Mr.
Tatum’s videos are excellent and considered by most to be the gold standard
for American Kenpo technique videos. He explains the techniques slowly,
describing the various principles and concepts. He gives words of encouragement
at the beginning and end of each tape series to prepare you for the next belt
achievement level. When necessary he takes a few extra minutes to show any
special aspects of a technique that he feels should be highlighted or turns
toward different angles to give the viewer a better look at the technique. The
actual production quality and sound are at this point unmatched as Kenpo
technique tapes go. Also the actual quality of technique execution is at a level
that most can only hope to achieve. He presents speed and accuracy in a way that
makes you rewind to make sure you actually saw what you just saw. Even in slow
motion replay, where most tapes can be broken down to slappy, flawed execution,
Mr. Tatum shows that techniques executed at blinding speed can maintain their
quality when executed at the highest levels.
The
technique order follows the 24-technique chart curriculum, so if you are on a
16-technique curriculum you will have to search around to find the technique you
are looking for. The techniques are listed on his website http://www.ltatum.com/beltchart.html
and presented in that exact order on the tapes and are normally split down the
middle into volumes 1 & 2 (yellow belt is one tape). As with any taped
instruction it is always better to have hands on teaching, but these tapes make
an excellent reference for people who need a visual aid and an opportunity for
those that aren’t near an instructor to learn the techniques and then follow
up with a certified instructor for further refinement. I highly recommend them.