Eddie Bravo Twister DVD Review

Site Admin Joined: Apr 11, 2005 Posts: 1086

From MMA.tv

From: vermonter

A few days ago i went over to my coach's house and we watched Eddie Bravo's dvd.

I had heard a lot about Bravo's methods, but i had never been instructed in, or really ever seen the twister, or much on the rubber guard, or most of Bravo's other moves, so, although it's not fully intended as such, i learned a great deal of technique watching this dvd.

That aside, I thought the dvd was IMMENSLY inspirational. I could not wait to get on the mat again, even after just finishing a 2.5 hour open mat. Bravo's commentary and the "cribs" episode format are absolutely hilarious, making this DVD extremely watchable even for my girlfriend or my non-grappling friends, who would hate to watch the standard bjj dvd. I would not be surprised if Bravo's product introduces a great many people to bjj for the very first time.

The dvd itself is easy to navigate and of good quality. Some of the matches themselves don't have perfect camera work (old matches shot with a home video camera), but give a very personal feel to dvd that, in my opinion, enhance the watchability.

As a final note, Bravo was extremely respectful of Royler gracie, contrary to what i had expected. Very classy.

Overall, i'd give the dvd a 10 out of 10, and would recommend it for bjj fanatics and non-bjj competitors alike. After watching this, if i ever move to California, Bravo is the guy i'd want to train with.

-doug-

PS. As a strength and conditioning coach for brazilian jiu jitsu, i'm glad to hear on the DVD that Eddie got into weight training. Looks like he's gained some bulk!

Site Admin Joined: Apr 11, 2005 Posts: 1086

from MMA.tv

From: rene.r

My previous preamble about me being a beginner, and different games suiting different people, and all that gets inserted here.

I attended 1 day of an Eddie Bravo seminar over a year ago where he taught Rubber Guard, and was extremely impressed with his teaching ability, so this has been on my wish-list for a while.

OnTheMat.com did me a solid by shipping this USPS rather than UPS (which would have slapped me with a *cough*money grab*cough* $20 'handling' fee on top of taxes), and I received my package no problem at all. Awesome site!

Twister itself is a great DVD, and was what I expected, if not more. What I expected was a series of Eddie Bravo's matches with his commentary. I really (really!) prefer this format for watching matches than say a Mundial or ADCC video. I first encountered it on Bolo's Dynamic BJJ and it just makes the matches so much more interesting, educational, and watchable it's a damn shame more people haven't made releases in this format.

Eddie is a gifted speaker. Clear, relevant, and funny as hell. ("No Spine Lock!" "I either pulled half-guard or just shot the double and slammed him, can't remember...") He explains what he's doing during the match, and more importantly, what he's thinking and why he's doing it. Obviously, the eponimus Twister plays a big part, as do the 'old school', 'lockdown', and other uniquely named Bravo moves.

From his blue belt, through purple and brown belt matches, to Royler in ADCC (afterwhich I believe he was awarded his black), a good sampling of matches are offered.Most of the matches show an almost identical (consistent) gameplan, how he executes it, and (also very importantly) how he gets back to it, or switches to a back up, when things don't go as planned. Secret of his success right there. Yes, apparently, if you're super dedicated, have very good mind-set, are flexible, and (for Royler) become montrously strong for your weight, you can be a world champ with small set of specialized gameplans, and just one side. Smile

As a bonus, Bravo intersperses comedy sketches like a take off of MTV cribs, his demands for a PrideFC contract (starts with $1M and veiled 'work'), etc.

Easter eggs include instructional segments where he teaches a calf-crush from the lockdown called 'Kamakaze', and the overhook triangle he tapped Royler with (and although the fact that he tapped Royler is mentioned once and a while on the DVD, it is not, as perhaps it could have been, replacing the 10th Planet logo on his T-Shirt). Other easter eggs include comedy skits ranging from his Man Show submission to an imitation of a Brazilian BJJ teacher teaching... er... other forms of ground activity instead of grappling. Funny stuff.

Only downside is that easter eggs, while fun, can be annoying to get to for repeat viewing, and some may be turned off by seeing very similar matches time after time (though they should probably know better, if they order Bravo's vid).

All in all, excellent DVD, and to echo a previous review, one of the few that will probably be appreciated by a wider audience than just BJJ

Site Admin Joined: Apr 11, 2005 Posts: 1086

I have the Art Suave and it definitety is good. I'm not sure if there is a review of it on this forum already, but if not I might right one since I'm on this website all of the time anyway.

JS BJJ Regular Joined: Sep 08, 2005 Posts: 229

the twister dvd was definitely entertaining (anyone surprised i got it???), but i did already see the most interesting parts of the matches in various highlights and trailers.

it was cool to see his Old School and Twister setups in live action, too. plus he's a funny guy.