Drew Foster
Silver Belt
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Okay here it is. Part 2 of the Ryan Hall sets review. Let's dig in:
I should preface this by saying that this DVD set is the first of its kind. In many ways, this DVD must automatically get a 5/5 just because there is no other material on the 50/50 position, either as a BJJ set, or as a submission grappling set. This DVD is obviously a submission grappling set, as the main attack from the 50/50 is the reverse/inside heelhook, which is illegal in a gi.
I talked quite a while with a competitive purple belt friend about this set. I'm gonna start with the bad. I do not believe that this material is meant for, or should be practiced by anyone that does not have 3-5 years of experience. Ryan definately mentions that the reverse heelhook is dangerous, but I have a feeling many novice and begginer no-gi grapplers are gonna grab this set, go to their local NAGA, and I can hear the screams of people losing their AClLs and meniscuses already. NOTHING on this DVD is to be played with!!!!!!!!! All the techniques can result in a hospital visit for you and/or your opponent. If you are a bagginer, and want to watch the DVD for entertainment value, or to educate yourself on how to maybe escape the position, or to see what may lie ahead for you, then go for it!
The first DVD set is just like the Triangle set. Hall takes to approach of guiding us through the 50/50 as a guard, and an attacking position. The most important thing he says to understand about the 50/50 is that it is somewhat of a "misnomer". It is a physically mirrored position. Both fighters have equal position and options for attack/defense IN THEORY. It is actually a skill based position, where one player must fight a pitched battle to the player that is more skilled at the position. In that way, it is good for someone to use it on a better fighter that may not know much about the position. This is me speaking when I say this: DO NOT neglect your basic JJ skills in order to "master" the 50/50 or any other unique position like the DLR, X-Guard, RubberGuard, etc. Ryan covers hand fighting, protecting your legs, several grips on how to finish with the reverse heelhook. Attention is placed on forcing a bend in the leg, and controlling their knee the entire time. The foot must rotate while the hip and knee are completely immobilized. Also on the first DVD are some alternate fiishes like the Darce choke, the Texas Cloverleaf (awesome), the off-leg (regular) heelhook, and the off-leg toehold. The off-leg heelhook often results in going back to the 50/50 heelhook anyways. You'll see, it's hard to explain. You'll also see how to blow out their knee without using any hands or even upper body motion if they pressure into you. There's a similar canopener defense, and a couple drills to close the DVD.
The 2nd DVD is all about entries. I should add a very important detail about Ryan's philosophy on entering the 50/50: Never contort your body to fit the needs of the position. Use solid body mechanics to move your opponent into a configuration where you can attain the position without having to be Mr. Flexible in order to get to the 50/50.
Ryan shows how to enter to 50/50 off the basic leglocks: the footlock, reverse heelhook, kneebar, and calf-slicer. The skill/flow drills are shown next. The next entries were my favorite. Ryan shows 3 entries from the deep half guard, and two entries off the x-guard. The first two deep half entries are sweet, simple, and very smooth. So is the third, but it was my least favorite of the 3. The two x-guard entries are so simple you'll smack yourself in the face. The next 5 entries show how to granby into the 50/50 from different positions, as well as how to get to the 50/50 from the knee-cut across pass, by going into a kneebar and reverse heelhook first. A leg drag entry is showed, which was really neat. Ryan shows two standing entries. The first is the Imanari rolling attack into the 50/50, and the Toquinho standing back control (around the wait grip) drop into the 50/50. Shogun attacked Chuck with this in their last fight. The last two 50/50 entries are done when your opponent tries the bullfighter pass and the knee-cut across pass. Turning the knee-cut pass into the 50/50 can put you in the hospital if you do it wrong and they sprawl, so BE CAREFUL! There's a whopping 23 techniques on this disc!
The third DVD is the best for all experience levels IMHO. Out of the first 6 techniques, the first 4 involve passing the 50/50 to either side control mount, back, or simply disenganging. The next 2 focus on untangling their legs, and getting back to a position to pass the guard. Technique 7 is a DLR guard entry into the 50/50 that is very practical. Techniques 8-11 are all advanced entries into the 50/50, and are all from Ryan's commonly used upside down, or inverted guard. Many of the techniques are incredibly complicated. At least I thought so. The next is going from back control into the 50/50. Again, Ryan points out that the Rearn Naked Choke is the smartest option, and to only attempt this if there's 20 seconds left and you are behind on points. Then you can try this and see if you can get a quick heelhook tap. The following x-guard entry when you're trapped inside the x-guard is very simple, and one of my favorite entries on the entire set. The Omoplata to 50/50 is silly, and Ryan even admits as much, saying he can only occasionally get it to work in class. It's a filler technique, but worth practicing for coordination and body control purposes. I doubt it would work for most people besides Ryan in a tournament though. Ryan shows two advanced open guard entries and then finishes the DVD with advanced reverse heelhook finishes, which can be viewed on youtube.
This set is not as conceptual as the Triangle set. Ryan only really spends the first DVD exploring the 50/50 in depth. But boy does he go in depth on the first DVD. it's called, "50/50 illuminated", and it really is illuminated. The first DVD really needs to be absorbed before moving to all the entries. Most of the 2nd and third DVDs are devoted to entering into the position. I did not know there was SO MUCH to the position. All the entries in the world won't save you, if you don't know how to defend yourself while attacking at the same time. That makes this position very advanced as opposed to the triangle. Ina triangle, once you get your perpendicular angle, you're money. Maybe, maybe, you can get stacked, but you can't be submitted. In the 50/50, you're constantly in danger of being subbed, even though if you understand the nuances, you can pretty much guarantee your safety, unless they've seen the DVD too. hand and feet fighting are shown. RNC and Kimura grips on the heel are shown. Ryan also points out that if they do get a hold on your outside leg that's over top of your leg triangle, they will lose the legloc race. The reverse heelhook is the granddaddy leglock. It trumps all others.
I feel like I'm gonna wait a while before really trying a lot of this. Sure, I may do some on some lower level students, but I don't wanna be the guy in class that can leglock brown belts, but can't pass and sweep purples.
It's hard for me to review this. A part of me thinks people with 1 or 2 years have no business practicing this stuff. I wouldn't want them doing any of this stuff on me. At the same time, I have to review the DVD on its content alone. And for that, it must get a 4/5, due to lack of bonus features. As far as content though, it's a 5/5.
Yes, a 5/5. I enjoyed the Triangle DVD more, but it got a 4. Why is that? Well, the reason is that this is the only material available on the subject, combined with Ryan's teaching. Everything that made the Triangle set perfect is on here too. This DVD is flashier and fancier. Once again, the book is closed on the 50/50 unless someone does a gi 50/50 DVD. Ryan has said and shown all there is to say and show for the 50/50 as a heelhook and sweeping position. Lower levels can use the passes and disentaglement stuff. It just has to get a 5/5. Nothing isn't covered. On the triangle set, nothing isn't covered. It's a perfect DVD too, but I watched it first, and the lack of bonus features made me give it a 4. The triangle content is a 5/5 as well.
Once again, it's missing bonus features, which really sucks! But there's too much here to complain. My one comlaint is that I wish Ryan really emphasized the danger of the position a little more. There are a couple techniques where he says, "This can't really be drilled. So use with caution." How is that possible? The reality is that this DVD is meant for high level competitors. If begginers pick this up hoping to tap purples and browns, they're making a HUGE mistake. This should be for seasoned grapplers, unless you want to watch for entertainment purposes only.
With that said, educate yourself. Buy both DVD sets. They're probably the 2 most information-packed DVDs I've ever seen. Yes, I just said that.
Like I said about the Triangle set: any questions, fire away! I realize I was very general about the technique descriptions. I don't want to write out the DVD. I wanted to review my feelings about it.
Both DVDs are flawless unless you want extra goodies on the DVD. Buy the Triangle one first. If you're a more advanced no-gi player buy the 50/50 set. If you are a newbie and want to just WATCH the 50/50 set for entertainment, buy it. But the Triangle set for the 2 year or less student is more bang for the buck!
I should preface this by saying that this DVD set is the first of its kind. In many ways, this DVD must automatically get a 5/5 just because there is no other material on the 50/50 position, either as a BJJ set, or as a submission grappling set. This DVD is obviously a submission grappling set, as the main attack from the 50/50 is the reverse/inside heelhook, which is illegal in a gi.
I talked quite a while with a competitive purple belt friend about this set. I'm gonna start with the bad. I do not believe that this material is meant for, or should be practiced by anyone that does not have 3-5 years of experience. Ryan definately mentions that the reverse heelhook is dangerous, but I have a feeling many novice and begginer no-gi grapplers are gonna grab this set, go to their local NAGA, and I can hear the screams of people losing their AClLs and meniscuses already. NOTHING on this DVD is to be played with!!!!!!!!! All the techniques can result in a hospital visit for you and/or your opponent. If you are a bagginer, and want to watch the DVD for entertainment value, or to educate yourself on how to maybe escape the position, or to see what may lie ahead for you, then go for it!
The first DVD set is just like the Triangle set. Hall takes to approach of guiding us through the 50/50 as a guard, and an attacking position. The most important thing he says to understand about the 50/50 is that it is somewhat of a "misnomer". It is a physically mirrored position. Both fighters have equal position and options for attack/defense IN THEORY. It is actually a skill based position, where one player must fight a pitched battle to the player that is more skilled at the position. In that way, it is good for someone to use it on a better fighter that may not know much about the position. This is me speaking when I say this: DO NOT neglect your basic JJ skills in order to "master" the 50/50 or any other unique position like the DLR, X-Guard, RubberGuard, etc. Ryan covers hand fighting, protecting your legs, several grips on how to finish with the reverse heelhook. Attention is placed on forcing a bend in the leg, and controlling their knee the entire time. The foot must rotate while the hip and knee are completely immobilized. Also on the first DVD are some alternate fiishes like the Darce choke, the Texas Cloverleaf (awesome), the off-leg (regular) heelhook, and the off-leg toehold. The off-leg heelhook often results in going back to the 50/50 heelhook anyways. You'll see, it's hard to explain. You'll also see how to blow out their knee without using any hands or even upper body motion if they pressure into you. There's a similar canopener defense, and a couple drills to close the DVD.
The 2nd DVD is all about entries. I should add a very important detail about Ryan's philosophy on entering the 50/50: Never contort your body to fit the needs of the position. Use solid body mechanics to move your opponent into a configuration where you can attain the position without having to be Mr. Flexible in order to get to the 50/50.
Ryan shows how to enter to 50/50 off the basic leglocks: the footlock, reverse heelhook, kneebar, and calf-slicer. The skill/flow drills are shown next. The next entries were my favorite. Ryan shows 3 entries from the deep half guard, and two entries off the x-guard. The first two deep half entries are sweet, simple, and very smooth. So is the third, but it was my least favorite of the 3. The two x-guard entries are so simple you'll smack yourself in the face. The next 5 entries show how to granby into the 50/50 from different positions, as well as how to get to the 50/50 from the knee-cut across pass, by going into a kneebar and reverse heelhook first. A leg drag entry is showed, which was really neat. Ryan shows two standing entries. The first is the Imanari rolling attack into the 50/50, and the Toquinho standing back control (around the wait grip) drop into the 50/50. Shogun attacked Chuck with this in their last fight. The last two 50/50 entries are done when your opponent tries the bullfighter pass and the knee-cut across pass. Turning the knee-cut pass into the 50/50 can put you in the hospital if you do it wrong and they sprawl, so BE CAREFUL! There's a whopping 23 techniques on this disc!
The third DVD is the best for all experience levels IMHO. Out of the first 6 techniques, the first 4 involve passing the 50/50 to either side control mount, back, or simply disenganging. The next 2 focus on untangling their legs, and getting back to a position to pass the guard. Technique 7 is a DLR guard entry into the 50/50 that is very practical. Techniques 8-11 are all advanced entries into the 50/50, and are all from Ryan's commonly used upside down, or inverted guard. Many of the techniques are incredibly complicated. At least I thought so. The next is going from back control into the 50/50. Again, Ryan points out that the Rearn Naked Choke is the smartest option, and to only attempt this if there's 20 seconds left and you are behind on points. Then you can try this and see if you can get a quick heelhook tap. The following x-guard entry when you're trapped inside the x-guard is very simple, and one of my favorite entries on the entire set. The Omoplata to 50/50 is silly, and Ryan even admits as much, saying he can only occasionally get it to work in class. It's a filler technique, but worth practicing for coordination and body control purposes. I doubt it would work for most people besides Ryan in a tournament though. Ryan shows two advanced open guard entries and then finishes the DVD with advanced reverse heelhook finishes, which can be viewed on youtube.
This set is not as conceptual as the Triangle set. Ryan only really spends the first DVD exploring the 50/50 in depth. But boy does he go in depth on the first DVD. it's called, "50/50 illuminated", and it really is illuminated. The first DVD really needs to be absorbed before moving to all the entries. Most of the 2nd and third DVDs are devoted to entering into the position. I did not know there was SO MUCH to the position. All the entries in the world won't save you, if you don't know how to defend yourself while attacking at the same time. That makes this position very advanced as opposed to the triangle. Ina triangle, once you get your perpendicular angle, you're money. Maybe, maybe, you can get stacked, but you can't be submitted. In the 50/50, you're constantly in danger of being subbed, even though if you understand the nuances, you can pretty much guarantee your safety, unless they've seen the DVD too. hand and feet fighting are shown. RNC and Kimura grips on the heel are shown. Ryan also points out that if they do get a hold on your outside leg that's over top of your leg triangle, they will lose the legloc race. The reverse heelhook is the granddaddy leglock. It trumps all others.
I feel like I'm gonna wait a while before really trying a lot of this. Sure, I may do some on some lower level students, but I don't wanna be the guy in class that can leglock brown belts, but can't pass and sweep purples.
It's hard for me to review this. A part of me thinks people with 1 or 2 years have no business practicing this stuff. I wouldn't want them doing any of this stuff on me. At the same time, I have to review the DVD on its content alone. And for that, it must get a 4/5, due to lack of bonus features. As far as content though, it's a 5/5.
Yes, a 5/5. I enjoyed the Triangle DVD more, but it got a 4. Why is that? Well, the reason is that this is the only material available on the subject, combined with Ryan's teaching. Everything that made the Triangle set perfect is on here too. This DVD is flashier and fancier. Once again, the book is closed on the 50/50 unless someone does a gi 50/50 DVD. Ryan has said and shown all there is to say and show for the 50/50 as a heelhook and sweeping position. Lower levels can use the passes and disentaglement stuff. It just has to get a 5/5. Nothing isn't covered. On the triangle set, nothing isn't covered. It's a perfect DVD too, but I watched it first, and the lack of bonus features made me give it a 4. The triangle content is a 5/5 as well.
Once again, it's missing bonus features, which really sucks! But there's too much here to complain. My one comlaint is that I wish Ryan really emphasized the danger of the position a little more. There are a couple techniques where he says, "This can't really be drilled. So use with caution." How is that possible? The reality is that this DVD is meant for high level competitors. If begginers pick this up hoping to tap purples and browns, they're making a HUGE mistake. This should be for seasoned grapplers, unless you want to watch for entertainment purposes only.
With that said, educate yourself. Buy both DVD sets. They're probably the 2 most information-packed DVDs I've ever seen. Yes, I just said that.
Like I said about the Triangle set: any questions, fire away! I realize I was very general about the technique descriptions. I don't want to write out the DVD. I wanted to review my feelings about it.
Both DVDs are flawless unless you want extra goodies on the DVD. Buy the Triangle one first. If you're a more advanced no-gi player buy the 50/50 set. If you are a newbie and want to just WATCH the 50/50 set for entertainment, buy it. But the Triangle set for the 2 year or less student is more bang for the buck!
