Russian Wrestling Technique DVD Vol 2

One day while searching the internet for information on the Russian 2-on-1 grip, I stumbled upon this website called www.RussianWrestling.net. It was setup by Vladimir Anoshenko and Miron Kharchilava, both who have a long list of accomplishments in wrestling in the USA and overseas. They were offering 5 DVDs for sale:

Volume 1: Russian Intensive Workout: Warm-up & Drill

Volume 2: Russian Tie & Underhook Series - Leg Finishes & Upper-Body Throws

Volume 3: Overhook, Front Headlock, & Over & Under Series

Volume 4: Leg Attack Defense & Counters

Volume 5: Top - Bottom Position: Tilts, Turns, Throws and Pins

The dvd's run $30 each but they also offer discounts for multiple buys: Any 2 - $55 + $5 Shipping , Any 3 - $75 + $5 Shipping, Any 5 - $100 + $5 Shipping. I bought volumes 1-3, but this review is only about vol 2, the 2-on-1 grip.

These guys were both Russian, so I figured the information they had on the Russian 2-on-1 grip had to be legit! It is the only DVD I found on the internet to have almost an entire disc dedicated to that grip setup.

The production quality was not top of the line. The sound is echoey because it is shot in a gymnasium. The guys are sometimes hard to understand, not because of their accent, but because they shot the instructional in one take. There are some high amplitude takedowns and these guys were running out of breath having to show the moves and then talk. To me, it was perfect. I want my Russian instructionals hardcore and Eastern Block style!

The moves demonstarted are shown multiple times and lead into what move to do if your opponent reacts a certain way. The takedowns covered leg attacks and upperbody throws. I feel upperbody throws are way too neglected in the grappling world. Leg atacks are great, but why limit ourselves? The takedowns also offered moves to use for both push/pull or forward/backward momentums. Many takedowns shown reminded me not of freestyle wrestling, but Sambo/Judo using no-gi. I love Sambo and it is obvious to see these guys really have Russian techniques ingrained in them.

In the last chapters of the 2-on-1 they even cover how to counter the grip. Some dvds show great moves and never mention how to counter them. I don't like to share the counter with my friends just yet, but it is good to know for me 8)!

My only complaint would be that they did not show enough setups for obtaining the Russian 2-on-1 grip from different tie-ups. I think the 2-on-1 grip for no-gi grappling is amazing. If you really get good at the grip itself, you put yourself in no danger of being attacked, while the opponent can only concentrate on defending. It also lends itself to switching to an armdrag. The 2-on-1 is oldschool and I'm bringing it back! I haven't mastered it yet, but I have been terrorizing people at the gyms with it. I don't always get the takedown, but my opponents can do nothing but try and break free.

Overall, the DVD's are great! Watch the highlights they post for each volume to get you going. A very rare find on standup grappling!