"Shuai Jiao Kung Fu Wrestling" with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is described on the cover as Fundamental Defense Techniques and Throws, takedowns and grappling skills for short-range fighting. This disk is that, but so much more. Like many YMAA titles from Dr. Yang, this program provides a tremendous wealth of information. It is over three hours of explanation and instruction, covering 27 different Shuai Jiao techniques. The DVD is an excellent resource for any martial artist wanting to better understand and learn Shuai Jiao, Kung Fu Wrestling.
The program begins with Dr. Yang in front of a white board where he explains basic concepts needed to better understand the material on this DVD. He explains the Shuai Jiao is primarily used for defense and is used to take down your opponent. He explains the relationship between Shai Jiao and kicking, punching, and chin na techniques. From there he goes into a short history of Shai Jiao, and where the techniques from this program come from. He then covers basic concepts such as left and right, high and low, and so forth. Good explanation of leverage and its use. He does bring in a student to help illustrate these concepts. I'd encourage a viewer to watch this "lecture" section of the program more than once. These principles are very important and I applaud Dr. Yang for putting them on the DVD before jumping into the technique instruction.
Drill Doctor
This first part only takes 15 minutes. Next come Basic Drills. In this section, Dr. Yang introduces a few basic drills to help your learning and training. He brings out students to help demonstrate these drills. They include the leg bump, hook backward, hook forward, carry backward, pull carry, sweep, hand intercept. These are important to safely intercept, repel, and neutralize incoming strikes. The end of this second section is around the forty-three minute mark.
Part three of the DVD is the basic Shuai Jiao Techniques. As I stated above, there are twenty-seven techniques presented. What I really like about Dr. Yang's DVD is that he does not just show the technique and go on to the next. He provides detailed instruction, and has his students perform each movement. He then steps in and points out details and corrects mistakes. If takes him over two hours to cover these twenty-seven techniques because of the detailed instruction. The only thing better would be to attend a live class or seminar.
The techniques themselves are primarily throws and takedowns. They are stand up techniques to put your opponent on the ground with you still standing. This is not a program of ground grappling like many think of with wrestling. It is not wrestling with both people grappling on the ground. It was very similar to my primary style Hapkido, where we put people to the ground while remaining standing.
While the techniques are from a Chinese art, martial artists from other styles will be able to incorporate the techniques into their training as well. I noticed a number of techniques similar to those in my Hapkido curriculum. I enjoyed seeing how Dr. Yang performed and explained them.
Overall, this is another outstanding program from Dr. Yang and YMAA. If you are looking for detailed explanation on putting a person to the ground with sweeps, throws, and joint-locks, this is a DVD that contains that and much more. It's an excellent addition to anyone's martial art library.