In short, WOW...this set is another home run! This is what an Intermediate/Advanced Instructional set should be. There is no "fluff" or unnecessary filler to draw out the DVD's, just solid concepts and instruction meant to help you advance YOUR game. There is a TON covered in this set in a fast paced way, it isn't just a dictionary of techniques without substance like some other sets out there. This is an actual gameplan laid out, and Roy encourages the user to explore it and find what works for them.
BJJ Purple Belt Requirement's focus on bridging the gap between blue and purple belt mindset with concepts and techniques focusing on flowing, combinations, setup's, and baiting your opponent. As a Blue Belt or someone who's been training for a while, you already know many fundamental high percentage techniques. Now it's time to learn to chain everything together while thinking two or three moves ahead and properly setting up your techniques and "baiting" your opponent into submissions and sweeps.
Roy uses some very fitting analogies throughout the DVD's that really make a lot of sense and help to better understand the concepts he's teaching. The DVD's are divided into numerous chapters and sub chapters which make it extremely easy to go back and review techniques/positions at by subject.
This is a MUST HAVE set! Below I have outlined what is covered in the same way I did for the Blue Belt Req. DVD's. Though this set is more of a conceptual approach, there are still lots of techniques covered! The majority of the techniques are shown with different variations according to the opponent's reactions and counters for those reactions, as well as combinations and set up's. There is SO much info presented here that you will come back to this set over and over, it's a solid investment that you won't be disappointed with and you'll WANT to watch it over and over again to pick up extra details! Also after many of the techniques there will be short footage of the techniques in action during rolling sessions..it's a neat addition. But as mentioned, what makes this set so special is the concepts behind the techniques.
Overall, you can NOT go wrong with this set once you have the fundamentals down. It will help you in addition to your regular classes and will keep you motivated. I HIGHLY reccommend this set and believe it would be beneficial to anyone who has a good grasp on the fundamentals.
Now onto the breakdown of what's covered in the Set...
In this section Roy discusses the theory behind the belt and what makes a good purple belt, such as the ability to effortlessly flow and string together techniques while taking thought out of the process.
Positions of the Game
Note: The majority of the techniques below also include Variations, common mistakes, set up's, and combintions. I'm just writing what the main technique/focus is..it would take a book(or series) to write every variation and detail Roy Presents! A review can't do this set justice..it's that good!
Synopsis
Roy starts off with a good synopsis of each of the coming positions. He uses a voice over in which he discusses his views and goals on each position.while showing highlights of himself performing the techniques which will later be covered in detail. Roy presents solid concepts and stresses the importance of flowing and stringing together moves. This was a clever addition and it sets the tone of what's to come...
Back Position
Choke Variations - Roy emphasizes the importance of knowing variations of techniques..this is what makes an advanced student an advanced student; i.e. the ability to flow between variations of techniques while baiting and using set up's to accomplish his goal. Roy Starts off with the Rear Naked Choke and shows multiple variations depending on situation.
Clock Choke - Multiple Variations and combinations
Back Choke into Triangle Choke Combo
Rolling Choke from Opponent's Turtle Position
Rolling Armlock from Opponent's Turtle
Shoulder Choke Variation
Threading to Triangle choke from Opponent's Turtle
Rolling Transitions to Head & Arm Choke
The Mount
Like the Previous Section Roy shows many variations, counters, set up's and combinations of the following techniques and concepts:
Creating Pressure - Maintaining mount, stabalizing, hand positions.
Baiting Armlocks - Roy demonstrates numerous armlocks and ways to bait your opponent into giving up a submission. - This is extremely important, and is crucial to advancing your game.
Triangle Choke from Mount - Roy Discusses proper timing and what to look for to accomplish the Triangle from Mount
S-Mount Transition's and Submissions
Arm Triangle
Side Mount
Includes the following and many variations, set up's and combos!
Far Arm Sequence Americana, straight lock to Kimura - This sequence is critical for a good sidemount armlock game. SOLID info...
Knee on Belly - Spinning Far Arm lock
Far Arm Kimura and Variations
Sidemount Escape(opponent turns out) to Clock Choke
Sidemount Escape to Darce(opponent turns in)
Sidemount Chest Pressure Chokes
Knee on Belly - Baseball Bat Choke & Arm Scissor & Transition to Armbar
This is one of my favority sections, lots of excellent information and technqiues presented! Many variations included along with the techniques and concepts presented below!
Passing Synopsis -
An Overview of Guard passing concepts with voice over and footage of the coming instruction. Again, I'm digging these Voice Over Synopses, a great addition to the instructional material.
BJJ Guidelines is a section discussing topics such as Skill Requirements, dealing with injuries, allowing others in your game etc. This is an excellent addition to the DVD's and is packed with useful tips for beginners through advanced.
Rolling Examples
Included here are 8 different Sparring/rolling examples showcasing his students and Roy Himself rolling in the academy. I'm glad these were included, they display smooth and flowing Jiu Jitsu. I especially like the ones with Jimmy Da Silva and Roy Dean rolling, there you can see a good example of fluid BJJ as well as with the rest of his students! Watching Roy's students roll is very motivating and shows BJJ techniques and transitions at their finest!
Kuwait Seminar
This is some highlights of a a Roy Dean Seminar in Kuwait. Some solid instruction and techniques are shown. These go perfectly with what was taught in Disc 1.
Day 1 Leglocks -
Toe Hold press,
Heel Hook,
Heel Hook variation,
Half Guard Knee Bar,
Rolling Kneebar,
Proper Movement,
Bridge to Heel Hook
Day 2 - The Guard
Triangle to Kimura
Jump to Sweep - SLick tech!
Jump to Armlock
Day 3 - Passing the Guard
2 on 1 Guard Pass - Butterfly Guard
Knee Brush Butterfly pass
Shoulder Stand Pass
Side switch Pass
Competition Footage
Like in the previous BB Req. DVD set Roy includes some competition Footage. The First match shows HL's of Roy Dean vs Dan Camarillo in a back and forth match. Excellent advanced BJJ is displayed here! Very slick footage.
Demonstrations
This set also includes a Purple Belt Demo of Donald Bowerman. I really enjoy watching these demo's, these video's are very motivating and great to watch just for inspiration. They also display how technical Roy's students are... When I meet someone new to BJJ or curious I ALWAYS refer them to watch Roy Dean's student demonstrations. These IMO, capture the essence of BJJ!
Spirals of Jiu Jitsu - This is a very classy B&W Demo of BJJ set to some very cool music of Roy's. This would be a great piece to show someone new to BJJ.
Black belt Feet - This is a picture compilation set to music of Roy Dean's Black Belt exam under Roy Harris...extrememly inspiring view.
Art of the Wristlock DVD Set Trailer
In closing, we are very lucky to have someone like Roy Dean in the BJJ community. As apparent in the quality of his DVD's and Instruction he truly does care about the art and his students. Between the Blue Belt Requirement's DVD and now the Purple Belt Requirement DVD's you have YEARS worth of solid concepts and techniques packed into DVD's that you can review anytime to supplement your training. I'll say it again, you will not regret these DVD's and you will want to review them over and over again!
MMAunltd - I'd like to get my hands on this! Loved Blue Belt requirements.
Definitely get it when you can, you won't be sorry! A lot of Instructionals are advertised as "Intermediate or Advanced" but when you get them it's the same old thing, a repetitive technique dictionary where you may come across one or two useful things you retain and you rarely watch them again. Purple Belt Req. set is what an Intermediate-Advanced set should be, it's goal is to get you to think and move like a "purple belt" on the mat, e.g. breaking away from the one move finish mindset... what's presented also is taught as if your opponent is an experienced BJJ student, meaning a lot of the stuff taught is shown along with common resistance and how to handle that resistance. This is a strong point because it gets you thinking moves ahead, and stresses how important setting up and baiting your attacks are as well as having "go to" combinations.
This is what makes an advanced student, the techniques that most Advanced students and fighters use to finish matches are basically the same throughout ranks, the difference is proficiency in that they understand how to properly set the techniques up.
AFTC - How does this apply to No-gi? Would most of the information still be relevant??
Thanks
Concepts still apply to Gi or No Gi, most of the techniques can be altered to No gi with the exception of collar chokes(unless you're wearing jackets lol). But as mentioned, this isn't just a technique overload type of instructional...it's an intermediate-advanced gameplan of sorts to help you advance your game. If you're into BJJ then I'm confident you won't regret it, I've reviewed it a few times already just for motivavtion while I'm still down..lots of good stuff and it flows very well which makes you wanna watch it over and over...
I think Roys stuff is great and one thing you guys are overlooking is the value for the dollar. I put Roys stuff right up there or above instructionals costing three times as much . In these economic times its nice to see Roy providing great training material at a great price, thanks Roy
maui - I think Roys stuff is great and one thing you guys are overlooking is the value for the dollar. I put Roys stuff right up there or above instructionals costing three times as much . In these economic times its nice to see Roy providing great training material at a great price, thanks Roy
You are absolutely correct! In a sea of other instructionals costing 2-3+ times more than Roy's sets, his DVD's are an AMAZING bargain! Plus his material as you can see, covers much more than most of the others ones out there that are packed with filler(too many replays, dragging out stuff too much). Roy's DVD's are packed with info, and more importantly they move at a good pace without being overly repetitive or slow moving(while still giving detailed instruction), this means you'll find yourself wanting to watch them over and over, so in reality you get MUCH more for your money than the average instructional set you may only warch once or twice. The other plus is everything he teaches is solid BJJ concepts, it won't be outdated years from now and will still be relevant.
This is one of the best BJJ instructional videos I've seen in years! It's been a long time since I was excited to watch an instructional DVD, but Roy Dean's Purple Belt Requirements really did it for me!
The 2 DVD set is much more than just a collection of cool techniques and moves (although there ARE lots and lots of good moves on the DVDs, and I highly recommend that you try to learn them all if you want to be a high level grappler).
The absolute biggest thing I liked about these videos is Roy's conceptual approach to the techniques and strategies he teaches. He really gives you the concepts and principles that are at work 'behind the scenes' for these techniques.
And the best thing is that these principles apply to Brazilian jiujitsu, submission grappling, MMA or any other grappling art.