Gokor's Hayastan Grappling 2-DVD set

Gokor Chivichyan has a new 2-Disc DVD of techniques from the Hayastan Grappling System. The set, with the unexceptional name “Hayastan Grappling, includes footage from Gokor’s seminar at the 2007 Paradise Warrior Retreat and a bonus disc of other training. The set runs $ 69.95 from budovideos.com, with about 160 minutes of content on all-region DVDs.

The seminar is shot in high quality video, with font tags with the names of the instructors and title screens for each of the techniques. Overall, it’s a much better presentation that other seminar-style videos where it’s not always clear if the instructor has moved on to something new or not. Gokor demonstrates most of the techniques, but MMA fighters Manny Gamburyan and Karren Darabedyan show a few moves. There’s also “appearances” from BJ Penn, who looks like he’s on his way to teach a seminar, and Kevin Randleman, who’s taking in some of the training.

The techniques are presented in a typical seminar video format, with Gokor demonstrating each technique a few times with detailed description and a clip of the attendees trying the technique and getting pointers from Gokor. The presentation provides a ton of detail, a few different angles and tips on common mistakes. The detail is great and there are often interesting tips and tricks to optimize the technique.

The techniques are divided into chapters:
Hip movement training drills
Butterfly guard knee compression
Straight ankle lock counter
Straight ankle lock
Rolling toehold from half guard
Guillotine transition to neck crank (Manny Gamburyan)
Single leg takedown counter to armbar
Single leg takedown counter to americana
Toehold from half guard on bottom
Drop seoi nage to inverted heel hook (Karren Darabedyan)
Kata guruma to inverted heel hook (Karren Darabedyan)
Guard recovery from side control
Guard recovery from turtle position
Armbar from guard when opponent stands up
Shoulder lock/Toehold variation
Pendulum Sweep to mount
Hip bump sweep & armbar from guard
Secret to finishing the kimura
Countering opponents guard recovery with an inverted heel hook
Endless variations

The Bonus disc contains a variety of other grappling material, including Gokor teaching at his academy, in interview with Gene Lebell, and some sparring. It’s an interesting addition, including both some gi and no gi training.

Overall, the material is good and some of the technical variations are unique. In fact, some of the moves are downright slick. The price might be on the high side of what’s common for an instructional, but the teaching is really good.