Putting It All On Video

I’m often asked why I don’t record what I know onto video. After all, isn’t that the best way to learn?

I have lots of reasons for NOT recording all of my martial arts into a visual lesson. Are you interested in my reasoning? After reading this quick list of “excuses” for avoiding making DVDs, see if you would really want to promulgate what you know in a video format:

1. I See Dead People Everywhere, Don’t You?

— Most of what I see on Youtube.com in the way of martial instruction is pure ca-ca. The fact that the masses can’t identify this both worries me and delights me. I’m worried that so many are so easily duped (which could get them hurt or killed in a fight), but I am happy that my teaching has a different flavor to it. And not just the flavor of the month, either.

2. Nice Holes In Your Guard; Did You Intend to Do That?

— I participate in a couple of discussion fora where martial arts teachers regularly post videos. They do this to try to sell you on their wares. The problem is, these videos do a great job of showing me their holes in their guards, their inefficiencies, and more. Sure, I do get a tip now and then, but most of my research shows me what to do against others who leave similar openings.

3. What Color Are My Socks?

— Either these video posters are naive, or they have a lot of guts to show the world their tactics and strategies … or more specifically, the way they move. I’m not so keen on letting the masses see the color of my socks, or exactly how I’d respond to given techniques. With books, it’s different. You go through a process of discovery, if you want to gain the skill; it’s not just blind imitation when I write. I try to force readers to think and to go beyond the move I am teaching in the book or ebook.

4. Books? You Mean You’re a Writer?

— Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. I am not a Hollywood producer, nor am I in the business just to make money. There is soooo much skill building that goes on when people work through examples from a book without the exact instruction of a teacher or video. Teachers and videos are necessary, but they absolutely, positively must be supplemented with the written word. It’s imperative. (Bruce Lee had a collection of thousands of martial-arts books.)

5. Don’t You Have Videos, Keith?

— Yes, but not the straight, move-imitating type. I use whiteboards and quick snippets to … once again … help you to go beyond basic understanding. (At least, I try to.) In the future, I’ll add even more martial-arts video snippets … with … ahem … a little direct instruction. Still, I’ll try to use them sparingly, and specifically to highlight some important point from an ebook or book.

6. Do You Want to Know Why I am Learning to Love Martial Tutorial Videos?

— Not all, but most of these video posters have cups that are too full. (And if they don’t, then their students do.) What I mean is, they are not open to suggestions of improvement. Even if you politely ask if they’d like a suggestion, and they say yes … they don’t really. Look, they had enough of an ego to video themselves and post it for all to see. With that comes a certain confidence in what you do. So, it’s a no-brainer that these guys are already sold on their moves.

Opinions?

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