002

Related links: