Record all your MA knowledge on video

[Kung Fu Wang]

Today we should take advantage on the modern technology that our previous generation didn't have.

Have you ever considered to record all your MA knowledge on video? You can record all your techniques twice from the opposite angles. This way you can have a complete record for yourself, or pass it down to your students.

Your thought?

 

[Danny T]

All knowledge.
Probably forgotten as much or more than I remember.
Principles... Record the material that best conveys the principles of the system along with a couple examples of potential applications in different ranges, environments, with & without weapons that shows the principle being utilized. Then some technique combinations to develop the attributes required.
Oh...hold on now...that has already been done with the systems I know. Hmm, I have videoed the forms and working on the associated drills we use already.

 

[Buka]

I think it's a terrific idea. I'd pretty much cut off a finger to have video of everything over the years.

And I don't think you should just record yourself, you should record anyone you study under or train with. A little bit, anyway.

I wish I had video of friends who are no longer here. And the dogs that I was blessed to have. Since I got a smart phone about six months ago, I record every damn thing. Just for fun.

Yes, I believe we should take advantage of the technology.

 

[Kababayan]

I began recording techniques years ago so that I don't forget techniques and concepts. I also began recording my seminars and uploading them to Youtube (you can create a private channel.)

 

[skribs]

What is the purpose of the video you are discussing? Is it to remind yourself of things you're training on, or as a tool to train others?

To be perfectly frank, I don't think you should just dump your martial arts knowledge onto a video. The problem is if every martial artist does this, what you're going to get are a lot of brain dumps that largely only make sense to the person speaking. I find there are three types of videos that are commonly made, and only one of those three is worth anything as instructional material:

1. A video which shows the technique, usually with text illustrating what the technique is and a couple angles of the technique. These videos usually miss the application of the technique, counters, training tips (i.e. what you might be doing wrong), or how to combo with other techniques.
   
   For example, this video might show a few basic punches, and all you get is the name of the punch and what it looks like. You don't get tips like how to combo with other punches, when to use this punch over the others, or tips like "rotate your foot to put your hip into it".
   These videos are just a list of techniques and nothing more.
   
   
2. A video which does the opposite of #1 and includes every single thought the person has. For example:
   
   "This is a reverse punch. When you do the reverse punch - oh, it's a punch with the rear hand - you want to twist your foot and drop your knee. And make sure you don't do a reverse punch and then a jab, because that doesn't make sense, always jab first if you're doing a one-two combination, but if you just need one strong hit use a reverse punch. Now this is a hook punch- oh, right, one more thing about the reverse punch is you want to make sure you use these two knuckles and have your wrist straight. Anyway, the hook punch. This is a hook punch. Notice how I come from the side in a hooking motion. Now, one counter you might see for the hook punch is a block like this. So if someone does a hook punch to you, you can block here and then take them down this way. If someone throws a jab at you, then you may want to block this way instead, but remember with the hook to get your hip into it just like when you do the reverse punch..."
   
   These videos tend to have a lot of rabbit trails, answering of random questions that nobody was thinking of, without orienting the user to what the question is. These are videos taken in one long take, with no cuts or editing, and seemingly no script. Just whatever the instructor thinks to say to cover whatever eventuality might come up.

Both of these videos would be terrible to leave as a legacy of your martial art. The former is bad because then it just becomes a set of techniques with no real connection. The later is bad because nobody's going to sit through an hour of rambling and try to piece together what you're talking about. It's different if the instructor gives you the basic instruction in class and then answers specific questions that are asked, or points out mistakes that are being made. The class may come across like the video, but it's different because it's interactive instead of trying to parse through an hour of rabbit trails.

If you really want to make a video detailing your art's knowledge, you need to approach the video with the same amount of care as you would approach a student. To make a good video, I would

• Demonstrate the basic technique at a speed slow enough to see the details, but not excruciatingly slow (i.e. a punch or a throw at 50% speed)
• Describe the exact motions you are making with the technique and break it down step by step (i.e. the chamber position for the punch, how to torque your body, the turning of the wrist, the tight fist, driving through, and recoiling the hand afterward)
• Cut to a demonstration of applications (for example, targets, and have a slow-motion strike with the punch to various vital parts on the opponent, such as nose, throat, solar plexus, stomach, and groin)
• Demonstrate the technique at half speed and full speed
• Cut to a demonstration of common problems (i.e. bad hand position, failure to turn the body, not following through, or not recoiling) and why those are problems
• Cut to a demonstration on how to safely practice the technique if the technique can be dangerous to practice
• Cut to a demonstration of combinations that include the punch
• Cut to counters to this technique

A video organized like this - with editing and voice-over, with cuts to show we're talking about a different subject - can really help the viewer out. You logically separate each technique by having it as it's own video clip or the next section of the video. Each cut within the technique jumps to the next part - initial demonstration, detailed description, application, demonstration, troubleshooting, safety, combinations, counters. Separating everything logically for the viewer in this way can make it very easy to follow what you're talking about, but also make it easy for them to skip to the appropriate part of the video.

I would encourage making videos if you can produce something worth using, but my experience on Youtube is that most videos are not worth using.

 

[Kababayan]

If you have young kids it's also a cool way to document you as a martial artist now, so that they can see what you "used to do before your knees gave out."

 

[JowGaWolf]

Today we should take advantage on the modern technology that our previous generation didn't have.

Have you ever considered to record all your MA knowledge on video? You can record all your techniques twice from the opposite angles. This way you can have a complete record for yourself, or pass it down to your students.

Your thought?

I'm doing exactly that now. Even if I don't think it's "knowledge" I'm making an effort to get it on video. Some of the things that I may feel as "common" knowledge may not be common knowledge. I'm also running out of hard drive space thanks to this effort. lol.

One of the things I enjoyed most about my videos is the ability of me saying "I have a video of me doing..." whatever is being discussed. You name it then I probably have a video of me doing that technique (in the context of Jow Ga). There have been many times when you tried to explain stuff and I've sat here thinking "What the hell is Kung Fu Wang talking about." Then a few hours later you have a video that helps me to understand what you are talking about. To me that's awesome.

From a "historical context." we are going to forget tons of martial arts stuff that is actually very valuable. I look at all of the knowledge gaps that is missing form TMA and I think. Man it would have been great if these guys had videos of their training and classes. But people didn't so we only have this stuff to cherish.

Now think of how much could have been recorded.

I'm totally with you. Record your stuff. Even if it's wrong. Examples of errors is just as valuable as examples of perfections., maybe even more so.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

What is the purpose of the video you are discussing?

You are talking about making a formal DVD. It's a good idea but that's a much harder and complete job. I'm just talking about to record individual technique.

I'm more talking about something like this.

 

[JowGaWolf]

You are talking about making a formal DVD. It's a good idea but that's a much harder and complete job. I'm just talking about to record individual technique.

Here is an example.

There is a lot of things that are actually missing from DVDs. DVDs have to have some sort of direction and structure and often times they are an edit of what went on. Trying to figure what to include in a DVD to sale is a lot more work than just recording what is going on.

 

[skribs]

You are talking about making a formal DVD. It's a good idea but that's a much harder and complete job. I'm just talking about to record individual technique.

Here is an example.

Whereas me, personally, I don't really see what the point of that video is. For one, the person speaking is not the person demonstrating, so it threw me off as to who was doing what the first time I watched it. So you have the person's leg...now what?

It seems to me the only people who would benefit from this are those who already know it...and then how would they benefit from this?

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

It seems to me the only people who would benefit from this are those who already know it...and then how would they benefit from this?

You are correct. This kind of clips are only used within your own group. It's not intended to be used for the general public.

If you learn 10 techniques in one class. after 100 classes, you may have learned 1000 techniques. How can you remember it? These kind of clips can be helpful. The nice thing about this approach is you can sort it in different groups and then linked those small clips into long clips.

 

[Tony Dismukes]

There is so much video available from top notch BJJ practitioners already that I haven’t felt the need to put out anything of my own.

However I’m starting to recognize that my own personal approach to martial arts and training and teaching is becoming distinctive enough that maybe it’s worth documenting. I think I’d like to start my own YouTube channel for this purpose.

Question for the video buffs: will the video cameras in the $50-79 range produce good enough output for this sort of project? My phone is on the cheap side and I don’t think its video is that great.

 

[jobo]

You are talking about making a formal DVD. It's a good idea but that's a much harder and complete job. I'm just talking about to record individual technique.

I'm more talking about something like this.

Is that supposed to be a serious technique ? I have great doubt that would work with anything other than a compliant partner, sure kick their leg up and give them a push, but catching the leg, your having a laugh

 

[Tony Dismukes]

Is that supposed to be a serious technique ? I have great doubt that would work with anything other than a compliant partner, sure kick their leg up and give them a push, but catching the leg, your having a laugh

In Judo/wrestling terms that would be an o uchi gari used as a set up for a single leg. Both parts are serious high-percentage techniques. There are some technical reasons why I don’t normally put them in combination that way, but I guarantee an expert could put you on your back with that entry.

 

[jobo]

In Judo/wrestling terms that would be an o uchi gari used as a set up for a single leg. Both parts are serious high-percentage techniques. There are some technical reasons why I don’t normally put them in combination that way, but I guarantee an expert could put you on your back with that entry.

?? So it would only work, if your an " expert ", coz I'm pretty sure nether of the guys in the vid could make it work, simply resisting the leg lift, Or bringing you leg up knee bent,negates it

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

but catching the leg, your having a laugh

This is why in the Chinese wrestling "inner hook" solo training, the hand and foot has to meet. You hook your opponent's leg up, you then catch it.

At 0.45, 0.55 in this clip.

 

[JowGaWolf]

There is so much video available from top notch BJJ practitioners already that I haven’t felt the need to put out anything of my own.

However I’m starting to recognize that my own personal approach to martial arts and training and teaching is becoming distinctive enough that maybe it’s worth documenting. I think I’d like to start my own YouTube channel for this purpose.

Question for the video buffs: will the video cameras in the $50-79 range produce good enough output for this sort of project? My phone is on the cheap side and I don’t think its video is that great.

Record yourself even if you think that you skill set isn't good enough. The biggest value that you'll get is that you are documenting an approach that the experts may not have thought of. Limitations along with other factors will often provide answers that the experts don't know themselves. Things like size difference and strength differences will change how some techniques are executed.

You can get a good camera for about that price range. But now that I've said that. Invest money (if you can) on a camera that has high speed capabilities. Some techniques are done at incredible speeds, so you don't want to miss that part of the action.

The biggest thing you'll need is video editing software.

 

[marques]

Today we should take advantage on the modern technology that our previous generation didn't have.

Have you ever considered to record all your MA knowledge on video? You can record all your techniques twice from the opposite angles. This way you can have a complete record for yourself, or pass it down to your students.

Your thought?

Recording is an appealing idea. I would love to have it from my main instructor. But...

Recording ALL knowledge... seems too much ambitious to put everything in video, or it seems to make the knowledge little if it can all be put on video.

I am constantly neglecting some parts and specialising in other parts. So I don’t even know in what consists my knowledge, or what level is required to be considered ‘knowledge’. Aditionally, if I do a 30 seconds video, it would require about 30 min of explanations and pointing what is relevant in there. Boring. Some things I do well, I am not even aware, it is just the inconscient result of training.

Anyway, we can (and should) record, and eventually share, our strongest bits, or rare nice stuff not widely known that we believe useful. I have done 5 min of it, just not sure if good enough to be made public. Another think we can do is recording bits here and there. At some point, we will have a nice collection of random bits of knowledge. Which can be an extra teaching, documentation or marketing resource.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

what level is required to be considered ‘knowledge’.

IMO, you can record:

- technique (vocabulary) - single leg, double legs, hip throw, foot sweep, leg lift, ...
- principle (grammar) - different ways to get your opponent's leading leg. different ways to take him down from there, attack leading leg then attack back leg, throw forward then throw backward, attack linear than attack circular, ...

 

[marques]

IMO, you can record:

- technique (vocabulary) - single leg, double legs, hip throw, foot sweep, leg lift, ...
- principle (grammar) - different ways to get your opponent's leading leg. different ways to take him down from there, attack leading leg then attack back leg, throw forward then throw backward, attack linear than attack circular, ...

We can do many things.
The issue is the world is already full of rubbish info. How do I make sure I will not be creating more rubbish content? One the other hand, I could do some nice things, putting the right resources there; to potentially duplicate what already exists...

There are quite good videos out there. Better than what I could do. I am only (slightly) motivated to add a bit of what I like/know the most or what I don’t find.

I still think ALL is too much to put in video, even ‘only’ all techniques and tactiques. Even in a kickboxing perspective. Possibilities are infinite. In a self defence perspective... then... there are so many variables... even more complex and time consuming task.

Again, principles, signature moves and some other bits, I think it is feasible and interesting (but not everything).

Another thing I would like to do, slightly different, is fight analysis. Still knowledge in video.